1858 Cent

Lacquer can sometimes be removed with solvents (naptha, acetone, lacquer thinner). It is ALWAYS risky, since coins react differently to these solvents. Sometimes the solvents remove the lacquer with no effect at all to the coin. Sometimes they cause a copper or bronze coin to change color (think deep blue or violet).

Also, these solvents are dangerous. Always follow directions and use a very well ventilated area. They also can be absorbed through the skin.

As one example, here is one with the lacquer safely removed. Now in a PCGS 66RB holder. When I bought it (raw), it had a thick coating of lacquer, which had probably been on the coin a very long time.

No. This coin was photographed through the PCGS plastic. BTW, you can still see a small spot of lacquer in front of the monarch's kisser. The mark in her hair is a tiny planchet flaw.

Being a hard holder, PCGS is much easier to photograph through than ICCS. The ICCS plastic is more reflective, plus not a plane surface like a hard holder, so you get more light scatter from the surface reflections.