The tale of the dirty barber and catholic pendant

[sideshowbob]

I returned to a city house lot I had hunted the previous week. Last week I found my first harmonica reed, about 30 clad pennies, and a handful of wheaties. That was 5 hours in the street easement and part of the front yard, a quarter of the property.
I went back on Thursday and found another nine wheaties, my first barber dime, and my first pendant.
The dime was only a couple feet from the sidewalk, on the yard side, and only a couple inches deep. I could tell the sidewalk had been replaced at some point in time. It must have been chilling next to a nail or something. As you will see in the pic, it's very worn and had an old scratch on it. A solid recommendation of how I can clean this off without damaging it anymore would be very appreciated .

The pendant was found about 6 inches down and in the back portion of the front yard. I'm curious of its age. I have a catholic supply store in the area. I might see what they could tell me about it. There seem to be many variations of them.

 

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[Nick A]

That is very clearly a Seated dime my friend, not a Barber! And it looks like an early one too, 1838-1858ish.

If you look at the second picture sideways, you can see the seated liberty.

Hard to advise on cleaning without seeing the crud, but looks like electrolysis might do it, but you might be able to get a date off of it in good light and held at the right angle and looking in the right spot.

 

[sideshowbob]

Thank you for the correction. I can barely make anything out on it. A friend of mine said barber as soon as he saw it, lol. I can't wait to see it clean. It's my first seated then

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Nick A you have x-ray vision !!
Sideshowbob, congrats on your first seated dime!

 

[detroitdigger]

Nice barber and charm! I've found quite a few of those over the years at a local park in Detroit by my house some sterling and some plated. Congrats on your finds.

 

[sideshowbob]

I'm thinking a short soak in some white vinegar might loosen up the crud. I can clearly make out a 1 as the last digit of its date. The second to last number is slightly visible, but I can't tell. Anyone have any better ideas how I should go about cleaning it?

 

[jewelerguy]

sweet finds!

 

[SusanMN]

If the vinegar doesn't work, this likely will. Lay a piece of tin Foil in a glass bowl, and the coin on the foil. Cover with baking soda, and then pour boiling water over both. Let it sit till the water cools and then wipe the coin clean. Some say never to clean a silver coin, but if it is so damaged you can not read a date, then this isn't going to damage it any worse.

 

[sideshowbob]

The vinegar was a fail. I did the baking soda and Tin foil boil...3 times and this is how it came out. Thank you for the advice. The darn date is still almost nil, but if I tilt it right I think I can see a 5 as the third digit. So I think I have my oldest coin to date, 1851 O

 

[sideshowbob]

I went back and covered another part of the yard on Sunday,no silver this time. I found another twenty pennies, but just one wheat. I believe I found a steel penny

Some kind if tag I need to clean

And a case I believe to be a makeup case. It's sealed shut. I can hear something moving in it, but doubt a coin. Probably makeup stuff. Thinking of lubing the edges with wd40 to see if I can open it. I just hope it doesn't break.

If anyone has any cleaning tips for these things or tips for that case if appreciate any suggestions.

 

[sideshowbob]

Oh and I found this

The casing came out silver as could be. It was live and the lead billet was eaten away quite a bit. I carefully moved it to a dumpster. Did I throw away silver? And I figured a trash truck could hold the expulsion of a bullet. It was the most convenient place to put out my harms way . I hope I made a wise decision. I believe it was a 357 magnum

 

[Trezurehunter]

Congrats on your Seated Dime and pendant. Great finds.

 

[sideshowbob]

Thanks!

 

[cudamark]

Oh and I found this

The casing came out silver as could be. It was live and the lead billet was eaten away quite a bit. I carefully moved it to a dumpster. Did I throw away silver? And I figured a trash truck could hold the expulsion of a bullet. It was the most convenient place to put out my harms way . I hope I made a wise decision. I believe it was a 357 magnum

You didn't throw away silver. I wouldn't toss something like that in a dumpster. I know around here, the thing to do is give it to any police officer. They have an ordinance disposal program.

 

[wheatfinder13]

Very awesome seated and other relics

 

[sideshowbob]

You didn't throw away silver. I wouldn't toss something like that in a dumpster. I know around here, the thing to do is give it to any police officer. They have an ordinance disposal program.

I knew it wasn't the safest disposal idea. The lead was deeply corroded. The whole time I took to take picture I was like what are you doing!?! Figured trash truck could contain it. I do agree it was not the wisest solution
When I dropped it in I turned and and cringed like their would be a little explosion. Too many cartoons....