Would you clean this?

[lanvan]

This is my first year detecting and I've found a few silvers so far. I'm torn and trying to fight temptation to clean a Merc I found. It's a 1919 and very dark and splotchy. What is your opinion? Clean it or leave it as is?
I'm new to this and just not sure how ugly is too ugly. Thanks.

 

[masterjedi]

Do not clean it.... no need to...

 

[BigWaveDave]

Do not clean it.... no need to...

word

 

[villagenut]

I love dirty coins, so I vote..no.

 

[Loco-Digger]

It appears to be smaller than the clean merc, maybe a fake Or do the colors of the coins make the dirty one look smaller

 

[lanvan]

I took the picture at a slight angle on the counter top making the clean one a bit closer to the camera. I assure you they are the same size. Sounds like I should leave it alone.

 

[bigfoot1]

bah-humbug....clean the tar out of it if it makes you happy.you dont have the holy grail there.the best part of finding a"keeper"is keeping it.are you going to sell it to buy half a burger?

I say clean it real pretty,get a bezel and wear it on a necklace for good luck while hunting.

do what makes you happy,once you know you dont have a key date etc then what you have is 2 bucks in melt....or...a sweet goodluck charm and conversation piece.

 

[jeff of pa]

yes Absolutely ! With a good ink Eraser , or Fine Sandpaper

actually I agree with bigfoot1 . but go 1 step more.
I personally don't clean any coin except the Date & Mintmark areas
of coins I can't get a full i-d on any other way.
but if you like shiny clean coins Go for it.
Even the 1916-D dimes.
after all they would be yours to enjoy your way

 

[Skippy SH13]

It's technically junk silver, since there is not much numistmatic value unless it's the 1919-s (which it didn't look like it was). Clean away if you prefer a shiny coin in your collection! It's going to be worth about $1.50 either way.

Skippy

 

[cudamark]

I agree with those who say, go ahead and clean if it makes you happy. It's not an MS65FSB coin, so why worry about it. Soak it in some vinegar for a few hours up to a day, then rub it with baking soda and rinse. Use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner if you want a gentler method.

 

[SusanMN]

Give it an overnight soak in lemon juice. If a coin isn't rare or very old, it's not,going to be worth more than melt value, so why not have it look good.

 

[pgfhgs]

Its yours do with it as you would be pleased!!!!!!

 

[BadM0nkey]

Clean it and show it off.

 

[Higgy]

I'll go one further. I will trade you a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a shiny new Roosevelt dime. DONE! No more worries!

 

[JoeB_OH]

I have used Olive oil to clean silver! It works, just needs to soak a couple Hrs., sometimes longer.

 

[basque-man]

Either way, they are cool finds. You can do whatever ya want. Now if it was a key date; that's a different story!

 

[Captain Caveman]

Congrats on the Mercs! They look great!

 

[Duke]

just remember if u find something valuable let the guy who buys it clean it or send it to a pro