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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,755 |
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
So a couple of months ago, I mysteriously found a 1972-S proof half dollar, on my back porch. It's weird because at the time, I only had 2 half dollars, and didn't have any proof sets. Also, no one else in my family collects coins. But the coin was very dirty, and only had a couple of abrasive scratches. So I decided that since it is no longer proof quality, and at its current state would never be worth much, I polished it a little. It looks like a mint state coin, but not a proof coin. I used water to get the dirt off, and used a microfiber cloth, and Mother's Mag and Aluminum polishing compound. No chemicals
Was I wrong to do this? And I would like to get it to look like a regular proof coin. This is purely for me, and be a "novelty" coin. I will also label it as a cleaned coin, and will not be selling it.
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Valued Member
 United States
84 Posts |
I would also like to know if/ how I can make it look like a cameo/ deep cameo proof coin. I would be appreciated if anyone can teach me how to do this.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
It can't be done. Your polishing and cleaning have already covered the surface with thousands of tiny scratches will never go away. You can make it look like a polished coin, but it will never again look like a normal cameo proof. Also being in 1972 there is a good chance it was never cameo in the first place. Cameos did not become commonplace until 73.
The only way you might make it look something like a cameo proof would be to polish the entire coin into the mirror finish then mask off the fields and either sandblast or acid etch the devices, with sandblasting being the preferred method. It would be a whole lot simpler just to go out and buy a new proof half-dollar. They're cheap.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8715 Posts |
It will never look like a high-quality proof again after you polished it, and the condition it was found in.
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I only want it to LOOK like a normal proof coin. It would be something that I would display in my room.
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Moderator
 United States
188213 Posts |
I agree, there is no going back.
A fun find though and that gives it some non-monetary value. I would probably leave it as it is now and make it a pocket piece.
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
 ,you say you want to make that coin look like a cameo proof ? A deep cameo proof ? Just pulling your chain .  Be happy you have an extra 50 cents in your pocket . |
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I actually used to carry it in my wallet to show to people, but my new wallet is too small.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
Can you post a picture of what it looks like now? There's probably no way to make it look like what you're describing, but the consensus may be that it looks fine as it is.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Quote:
I actually used to carry it in my wallet to show to people, but my new wallet is too small. Just stick it in your pocket. Let your keys and other things give it some character.  Quote:
Can you post a picture of what it looks like now?  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Lots of time just wasting trying to restore a coin since it would cost less to just buy one.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
I only want it to LOOK like a normal proof coin. It would be something that I would display in my room. like I said the only way to even approximate a cameo proof appearance would involve a lot of time, trouble, and effort in polishing and sandblasting and it would not be cheap to do it unless you already had the equipment, and even then it won't really look like a real unmolested proof coin. or you can buy one on ebay for $2.50 and that includes shipping. |
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
I agree, time and money is better spent acquiring a new coin. I still think it will make a great pocket and conversation piece as it is now. I also still think pictures are appropriate.  |
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Valued Member
United States
84 Posts |
I like to try and make things from the things I already have. I even make rings to sell. It's sort of my art style. Keep in mind that I am a teenager, and am currently in the process of applying for a job, so I don't have the money, nor the capability of buying things. I am doing this for fun, almost everything I do is unnecessarily complicated. I like to challenge my self.
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Moderator
United States
188213 Posts |
Fair points, but try to not spend too much time on this. Keep it for what it is and then move on to the next thing.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
74015 Posts |
With jbuck. Errers and Varietys.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,755 |
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Posted 08/15/2018 3:05 pm
