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 Replies: 15 / Views: 979 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4703 Posts |
 I bought this Jefferson nickel because it's a crazy steps 1954-S DDR, FS-801. I paid $30 at auction, which is paying up quite a bit in my opinion.The coin arrived in a clear flip with lots of these green spots all over both faces. None of this gunk was visible in the ebay pictures.i doubled checked that immediately. The seller policy is that coins can be returned unopened in the original packaging for a refund. What should I do here? On one hand, this is an interesting nickel variety. On the other hand, if this green junk represents permanent damage or damage that will grow worse over time, maybe it's best to return it. To me, it looks like PVC damage from storage in a humid environment. I don't know that for sure, though. Maybe BadThad and the restoration crew could enlighten me. I can't just cut open the flip to soak in acetone, because the seller only accepts unopened returns. Help! 
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Moderator
 United States
72196 Posts |
Can we get a better over all view of this coin?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4703 Posts |
We can, although it is in a plastic flip that is covered with sharpie writing.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19676 Posts |
Agree, it looks soft and mushy like PVC plasticizer residue. It's green because it's pulled in copper from the surface. Even if removed, I suspect you'll still see tell-tail breaks in the patina where the spots were. ....and maybe I'm wrong and someone spilled gatoraid on it and it dried.  Edited by BadThad
02/10/2025 9:36 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4703 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18751 Posts |
Quote:
I paid $30 at auction, which is paying up quite a bit in my opinion. Brandmeister, send it back. Keep looking and you will find another one without the spots.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6126 Posts |
Return it...I had a similar situation with a nice FS nickel....never could get all that darn green stuff off.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
13696 Posts |
I would not take the chance on surface damage. Send it back and wait for another one.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time. |
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Moderator
United States
164459 Posts |
I agree with the group. I would probably give it an rinse if it were a $3 coin, but for $30 I would not risk it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4703 Posts |
So the consensus is that the coin is toast? That would be a pity, as the coin otherwise looks good to the eye and is a reasonably desirable variety.
I will begin the return process this afternoon, I guess. Disappointing.
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Moderator
United States
164459 Posts |
It does pain me to see your disappointment.  You have the coin in hand, so your opinion is always going to have more value. You may be able to arrest the green even if you cannot reverse it. If you want to keep it, then you should. Not everyone has the same opinion on how much or how little risk there is with $30, let alone what the added value is for this example. So, you have to trust yourself with the final decision. People here have kept far worse coins because they happen have other uncommon attributes. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4703 Posts |
Appreciated, jbuck.  Just to document my thinking for future variety hunters who are still learning like myself: It's not a home run coin by any stretch of the imagination. The crazy steps FS-801 is readily available on ebay. I believe you can get an ANACS graded MS64/65 specimen for maybe $60-70. More for a PCGS example, particularly in higher grades. Given the VLDS, I think this is probably a MS64/65 coin unless it's after beer-thirty on Friday at the grading floor. $30 raw for a mid-MS example is a reasonable price for this variety. So if the coin already has PVC issues, that's a non-starter, particularly if the residue can't be removed, and especially if there are possibly more hidden corrosion problems that could appear later. |
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Moderator
United States
164459 Posts |
Thank you for the additional information.  Even if it is a "loss" for you, this may provide useful to someone in the future.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19676 Posts |
Man, that's a good looking nickel! Now that I see the whole coin, it's very minor, I thought it was worse. I would rip it open and try an acetone soak and some toothpick nudging, it might come right off. Any spots that appear will be very minor IMO.
Edited by BadThad
02/11/2025 7:09 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4703 Posts |
Well, I had contacted the seller yesterday afternoon and discussed a return. I have not actually clicked through the screens on ebay to start the process yet. The consensus here seemed pretty strong against keeping it. I paid close to market price for that variety. For me to reconsider a return, we would have to be sure that the spots could unquestionably be addressed and also that the coin would grade at least MS66. |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
If you want to keep it, perhaps ask the seller for a partial refund?
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Replies: 15 / Views: 979 |
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Posted 02/10/2025 9:27 pm
