1853 Half dime cleaning?

[Walt82]

Hey guys last Sunday I found my first seated half dime.
My question is do I need to clean it to have it graded, it has it all
No wear perfect details, but it has a dirt stain from being buried a
Hundred or so years. I know that if you scrub it it could ruin the coin.
Should I get the dirt off or leave it alone?

 

[Truth]

If I was having it graded I’d leave it alone. Congratulations on that beauty. I’ve only found one and it was counterfeit. Ugggh

 

[against the wind]

If you are sending it to PCGS, they will remove the surface dirt without damaging the coin.
If you clean it, they will be able to tell under magnification. Cleaning a coin is sometimes a reason a coin grading company will refuse to grade the coin.

 

[Rookster]

Great find. Congrats.

 

[pepperj]

It's not worth grading is it?

Good
(G-4)Very Good $18
(VG-8)Fine $22
(F-12)Very Fine $25
(VF-20)Extremely Fine $35
(EF-40)About Uncirculated $67
(AU-50)Uncirculated $134
(MS-60)Uncirculated $212

You've done well on the recovery, throwing good money away isn't going to help on the true value.

 

[Walt82]

It's not worth grading is it?

Good
(G-4)Very Good $18
(VG-8)Fine $22
(F-12)Very Fine $25
(VF-20)Extremely Fine $35
(EF-40)About Uncirculated $67
(AU-50)Uncirculated $134
(MS-60)Uncirculated $212

You've done well on the recovery, throwing good money away isn't going to help on the true value.

I have no idea, I’m not a coin guy I just dig them. A friend to me to send it in.

 

[: Michael-Robert.]

Don't clean and send to PCGS, they will remove the surface dirt without damaging the coin.
If you clean it, they will be able to tell under magnification. Cleaning a coin is sometimes a reason a coin grading company will refuse to grade the coin.

 

[Argentium]

Looks great as is ,nice honest patina !

 

[CoinFetcher]

The coin guys are saying NOT to grade it.

The find is awesome, but you’d be crazy to send it to get graded.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice half dime.