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 Replies: 20 / Views: 5,653 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
I got my 2006 $50.00 proof gold buffalo coins out of the safe to send in for grading.
I noticed that one is getting very small black spots on it.
One on the front edge almost looks like a drop of black ink.
Then about three smaller ones on the back of the coin.
How can I clean this off before sending these in to be graded, or should I clean it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
954 Posts |
Gold isn't very reactive, it must be copper spots. I don't know if there is any way to clean them off without trashing the bullion. Can you get a pic of it? Unfortunately at this point if you want graded bullion, it might be easier to just buy it already graded.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
I would normally lean towards copper spots as well but the Buffalo is .9999 gold so it is almost pure unlike 90% coinage or 22kt(.9167) bullion, I am not sure if 24kt is subject to copper spots  It is possible that it is some sort of surface contaminant but since it is a proof, it will be very difficult to do something to it yourself and keep it pristine. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1026 Posts |
Well thanks I will try and get some pictures today and post them.
Looks like none of the grading places offer coin cleaning also so think I will take it out today and just rub a q-tip on it to see if it comes off or is hard.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Although most people think of Gold as a metal that is non reactive or basically inert, it does combine with other elements. For example if your coin has been in the area of high Sulfur contents, such as in an old steel mill area like Indiana or near a coal fired power plant, your coins could have a BR/BK discoloration called Gold Sulfide (Au2S). Near a neighbors swimming pool you get spots from Chlorine (AuCl3). With sufficient moisture (HAuCl4) Chlorauric Acid. Also, Gold combines easily with Florine, Cyanide and dissloves in Mercury.
I suspect your spots are from Sulfur. An attempt to remove may be possible with Acetone but may leave a noticable spot. My suggestion is to send as is to a TPGS and request they professionally remove that spot.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Brucec, if you are intent on saving the coin, then you could try NCS and NGC would grade/slab it after conservation. A Qtip is not safe for proof mirrors  Edited by biokemist6
08/05/2008 08:36 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Thanks here are pictures the front you can see the spot on the bottom edge front right below the 2 in 2006. The back ones did not show and are lighter but the same type. The back you can see one spot on the shoulder of the buffalo with mre starting you can see in this photo. I will not do anything for now wait and see what you experts recommend here goes trying to get the the picture inserted. http://cedarcreekrvclub.com/Proof-F.jpghttp://cedarcreekrvclub.com/Proof-B.jpgEdited by Brucec
08/05/2008 10:09 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Will these spots hurt he coin's grade?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Brucec.....Did you buy this from the U.S. Mint originally ? Or from a dealer/internet purchase...Ebay/etc.. recently ? Has it ever been opened ? Or out of it's original packaging ?(airtight seal)? Is/has this coin been kept in a Safety Deposit Box or a Safe/vault at home the whole time? Under the bed ?...  Or what type of environment has it been kept in for the entire life of this coin so far? And I would say.....YES....these "spots" will hurt the grade.... 
Edited by eaglefoot
08/05/2008 11:41 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
I bought five of these from the US Mint in 2006
They have been all kept in my safe it is 5 feet tall and 2.5 feet deep with moisture control.
They have never been taken out however I know this one is not sealed because I just pulled a Lotte on the coin holder and it moved and would come off did not try the other four.
At this time this is the only one doing this.
They have been in the safe since 2006 took them out to get graded.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Just put the other ones in mailing box but waiting to see what I do with this one.
I did try moving the coin holders on the other 2006 gold proofs and they also move the two parts move so these are not in air tight sealed containers as I thought.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
If you don't mind me asking... why are you getting them graded ? I was buying some modern bullions a few months ago and this is what I noticed. 1) For common dates, there is no price difference between raw or MS/PR 68-69 2) There is a small premium (maybe 10%) if you get a 70. 3) Dealers don't care if bullion coins are raw or slabbed. They buy at the same price. 4) The exceptions are the key dates like the 1996-W SAE proof or coins with very low mintage. Your chance of getting a 70 is usually 1 in 10 (or more) and is almost 0% with those spots, so I suggest saving your money and leave it in the original holder. It will cost you at least $150-200 for grading fees, postage and insurance for $5000 (both ways). IMO, you will not get your return on investment by sending it in for grading. Here is a recent ebay closed auction. http://cgi.ebay.com/NGC-ms70-First-...50_W0QQitemZ190241483576QQihZ009QQcategoryZ139963QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/2006-BUFFALO-FI...70_W0QQitemZ290250219573QQihZ019QQcategoryZ139963QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Edited by 1sikevo
08/05/2008 2:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Well these are 1st year Proof Coins. I do not care about the value as all my coins will get passed onto my kids when I am no longer here and maybe there kids.
Anyway I feel since these are more than bullion coins being the proof version it is to be nicer? Also being the 1st year these were made 1st year new coins usually grow in value I have been told.
Anyway I just want to try and keep these nice and in original condition for then next 50 years o longer if the get passed down to the grand kids.
Also they arenot bullion coins I paid over $ 100.00 more to the US Mint for the W Mint and proof coin.
I did call NGC they said that it will be worth sending to get graded but that one should be sen 1st to NCS for the cleaning then it will come to NGC to be graded.
Dumb question new guy here who is NCS are they part of NGC?
Edited by Brucec
08/05/2008 6:50 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1130 Posts |
NCS is the same company as NGC.
NCS does the "conserving" (cleaning) and grading of problem coins.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Not quite the same company, but NCS is a sister company of NGC. NCS will slab problem coins with a details grade in a similar fashion to ANACS but they will also conserve coins that have the potential to be improved enough to get into NGC plastic with a regular grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1026 Posts |
Well waiting for them to mail me the forms then I will mail them all into NGC and one to NCS.
Thanks to everyone for your help love this message base!
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Replies: 20 / Views: 5,653 |
Posted 08/04/2008 9:50 pm
