Low mintage

[MikesDiggins]

I went to a site last weekend that I haven't been to in three years. It's quite a long drive. One of my buddies dug a gold coin on the previous trip. This time it was my turn. As you can see by the picture I have not cleaned it, nor do I think I will. When I got home I found that it is a low mint and the detail looks like it may grade pretty good. What do you think?
Thanks for looking and HH

Mike

[teleman 2525]

very nice coin great shape

[KyFreeBird]

Great find !!!!!!!!! Banner !!!!!!!!!!

[Sim_Player]

In the future, could you please post proper driving directions to the sight (GPS coordinates would be great.)

Thanks in advance!

You dirty dog!

Jim

[BURLIVES]

If it doesn't have any damage rust , corrosion , should easily grade XF-45. I vote banner on this!....I think you should be a little more excited!!!!, this is a once in a lifetime find for most of us. Congrats .

[Deepdiger60]

Nice gold coin yes only 10,800 1863 S were minted ,if that was a 1863 no mint mark only 30 proof coins where minted ,great CW era gold someone here knows how to remove rust on gold safely without damaging the coin i hope they see this . Banner !! Dd60

[CRUSADER]

Very Nice

Gold is easy to clean, why would you not?

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That's one gorgeous coin Mike!
I'd be so excited that I'd be speechless if I had found it!
Congrats!

[Alnitak]

Yeah, I would very gently clean that one. Gold can clean very well without leaving any marks.

You can get the rust off by soaking it in a solution of oxalic acid. It's typically sold as wood brightener or wood bleach. It's very mild and will have no effect on the gold, but it will lift that rust right off the back.

[dave5339]

Sweet! I'll add another request for the GPS coordinates!

You've also got my vote.

Semper Fi

[CMDiamonddawg]

Congrats on finding 1 of survivors ..great looking coin and I bet there is more to the story . I would like to hear about the other gold piece . Without giving up certain secret info can you add some more details ? Thanks and Congrats on a banner find ! CMD

[Swingit]

Thats Crazy Cool!!!
BANNER!!!!!

[AGCoinHunter]

Wow, awsome find. That is quite a rare coin. Congrats! Banner worthy.

Little bit about it...

"1863-S Quarter Eagle (1863-S $2.5) Many Civil War coins struck at the San Francisco Mint are extremely undervalued. In the middle of the American Civil War, the San Francisco Mint only struck 10,800 pieces for circulation. Most, entered circulation and remained there for at least some period of time. No more than 80 pieces are known to exist, at most, in all grades, and that is the highest estimate usually found. "

Now there are 81!

[Iron Patch]

With a proper cleaning that thing would be stunning.

[comfortablynumb]

I'm a bit confused. Many have scolded other hunters for cleaning coins - why does the consensus seem to be that this one should be cleaned? Patina doesn't mean anything on gold coins? What would cleaning do to the grading?

[Iron Patch]

I'm a bit confused. Many have scolded other hunters for cleaning coins - why does the consensus seem to be that this one should be cleaned? Patina doesn't mean anything on gold coins? What would cleaning do to the grading?

Definitely not that type of patina. Properly cleaned would make that coin worth more.... but hard to say how much more because the high bid wouldn't be too bad because the buyer would be cleaning it to resell. (and know it would come nice) But bad eye appeal can smoke the price... all depends who's interested and what they think it will turn out like.

To answer your question when it comes to dug finds it's a case by case basis.

[comfortablynumb]

Thanks IP. I just wasn't sure.

[Iron Patch]

Thanks IP. I just wasn't sure.

To many people get caught up in general ways to clean things and that's why they make mistakes. There's no rush to cleaning anything you find so better to be sure.

I didn't suggest a method because I don't have any experience with gold coins... but i do know about 30 seconds in lemon juice would probably have it corrosion free and shining pretty good.

[Lazy J]

U.S. gold coins get a patina from the copper in them. Collectors look for that. Have it professionly cleaned is my recomendation. I'm guessing A.U. 55 on the grade. No flat on the tip of the nose no wear on the curl of hair down her neck. Awesome find!
T

[wagbert]

What a find! If this isn't a Banner Find, I don't know what is.
It is such a rarity I think it would be worth the investment to have it professionally cleaned and graded.
It would put a stop to the: you did this wrong, and you did that wrong too.
Great find.....the find of a lifetime.
I am voting Banner !!
Thanks for sharing.
Phil