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 Replies: 15 / Views: 1,470 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
I have a gold coin that has unfortunately been cleaned. The obverse, while showing signs of this cleaning, still looks very pleasing. The reverse, however, has that "put on your sunglasses" super shiny look. What's the best way, if any, to just get a bit of the shine off the reverse? For kicks, here are some suggestions I've received so far, some obviously not coming from collectors:
1. Bury it for a few years
2. Put vacuum bag dust on it and let it sit
3. Place on a window sill
4. Handle it with dirty hands, like after all yard work
5. Let my 4 year old play with it
6. Smear pond muck on it for awhile
Thanks!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
See my post called polished and/or cleaned coins. I've put some examples of coins that after extensive addtional cleaning with miscellaneous solutions, then placed on a kitchen window sill. It will take time but usually works in toning down overly polished and/or cleaned coins.
I use a kitchen window since most people use that room to cook STUFF. This means that the air in that room is usually full of almost anything imaginable and moisture is also usually in high quantities. Such a system works but is really dependant on how much cooking is done, how often windows are opened, how many people use this room, temperatures in the house or on the window sill itself.
Make sure you turn the coin frequently too. Also, a piece of raw wood on the sill with the coins on it helps too.
However, if I were you I'd omit any further cleaning on that coin for now. Just place on the window sill as is. Watch it carefully for overly toning on the not to shinny side.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
Would this work on gold though?
I know it works on silver but Gold isn't reactive like silver.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
958 Posts |
let it set outside in a secure place.
The oxidation will be slow but eventually the outside exposure will cuase a " patina " effect
making the coin look natural agian.
dont handle it ot trying fake circulate it more you will only damage it
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
759 Posts |
Thanks, carl. No gold there, but it's something I'm glsd to have learned. Now I'm looking forward to hearing if the window sill treatment will work on gold and racking my brain for secure places outside. I don't need any stories about raccoons or blue jays making off with my half eagle!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4846 Posts |
carry it around in your pocket for a while
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Thanks, carl. No gold there, but it's something I'm glsd to have learned. Now I'm looking forward to hearing if the window sill treatment will work on gold and racking my brain for secure places outside. I don't need any stories about raccoons or blue jays making off with my half eagle!
Raccoons or Blue Jays, HUH. Least of my problems around here. I've got some kind of large Black Cat that takes anything not nailed down. What he does with it and why is really scarry. Once I put a large wooden salad bowl outside for some reason and he ran off with it. And as to Gold not doing anything similar to other metals, yes and no. No it isn't as reactive as Copper or Silver but Gold does combine with other substances. Gold combines with Chlorine, Fluorine, Cyanide, and Mercury. Gold's worst enemy, as with Copper, is Sulfur. One reason many women are smart about not wearing Gold while doing dishes in areas where the water is treated with either Chlorine or Fluorine. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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carry it around in your pocket for a while Probably the best answer, just realize that by the time you get rid of the polishing/cleaning effect you will also be a grade or two lower and it may acquire a few more hits and scratches. |
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Valued Member
United States
273 Posts |
I'm with the pocket piece crowd. You'll definitely knock a few points off the grade, but at least you would have an "original" coin. ie: problem-free that could grade.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Probably the best answer, just realize that by the time you get rid of the polishing/cleaning effect you will also be a grade or two lower and it may acquire a few more hits and scratches.
A real problem with this is waht the pockets are made of. For example many jeans pockets are really abrasive and will create scratches in soft metals. Other materials too can cause scratches on soft metals and a Gold coin is soft. Putting other coins in the same pocket too could cause dents and more pronounced scratches. Man sound like a good idea but to many variables that could really ruin a coin. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
This is possible, but that is also what created every circulated gold coin (and other coins) you see. most of the wear and surfaces were created not by hand to hand transfer of the coins, but by carrying them around in pockets and purses with other items.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
I would agree with the pocket suggestion. Just be aware it will take weeks or months to significantly reduce the polished shine and you need to be careful to keep only the coin in that pocket. Also, gold is heavy and if you have any frayed spots in that pocket your coin is likely to fall right through. Maybe you could post before and after photos of the coin. At least you should get a good photo of the coin as it looks today so you can usefully judge whether you are seeing any improvement over time. I tried this approach awhile back with a polished Russian rouble coin. I think it did improve the appearance some. Here's a link to the thread I posted about that coin: http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/...chTerms=1817Edited by Jaobler
11/19/2010 9:56 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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and you need to be careful to keep only the coin in that pocket. That I would disagree with. If the only thing you have in the pocket is the gold coin the cloth will simply keep polishing it. If needs the dust, dirt, oils, and contact witht he other coins and stuff to give it the proper effect of a coin acquiring "circulation" wear. If you have ever seen a coin that has been carried for a long time in a pocket by itself as a pocket piece you can tell it doesn't have the same type of wear pattern as a normal circulation coin. The rims tend to wear more than the centers of the coin and it develops an odd rounded edge.. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
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If needs the dust, dirt, oils, and contact witht he other coins and stuff to give it the proper effect of a coin acquiring "circulation" wear. Interesting point. Maybe we can suggest a "pocket medium" that could be used. We wouldn't want heavy metal pieces that would produce deep scratches or dents. Maybe something like sawdust or plastic beads, with a few copper cents thrown in? A pocketful of Home Depot potting soil might have possibilities.... Sounds like a good research project for somebody! |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
I currently have an 1883CC Morgan for a pocket piece, it had also received a shining so it needs to be dulled down a bit. I take it out a few times a day and rub it with my hands and roll it over my fingers to impart some dirt and oils. I have it in my pocket with two half dollars, four quarters, four nickels, six dimes, and eight cents. That is a nice mix that gives the Morgan plenty of pocket rub. The only drawback is the incessant jingling in my pocket  As for the gold coin, a handful of regular pocket change should do the trick but I would recommend to keep the gold in a separate pocket from your keys as they can leave scratches on a pocket piece coin. |
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Valued Member
United States
273 Posts |
OneBowl, have you made any decisions on what you're going to try?
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Replies: 15 / Views: 1,470 |
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Posted 11/15/2010 12:01 pm
