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 Replies: 19 / Views: 1,425 |
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Valued Member
United States
486 Posts |
Hello, I see what I think are water mark stains on the surfaces of UNC or higher end Morgan dollars. These are often in droplet or splatter shapes. This picture represents what I'm referring to.They appear grey and brown, Any input on what they are? Would acetone remove them? Thanks  |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
94367 Posts |
Often caused by improper rinsing after a dip.
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Moderator
United States
164340 Posts |
Quote:
Often caused by improper rinsing after a dip. Seems plausible to me. If that is the case, acetone alone might not help (although worth a shot). You might need to dip it again, then use acetone rinses to get rid of the residue. Dipping is risky and I typically advise against it. It can be done, but if you have to ask how, I already know you should not.
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Moderator
United States
33165 Posts |
@john, can you please tell us the year of this Morgan dollar? I'd like to include that info in the thread title to improve its searchability. Thx. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
 United States
486 Posts |
Thanks- that makes sense. In that case, I won't ask how. I've never dipped. I've only used acetone.
This coin is an 1891.
Are there telltale signs of a Morgan being dipped- like super shiny for a 100+ year old piece of metal?
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Moderator
United States
164340 Posts |
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Are there telltale signs of a Morgan being dipped- like super shiny for a 100+ year old piece of metal? Supposedly, you cannot tell when it is done correctly. Stains (as in your example) and/or stripped luster are typical from improper dipping. I do know from experience that dipping a copper cent will turn it Pepto pink. 
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12046 Posts |
This particular coin doesn't look dipped to me based on the photos provided but anything's possible. Dipped coins don't usually display cartwheel luster like this example does; the dip chemically removes a thin layer of surface metal - a layer which is responsible for the appearance of mint luster - and the resulting dipped luster is what I call "all-over" - the coin is sometimes unnaturally bright and the luster tends to "bloom" instead of cartwheeling. If it's overdipped, it ends up chalky and dull/dead looking. In the case of Morgan dollars, some staining was actually caused by storage, particularly a reaction between the chemicals and dyes used in the fabric Treasury vault bags and the atmosphere and humidity in which they were stored. Additionally, handling during post-mint sorting left deposits of oils and dirt on the surfaces of the finished coins that resulted in staining and discoloration after prolonged exposure to air. This should not be confused with the Peace dollars which were rinsed with an anti-tarnishing agent after being minted and prior to being stored, a rinse which often led to white "milk spotting" on the coins. Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse
12/03/2024 3:33 pm
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Moderator
United States
164340 Posts |
In this case, I am inclined to defer to paralyse's opinion.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12046 Posts |
Here is a dipped Morgan if you're interested: came back Unc details from PCGS. I dipped it myself to remove a nasty haze. I didn't think it would straight grade but it was worth a shot. VAM 42A. The scratches are from heavy die polishing, not PMD.  Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Not sure where I come down here. I've dipped (or seen dipped by pros) hundreds of coins over the years without any lessening of the cartwheel luster to the naked eye. Many of the old-time national dealers continued to dip well into the TPG area and seemed to transition to slabs quite easily. I well remember a conversation 25 years ago with a well-known SLQ dealer who attributed such spotting to poor rinsing techniques. |
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Moderator
United States
164340 Posts |
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Not sure where I come down here. I've dipped (or seen dipped by pros) hundreds of coins over the years without any lessening of the cartwheel luster to the naked eye... I can stand by what I said earlier. If done correctly, you cannot tell. I do not say that from personal experience with the process, but based on examples provided here or by coin dealers making the claim. An interesting discussion nonetheless. YMMV. 
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12046 Posts |
It's not always detectable. As Coinfrog noted, there are dipped coins out there where you cannot easily tell. Was this coin dipped?   Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse
12/03/2024 5:46 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Wait - you're asking if the SLQ was dipped?  Edited by Coinfrog
12/03/2024 5:29 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12046 Posts |
Yup. Do you think it was dipped?
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Do I think the 1917 quarter was dipped? Really?
Edited by Coinfrog
12/03/2024 6:13 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12046 Posts |
It was, in fact, dipped. When I first got it, it was very dark, almost black in some areas.
Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse
12/03/2024 5:59 pm
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Replies: 19 / Views: 1,425 |
Posted 12/03/2024 12:44 pm
