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 Replies: 8 / Views: 968 |
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
Hi all -- As a followup to my questions about the Bust dime, I also wanted to get some thoughts, if possible, on these two Seated Liberty coins. The dime has for whatever reason what appears to be an "intentional" pair of scratches, one vertical and one horizontal, on the obverse. However, it is in otherwise nice condition. The half-dime is a bit more worn, but lacks the scratches. Some thoughts on grades, and possible values (given the scratches) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Steve   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
Just curious, after you dig them up do you clean em pretty thoroughly ?
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Dime- VF Details (Scratched)
Half Dime- F Details (Cleaned)
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Valued Member
 United States
160 Posts |
Thanks, coinkid! 52Raymo -- no way, on the "thorough cleaning!" I carry medicine bottles on each hunt -- some filled with water; the others filled with cotton balls. I also carry a bottle of water. When I dig a coin that is just a modern clad or memorial, I'll toss it into my coin pouch. Anything silver or Wheat cent age or older gets a little water poured onto it to see the year and mint mark. If it turns out to be a newer silver coin that I know is not a "key date" coin, I'll put it into the medicine bottle with water in it, and just let it soak the rest of the hunt. At home, I will give them a rub under the faucet, and that's usually all it takes. If I want them to shine a bit, a light rub with a baking soda paste will do the trick. With a coin that is older, or one that I'm not sure on, I handle them differently. With these three, I poured enough water on them when I dug them to see the year, and then put them into the medicine bottles with cotton balls between each coin. When I got them home, I looked them up and made sure they were not of particular value. If they HAD been, I would have stopped right there, no cleaning, and sought professional help. Once I saw that none of these had particular numismatic value, I decided to go ahead with a better rinsing and a bit of baking soda paste. Had that Bust coin been any less worn, I would not have cleaned it, just a water rinse. You would be surprised how "clean" a silver coin comes out of the ground in most cases, even one that's been buried 150 years! Steve Edited by sgoss66
08/05/2013 12:30 am
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
That's amazing- I've always wanted to metal detect in some old grounds behind my house, but I'm simply not skilled enough to metal detect, nor do I want to spend a lot of money on a metal detector, although I have a civil war graveyard near my house, and I'm positive that digging a little would yield some lovely Seated Liberty coinage. |
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
coinkid -- while I'd never dig in a graveyard, the areas around it, and the old land behind your house, sound like the kinds of spots I'd love to hunt! It takes awhile to become proficient with a detector, but once you do, it sure is alot of fun, and it can also add nicely to your coin collection!
As for these two coins, I was figuring $10 to $20 each; does that seem like I'm in the ballpark?
Steve
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
coinkid -- One more thing I'll add about the Civil War sites; along with the relics, which are so fascinating to dig in and of themselves, the pay of the armed forces back then was in U.S. coinage -- the enlisted men receiving silver coins, and the officers, gold coins! So yes, Civil War sites are great places for Seated coins, AND for an occasional Gold Eagle! Steve Edited by sgoss66
08/05/2013 12:47 am
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Valued Member
United States
114 Posts |
Yeah, I don't actually have a Civil War site, but there's a graveyard (I'm way too spooked to dig), and an entrance. There's also an abandoned house which is owned by people who live 3000 miles away, so I could dig there. And that would be amazing to dig some things up. As far as value goes on that Half Dime and dime, I'd say the Half Dime runs from $8-11, while the dime runs from $5-8 |
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
coinkid -- thanks for the values, I appreciate it.
It really is amazing to see what comes out of the ground sometimes. I find detecting simply fascinating. Sure, there are days when you dig nothing but junk; on the other hand, those days become fewer and fewer, as you become better and better at understanding what your machine is telling you, and as you become better and better at researching, and at finding spots that have not been heavily hunted by others in the past.
It's an amazing feeling to dig something that was last touched by human hands 175 years ago... :)
Steve
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Replies: 8 / Views: 968 |
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Posted 08/04/2013 3:34 pm
