Acid dates

[Guest]

What exactly is an acid dated coin? How does it effect a coin's value? If a coin's date cannot be read is there any harm in attempting to bring the date out?

[gmarguli]

What exactly is an acid dated coin?

 

It's for Buffalo nickels mainly. Acid is used on the date area for the dateless coins. It brings out a readable date, but the spot where the acid was is darker than the rest of the coin. Sometimes they will acid dip the entire coin to bring out details and have a more uniform look.

 

 

How does it effect a coin's value?

 

Without a date it is a 10c coin. With an acid date it is a 8c coin.

 

 

If a coin's date cannot be read is there any harm in attempting to bring the date out?

 

Not really, but some dates can be figured out without seeing the actual date. Type 1's, 3 leggers, other dates with varieties.

[reid1836]

I would have to disagree to a small extent. Some rare coins can actually increase in value by acid dating, but this is certainly not a rule of thumb. Examples of an increase in value would be an illegible 1918/7 - D Indian head nickel (buffalo nickel) or perhaps a 1918/7- S Standing liberty quarter. Either of these would sell for far more than face value, yet still considerably less than an un-tampered with piece.