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Posted 09/06/2021 01:03 am
Toning, like grading, is somewhat subjective and can enhance or detract from one's opinion of the desirability of a coin. Take for example some of the plate coins in PCGS Coinfacts; I observe 9 (EF40 to MS65+) that have somewhat heavy toning, and/or deposits in the protected areas adjacent to the relief; in particular the EF-40 Cert #83155695 that is similar to the wear state and toning/deposits (strike boldness discounted) of your subject coin. PCGS thought enough of these to include them as examples, so heavy toning and/or deposits are not generally going to detract too much from the final grade.
As for "cleaning", there are times that you may desire to "clean" a coin that has surface deposits (e.g. PVC or Scotch Tape residue, dust and surface dirt, deposits in the form of finger oils and other contaminants present on the hands that have attracted and captured airborne and surface particles, and which has deposited itself against the relief in the protected areas over a long period of time [the black areas in your subject coin]), or to dip a coin that has darker shades of toning. I will not go into "cleaning" methods here, other than to say that I am very experienced in using all of them including dipping and ultrasonic, and in my opinion your subject coin will not be enhanced by any of them. Typically, removing toning on a worn coin will show ALL of the surface defects (e.g. hairlines and scratches), and using a solvent that might dissolve organic soils will only leave a markedly different looking reflective area where the soils were versus the balance of the coin where it does not remove anything. From my own submission experience with the TPG's, and from observing multitudes of coins that have received "Harshly Cleaned" or "Improper Cleaning" Details Grades, I strongly suggest that you do not attempt to "clean" your coin. From your photos, your coin could grade between VF30 to EF45, and also from my experience, if you do submit coin to CAC you might get it to sticker if it certifies at a VF30 or VF35 level.
As for "cleaning", there are times that you may desire to "clean" a coin that has surface deposits (e.g. PVC or Scotch Tape residue, dust and surface dirt, deposits in the form of finger oils and other contaminants present on the hands that have attracted and captured airborne and surface particles, and which has deposited itself against the relief in the protected areas over a long period of time [the black areas in your subject coin]), or to dip a coin that has darker shades of toning. I will not go into "cleaning" methods here, other than to say that I am very experienced in using all of them including dipping and ultrasonic, and in my opinion your subject coin will not be enhanced by any of them. Typically, removing toning on a worn coin will show ALL of the surface defects (e.g. hairlines and scratches), and using a solvent that might dissolve organic soils will only leave a markedly different looking reflective area where the soils were versus the balance of the coin where it does not remove anything. From my own submission experience with the TPG's, and from observing multitudes of coins that have received "Harshly Cleaned" or "Improper Cleaning" Details Grades, I strongly suggest that you do not attempt to "clean" your coin. From your photos, your coin could grade between VF30 to EF45, and also from my experience, if you do submit coin to CAC you might get it to sticker if it certifies at a VF30 or VF35 level.
