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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,304 |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
1906 Indian Head cent that has white alloy on the reverse left of ONE as well as in the fields and rim. The obverse has white showing on lower neck and head band and again left rim. What do you think  Improper alloy? It looks "white" in color. Thanks.   swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
03/12/2009 04:50 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I'm way out of my comfort zone here, but your theory seems reasonable. Knowing you, you've already checked for physical causes.
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Valued Member
United States
301 Posts |
I would say the coin was tampered with cleaned or left In a washing machine the copper looks washed out not a natural appearance the white spots are maybe from some kind of cleaning solution not sure about the spots but the coin was abused.
JAZEC
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I would agree, some form of environmental contamination.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
I am going to throw another theory out if I may. Could it be that the material that the planchet was taken from was contaminated with aluminum? This would explain the washed out appearance and aluminum is more susceptible to corrosion than copper. Even a little zinc maybe? Just a thought.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Thanks Super. Thanks guys. Coin in hand is original XF/AU and uncleaned. I'm kind of with Tim on this one although other opinions would be great to hear  swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
If you're still wondering, you can send it to Rick Snow for $4 and get his opinion. He's pretty much the expert.
Just as an FYI, there were some off-metal "patterns" struck around 1902-3 (19th C too), so it's good to check any "off color" IHCs.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
Sorry, guys and gals...The coin has been cleaned. It also would not have anything like aluminum in the alloy.
The likelihood is unusual toning or some kind of contaminant that influenced the color.
A dead giveaway that the coin was cleaned is the fact that they couldn't get the dirt out of the openings in the 6 or the letter A of AMERICA as well as dirt on other parts of the coin.
The surface is unnatural because of the attempt made to clean the coin at some point during its life.
Thanks,
Bill
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Quote:
A dead giveaway that the coin was cleaned is the fact that they couldn't get the dirt out of the openings in the 6 or the letter A of AMERICA as well as dirt on other parts of the coin.
But what about the ED of UNITED and STA of STATES. I have coins graded by PCGS and NGC that have "dirt" in the openings of the numbers and letters as described Again, I see no evidence of cleaning. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
It's hard to comment on the photo re "cleaning" because photos can be rather deceptive in terms of color and surfaces--imo. However, I'll add my opinion that I see a lot of IHCs with inconsistent dirt patterns which I also consider uncleaned. I think it has to do with the large devices--especially how the interior of dates trap dirt; small, enclosed areas get filled quicker but often incompletely. Here's a 1906 of mine with localized dirt but no overt evidence of cleaning:  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3507 Posts |
The difference between the second coin shown and the first coin shown is that the second coin shows a consistent pattern of toning and portions where some circulation debris has been deposited.
The unusual coloring plus the inconsistent "grunge" is what indicates a cleaning on the first coin shown.
The first coin would actually get passed an inexperienced eye but to folks who have seen many cleaned coins, the first coin screams out at you.
I can even tell you the direction of rotation used by the cloth or other cleaning agent on the first coin based upon the way the unnatural "dirt" pattern is on the word UNITED. All the debris in those letters indicates a clockwise rotation as the the coin was wiped down. It could even have been mineral spirits. In any case. Cleaned.
I'll go as far as saying that the person who cleaned the coin was right handed and used the thumb on his right hand to do the deed.
Edited by foundinrolls
03/13/2009 5:40 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Bill, I do see your point about the directional nature of dirt on the OP coin.  |
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Quote:
The unusual coloring plus the inconsistent "grunge" is what indicates a cleaning on the first coin shown Thanks for the comments Bill. I have been at this for over 20 years and have been able to spot a cleaned coin 50 miles away I can assure you. Let's say I'm wrong, how do you account for the white colorization of the alloy? This is where I'm stumped. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,304 |
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Posted 03/12/2009 04:47 am
