Does This Look Like It Was A Proof?

I personally believe the following advice from Sap is the best:




Have a read of this thread: https://goccf.com/t/28919

Hi all..I'm a newb so bear with me, but about cleaning- I thought that acetone was an acceptable way to remove light dirt and/or finger oils. Is everyone saying that you should not even clean with that method?

I understand that any sort of wiping might cause grit to make scratches, but isn't it ok to put a coin in enough acetone to cover it. let it soak a bit, and gently wipe the surface while it's still immersed?

I worry about what gets between the coin and the cloth
for the most part. Any tiny bit of something that is there
could travel with the cloth and turn it into 'sandpaper'
essentially. Stuff too small to see will create scratches.
Then there is the cloth itself. If it is not the correct
material, the cloth itself can create damage.

Now, I haven't studied the subject of what to use to clean
coins, as I never have believed in it... However I have
studied how to clean and polish black cars, notorious
for scratching and swirling if you look at them funny.
You have to use a new, USA made 100% cotton cloth.
Any blends or substandard cottons will scratch.
I know it sounds funny to use this as a comparison, but
it actually fits nicely if you are familiar with trying
to keep black cars show quality clean.

Anyway, I still don't believe in cleaning, but if you do
try it, BE VERY CAREFUL and mindful of the methods and
materials you use. You can make things worse in a millsecond.
With a car, you can buff it out... with a coin,
you have no second chance. But let's face it, we're
talking about a coin worth 10c here. If you mess it up
you are only out about 9c since you paid face value for
it.

Edit:
Actually you can't lose any money on this.
You can clean it with a belt sander and still break even
as it will always be worth what you paid for it.

handle with care

ratio411,
you can test to see if the acetone is causing the film or if it is just the surface of the material by pouring a bit of acetone into a clean clear glass dish and let it evaporate. Pure acetone will not leave a residue.

All my proof Lincolns are in airtites, the only way to store proofs IMO. Proof Lincolns are very susceptible to toning/oxidation.

It is presently in a mylar 2x2 but I am willing to upgrade to an airtite if someone can explain what it looks like and where I can get one. No coin shops locally so I need to order these(unless someplace like Hobby Lobby would carry them!).

Airtites can be purchased on-line here:

http://www.airtiteholders.com/

or on ebay and also in most major coin shops. There are many other good plastic holders on the market also, one is Kointainer.

Good Luck!