1797 Pence Verdigris removal question....

ormandh · February 13, 2012 7:38AM

Is there something I can do to remove the verdigris from the surfaces of this coin without doing any more damage to the surfaces? The reverse is terrible. Although you can not see it in my photos, the verdigris on the reverse is green(all of the spots and the green in the incuse devices.) What would you do? Is it worth conserving and having slabbed or is it a dog? Thanks. -Dan

Hyperion · February 13, 2012 7:51AM

I think it's attractive.

1P?

neat.

are there any without green hiding to a greater or lesser extent?

Andres · February 13, 2012 8:48AM

This might be usefull:
Verdigris removal tips

ormandh · February 13, 2012 9:24AM

Thanks for the link, but I am not willing to ruin the red on this coin. I was thinking that i would send it to a conservation company, but I am not sure the cost would warrant the end result for the value of the coin. -Dan

RobP · February 13, 2012 9:57AM

<< <i>Thanks for the link, but I am not willing to ruin the red on this coin. I was thinking that i would send it to a conservation company, but I am not sure the cost would warrant the end result for the value of the coin. -Dan >>

It looks too worn to be original colour. I suspect a clean in something along the way - maybe not yesterday, but certainly at some time

ormandh · February 13, 2012 10:07AM

No, it is the original color. I will have to take an axial lighting photo of the surfaces to show the luster. You have to remember that this larger photo shows every imperfection. The color is actually Red-brown. But, there is definitely a problem with verdigris. -Dan

JCMhouston · February 13, 2012 10:18AM

NCS I think could get rid of that without hurting the coin I think.

ormandh · February 13, 2012 10:21AM

<< <i>NCS I think could get rid of that without hurting the coin I think. >>

Do you know what kind of fee NCS would charge? Do you think that the rim hits will keep it out of a holder?

JCMhouston · February 13, 2012 12:25PM

PCGS and NGC are both usually pretty liberal on the rims of these big old things. I'm sending you a PM regarding NCS.

lordmarcovan · February 13, 2012 10:01PM

Mineral oil soak it is about all I can suggest. That's been there too long for you to do much about it, I'm afraid, especially without risking further damage. That's the bad news.

The good news is, that while the specks are a slight distraction, I don't consider it a hideous coin in the grand scheme of things. Not so bad, really. Yes, there's a small issue, but it is what it is.

My recommendation is to try the oil soak if you like, and/or acetone (both relatively accepted as being harmless treatments), but go no further. I doubt either will do much. Accept it as it is and enjoy it like that, or if it bothers you enough, sell it to somebody else who isn't so bothered by the specks.

PS- NCS might be an option here. I've never tried them. I gather there is some risk involved in that option as well, not to mention the expense, but who knows, it might be a calculated risk worth taking. I dunno.

ormandh · February 17, 2012 6:21AM

Thanks for the advice, guys! I do not like trying to fix problem coins. I would rather leave that up to the pros. It is a shame that such a nice coin was not stored correctly. I should never throw money at a coin unless I know more about it. I actually paid pretty strong money for this particular piece.

Andres · February 17, 2012 8:41AM

That verdigris is harmfull in the long run,
you should do something about it, at least stabilize it imho.

1797 Pence Verdigris removal question....

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