1916 Mercury dime cleaned up nicely

[Johncoho]

This is the 1916 Mercury dime I dug yesterday with before and after photos. I was able to get it cleaned and the only D I could find was right after the ime. I had hope, but with only 264,000 minted the odds were against me to find a 1916d. It was exciting as I managed to clean the crud off the reverse and reveal nothing. Thanks for all the help in how to clean it. I used the aluminum foil, hot water, and baking soda method. It took 6 times with rubbing lightly with baking soda paste between the baths in hot water to get it reasonably clean. Happy hunting and thanks again for all the help.

 

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[Relicific]

That dime really cleaned up nice.
Thanks for the tip

 

[against the wind]

Nice job cleaning it.
I do love Mercurys.

 

[trapperart]

Looks good congrats

 

[peruna]

Still an amazing find...nicely done on the find and clean-up.

 

[treblehunter]

Nice clean Merc, good work finding and cleaning that Merc.

 

[dirtdigginfool]

Nice find! I myself dug a 1916 Merc this summer..and was shaking too bad to try to find that elusive "D"...but alas..careful cleaning revealed no mint mark...I feel your pain! Great save..ddf

 

[BIENER]

That's what this hobby is all about.. I'm sure there are plenty on this forum that have been in your position. Don't sweat it, better luck next time. Nice piece to add to the collection!

 

[A2coins]

Just the excitement of it possibly being a D is a pretty good feeling Good!! Next time

 

[kha924]

what methods did you use to clean it? incase i ever find some silver be nice to know.. ive been on a serious drought only one piece of a spoon..

 

[WHADIFIND]

Would you like to borrow a "D" stamp?

 

[Loco-Digger]

What would a 1916D be worth in the found condition? I have also used the baking soda, and foil method, but never had one the condition your's was. It's your coin, and I probably would have done the same if I dug it. Do you use coin folders for your dug coins?

 

[Wildcat1750]

Thanks for the update & great clean-up job! I wasn't sure if that blackness would ever come off for you. Sorry it's not a D but it's still a 1916! I just found a 1916 Merc and was thinking about the % chance that it could have/should have been a Barber dime.

 

[Johncoho]

I used the aluminum foil and baking soda. Take a bowl and put a piece of aluminum foil in the bottom shiny side up. Lay the sliver on it, and cover it with baking soda. Then pour boiling water on it. I added more baking soda on top of the dime. When it quits bubbling then give it about five minutes and remove it. Then use a little paste of baking soda to rub it to help remove the crust. You may have to repeat these steps 4 to 8 times to get the desired result. I know when you say rub the coin some may have a heart event, but this coin was in poor shape to begin with so all you could do was improve it's appearance. I couldn't see if it was a d mintmark without cleaning.

what methods did you use to clean it? incase i ever find some silver be nice to know.. ive been on a serious drought only one piece of a spoon..

 

[Johncoho]

I just dug a 1903 Barber dime the other day and it was as bad as this one until I used the same method to clean it. It turned out good

Thanks for the update & great clean-up job! I wasn't sure if that blackness would ever come off for you. Sorry it's not a D but it's still a 1916! I just found a 1916 Merc and was thinking about the % chance that it could have/should have been a Barber dime.

 

[Johncoho]

I usually put them in coin holders and staple them shut, Loco. The condition of this was bad, but it would have still been nice to find that D, even though there would not be any great value.

What would a 1916D be worth in the found condition? I have also used the baking soda, and foil method, but never had one the condition your's was. It's your coin, and I probably would have done the same if I dug it. Do you use coin folders for your dug coins?

 

[Johncoho]

That would be a thought. I tried to grow one on it but you see the result. I told my wife before this hunt that it would be nice to find a 1916d Merc today. A 1916 is close but no cigar.

Would you like to borrow a "D" stamp?

 

[WHADIFIND]

That would be a thought. I tried to grow one on it but you see the result. I told my wife before this hunt that it would be nice to find a 1916d Merc today. A 1916 is close but no cigar.

It's all good. You know as well as I that the "holiest of grails", the *1916 D dime * ! The one that each would have a heart attack and die if they'd ever find one!

Is simply....not worth all that much. Especially in worn, corroded condition. Could it be sold for a fair chunk of change? As, say, a filler? Sure and yes. Could you retire on it, in a word, NO.

Just a very nice find! Nice clean up!

 

[Cal_Cobra]

Those 1916D mercs are tough to find!