I know there is a thread going where people are posting gorgeous commemorative halves. I enjoy commems, but many of them get PRICEY. I took some time to see which of the "classic" commemorative halves (pre 1982) were affordable. I have one of each of these and am always on the lookout for others in the bargain basement. Columbian Exposition 1892-93 2,500,405 Pilgrim 1920-21 172,165 Monroe 1923 274,077 Lexington-Concord 1925 162,013 Stone Mountain 1925 1,314,709 B T Washington 1946-51 1,609,040 Carver/Washington 1951-54 1,317,992 Compare this to the 1982 Washington that people like a lot at 2,210,458 uncirculated and 4,894,044 proofs. I just bought a Lexington-Concord for ~$30 that looked like this I did a hot water rinse and a day-long acetone soak followed with another hot water rinse and a REALLY QUICK dip in eZest to get What do you think?
Actually I use a little basket, dipped it less that a second and then rinsed. The acetone actually took off most of the dark stuff. Give it a few days and I'll try and take another picture without so much glare.
I dunno.........I wouldn't of touched it in the first place.........circ commems are best let lie.......
Just didn't like all the clumpy black stuff and it did come off nicely. Please note, no rubbing used.
Ditto! And, while I'm at it, I might add that I preferred all of my Classic Commems in MS65 or better. If I put your coin next to them, yours would stand out like a sore thumb. Chris
Very kind words I agree, it has the typical “cleaned” look now, but I must admit I like it much better than before.
I’d agree about overdipped but two things make me want to give it the benefit of the doubt: (1) he says the acetone took off “most of the dark stuff” - that’s not typical tarnish, and (2) the second photo is way overexposed. Let’s at least see a better photo.
Early comment collecting is fascinating and challenging. The prices are currently low, and now is the time to buy if you like them. The different designs are interesting - my favorite is the Bay Bridge.
You are better off leaving coins with gray toning alone. Any worn piece, like that Lexington half dollar, that has white shiny surfaces like that screams, “I’ve been messed with,” to any buyer when has had much experience. As for your list, all of them are fairly common, but the Monroe almost never can be found with an attractive look. This is true even for the Mint State pieces.
I was trying to reference the ones that were common and affordable. Yeah, the Monroes are not real lookers. Actually looking at most of the commemoratives, a lot of them are downright boring.
First time ever I saw the term eZest wuz right here & now...an' it's a lesson not soon forgotten, after looking at those before & after shots. I have trifled with cleaning, and shown the results without shame in this forum. I have heard from many of you folks about the practice, almost universally condemned...especially by Doug! I'm beginning to understand the wisdom of just leaving the coin As Found...Somehow the artificially bright coins don't hold the appeal they did even just 3 or 4 years ago. Maybe...just maybe...I'm growing up. wlw
Actually those "artificially bright" coins will tone over time, and (hopefully) to a more pleasing look than whatever caused you to dip it in the first place. Dipping is not good for coins less than AU grade. Dipping should also be done slowly and carefully. Seriously, I dipped the coin for 1 second or less. I always dip at the sink so that I can instantly rinse the coin. Heavily tarnished silver will give off a hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg) smell, and for this one, I noticed no smell whatsoever.
