So This ASE I Bought, Strange Spots On It.... How To Clean?

Hello Murrelington, I recommend E-Z Zest..Dip. Theirs actually another topic covering a similar issue https://goccf.com/t/96702 that can help. But this will most likely remove these problem areas for you. You dip the coin in it, for only a few Sec. I'd do no more than 3sec to 5sec at the most. I then dip it in a dish detergent and water mix, I premade prior to. Then I rinse with water. Then a final rinse with Distilled water, Pat dry, then let air dry. You run a risk of over dipping if you repeat dipping to many times or leaving it in to long. Just so your aware. Other wise a product I've come to like is MS-70 I haven't heard much feedback on it. But from the few pcs I've used it on, have turned out pretty good. Either one can be easily found but here a place where the price isn't to bad. http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/pro...aning-coins/
Edited Have you ever tried E-Z Zest

I have a few older ASE's with similar black spots on them. I was wondering what to do with them also. And I already have a bottle of e Z est. I guess I will have to try this.

Your coin appears to be a bullion piece and I don't think you can clean it without damaging it. I suggest you sell it for silver value and buy a new one.IMHO,
John1

I do not like seeing references to E-Zest on this forum without complete explanations of what it does to a coin; without the whole picture, it sounds like a sure-fire problem solver when it is, in fact, the most dangerous thing you can do to a coin you want to keep.

E-Zest dissolves metal from the coin, permanently. That's how it removes discoloration, by dissolving the entire top layer of metal on which the discoloration resides. If you understand the minting process, you know that "luster" on a coin is the result of microscopic irregularities on the as-struck surface of a coin imparted by similar irregularity on the die itself. During the life of a die, as you might imagine, these irregularities wear. A coin struck from an older die might have lesser luster than one from a newer die, or "weaker" luster, i.e., much smaller irregularities which will cause the luster to wear away much more quickly as the coin is circulated.

That's the reason I think twice before downgrading an Almost-Uncirculated coin for the lack of luster - was it struck by a fresh die (luster should last longer) or an old one (luster wears quickly, gotta look in the nooks and crannies where it will remain).

Now, lets start removing those irregularities with acid. That's what you're doing when you "dip" a coin. The number amassey quoted above, 3-5 seconds, is a pretty decent rough figure for the maximum time in a dip which a coin can withstand before being destroyed forever.

A freshly-struck coin, from fresh dies. And that 3-5 second number covers the entire life of the coin. Any more than 5 seconds total, ever, and the coin is done. A coin from older dies will not survive dipping for that long. In extreme cases, the first moment you immerse the coin in E-Zest is the end of it.

Now, tell me about this coin you want to dip. Were the dies fresh? Has it been dipped before?

Don't bother. I'll answer that for you. You will never know how old the dies were - the "aging" I'm talking about can't be seen without 200x magnification, and you'll only recognize it if you've looked at dozens of the same issue at known states of die wear, which is to say you'll never know.

And you'll never know if the coin was ever dipped before, if it was done right. You can't identify a dipped coin that was done right.

Dipping coins is a crapshoot. Every single time. Admittedly, an ASE is a safer bet than, say, a Morgan, but can you be sure someone hasn't already tried to remove those spots before?

Consider dipping as taking a no-less-than 50% chance (probably greater) that the resulting coin will never be worth more than melt again.

FTFY.

The Original formulation seems to be for "rapid" action, whether good or bad. If I have o use it, I dilute a fresh small amount of dip by a factor of about 1:10 parts water and use that and discard after use. It gives me much more time to observe the action and stop it at my endpoint.I agree with Superdave about the danger to a coin. Personally, on a plain bullion coin, I don't care if I lose the luster, so I may use full strength.

Jim

My apologies Murrellington, and thanks Super Dave. I see where I came up a little short, Or a lot when you think about it. I was to casual with my post and Instead of linking the thread with more information, I should of took the time and fully covered it. Cause its not a sure thing, and the odds are almost if not against you, (Depending on history of coin)you'll walk away happy. Your kinda like my mentor(SD) and don't even know it. That goes for a number of members here. So I'm glad before anything bad could of happened you added the most important part. However If Murr. is just going to sell this to buy another, I don't see how a cautious trial could hurt, being its bullion, His Reward to Risk makes for a perfect learning experience. Its risky yes but is rewarding when done right and factors are right. I would recommend seeing just how strong this stuff is, on some common date junk silver. My curiosity was sparked from the beginning, from the secretiveness / hidden art / Taboo of it all, only fueled my curiosity more. So thank you for giving a little session, in proper caution. I walked away with a valuable lesson. By the way the Labels are working great :-)