1837 Capped Bust Dime

I don't think this coin will make Mint State at a TPG, the big hit on the reverse in the shield of the eagle might even get it into a details holder, or possible surface damage. I think the green spots maybe PVC contaminate, get thee off thy coin ASAP. I would never do any cleaning that would change the tone of this coin either. Worst case scenario EF45 details - best case AU53 IMO.

I'd have to agree. XF45 Details sounds about right. Might squeeze an AU50 out of her.

first off, David, you're da man! I did exactly as you stated and every bit of green is gone

i soaked and swished and soaked and swished and rose thorn and BOOM! buh-bye pvc residue!

I'm stoked

to give you all an idea of how much luster this puppy has, I used my IPHONE cam for these. Tonight I will take another set of microscope shots like the first set that started the thread to show the no longer present green monster

seeing luster, any thoughts of an AU coin here now?

thanks Jaobler. No, the appearance is spot on; its the photos making it appear as it does. the first set is a 400x microscope cam that really filters out the lighting source whereas the second set is a smartphone cam that allows the lighting source in more. Tonight I will do a repeat of the first series with some different lighting that will allow a better take on the coin...I think.

My question for you, why do you think the surfaces look less original? Do you suspect that at any point in time this coin was artificially toned? My experience, which I suspect is far less than yours, tells me that when you get the type of mottled crusty tarnish this coin actually has and can be seen under the aforementioned 400x zoom, that finish and appearance cannot be accomplished with any techniques a coin doctor would employ, i.e. sulfur from boiled egg yolk, oil/potato etc... Thoughts?

thanks to all of you for the comments and joining the discussion

last looks
head on scope cam
lighting to try and minimize glare and show surface detail
looks AU to me
i guess NGC will tell as this will be one my 5 I send with my signup

The Smartphone photos make all the high points (stars, hair curls, tips of eagle's feathers, arrowheads) appear much lighter than in the first photo set. By Smartphone camera the coin resembles pieces that have been aggressively cleaned. Apparently that is mainly an effect of the camera and lighting since your "last looks" images show a more balanced coin.

I see what looks like fairly obvious light wear on stars, turban, hair above the ear, talons, and olive leaves. The images don't show much if any luster but if significant luster remains perhaps it could squeak into an AU-50 holder. EF-45 still seems more likely.

I don't see any evidence that the coin has been artificially toned; many early silver coins show similar dark, crusty toning with lighter halos around features like the obverse stars.

You did a nice job removing the contamination and this coin deserves a shot at TPG. I'd go XF45 with a shot at 50.

PCGS just gave this an EF45


BIG THANKS to SUPERDAVE for the conservation advice

SCORE!