Everyone who mentioned "soap" to clean the coin should have their mouths washed out with it... NEVER clean a coin with soap. Soap is filled with chemicals that can linger on the coin, even after rinsing and do its own damage to the coin. If anything is to be done to the coin at home, soak and rinse the coin in *distilled water* only. Air dry in an upright position. Do not use tap water, tap water differs from location to location and is not pure. Acetone, as described countless times in forum threads which anyone can search for and read themselves, is the next and only 'cleaning' agent that should be used, if at all. Look for the cleaning process written about in CT threads by GDJMSP, often described in detail, using a series of acetone baths and distilled water. Follow the process strictly. Plan to take photos before, during and after the process so you can share your results.
Krispy, I've read here that Xylene can be used on silver also. Seen in threads from BadThad if I'm not mistaken, mentioned following the polarity order or something along that line. Which includes distilled water and acetone in that sequence which can be easily searched also. Is xylene harmless to silver?
Xylene is very harmful to humans' respiratory and nervous system. While it may be acceptable for those experience and/or equipped to use and dispose of, I highly suggest people avoid it. Acetone carries its own unique risks, also covered in past threads. Anyone using these solvents should read the MSDS sheets available for download, free online. They should work in ventilated areas, with proper skin, eye and respiratory protection. Additional precautions for storage and disposal and prevention of fire from use of these solvents should be taken seriously.
Looks like toast! If it was mine, I would just keep it in my pocket for awhile, I can't think of anything else to do with it. good luck
okay I'll give you that, but I figured the membership was against melting keys/semi keys. :smile @ $27.53/oz. coinflation.com gives $9.96 for 0.3617 [FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Helvetica][FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]troy ounces of silver in 1 silver Walking Liberty half dollar.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
well, let's think about it for a minute. I'll pay him 3x face value all day, but key or not, if it's worth more in melt, it's worth more in melt. This coin wouldn't be worth 50¢ unless silver dropped to less than $5/oz
Now that is a cool find. Probably too far gone for NCS. Wondering if you are a member of the collectors society. Here is the board that NCS can take a look at it. http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=26&page=1 I hate to see a nice semi-key date coin and a cool find like that go to waste.
It's only worth what some is willing to pay for it regardless of what the market tells us melt value is. I might offer it's still worth its full face value it started its life out at: .50¢. You may have offered $1.50 all day while another may willing to pay current melt value of $9.96. Others may be persuaded to pay more if they don't know or persuade the OP to pay less if he doesn't know... It's worth what someone will pay for it.
I agree that something is only worth what another will pay for it, but if someone posted a $20 St. Gaudens and asked me what it was worth. Regardless of condition I would never tell them $20
And yet, given your extreme example, that still doesn't change the fact that the OPs coin was no $20 gold piece but a damaged key/semi key silver coin worth far, far less, as little as .50¢ up to $9.96 within reason. Even a $20 St. Gaudens is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, be that $20, $200, $2000 or beyond. You even qualified it with what YOU personally wouldn't say it was worth.
NO.......don't do the acetone first . Simply package the coin up and send it off to NCS . Don't attempt something you know nothing about . Once NCS has an opportunity to examine the coin in-hand , and determine the best technique required to restore the coin , you might be very surprised at what lies underneath all that. They are the professionals . IMHO it's worth the cost to have them take a look see .They have restored worse looking coins .
Well done. Can't wait to see NCS response. If you need any help submitting I am more than happy to help. Looks like their is some nice detail hid on your coin. Hopefully NCS can work their magic.
I have posted a few times on that board. The post won't show up until someone at NCS reviews it. Really looking forward to see what they say.