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 Replies: 30 / Views: 3,859 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
Grabbed this off of ebay. No worries, got it cheap. My question is, if anyone would know, what was done to this coin? There is a discoloration across the obverse. Looks like some sort of patination. I see no scratches at 10X I am about to crack it out and rub my thumb across it a couple times . . . . . . . it looks like it would come right off. No attempts to decieve, I am not looking to sell it. Also worried that there is some remnant of some sort of cleaner that will continue to damage the surface. I would give it a good acetone bath before placing it in it's new holder. I am not picking up much cartwheel luster, though the coin is very lustrous. Wondering if that is due to whatever the heck was done to it. By the way, the reverse is just spectacular. No discoloration, no signs of damage at all. Though the cartwheel is lacking on the reverse as well. Hard to photograph, the below photograph has it looking worse than it is;  The one below shows it looking just a bit better than it is;  Here is a closeup;  Any thoughts or comments would be welcome. Jon |
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
So the reverse has no patina? I am wondering if any chemicals were used. I love the term "improperly cleaned" as opposed to what, "cleaned".
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
723 Posts |
Here is the Reverse. Hard to capture the luster, but no patination like on the Obverse.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
These photos suck. The first one obverse shows waaay more discoloration that is actually evident.
Not sure why that is . . . . .
I have a much better setup at home, will try to get better shots.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
I just noticed something, just visible in the photos.
The grooves between the reeding are very dark, almost black.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Based on the shininess, I would say the coin was buffed/polished and has begun to retone. Another possibility is that the coin was dipped and the brownish toning is from dip residue. Quote:
I am about to crack it out and rub my thumb across it a couple times . . . If you do that, then you will definitely have an impaired coin. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
Got a decent shot. The residue is visible on the right field and neck. To a lesser degree on the left (your left) field. The lines are crisp, I can detect no smearing. Buffed is what I expected as well, but I see no real evidence or damage. The wing tips and tail feathers are very crisp indeed. Breast feathers are good. Quote:
If you do that, then you will definitely have an impaired coin. Well, I definately have an impaired coin already eh? Not sure I can hurt this one much . . . . . . I haven't cracked it out just yet, wanted to get a few more opinions before (and if) I do.  |
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Moderator
United States
16677 Posts |
I can see why they called it AU and I can also see hairlines, evidence of the cleaning. I would just leave it alone, crack out or not. The tan patina, as stated, could be the sign of a past dipping as well.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
584 Posts |
Ever try MS-70 is a coin care/cleaning product. I've found it works great on Au to MS & PF's. Think it just might be what your looking for. Just be careful doing any rubbing, just as in life rubbing can get you into trouble.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
809 Posts |
Why is that slabbed? If its improperly cleaned and not graded why is it in the slab? What am I missing here....its a quarter.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
809 Posts |
Wouldnt it be worth more just as silver? Sorry if my questions are stupid, I just dont understand why this coin is slabbed. |
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Valued Member
United States
262 Posts |
Here's my logic:
I dont think its been dipped being only one side has evidence of being cleaned.
The other thing is, why would someone take to the time to clean a coin but only clean one side?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
Quote:
Wouldnt it be worth more just as silver? Sorry if my questions are stupid, I just dont understand why this coin is stabbed. If it were not for the cleaning, this would IMHO grade at the upper end of AU, or maybe lower end of MS. $50 or so. Perhaps the submitter did not expect that it had been cleaned . . . Got to give the seller credit though . . . . The slab in this case certainly reduces the value. If I were to sell it, I certainly would crack it out. I'm leaning toward some sort of dip residue that may have been rinsed better on the reverse. I have not cracked it yet, but do not see that I have anything to lose. The residue needs to go, if for no other reason than to prevent further damage. Right? |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Some pix make it look PL. Quote:
Wouldnt it be worth more just as silver? Sorry if my questions are stupid, I just dont understand why this coin is slabbed. Because retail on an au58 is 52.90 and ms60 86.25. Obviously, they hoped for a ms64 or so $150. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
Cracked it out this morning. Looks worse out of the holder than in. Surface does indeed look buffed, but I still see no evidence other than . . . . . well . . . . . it just looks buffed. No cartwheel at all. Sad, sad, coin. Oh well, I got what I paid for!  Still, I want that residue off, and have it soaking in Acetone as I type. Will let you guys know how it turns out. Will post some "after" pictures. But I really don't care anymore . . . . . at this point it is just an acedemic exersize. Thanks for the replies. Jon |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
723 Posts |
Holy Scratches Batman! After the acetone bath, there seemed to be a sort of viscous residue. Gently wiping with a soft eyeglass cloth revealed some scratching. I promise I did not make these, there was some sort of magic gunk that hid them. All of these are in the same direction, my wiping was more of a random orbit and very gentle. Still, in hand these scratches are not all that evident, but under the camera . . . . . well see for yourself;  Reverse continues to be better than the obverse.  Oh well, it is better than the one that I had, which is headed for the scrap pile.  Bottom line, though, I now still need to be on the lookout for a nice '38S for my collection. Lesson learned the hard way. Good thing it was cheap! I now have a new insight as to why the coin stayed in the slab . . . . . . when I do get a nice coin for my collection, what will I do with this piece of crap? |
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Replies: 30 / Views: 3,859 |
Posted 06/17/2011 5:47 pm
