| Author |
 Replies: 16 / Views: 1,184 |
|
New Member
United States
18 Posts |
How should I think of a few black spots on a coin which is otherwise very nice considering it's over 100 years old? The largest spot is approximately 2.5mm round (eyeballing based on the diameter of the coin). It is heavy and black. There are two more but smaller.
The seller has it priced somewhere between AU and MS and I think it might be AU if it weren't for these spots so the spots kill it at the asking price for me.
So are spots a downgrade if they're relatively small but very dark and kind of large? I realize there is no definitive answer, I'm only asking for some general guidance. Edited by mercdude
10/31/2025 5:51 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2330 Posts |
 to the CCF! If you're really interested in coins...You found the stop! Because the group here visually inspects "our" coins... without out a visual... we can't really help you...? Sorry  smat |
|
Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10472 Posts |
Quote:
The largest spot is approximately 2.5mm round 2.5mm = .100 which is about 3/32". A sizable spot on a silver coin that your eyes will be drawn to instead of enjoying the aesthetics of the coin. Plus it could also make it a bit difficult to sell if the time comes. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Sorry but any answer we give is only a guess b/c we cannot see the coin. Too many factors involved. Some spots can come off the right way and some cannot.
|
|
New Member
 United States
18 Posts |
Quote:
2.5mm = .100 which is about 3/32". A sizable spot on a silver coin that your eyes will be drawn to instead of enjoying the aesthetics of the coin. Plus it could also make it a bit difficult to sell if the time comes.
This ^^^ is what I needed to hear. TY Edited by mercdude
10/31/2025 8:28 pm
|
|
New Member
United States
18 Posts |
Quote:
Because the group here visually inspects "our" coins...
without out a visual... we can't really help you...? It's not my coin, smat45. That's why I didn't post any pics or even many details about the coin, and put "General Question" in the subject. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2330 Posts |
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Black spots are the result of a variety of processes and must be individually evaluated on their own merit. They range from being carbon-based to inorganic corrosion.
|
|
New Member
United States
18 Posts |
Quote:
Black spots are the result of a variety of processes and must be individually evaluated on their own merit. They range from being carbon-based to inorganic corrosion. I realize that. I was torn between buying it or not so this is why I asked a general question. But tell me, what do you think about buying a coin with black spots? How do you evaluate a coin with spots? Do you avoid spotted coins in all cases or in some? What are your criteria for buying a coin? Isn't visual appeal part of the decision process? Isn't sulfur oxidation also a cause for black spots? Which kind of black spots can be cleaned and which can't? Which are corrosive to the coin and which are not? I'm not into cleaning coins and I don't want to possess coins that have been cleaned. I passed on the coin I had in mind because, like Marve65 said, it might be hard to resell. I think the seller of the coin I had in mind is pricing it at what he thinks is a fair price. And given that the coin is over 100 years old and in near AU (if not AU) condition, it probably is, even with the black spots. Other coins without black spot defects (to me they are defects) are priced three times as much. |
|
New Member
United States
23 Posts |
I personally wouldn't get hung up on the spots. I'd find another coin. It sounds like the price wasn't that great and it's causing friction. I'd pass
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1862 Posts |
|
|
Moderator
United States
187555 Posts |
Quote:
I personally wouldn't get hung up on the spots. I'd find another coin. It sounds like the price wasn't that great and it's causing friction. I'd pass Sound advice. |
|
New Member
United States
23 Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
I personally wouldn't get hung up on the spots. I'd find another coin. It sounds like the price wasn't that great and it's causing friction. I'd pass
Sound advice. Thanks. I catch myself in these types of problems often. I have to remind myself that there are thousands of other examples for me to look through and patience is always gonna win out |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1259 Posts |
Here's the way I look at your question. When I'm asked by somebody.." How's your wife"? I answer with.. Compared to what"? It's a joke of course and I'm only kidding, but think about it this way. Having a 1909 S VDB cent without "black spots" would be fantastic... Having a 1909 S VDB cent with some "black spots" would still be fantastic. Would you turn down a 1955 P DDO-001 if you could get it even if it had "black spots" on it? It all comes down to what you want or what you would be satisfied with and what you are willing to pay to get it. Yes dear..I'm on the way!  Edited by jfeed
11/12/2025 5:54 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2133 Posts |
I agree with jfeed.
Some series seem to be endemic with black spots, and then there's no option.
With other series, I subtract half a grade for rare coins, a full grade for common coins, to get to a price I'm prepared to pay.
Bear in mind that mostly you'll see black spots only on high grade coins.
Black spots abound on Victorian British bronze coins but it can't be seen on coins in F or lower grades.
|
|
New Member
United States
18 Posts |
Quote:
With other series, I subtract half a grade for rare coins, a full grade for common coins, to get to a price I'm prepared to pay. OK this seems like a good practice. You see a coin that interests you, you see the general price for such a coin in a list, and you then take off what is half a grade or full grade depending what the coin is. Is that right? I think I did something like this subba consciously with the coin I had in mind but I wasn't thinking "half a grade" or "full grade." But then I thought why bother when it's got these... black spots lol. |
| |
Replies: 16 / Views: 1,184 |
Posted 10/31/2025 5:48 pm
