Newest Addition: Please Grade 1915-H 1/2 Penny - BETTER PICS

[matttheriley]

I should take the pics again! I might end up with MS64RD!!!

[oh my florin]

The second pictures are substantially better in which case I would put it at AU50-53 and worth substantially more than my initial value.

[robbiegal]

matt
there is (as usually found on the 1915 half's) some surface corrosion going on (OF AUSTRALIA), so pcgs (no expert here mind you) might label it as having environmental damage
if you aren't experienced with the old aussie bronzes then best not to tinker with it but in expert hands it could be better preserved - it is very light tone for the year (they are usually much darker).

no matter if pcgs found the surfaces unsuitable - you have an excellent rarer date in a very high grade for the year
i'd put it as a whisper on EF or better
please put the coin in an archival coin flip and don't tinker with it if you don't know what you are doing - each beggared up tinker will cost you inherent value

[matttheriley]

Do you think a soak in acetone would hurt it.  I've also got some verdi-care.  Someone at the CCF created it for copper coins.  Or, should I just send it in as is?

Right now it's sitting in an air-tite capsule, so it is safe until I decide what to do with it.

[robbiegal]

What the heck is Verdi care?

[JeffH]

What the heck is Verdi care?

A fluid that is claimed to improve the appearance of old coins, reduce and stabilise verdigris and will not harm them.
I have tried it and it does improve the appearance of old pennies and suchlike; but it also gives them an unnatural sheen. It is touted as "conserving" the coins as opposed to "cleaning" them. The developer is a chemist and on CCF as 'badthad' (if I remember correctly).
It does rinse off in water if you don't like the result. And it is rather expensive.

If you want to try a substitute that I have tested and seems to give exactly the same results try "Armor All" vinyl restorer.

It doesn't reduce any verdigris -it masks it, similar to what you will see if you wet a coin.

I have a few rough, old pennies I treated at least 12 months ago and put away. I must dig them out and see how they look now.

[robbiegal]

thanks for that
I think WD40 is also pretty good but have never used it myself

in the case of a 1915 halfpenny with 8 pearls I think - leave well enough alone is in order

[humpybong]

I tried the Verdi-care and did not think it worked any better, never took off here.

Acetone if there is a lot of gunk.

[Nevol]

in the case of a 1915 halfpenny with 8 pearls I think - leave well enough alone is in order

:agreed:
If it was just an ordinary old run of the mill coin, I might say give it a go, but if you tinker with it you could reduce its' value significantly.

[Robster]

Super coin.!

[matttheriley]

Just to put your minds at ease.  I am NOT going to tinker with it.  I am currently looking into sending it in for grading with PCGS.  I'll keep you all informed! Thanks for the advice!

[robbiegal]

Good luck

[matttheriley]

So I signed up with PCGS!  I just received my 4 free vouchers in the mail.  Now to find 3 other coins to send in?  Hmmm?  I'll keep you posted!

[matttheriley]

Ok, it only took me three weeks to get the nerve up to send this in!  I just sent it registered mail, hopefully it will be there next week!

I didn't use the free coupons; I couldn't find any other world coins worthy to submit with this one, so I did it at a one shot.  It's gonna cost me nearly $90 just for the one coin!  But, I figure if it comes back AU, then I'm in like Flynn!

Cheers, I'll let you guys know how it goes!

[Triggersmob]

Good luck with the grading Matt. I have my fingers crossed for you.