My Seated Liberty half collection has been dead-ended because any of the album empty holes are a little too rich to fill for my blood. So recently I have been upgrading the common date AG-G to F-XF. Along those lines I picked up this 1843-O and my first instinct is to try dipping -- which I have never done -- but from reading several threads here on CT it sounds like it might be a good solution to the blemishes. So my question is: what would you do if you were me, and why?
Throw it in your pocket and make what @lordmarcovan calls a Circam. It’s perfect for it. Other wise get the belt sander out and strip that dog (after reading VKB’s post I’m gonna add) if that’s what you want to do! Because of what @V. Kurt Bellman has stated I wouldn’t dip this coin, I feel he is correct this one and only time ever in history never to be repeated again ever. Ever. Reed Ever. Don’t get a big head Kurt, you tried before and It almost killed you. Those blood vessels just can’t handle the extra load.
My theory is and remains, "NEVER EVER DIP ANY COIN BELOW A SOLID AU. IT NEVER LOOKS RIGHT AGAIN!!" And I've dipped about a gazillion and three quarters of them, too. IF you could get the black to come off FIRST and better match the gray, that would be great, but it doesn't work like that.
I agree with the above. If it's not mint state or at LEAST a strong AU, it will never straight grade if you dip it.
Leave it as is...no dip is going to improve what 175 year of wear in circulation has done... it won't add any value only devalue in yours and others eyes.
Let the old girl alone. Hasn't she been through enough? It's not going to improve her technical merits. She's telling you something. She's been through a war that divided this country in half. What do you expect, she's going to come out looking clean and shiny? Don't you touch one hair on that girl's head or I'm going to come riding after you and bring Kurt with me!
This coin looks like the surfaces have been undisturbed for over 150 years. Cleaning it will make the coin look like it has been cleaned and 150+ years of patina will never be recovered.
Ask green bourbon makes everything look better....his eye doctor recommnds Markers Mark over contacts
I think your coin is awesome just the way it is... leave it alone.... don't dip it!!!!.... My collecting tastes have actually changed quite drastically with regards to toning in the last several years. I used to think that a "sparkly white" coin was the only way to go. But as I have seasoned some in the hobby I think originality is paramount in a coins appearance. Especially for old coins like this one. The color of this coin is a testament to its age and beauty. I know its tempting to alter coins to give you a renewed perspective of them but my vote would be leave this antique patina "as is".....
I don't think it's all that bad looking now. Don't dip it. In this particular case, it would make the coin look worse.