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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,149 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Received the "toned" Buffalo today that I had posted about earlier. Upon close inspection the coin has been painted with shoe polish or paint. Definitely not a naturally toned Buffalo. Underneath it all it has VF-20 details with no apparent scratches or marrs. My dilemma - dip it in acetone or return it? I paid a $100 for it and if the acetone removes the coating I will have a $225 coin. If not it is probably not worth what I paid. What would you do my friends?
Colin
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Way to many people do things to coins to make them look better and in reality ruin them. I strongly suggest you return that one. If coated with something that sticks to the metal you may well remove a lump of metal and end up with something for a gum ball machine. Don't even try Acetone or anything else or the seller will say you tampered with the coin so now it's yours.
Think of it as if you bought a car and had to spend thousands on fixing problems. If you would have just said no deal in the bigging you would be able to buy a good car with the money.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
A dip in acetone could not possibly remove any metal from the coin so do not worry about that. With that said, the coating could have been placed on the coin to cover something- like a harsh cleaning. A dip in acetone may or may not remove it. The problem is that if the acetone removes the coating and exposes a harshly cleaned surface, you are stuck with it. If the coating is removed and exposes pristine surfaces, then you just increased the value of the coin. If the acetone had no effect, it could be returned to the seller. The question you have to ask yourself is "Do I want to gamble $100 to possibly double it, break even, or lose most of it?" That is a question only you can answer.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1083 Posts |
Excellent comments. I have been trying to understand why anyone would do this to a scarce date. The areas where the covering has worn off a little in high spots show a bright granular surface. This thing has been harshly cleaned and than coated with something to cover it up. If the acetone rmoved the coating I don't think I would like what I was left with. Back it goes. I paid with a credit card through PayPal so I am safe I think.
Colin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
If your going to return, return asap.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
Its already in the mail with signature confirmation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2443 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I think you did the right thing here, I would never keep a coin that I found was tampered with and has something on it that I may be able to remove and I would then like it because what ever is on it was probably put there for some reason that I don't know about, so I would leave it exactly as they sent it to me and put it back in the mail and receive my refund and let it be the next man's gamble (because you know it will end right back on ebay again if thats where it was bought the first time) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1083 Posts |
This person is I believe an honest seller. She got upset with me and thought I was accusing her of dishonesty. Once we got past that she asked me how she could clean it. This is how I replied: Amy, if I were to clean it I would dip it in pure acetone. You can get that at Wal-mart or Home Depot. Use it only in a ventilated, open area as the fumes are bad. Use a glass bowl and put the coin in it for about 60 seconds, than remove it and rinse thoroughly with distilled water and let it air dry (don't rub it). Acetone will take off any organic residue and not affect the metal. That's how you do it, but I wouldn't. When I looked at your buffalo where the black had worn off, the metal was abraded and rough, not smooth like a coin with normal wear would look. It may be that some time in the past someone cleaned this coin with something abrasive and than painted it to cover up the results. Normally dark toned buffalos are not evenly toned like yours, but have lighter and darker areas. Underneath the dark coating it may not look so good. This date and type has been one of the keys for Buffalo collectors for a long time and this could have happened quite a long while ago. My advice is to take it to a coin store in your nearest city and ask their opinion. Maybe I am wrong - I hope so. Just for your information Coin Values lists this date and type at $200 for a coin in Fine condition which I believe is the grade for yours without all the other problems. Thanks for the opportunity to try and redeem myself. You probably know this, but ebay will refund your final value fee. They will send me an email and I will confirm that I returned the coin to you. Colin There are lots of folks that sell coins on ebay that really know nothing about them. This individual told me she got the coin out of a steel bank in her Grandmother's house and as far as she knew it had never been altered by anyone. She knew the coin was "dirty" but didn't know how to clean it. Maybe I'm naive, but I believe her. No argument about the refund. Colin |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Great advise you gave. Also, possible the seller was telling the truth. However, with so many crooks on ebay it always makes me wonder. A good scam artist knows how to play dumb, play on the unknowing, work the unsuspecting. As to the usage of Acetone. I always warn people that prior to using it to place a small portion on a clean glass dish and allow to evaporate. If any residue, discard the rest of the can. Such contaminates are common in products purchased in paint department atmospheres since quality is not a great issue. Note Acetone, as well as many other such solvents may over a period of time begin to absorb the inner lining of the can. These cans are coated on the insides with normally highly resistant substances but even they break down in time. Also, due to mass production methods, occationally a portion of the inside of the can may not have received sufficient coating of this material. This is also true of other solvents purchased in cans from such places that carry them in a paint department. The substance left as a residue may not be the greatest thing for a coin. Also, when using Acetone or any solvent, attempt to stay with clean glass items such as a glass, dish, spoon, etc. |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,149 |
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Posted 07/25/2007 2:01 pm
