The eagle has landed! Advice on cleaning, and grading needed.

The 1832 Capped Bust Half has arrived today.

I need to know what to do to preserve it, would a quick dip in acetone hurt?

Also, I need a grade.

Lastly note that when you hold the coin a certain way, it has a bit of a rainbow to it, but I can't get it with the camera. Well, you can see a bit of it when I used the scope (it's on the front).

Should I slab this?

Thanks.

 

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Personally I would just leave it alone, and put it in a container that is safe for coins, like a saflip.

No offense, but you are a younger collector and shouldn't mess with coins. I ruined some when I was younger. Now, after many years of experience I would feel comfortable using acetone on that coin, but practice on cheaper coins first. You are just a custodian, this coin has survived 180 years now, and its your duty to pass it along to the next owner how you found it. Put it aside how it is, protect it in a safe holder, and when you have been a collector for 20 years and know how to safely use chemicals on coins, you can decide what to do with it.

Sound fair?

Chris

 

What did you pay for it? I was looking at a similar one locally.

 

$90.

Are the BCW snaplock holders good for long term?

 

Ya but I have touched the coin taking it out of the flip. I don't want the oil in my fingers to do any harm.

Can anyone come up with a ball park grade, and do you think it has been cleaned?

 

Pretty coin, btw. Nice taste. I think you will enjoy that for a very long time.

 

Yeah its been cleaned, almost all have. Not market unacceptable though in my eyes.

I wouldn't worry about your fingers on the edges. These coins have survived a lot more than that. As long as you didn't wipe them on a chlorine source right before you touched the edges, you are fine.

 

Also, and no this don't make any diff on price, is it a large letter reverse?

I MIGHT have it slabbed, I have only $90 in it, if it comes back as AU, they realize about $300.

 

Okay. Thanks. For some odd reason small/large letters have no difference in price.

 

Well rats, these won't fit in a standard half dollar holder, they are 32.5mm and a standard half is 30.6.

 

Right, these are larger than today's coins, more silver. I like flips for these, saves me the hassle of special ordering sizes.

Btw, I disagree with Doug on the grade. I would give it an XF. At least that is the price on which I would buy it, and I have bought about 80 of these, (still have them too).

 

No I wouldn't clean it with Acetone, it is fine as is
Yes it has been cleaned
No I would not slab it. Doubtful it would grade AU. Most likley XF40 maybe 45 on a good day.

Mike

 

A quick rinse with acetone as described in post above wouldn't hurt. Remember Doug said TPG "AU". I certainly won't put words in his mouth, but I suspect if he was using his standards it would be less. I would grade it myself if buying as EF, but it might get AU if slabbed, but also it might get a "detail". I don't see any harse cleaning, but like others, I am sure it has been cleaned. Enjoy it for 10 years in an inert holder and then if you want, you can re-evaluate it and slab it. Might get even a higher grade then

Edit: guess Doug and I were typing at the same time !

 

I gave it a rinse in acetone. Actually glad I did as it lifted some loose dust off the coin.

 

Slab it if it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling and helps you sleep at night but like others have said, it's not gonna change it's value. If you're happy with the coin and plan to just keep it in your own collection, the grade of it almost becomes pointless if you're happy with it.