1837 Capped Bust Dime

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!