My Ugly Morgan Got A Face Lift. She's A Cinderella Story

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Author	Replies: 38 / Views: 3,360	Page: of 3
mds308 Pillar of the Community United States 1721 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:24 pm I had posted a story about this Morgan silver dollar that I had bought. This one was (chrome?) plated, used as a keychain and the pictures will attest to the fact she had seen a lot of abuse. I realize and know all too well that one should NEVER clean a coin. I don't consider this a cleaning but more of a restoration. My images below will show her transformation. I used an electrolysis process to remove the plating. This was followed by a cleaning process that would make George Morgan roll over in his grave and make SsuperDdave grind his teeth to a pulp. You have to admit the final outcome looks much better than when I started. First Step Obverse: Second Step Obverse: First Step Reverse: Second Step Reverse: Before: After: Edited by mds308 01/21/2013 2:27 pm Report this Post to the Staff

Kurrykid Valued Member United States 455 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:36 pm That is a great improvement...thanks for sharing! Report this Post to the Staff
xZACKx Pillar of the Community United States 648 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:36 pm Love it! Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:38 pm Quote: You have to admit the final outcome looks much better than when I started. I am () forced to agree. This is now a fine candidate for "pocket piece" status, if you're so inclined. Over time, this should bring the coin back to some semblance of normality, at the cost of a very few points of grade. Report this Post to the Staff
ThisIsFun Pillar of the Community United States 2480 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:39 pm Bravo! Nice restoration! Report this Post to the Staff
supgog Pillar of the Community Israel 2420 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 2:58 pm WOW. Amazing ! (!). Report this Post to the Staff
mailman28 Valued Member United States 416 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:04 pm nice restoration, those before pics are scary bad Report this Post to the Staff
hesgut Pillar of the Community 1028 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:15 pm Well, I dislike cleaning as much as anyone, but that coin was pretty disgusting to start with and does look acceptable at the end. This is one of the few instances where I think the coin should be cleaned (or conserved if you will). I do, however, think it looked best after your first stage electrolysis treatment, than after the final cleaning. Report this Post to the Staff
nlp coins Pillar of the Community United States 2373 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:31 pm I like the first stage myself also. It would be a candidate for a pocket piece with a hand full of copper cents. A couple months later she'll be looking normal again. Nice job on the restoration. nlp Report this Post to the Staff
mds308 Pillar of the Community United States 1721 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:34 pm Quote: however, think it looked best after your first stage electrolysis treatment, than after the final cleaning. I see your point. This color was created as a byproduct from the electrolysis process. I can return the coin to this appearance by repeating the electrolysis process but it is a dull, gun metal, dark gray color. It shows no detail and looks more artificial than the last stage. The coin looks much better in hand than it does in the images. Report this Post to the Staff
NathanASE Pillar of the Community United States 1511 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:35 pm Very nice!! Looks 100% better compared to the original pictures!! Good job!! Report this Post to the Staff
mkman123 Pillar of the Community United States 3184 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:45 pm electrolysis? You didn't try acetone? Report this Post to the Staff
mds308 Pillar of the Community United States 1721 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 3:49 pm Quote: electrolysis? You didn't try acetone? If it was paint, acetone would work. This was a metal plating. Acetone is useless. And yes, I did try acetone for an overnight soak. Like I said, useless. Report this Post to the Staff
ProfLiz Valued Member United States 373 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 4:29 pm I really appreciate your sharing this - despite the controversial nature of the "cleaning question." I think you show great passion in rescuing this coin, even though it involves what the TPGs would term "improper cleaning." The results speak for themselves - such an improvement! - and they show that there are no absolute rules. I like the idea of allowing this coin to become a circulated (pocket) coin and regain an honest patina. I know I'm anthropomorphizing too much - but she really deserves a second chance at life! :) Edited by ProfLiz 01/21/2013 4:30 pm Report this Post to the Staff
SsuperDdave Moderator United States 23522 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 4:52 pm Quote: I know I'm anthropomorphizing too much - but she really deserves a second chance at life! :) Hey, these are coins. "Anthropomorphizing too much" is an oxymoron. Report this Post to the Staff
smokeriderdon Pillar of the Community United States 3755 Posts	Posted 01/21/2013 5:03 pm Frankly, I don't find this to be "cleaning" in the sense everyone takes it. This coin was complete trash. Short of using a wire brush on it, anything done to it is conservation. That awful grey color after electrolysis had to go. It looked like a lead copy like that. Awesome job bringing this coin back to a beautiful piece. Report this Post to the Staff
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