| Author |
 Replies: 23 / Views: 8,566 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
I just received a 1852 p gold dollar I had purchased that has two small soder spots on the obverse. Besides these the coin looks to be in mint state condition. Is there any way I can remove the soder safely without damaging the surface of the coin so that it is gradeable? Will simply melting the soder off work? -XoG   |
|
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Not a good idea if you don't know what your doing. I highly doubt you can get it off but what you might want to try is taking it to a jewler that makes jewlery. They have all kinds of little torches and might just know how the right way. But again, I really don't think you will get it off.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
2589 Posts |
Well I know lead melts at about half the temperature that gold melts at so I'm fairly certain that the heating wont damange the coin.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
312 Posts |
I'd imagine that the heat could at least affect the appearance of the gold's surface
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
XoG:
I had small mount marks removed from a 1791 British spade guinea by a manufacturing jeweller. No matter how good the skill there is still some evidence of tooling marks on the coin. The jeweller's main problem was that the solder was harder than the gold of the coin, which makes it almost impossible to control the tool to the precision required.
He did improve the coin, but there is still obvious evidence of his work.
I am quite happy with the result, because I was the only bidder for the guinea at auction, which I bought at only a small premium over bullion value.
Did the work improve the value of the coin? Not really.
Heating the coin? Never! It will permanently show signs of sweating (heat distress).
Considering the pictures you have submitted, I would do nothing, and save the cost and worry. You may very well dig a bigger hole for yourself, considering that your coin already has a much greater value margin over bullion price than my guinea has.
Your coin is better already without the work than mine is with the work.
BTW I also have a gold dollar just like yours. I bought mine at a coin show in Manchester, England in 1970, for one pound ten shillings (now one pound fifty pence). It is a really nice little coin.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
I have to agree with sel_691. Great reply.
I don't think you'll make the grade-able cut in any event. If you bought it at spot for $70ish and are a gambler, there's not much downside financially.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
You will never be able to get it gradable. The gold solder they use melts at a temperature not much lower than that of the gold itslf so it would take considerable heating to melt the solder and then since it tends to bond to the surface of the gold it I almost pretty much impossible to remove all of it. Removing the last requires tooling which you will not be able to hide from the graders.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
Unfortunately I paid about $150 for it as originally I thought the spots might simply be glue, I am attempting to get a refund. The seller did not describe the imperfections in the listing.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
312 Posts |
If they did not describe the imperfections, if you have any trouble obtaining a refund, I'd open a case against them (assuming this was eBay/PayPal). That's a big item to leave out.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
So far hes agreed to give me a refund, but if he fails to do so I do plan on opening a case against him. He claims he did not see the soder spots on the coin which is obviously a lie since the pictured I provided above are the ones from the listing lol.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
Somewhat similar experience here with a Type III gold dollar. What is it with gold dollars? Anyway, seller failed to mention edge solder from jewelry mount. Also claimed he didn't see it. Refund offered but I ultimately kept it since it went for $90. Yours looks really nice otherwise. Good luck.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2589 Posts |
Yea I'm fairly certain it would be high au or low ms without the soder, I was very diappointed when it arrived. I would have kept it for ninty dollars as well, though I think $150 is much to high to simply keep it
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Quote:
What is it with gold dollars? The small size made them very popular for use in jewelery. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2335 Posts |
I have a gold dollar that was used in at least 2 pieces of jewelry over the years. I bought it in a ring & when I removed it from the mount the reverse had twin spots of solder.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
459 Posts |
What is the gold value on this type of coin?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
At $1475 spot, I have the gold melt at $71.35.
0.048375 ounce of gold.
Xavier..you should be OK if the seller has agreed to a refund. I hope it works out for you.
|
| |
Replies: 23 / Views: 8,566 |
Posted 04/07/2011 10:30 pm
