Seated Dime - Key Date

49r Relics · Nov 9, 2010

Found this on halloween at a Church that was built in the 1860's here in Northern California (one of two seated dimes found on this day).

Was very careful not to rub this coin at all and only rinsed it in distilled water. Going to get this coin slabbed at PCGS. Mintage 280,000 !

HH, Mark

Bev · Nov 9, 2010

Wow- you'd never know it was in the ground!
(why distilled water by the way? Is tap water bad?)

mainer · Nov 9, 2010

Great coin. Less of those minted then the 16D merc. :icon_thumleft:

teleman 2525 · Nov 9, 2010

most excellent find :headbang:

ddjames · Nov 9, 2010

Epic find !!! Big Congrats. Banner

Erik in NJ · Nov 9, 2010

You were smart to handle it with care :icon_thumright:

It's in great shape - it should grade very well! Good luck with it!

Banner find 4 sure!

Felinepeachy · Nov 9, 2010

Yeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! That's a fantastic find. Congratulations!!!

:wav:

Indianhead Jones · Nov 9, 2010

Kudos, Beachbumm, on a rare and beautiful find! :icon_thumleft:

Larry G.

jcooking · Nov 9, 2010

Congrats on a great find!

gold nuggets · Nov 9, 2010

Some fantastic detail on that seated coin find. :icon_thumleft:

Congratulations on a sweet find. Gold Nuggets :hello:

49r Relics · Nov 9, 2010

Bev said:
Wow- you'd never know it was in the ground!
(why distilled water by the way? Is tap water bad?)

Thanks!

It is never a good idea to ever clean a valuable coin, but I did let this dime soak in water overnight to break loose the crud from 140+ years in the ground. I used distilled water because once the dime hits the water, the PH of the water will be the PH of the dime and it's dirt. Instead of putting it in tap water where the chemicals and minerals that are used in the water purification process could be affecting the dime as it soaks. Distilled water is purified water from the process of recovering steam from boiling water and then letting it condense so it is simply H2O with no other impurities. Seems like overkill for a dime and dirt but I had to attempt to at least see the date and mint mark before I rubbed and it and destroyed it's numismatic value (Like so many other do in the field right after they recover a coin). Once I could see the detail and the date and mint mark, I immediately stopped considering any kind of rubbing whatsoever. I used the wand in the shaower on high with warm water and after 5 mins it looked like it does now. Never rubbed (by me). One last rinse in distilled water and right into a protective sleeve. My local coin dealer is always on me for ANY cleaning whatsoever on my rare finds. Just my humble opinion :read2:

mainer said:
Great coin. Less of those minted then the 16D merc.

I never thought about it that way but, wow what an undervalued coin! Thanks for the comments!

Felinepeachy said:
Yeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! That's a fantastic find. Congratulations!!!

Hi Mia!

Wish you could have been there!!! We found a beautiful old church built in the 1860's and the priest was very kind and allowed us to hunt the parking lots where the stage coaches used to park. Going back soon to detect the lawns. Hope all is well.

Cheers, Mark :icon_pirat:

A Huge Thanks for all of the kind comments and Banner Votes!!! :hello2:

allen · Nov 9, 2010

talk about a gorgeous coin, that one sure is.
You got my vote for the banner :icon_sunny:

jeff741972 · Nov 9, 2010

Wow thats a nice one

49r Relics · Nov 9, 2010

allen said:
talk about a gorgeous coin, that one sure is.
You got my vote for the banner

Thank you all so much for the praise and the sincerely appreciated banner votes!

Slabman · Nov 9, 2010

Gorgeous coin!!!!!! Personally, I would not have that coin slabbed. They are indeed an undervalued coin,
but could bring 3 or 4 hundred bucks. If you get it slabbed, it will come back as whatever they grade it
at, but it will also say "Environmental Damage", which could significantly bring down the value if you should
ever decide to sell. Sounds like you have a great place to hunt for awhile!!

Slab

DigginThePast · Nov 9, 2010

Great low mintage Seated. :thumbsup:

Congrats!

nc-joe · Nov 9, 2010

Great rare find. Be sure to post a picture once you get it back from PCGS!

Roland58 · Nov 9, 2010

Congrats on a terrific save!! However, I have to ask a newbie question......what is meant by "key date?" Thanks for any replies........

nc-joe · Nov 9, 2010

Roland58 said:
Congrats on a terrific save!! However, I have to ask a newbie question......what is meant by "key date?" Thanks for any replies........

Key date refers to a coin that is rare. Usually a low mintage coin. (but could be a high mintage coin but very few are still around) They are referred to as the "key to the series" For example the 1909 S VDB is a key date coin for wheat pennies. Or the 1916 D is the key date Mercury dime and so on. Most coin types and denominations have at least one key date to the series.

thrillathahunt · Nov 9, 2010

Slabman said:
Gorgeous coin!!!!!! Personally, I would not have that coin slabbed. They are indeed an undervalued coin,
but could bring 3 or 4 hundred bucks. If you get it slabbed, it will come back as whatever they grade it
at, but it will also say "Environmental Damage", which could significantly bring down the value if you should
ever decide to sell. Sounds like you have a great place to hunt for awhile!!

Slab

Well, not necessarily. Only if there is evidence of pitting or corrosion. I have had dug silver coins slabbed (ICG) and have come back with normal attributions.