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 Replies: 13 / Views: 5,221 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2230 Posts |
I got this gold buffalo in 2017 for $1,300 from my trusted LCS, they have an analyzer. It was in perfect condition. I hadn't looked at it for about three years. Last week I noticed it had developed a red spot on the forehead. I've heard of reasons for gold getting red spots. I tried getting it off with a wet soft cloth, nope. I watched a few Youtube videos. I used a soft pencil eraser, rinsed off with water and dried with hair drier. See after bottom photo. I am pleased how it turned out. The Youtuber used an eraser on a proof gold coin. It's red spots came off but it may have scratched the proof surface, the video didn't show close-up. The uneven/dull surface of the buffalo no doubt helps hide any microscopic scratches caused by the eraser, I don't see any. Now I wonder if the spot could come back. I'll be watching.   Edited by livingwater
02/11/2022 07:48 am
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Please do not clean coins yourself unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing. As a general rule, ignore YouTube. John1  |
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Moderator
United States
54280 Posts |
Quote:
The Youtuber used an eraser on a proof gold coin  ---  Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here)See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2230 Posts |
My buffalo is just bullion and the eraser worked. Youtube is like other internet sites, some good info, some not, be leary of amateurs, but there are long time collectors and coin dealers showing how to clean problem coins properly. If I had a rare collectible coin with problems I'd send it in for conservation, but just bullion or cheap coins no big deal. A lot of collectors experiment with cleaning problem coins, we should be careful obviously.
Edited by livingwater
02/11/2022 12:47 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Hey kids - here's a way to help your parents!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5668 Posts |
Looks like a reasonable result on a bullion coin. Didn't affect the value any, and it looks better. Obviously, you wouldn't do that to a coin with numismatic value.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19148 Posts |
I performed a 'soft eraser' experiment on a common proof quarter long ago--just wanted to see what would happen on a pristine surface. I rubbed lightly for a few moments and then rinsed with distilled water--carefully. Under 10X magnification--with the coin positioned at a slight angle to the lighting source--I could clearly see some subtle, fine hairline features, limited to the area I had just 'erased'.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2230 Posts |
Eraser not good for numismatic valuable coins. For milk spots on bullion silver some use erasers, baking soda, etc. It helps but can harm the surface. Guess it's up to the collector if they prefer ugly milk spots or some surface damage.
Edited by livingwater
02/11/2022 09:48 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5826 Posts |
I have never try using eraser, and its the first time I'm hearing it. Now reading it, what type of eraser did you used to applied to remove the spot? Knead eraser that artist used on charcoal or pastel or some soft eraser that have smaller residue. Eit: maybe it will work on those black carbon spot that have developed on copper!   Edited by macmercury
02/11/2022 1:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2230 Posts |
Nothing special, just a normal eraser on a pencil, a new soft one, not an old hard eraser. I don't know if it would work on a copper coin, it might take the patina off, try it on a penny you got in change first, there's other less abrasive methods to clean crud off copper coins, do a Google search and compare various ways.
Edited by livingwater
02/11/2022 2:20 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4398 Posts |
Pencil eraser on copper coins absolutely destroys the patina. Gives it the same color as a polished coin but without the shine.
Absolutely do not do this with numismatic items. Pretty sure this is what the "spot removed" details designation is for.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2230 Posts |
I specifically made this topic in the precious metals bullion section. I did not claim this would be good for numismatic coins. It worked on my gold buffalo.
Edited by livingwater
02/11/2022 3:01 pm
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Valued Member
United States
313 Posts |
I've tried the eraser method on gold bullion coins and it turned out fine. I would not suggest a pencil eraser but only the really soft white kind. I checked with a loupe after and didn't see anything amiss. I've used the torch method the most and that works well also. The darker the red spot the tougher it is to burn off. A light spot vanishes in seconds. But they do come back and in the same exact spot.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2230 Posts |
Thanks glenmorenee for posting your success removing a spot.
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Replies: 13 / Views: 5,221 |
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Posted 02/11/2022 07:06 am
