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 Replies: 30 / Views: 4,040 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6394 Posts |
Wow, what an improvement! What was your technique? Does the reverse look as good now? The reverse appeared to have a worse case of the green crud. Gradewise, it looks strong for EF-40. Retail price for this date in no-problem EF-40 is close to $400. If the reverse looks as good as the obverse I expect you can get at least $200 if you sell it on ebay. Your excellent photos should encourage strong bidding. |
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New Member
 United States
9 Posts |
Edited by InUrOldHouseFindinUrCoins
10/17/2009 8:33 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Hmm...dunno, what did you use on the reverse photo just above--a chemical cleaner?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Nice, how'd you clean it? I'm sure it could fetch at least $200, like Jaobler said. So are you going to sell it through ebay, wait and sell it here, or some other method? |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
I've used a Dremel with 2 different attachments, a plastic wheel brush attachment, and a metal wheel brush attachment. I've practiced on a bunch of plain old 1950's copper pennies, getting some to a brilliant shine without any damage to the detail. Without any damage that I could see at least, with a fairly good magnifying glass. With this 1871 I polished it very light obviously, no shine, just a little brighter in some spots where the verdigris was, but I imagine it would fix itself in a little time when the patina forms again.
I've noticed a tiny ridge, at about 7 o'clock on the reverse, near the edge. Common stamping defect?
Edited by InUrOldHouseFindinUrCoins
10/17/2009 8:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2521 Posts |
Metal on metal is never a good idea. Especially a metal brush revolving at a very high speed.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Quote:
I've used a Dremel with 2 different attachments, a plastic wheel brush attachment, and a metal wheel brush attachment... Pardon for me for sounding blunt, but you removed not only verdigris, but real $ value from your coin. This is why we warned you against cleaning--because collectors notice when a coin is cleaned. Chemical and mechanical methods which might remove verdigris invariably also remove the original minted surface, upon which a coins grade and value are based. Even non-destructive coin conservation is a very sensitive process, and few collectors attempt it. |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
It's not exactly a national treasure. It's not like I washed the original Declaration of Independence.  The idea was to make it more attractive to a potential buyer. At this price point I think the appearance plays a bigger role than 100% authenticity. Edited by InUrOldHouseFindinUrCoins
10/17/2009 8:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2521 Posts |
Quote:
The idea was to make it more attractive to a potential buyer. At this price point I think the appearance plays a bigger role than 100% authenticity. The coin will always be authentic. You can grind it down to AG if you wish, and it still will be authentic. Your "whizzing" of the coin will most likely get you less $$$ and less potential buyers. I think you need to read the following quote again! Quote:
This is why we warned you against cleaning--because collectors notice when a coin is cleaned. Chemical and mechanical methods which might remove verdigris invariably also remove the original minted surface, upon which a coins grade and value are based |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
What a shame  That was a gorgeous coin. Now, any attempts to sell it on ebay, where the buyer can't inspect it in hand, are devious without letting them know it was cleaned. I don't know if you got caught up in the difference between conservation and cleaning or what, but that's just heartbreaking. |
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New Member
United States
9 Posts |
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will most likely get you less $$$ and less potential buyers I understand your stand point, but I disagree, and that's why I've lightly cleaned it. I think it will fetch more without the verdigris and a tiny amount less of detail, than with the detail hidden under the verdigris. Thank you very much to all that helped me learn what this coin is all about. This thread has served out its purpose, I sense that any further additions will be just bashings for having cleaned it, so no reason to continue it. Edited by InUrOldHouseFindinUrCoins
10/17/2009 8:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4227 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Well it's clear to me that conservation is not a key issue here, but what it will fetch is. Removing the verdigris using proper methods is conservation. On the other hand using a wire wheel is not and in doing so there is a loss in it's value to a collector. I'm sure if this coin went up for sale on ebay members here would have bid on it as it was. Now knowing how it has cleaned, I see a loss of those potential bids. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2521 Posts |
Quote:
I understand your stand point, but I disagree, and that's why I've lightly cleaned it. I think it will fetch more without the verdigris and a tiny amount less of detail, than with the detail hidden under the verdigris. But it probably would have fetched more without the verdigris if you would have taken one of the suggestions given to you by some of the forum members here. To you, this coin may not be a national treasure, but it is a date that there were alot less minted than most other Indians (as the price suggests). Original Coins in higher grades are scarce (also as price suggests). Many coins have been improperly cleaned, whizzed, polished or whatever over the last several decades. Original coins are in demand and bring the $$$. Like previously mentioned, collectors can tell if a coin has been cleaned. If they can't tell by the photos, they'll be able to tell with coin in hand...then you'll have too deal with one unhappy camper! |
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
Quote:
Thank you very much to all that helped me learn what this coin is all about. This thread has served out its purpose, I sense that any further additions will be just bashings for having cleaned it, so no reason to continue it. I agree. However all original pictures and dialog have been restored so that others in the future might learn from your intentional disregard of some excellent and sound advise. |
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Replies: 30 / Views: 4,040 |
First Page
Posted 10/17/2009 7:24 pm
