Damaged Silver Coin

[remmer47]

I was Hunting Sunday when I found a beautiful 1889 seated Liberty dime.It is is great shape except for
one flaw,the edge on one side is bent.I'm wondering if I should try to flatten it out or just leave it as is.
I don't know if trying to fix it will bring value if I am successful,but taking the chance might ruin it worse.
Any thoughts would be appreciated,thanks.Bob

 

[Oakman404]

It would help if you could post a picture of it. Without seeing it I would have to go by the golden rule and that is don't try to fix it and keep it as is. You could take it to a coin shop and se what they would recommend.

 

[cwilk]

Don't fix it. It will never be worth all that much bent or unbent but unbeding it could really mess it up.

Chris

 

[Uncle Willy]

First check and see what the actual value is. Just because a coin is old doesn't mean it's valuable.

Bill

 

[Uncle Willy]

Many moons ago I worked on a job where I operated an hydraulic press that put out 800 tons of pressure. That puppy would straighten that coin out.

Bill

 

[Adrian SS]

Don't mess with it. In realy good condition it might be worth 20 bucks. Try to straighten it out and it will be worth 20cents less than stuff all.
Adrian SS

 

[lazyaussie]

i"v unbent a few coins ( not valuable ones ) i use two blocks of soft wood a hammer & some heat on the coin. heat the coin on the bend then put the coin between the wood then whack it two times take the coin out then repeat the proses till it"s strait you can also use 1 block of wood & a dowel with some rubber on the end just take it nice & slow.

 

[va3ser]

If you are really desperate to straighten it out try this. Take a nice big strong "c" clamp and two blocks of wood (preferably oak) and place the coin between the two blocks of wood and us the clamp to press the blocks and straighten the coin. using something to hit it hard with will certainly damage the coin. if it isn't important to you then take a sledge hammer to it and with all your strength hammer it straight. But if you want to preserve it don't do a thing.

 

[metalhead]

I personally would not try to straighten the bent coin. I would just keep it in my collection as is. I'm proud to show off all of my old finds in the condition that they were found. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do. Happy Hunting.

 

[remmer47]

Thanks for all your input. It seems the general feel is to leave it as is so thats what I will
do ,and with all my future finds,in whatever condition they come out of the ground.Thanks,Bob

 

[tab-nabit]

I used to flatten my coins on the rail road tracks. It sure makes them bigger though and may lower the value. But as a kid back then, it was kind of neat having a few to show around school. I know better than that now - especially on older coins.