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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,630 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
687 Posts |
I'm relatively new to coin collecting, but I've apparently got the "bug" and I decided to buy some junk silver off a guy on Craig's list. I was hoping to fill a few holes in my Kennedy half collection and since he had some silver Roosevelts and Washington quarters, I bought those too figuring anything I bought would fill a hole. Anyway, one of the dimes is a 1942 merc. Even though it's a pretty common date, the coin appears to be in really good shape except that it's covered in some kind of brown gunk. I figure since it's not worth all that much, it might be a decent coin to give a little acetone bath and distilled water rinse too. I'd rather not wreck its value since it's such a pretty coin, but it's not that expensive to replace if I do. Opinions?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
968 Posts |
I'm not an expert on the acetone baths, although it seems like a reasonable idea for this coin. One thing to make certain of first is that it isn't a 2 over 1. The 2 looks a little funny. It is probably just the gunk, but it can't hurt to double check.
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Valued Member
United States
293 Posts |
You'll have people who will say never clean coins, but with something like that I would.
It's basically the difference between owning something that will go in a "junk silver" pile -OR- cleaning it and if it cleans up nice and you do it properly, having a great coin for your collection. I see no reason not to. I would also just say to do your best not to do anything that would harm the coin because you can always make things worse!
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New Member
United States
14 Posts |
i would have to say clean her up. give it an acetone bath. that my opinion.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
 If it's not a 42 over 1, then by all means go ahead! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1418 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
687 Posts |
It's definitely not a 42 over 1 - I checked before I posted - my scanner doesn't do too well on dimes. I'll give it go in the acetone and let you guys know how it all turns out.
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Valued Member
United States
272 Posts |
Will be nice to see how it cleans up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
I think you should clean the baby. She looks sweet,but she would be cuter if you gave her a bath. A little soaking in soap and water might do the job, but if that doesn't cut acetone probably will. Good luck. - coincrazed
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
You too,huh, Wornslick? Same here. The first time I saw a mercury on ebay, I absolutely fell in love with her and bought her. (that was before I knew anything about coins, so I waaay overpaid for her)By the way, I joke about mercury being my girlfriend, LOL so you mght hear me refer to her as "baby". - coincrazed |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1304 Posts |
I understand coincrazed, I have bought a few since I started this hobby, yes I may have overpaid but they sure are beautiful.  |
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Valued Member
United States
171 Posts |
Yeah. Mercury dimes are my favorite U.S. coin. The first time I saw one was in Heartland America magazine, and I was stunned with its beauty, so I went to ebay to look them up. I bought a 1918S in F-12, a 1942D that was about uncirculated and another one I don't remember the date, (I think it was 1941D)but it was MS-65 gem uncirculated.Unfortunately, since they ARE so beautiful, it makes them harder to collect. I have been looking at ebay for a 1921 and 1921D, and these lunkheads who know nothing about coins call an Ag-3 a G-4!  Let me tell you, my friend, that makes things much more difficult than it should be. The Photograde grading book states that the obverse of a G-4 Mercury dime "The rim will be worn down to the tops of the letters. Wing will be flat." On the reverse it says "The rim will touch the tops of the letters. The facses will be worn smooth." I get sick and tired clicking on one of those auctions That says: 1921D Mercury dime! L@@K! GREAT DETAILS! SOLID GOOD!,and then realizing the stupid fool that owns it is saying an about good is a good. Also, the bidders are foolish themselves. These dunces actually PAY G-4 prices for an Ag-3! If you don't believe me, just look up "1921 D Mercury dime" on ebay. Sorry for rambling on, but I hope this was interesting. So good luck and Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! - your friend, coincrazed |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 And as for cleaning coins? Quote:
I think you should clean the baby. She looks sweet,but she would be cuter if you gave her a bath. A little soaking in soap and water might do the job, but if that doesn't cut acetone probably will. Good luck. - coincrazed
Sorry but statements like this are not to smart. Yes many soaps and waters might work and might really distroy that coin. Note that all soaps are nowhere near the same. Same with water. Not all water is the same. Some soaps are almost abrasive. Some tap waters contain Chlorine, Florine, Salts from water softeners. Almost all dish soaps are different and the chemicals in them may well do more damage than good. As to your coin. Yes it is rather on the common side and nothing really rare of highly valuable so you may want to experiment with that one. Although cleaning coins is really a dumb, dumb thing to do, in this instance you may want to experiment. If you have Acetone, use the search thing on this forum for Acetone, coin cleaning, cleaning coins, etc. Prior to doing anything to that coin, know what you are attempting to do. Under what may well be only dirt, there appears to be a rather nice coin so don't mess it up. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Kind of forgot. Mercury dimes are one of my favorite coins too. Presently have well over 3,000 of them. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
11951 Posts |
Go ahead and clean it. Right now you have a silver dime, worth from .80 to $1.20. This is the sort of coin that you practice cleaning. Everyone that has been in this hobby will tell you not to clean coins. But everyone I know that collects coins has and does clean coins.
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,630 |
Posted 11/29/2009 12:12 am
