I recieved an unclad 1984 Philadelphia dime like new in change one day, put it into a plastic bag. Unfortunately it had already been handled, and now months later is oxidizing where the finger prints were left on it. The stamping seemed perfect without visible flaws. Does it have any real value other than 10 cents? What about cleaning it, or protecting it further for the future?
can you post a photo? Please don't clean it as that can kill the value. After a photo and maybe some more info we might be able to suggest a way to protect it for years to come. Welcome to the forum!! Speedy
I have taken photos of each side tonight. Will shrink pictures and post in a day or two. ps - it was like a shiny new penny when I got it, and now it's oxidized pretty badly, some shine still showing though. jafordorl
it looks like a dirty piece. not one struck without the clad layers. If it were missing the clad then the strike would have been weaker than normal, since it would have a thinner planchet.
The surface is now oxidizing rapidly, but when I got it about 4-5 months ago, we thought it to be a fresh copper penny until I saw that it was really a dime. Wish I had known what to do back then to keep it from oxidizing! jfordorl
If the copper strip is punched out and then run vertically between rollers (upset) there will be very little metal at the edges of the planchet and should result in a coin will very poorly defined rims. Strikes will normally be very weak because the planchet is too thin to get the full impression. If you weigh the coin and it's very light then perhaps more consideration can be paid to this. Otherwise I'm in agreement with the other posters who said it was dug or stained.
Guess I am going to have to take it to a dealer and have it weighed, then polish it back up again just to show how it was when I recieved it. I am not a coin afficianado, but it was pristine when I got it just a few months ago. Could this be copper overplated - I can't say, but I surely didn't do it. But once more, if it was what I thought (an unclad dime) does it have any real worth or should I just toss it? Could anyone please address this question. Thanks, jfordorl
I don't think it's genuine, because I'm pretty sure it wouldn't get dark after just a few months. Make sure not to clean it, though, because if it is genuine, it would be worth pretty much. I'm not sure how much, but more than 10 cents for sure, and probably atleast into the mid double digits. Of course, I really have my doubts about it being a genuine mint error.
Yes. It would have substantial value as a dime struck on copper (unclad) strip. Try just balancing a couple regular dimes on a ruler and then switch for this one. It should be obvious in short order if it's light.
Yes, have it weighted although I'm suspecting it has some copper "plating" on it. Not too difficult to do when you wash copper coins together with the dime and then let it tone. What you might want to do is a ring test and if it sounds different from the other dimes, you might have something there. Otherwise, it's just a plated / toned dime.
