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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36903 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
189969 Posts |
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I see an MS state cent with questionable color, it's too golden. Is this the color of the coin in hand? I agree. I suspect or hope the photo is inaccurate.  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1502 Posts |
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Would you mind expanding on this one? To me that spot has the appearance of rapid spotting - week or two at most. But the coin is otherwise pristine - not a trace of dirt and more importantly, discernable oxidation. I don't care how it was stored, the coin is 117 years old and would have oxidized to some extent. Rapid spotting can occur in high humidity and a few other scenarios however, this coin has no other indicators. One of the most prevalent reasons for rapid spotting is altered surfaces: cleaning, plating or recoloring. Reason being, the surfaces become chemically active again since the oxidation layer has been removed, or subverted. IMHO, the following image shows what I believe to be spotting on an oxidized (untouched) coin. Of course, this is only my opinion but it is how I go about considering any purchase with spotting that looks off. I've had this happen to me directly a dozen or so times after I have restored copper metal detecting finds. Now, the very minute I finish a restore, coppers get a coat of MicroCrystalline Wax.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2237 Posts |
@DOCC - Oh my, I just looked at your " Dirt coin restoration projects" link — your work is truly something else. You do/did a fantastic job. Words can't even express how outstanding your work is ! 
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Valued Member
 United States
291 Posts |
@DOCC, thanks for that thorough explanation! When I look at the coin, I can see multiple spots; however not as dark as those, but they are present. I ask questions like these to learn, not to discount. If someone altered the surface, wouldn't some of the details be lost?   Edited by rlu7732
11/16/2025 5:26 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1502 Posts |
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If someone altered the surface, wouldn't some of the details be lost? Not necessarily, depends on what was done. For sure if the whole surface was whizzed. However, I can use my dirt coin methods on any coin and not lose any detail whatsoever. That includes throwing them in a toning chamber (artificial toning...questionable color). Only caveat is if dealing with corrosion. I don't plate or color coins with chems so can't speak to that. What I do know about plating is the layers are super thin - 3 or 4 microns - so while it may affect details a little I can't imagine it would be visible to the naked eye if done correctly. I swing a metal detector and have a knack for finding dirty old coins. Dirt coin restoration projects - https://www.prodetecting.com/restorationsDirt coin restoration blog - https://www.prodetecting.com/blog/ccawDirt coin dig videos - https://www.youtube.com/@prodetecting |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1502 Posts |
Thx CoinForMe. The restore part is just as enjoyable as the hunt.
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Valued Member
United States
291 Posts |
Thanks again @DOCC.
Can you post your link here to your restoration projects?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1502 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
291 Posts |
Hmm. This is what I see. I tried looking.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2237 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
291 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2237 Posts |
rlu7732, I just checked.
Go to your Profile and enter your username and password. You will see the 'View Signature in Post' (something like that). Click on the box, and you're done.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2237 Posts |
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@CoinForMe, thanks |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18717 Posts |
shadowing and a little too much glare may be altering what we are seeing to some degree. looking specially at the reverse right field it's significantly duller than other areas leading one to assume that something happened to alter it. there is also some dullness across some of the lettering on both sides
i agree with the others UNC details (altered surfaces)
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Posted 11/16/2025 1:28 pm
