| Author |
 Replies: 9 / Views: 2,543 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
818 Posts |
Im considering buying a coin that has a small amount of solder on it. Without the solder, the coin would be a strong EF maybe AU with a book value of 800 dollars. Because of the details, I can buy it for much less than that. I'mwondering how this effects the value and also is it possible to remove the solder to return the coin to its normal state? Thanks. The coin is a late 1880s 50 cent Newfoundland piece.
|
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
108 Posts |
If you are really careful, you could remove it with a soldering iron, but I would not risk damaging the coin with the hot iron. If you leave it on, it will decrease the value, but I can't say by how much. I would definately buy it.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
108 Posts |
Sorry I spelled definitely wrong.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
I think a "blob" of solder could be easily removed but there will be some surface residue left. for a higher value coin I think I would take it to a jeweler and not attempt it myself.
a problem coin will always be a problem coin. a tiny solder footprint on the rim of a coin probably wouldn't bother me (only if it was a coin that would normally be out of budget, and only if I was buying it with no concern about resale value), but a solder puddle mark in the center (like from mounting as a brooch) would stop it from being in my collection.
if you are picking this up for $100-$200 I would look at what you can get for the same year/denomination as an 'honest' coin in the same price range, and let someone else take a chance on this one.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
818 Posts |
The solder is on Victoria's ribbons and makes them look very muddled.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
for the same money I would rather have an honest VF20 than an impaired EF45, especially if the problem is in full view.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
A problem coin will always be a problem coin...
I think what question you're asking here is.. can you take one very easily and identifiable problem and mask it a bit so you could extract greater value ...
The answer is "no" it will still be a problem coin.. and there's still a greater risk that you won't find anyone interested in taking the coin regardless of price.
I would walk from the deal .. personally... the only exception is if this was a really big rarity that has been destroyed and there was no shot at me picking up a reasonable priced example that would appeal to my eye... I would probably pick it up VERY CHEAP .. to my best to repair it.. and have it in my collection... knowing I'd never have it as a presentation piece otherwise..
|
|
Moderator
 Australia
16809 Posts |
Solder applied to gold and silver coins is usually jeweller's solder, which contains a fairly high level of the metal the object it is attached to is made of; for a silver coin, it will be silver solder (typically around the same fineness as the object being soldered). It won't melt under an ordinary soldering iron intended for electrical solder; it's melting point is likely going to be not too much lower than the melting point of the coin itself. Further, assuming the jeweller has done their job properly, a considerable amount of the solder should have melted onto and into the coin, irrevocably bonding with it. Finally, in preparation for solder being attached, the jeweller will usually roughen up the intended point of contact on the coin itself with sandpaper, in order to give the solder more surface area to stick to. So even if, theoretically, you could get all the solder off, the coin will still be damaged. If NCS can't remove solder, then there's no way you will be able to. Soldered coins submitted to them end up in a "details grade - mount removed" slab. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
818 Posts |
Thank you everyone for the advice. I'mleaning against not purchasing the coin but am also going to ask a restorer who may know a little more on the subject. I've also noticed that a couple of american TPGs will restore a coin and grade it at the same time for one price. Has anyone used a service such as this?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
3049 Posts |
I suggest you read what Sap has written... it's pretty much all in there!
|
| |
Replies: 9 / Views: 2,543 |
|
Posted 03/15/2015 2:05 pm
