New at this and am hoping for some help.....

I'm wondering if anyone has tips on how to clean silver coins? Is it wise? I've found some metal detecting ...Any feed back would be greatly appreciated.

 

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DON'T DO IT! NOOOO!!!!

 

OK...Ty...Have another question...So if I found a silver coin metal detecting and I want to get it graded...Do I send it as is?

 

Usually silver coins found metal detecting are moderately sad and it is unlikely that any would be worth slabbing. Generally they NEED to be cleaned to even see what they are. Please post some pictures and you can get advice from others here as to whether they are worth cleaning or grading. If you decide to clean, soaking in water, acetone, mild soap solution will do minimal to no damage. Please post us some pictures.

 

I say rinse it off with distilled water, and do not apply pressure while rinsing it because the dirt could scratch the coin. Then dab it dry with a 100% cotton cloth. Then place it in a 2x2 holder and enjoy the coin as is.

 

Here it is...It's a 1921 Standing Liberty Quarter ....

 

Your question is impossible to answer until we know the denomination, date, and mintmark, and general condition. I don't know that I ever found a numismatic coin, using a White's Coinmaster IV in the 1970s.

 

A very nice coin, but not worth the expense of having it graded. Soak it in some water (distilled is best, but tap works good too if you rinse it with distilled) and then ask people here to grade it...I would say VG - Very Good. What does the back look like?

 

Fuzzy pic, looks more like a 1927. Either way, leave it alone, it looks well above average for a dug-up silver coin.

 

Thanks, it is a 1921 and I know its rare. So I guess I will send it as is to get it graded.in order to sell it to a collector do they usually want to see a graded coin. Is that the norm. I know it will cost me some money.

 

1921 has what Redbook calls a pedestal date, while a 1927 has a recessed date; is that what you're seeing?

 

Grading is not worth it for this coin.

 

A coin in that condition is worth significantly less than the cost (19 dollars or so) to get it graded.

 

I agree with others, pure waste of time and money getting that graded.

 

What you can do with this coin is "curate" it instead of clean it. Professional coin grading services will curate you coin if you tell them to, which is just a fancy term for professionally cleaning it, but without leaving any trace of cleaning. And, your 1921 quarter is worth about $350 or so in that condition. great find! I don't know why Kentucky said certifying that is a waste of money.

 

Welcome to the forum Vliet. That's a real nice find with the metal detector.......don't see much (if any) corrosion.....it wouldn't hurt to let that coin soak in a bath of pure acetone (hardware store 100% stuff) for a few hours. Rinse with some distilled (too many impurities in tap) water and allow to air dry on a soft towel.

 

Looks like a 1927 to me and if that's the case, getting it graded would be a waste of your time and your money.

 

I agree. I would start on another silver coin you have found metal detecting and practice. Also, I would reiterate a few points from others:

1. Hardware store acetone, (never trust it from general stores as frequently they have other things in there).
2. Distilled water. You can get it for free from your air conditioner.
3. Do not rub. Dirt is just like sand paper. Rubbing a dirty coin will be just like rubbing sand paper on the coin.

 

I am surprised at all you guys here for thinking this 1921 quarter looks like a 1927! It is obviously a 1921. You can tell that by simply looking at the level date field, and the style of the date, whereas, the 1927 date field is noticeably recessed.

 

I believe its a 1927 as well sir. Look at the angle. Here is a pic of a 1921 dated coin:



See how the 1 is completely upright? The OP's coin is slanted, like the lower part of the seven in this quarter.



Given these two pics, I would guess its a 1927. Just my opinion.