Don't go rubbing silver coins to see the date !!! BIG NO_NO. I learned this the hard way when I got a silver quarter and made this mistake.My coin dealer would have given me triple the price if I had not rubbed to see the date. The rubbing leaves microfine scratches across the soft silver .You may not notice them but a coin dealer sure will with his magnifying glass. The rule of thumb I am told, if you dig a silver coin, look at the edge. If the edge lines are real sharp, then wrap the coin in a kleenex or take it back to your car and keep it separate from your other coins so it won't get scratched.
Then, at home, gently soak with soapy water and pat dry or better yet, use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to get the crud off.
--Tom,ps, I made this mistake of rubbing silver coins to see the date for over 20 years myself,oops.....
The ground is finally thawing out here in Montana and I was able to get out this weekend to a few different locations. The moist ground makes for good signals and easy diggin. Popped the silver half out next to a basketball court only 3/4" inch down. I'm still wondering how it could have been that shallow. It was dirty...well as dirty as silver can get before you rub it to a shine. Yet I wonder if it could have been sitting there for 40+ years and not moved below 1". Any thoughts? Wow...talk about a silver half ringing off in your headphones and only being 3/4" down...that'll get your attention. Ring on the left silver and cheapie ring on the right. Between my brother and I we pulled over 200 clad coins (and our fair share of pull tabs) out of the ground which makes for crazy clad with a silver lining.