Barber half

sideshowbob

Full Member
Jun 21, 2013
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I stopped by a small park in a little town after chasing down a job lead. I only had about an hour to to test it out, but I found out its gonna be my new stomping ground. My bounty hunter quicksilver picked this up about a foot down. At about 6" I was hitting quite a bit of rock. I eventually popped it out in clump of dirt/rock. I hate getting my blade that close to any of my treasure. After a short bath in my sonic cleaner, I can see a nicked it just a little on it back edge :(. Just a slight shave. Still, it's my first barber anything and I still can't stop grinning. I believe it has white paint on it, as well as the obvious discoloration. Anyone have a bright idea if I should clean it and how? Thanks for checking it out :)
 

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Upvote 14
Definitely one I want to check off the wish list. Man I am jealous. Congrats to you.
 

You can just see the slight shave above the "of" on the back. Barely noticeable. Still so stoked I can't sleep.
 

I know how you feel! When I found my first Barber half I spent so much time looking at it with my jeweller's loupe...made my wife laugh.
 

Awesome half, that's a good reason to be grinning. Congrats
 

Oooh a bucket list coin for sure! Congrats
 

That's a beautiful find! You'll never give it to anyone else anyway. It's YOUR baby now :)
 

If it's not a key date you can shine that up like new with a baking soda and water rub. It's a dug coin so the scratches and imperfections are already there. You will be blown away how baking soda works on silver.
 

If it's not a key date you can shine that up like new with a baking soda and water rub. It's a dug coin so the scratches and imperfections are already there. You will be blown away how baking soda works on silver.
I agree, if it was mine I'd make it shine, if it has paint on it xylene or acetone would probably take it off, won't hurt the coin, then baking soda would shine it up.

Nice half, looks like it has great detail to boot!
Whoops, looks like it might be a good date, check your mint mark, Is it a O? could be worth some money, have it checked first.
Here is a link to your coin
Collecting 1903 O 50C MS Coins | Barber Half Dollars Collectible Coins | NGC Coin Explorer
 

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Huge congrats on that barber half! Another little known shine method on silver is a "magic eraser" made by arm&hammer, the generic ones work as well.
 

It is an "o"is mint mark. I could live with the tarnish, but would like to get the paint off it. Is it still advisable to use the acetone or should I just take it to get checked out before anything?
Thanks again for all the great comments!
 

I've never personally had to deal with a painted silver but if it were me I would start with warm soapy water and see if its a water based paint that will easily come off. IF it turns out to be a petroleum based paint im thinking a chemical will be the way to remove it or ultrasonic cleaner.
 

Very nice coin. Congrats on the BIG silver find.
 

Big Congrats on your first Barber! She's a great looking Half! Should be some more goodies there.
 

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