I'll never get so lucky again. Three stage restoration of 3-Cent Silver.

Quick question: what did you use to handle the coin when dipping?

 

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My fingers, but I licked the Pringles off em first.

 

After reading the sds I seriously doubt that.

 

So what does it take to passivate a fresh surface like this? I'd be inclined to put it in an airtight box with some fresh copper to scavenge any sulfur, and just let it sit for a while. Elevated temperature? Humid (but non-condensing) air?

 

I've wondered about this myself. Silver isn't too bad, and if you make sure the surface is clean (equally clean if possible - including where the tarnish was) I think an airtite would be good. Copper is more problematic, one of the things I have considered and (kind of) tried is immersion in water for awhile or even in water with a splash of hydrogen peroxide to help direct the surface oxidation.

 

I'd worry about uneven results due to bubbles with hydrogen peroxide. (Many metals and metal oxides catalyze its decomposition.)

But I'm no metallurgist. @BadThad?

 

Awesome job. The coin looks much better now, and the TPGS apparently agrees.

 

Good for you to know just what to do, and congratulations on the result!

What a fabulous find!

 

I have a question-
Would it be considered dis-honest if the OP didnt disclose what has happened to the coin before selling? I mean, the before and after photos and the dipping process ??
Im not trying to stir the pot, i honestly have no idea whats considered ethical in this situation. When i sell coins w heavy toning i always leave it up 2 the buyer 2 decide.

 

I don't mind if a buyer knows. He/she Should thank me for saving this coin!

 

Not a peep

 

It kind of makes me chuckle when I hear the "NEVER CLEAN A COIN" refrain.

I have 30 years experience in cleaning coins. Experience is most valuable in deciding which coin NOT to clean.

Having said that, I still am quite capable of ruining a coin that shouldn't have had an attempt made on it.

My best was a filthy raw $1 type I gold piece that came out of the shower as an MS 65. Quite a jump from the $150 I paid a dealer for it raw.

 

Did you dry it with the mustard stained t-shirt as well

 

EXCELLENT conservation job! Black is normally terminal, it had to diminish the luster in spots...but it looks great now.

 

Probably just lucky.

 

No, you took a calculated risk. The best part - you saved a piece of history today for future generations to enjoy!

 

Thanks. Well, I figured it couldn't get much worse! LOL! The black turned to a lighter red/Brown pretty quickly when I used undiluted dip. Almost like it was a film or stain rather than your typical environmental damage.

 

Very cool. I think you were lucky to find nice surfaces under that stuff. Those watching at home should not expect similar results, at least not very often.

As for what it will do in the future..... it’s anyone’s guess. A great many of the coins we’re enjoying today have visited the dip bucket in their earlier lives. Many of them come back very nicely. Some don’t. TPG slabs are actually quite good at protecting the coin provided you keep it in a dry place at a steady temperature.

 

That's the reason I suspected it wasn't silver sulfide, which rarely changes color during the removal process with dip. It either gets stripped, or it doesn't and what stays behind is still black.

 

I like to see this coin six months from now .
I have a feeling where that black was, will come back stained in those black areas .