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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,594 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1370 Posts |
Hey guys,
My Dad was showing me a couple coins he picked up......two 1878 Morgans one a 7 tailfeather and another an 8 tailfeather. Fortunately he did not pay much for these coins. I am unsure what was done to them.....however it appears they were covered with chrome polished and buffed to a sparkly finish. Any thoughts on how to dull this down. He has had them setting on the dash in his car for the last couple months trying to use head to dull the finish....this has not worked....I've suggested torching the coins in which he is reluctant. Any thoughts?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
I put such coins on top of a 4x4 post that holds up a picket fence in my yard. After a few weeks I flip them over let them sit some more. This process takes about 4 to 6 months depending on the metal and just how polished the coin is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
931 Posts |
I got a suede pushing cloth that has some chemical in it that makes my sterling silver ring shine like diamonds. I tried it on an old Jefferson nickel (1974) and that thing shines better than the day I left the mint. With my 5x lighted magnifier I can see absolutely no hairlines.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
you do not have to see lines to know a coin has been buffed. Usually a buffer will not leave lines either but that doesn't mean it can be easily spotted that it was done to the coin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1064 Posts |
Quote: I put such coins on top of a 4x4 post that holds up a picket fence in my yard Very clever Tim! Is it the weather or the wildlife that does the trick? I wish I was your neighbor! 
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Valued Member
United States
287 Posts |
please be sure they were altered before further attempts at altering...
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1370 Posts |
I wish I could say they are unaltered ....the high points have been worn smooth ....the coins almost looked like they were dipped in tarn-x or something....whatever was used was a harsh cleaning agent
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1150 Posts |
I do something similar to Tim. However, I put the coins on top of the Space Needle here in Seattle...
Ok, I'm kidding.
If I were you I would follow Tim's prescribed method.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Can you imagine if it were an 1893-S or 89-CC! OUCH.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
i can't stand looking at coins like that, I would just sell them to try to get money back and just buy original's that are unpolished...
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1370 Posts |
@murrellington ....I agree and that is what I initially told my Dad but for whatever reason he wants to keep them and see if he can "improve" them in some way. I guess these are more experimental for him. I like the stick them outside for a few months and see what happens idea. I'll pass that on.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
shadowtrooper78,I would recommend turning the Morgans into pocket pieces for a few months. Yes, it will wear the coins a little bit but it will also reduce the shininess and they will acquire some pocket grime in the process. Quote:I tried it on an old Jefferson nickel (1974) and that thing shines better than the day I left the mint. Coins do not shine when they leave the Mint, they are lustrous. Luster is definitely not the same thing as shiny. Shiny=bad 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3755 Posts |
How about just leave them be and understand they arent centerpices of the collection.
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Moderator
 United States
188770 Posts |
I like the pocket piece idea, but my natural avoidance of "making something bad, worse" has me agreeing with smokeriderdon.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,594 |
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