1897 $20 Coronet Head

The only thing that I can think of that would cause this kind of white residue is the inappropriate attempt to clean this coin with something fairly strong. Otherwise, I can't think of a storage method nor circulation contact that would result in such patchy discoloration.

I would recommend a dip in acetone and/or verdicare in the hope that these stains will dissolve away. The only other alternative is to insure the weight is correct, in the event you are trying to sell this because I don't think it has any chance of seeing the inside of a TPG.

Oh Lord, Typecoin, I am so tempted to disagree with you simply because we had such a fun debate with you on the other side of the fence on that Seated Liberty.

I was trying to be a LITTLE polite when mentioning the need for a weight examination on this coin.

I have an NGC MS 63 of this date/mm myself, but I'm off on vacation tomorrow and my poor coins are being kenneled at the bank, so I don't have it to do a direct comparison.

The main point that stands out the most for medical, though, is that NOSE.

As to the reason for this sad state, I can't think of anything that would make good sense. Gold isn't affected by much, unless an evil troll happened to heave a flask of Goldwater at it.

It may not matter. At this point it would behoove you to take to any local dealer for an opinion. Or, if one is not available any jeweler can measure the weight for you.

Until that's accomplished our opinions probably don't mean too much.