1897-O dime

Here are some new shots of my 1897-O dime, in a newer 2x2 for a clearer scan. What do you think this would grade at - XF-45? What about the tiny green blobs on the coin - PVC? These are not visible to the naked eye (the one behind the ear and on the cheek are, but faintly), but are showing up clearly on the scan...and I suppose there's nothing that can be done with those at this point, right?

The first two images are taken with a little higher contrast to show detail, the actual coloring is more of an even silver-white like the last two images.

What do you think the grade/value on this would be?

 

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Well I am not any good any grading these, but I would say XF40 to XF45 details. I say details because I think you are correct that it is PVC and someone tried to clean it off. As it is I like the coin - I also looked at my software and it says the mintage is 666,000. Fewer than the 1877 IHC - so I am thinking a key date/mint mark coin. No idea of what it is worth.

Others have recommended PURE ACETONE to remove PVC damage, but since I am not an expert I would recommend waiting for one of them.

 

I am not sure what it would net out at, but xf cleaned sells for $400 and a VF30 cleaned went for $275 on Heritage. Yours looks as good as their 45, but their does not have any corrosion.

 

I presume that is a scan, so the color may be off.
the green gunk is PVC, so is may be removable.

The grade is about an XF-45.

Nice piece, but get that PVC off of it.

 

It is a scan but I try to adjust the colors to be as close to real-life as possible. This one was hard, but the real color is a little more silvery-white than the top two but not as flat-white as the bottom two. The corrosion is hardly visible to the naked eye - not that that really matters.

Looking at the way the value scales up in leaps on this particular coin from VF->XF40->XF45, I'm thinking that it might be worth it to submit to NCS to let a professional get that PVC residue off. I've not had any experience removing PVC, and even if I was to do some trial runs I'd still be afraid to do something wrong. What do you think about submitting it to NCS to remove the PVC?

 

I would submit it for curating (?).

Nice coin.
Very scarce.
Until recently my best was a VF-30.
I was able to pick up an unc in Milwaukee.

Very hard piece to get.

 

I submitted images of the coin to NCS asking if it appeared like something that could be helped with conservation and the reply was:

"Chances are good conservation could help your coin. I would not, of course, be able to say for certain without actually seeing the coin. The raised nature of the green spots would tend to make me believe it is something other than PVC."

If these little green blobs are not PVC, what could they be?

Also, does anyone in the DFW area know of a dealer that submits to NCS/NGC, besides Heritage? I've called several nearby and only found one who said they "don't like to do it"... I'd love to get this cleaned up nicely but would rather avoid paying the fees to join the different organizations required to submit (at least for now).

Thanks!

 

I am from the DFW area. I have submitted coins to NCS myself. They then also sent it over to NGC for grading. First thing is to join the collector's society. Website is:
http://www.collectors-society.com
It will cost you a hundred bucks but you get a coupon for 5 Early bird gradings.

NCS website is:
http://www.ncscoin.com

Any questions just ask. Nice coin by the way!

 

????

 

Interesting conversation on the grade of this coin. Assuming you could clean this coin up nicely with some "preservation" technique or not I was wondering what specifically keeps this coin from "AU" status? Short of the rim ding on the reverse the coin looks quite exceptional. What am I missing?

Allen

 

fancy word for crud, also know as possible corrosion (on copper).

 

thanks

 

Suppose I'd rather not spend the $99 to be able to submit, does anyone know of a dealer in DFW that offers NCS/NGC submission services? I've found others that submit to PCGS but so far the only NGC dealer said they didn't like doing it.

I think the light wear on the hair on the forehead would preclude this from being AU.

Does verdigris form in that type of globular manner in the device edges?

Thanks for the comments!

 

ctrl:
I believe that you have to submit it to NCS first, to remove the crud or the TPG'ers may body bag the coin.

 

I'm not sure if they do it but a good coin shop is Arlington Coins. Jim Waite is a really nice guy. He can tell you if they will submit for you to NCS/NGC. 817-274-5971. Might not be a bad idea to stop by the store if you aren't too far and show him the coin. They are closed on Mondays.

 

Yep, that's what I definitely want to do. I'd rather avoid paying the $99 sign-up fee right now if possible, though.

Thanks, I'll give them a call. Arlington would be a drive, but if they would do the submission and none of the other shops nearby will, then that's what I'll have to do, unless I decide to become an ANA member instead... Thanks!

 

Thanks. Well, supposedly NCS can remove it, so I'll hope for the best.