PCGS coin restoration
quarinteen
Posts: 68 ✭
Hello. I was wondering if anyone knew how and what PCGS uses to clean coins. They say never clean your coins so how do they get away with it? Is it because they want that market share?
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You may have better luck asking the dog from the baked beans commercial for the family recipe!
Read the answers on "cleaning" here:
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1005372/cleaning-coins
It's legit to remove surface contaminants (dirt, glue, etc.) with a few known chemicals specific to the type of metal used in the coin (copper, silver, gold, zinc, etc.).
The key is to remove the added material without removing the original metal from the coin.
You also have to rinse the coin carefully so that the contaminants don't just spread out over the surface; they go down the drain instead.
Classic silver polish, kitchen cleanser, wire brush, most acids, etc. remove metal and add scratches and will destroy the value of a high grade coin.
Why would they want to divulge their process? I wouldn't under any circumstances.
I think you will find that these are trade secrets.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
They don't "clean" them. They "curate" them. Which, of course, means professionally clean them.
The reason people say to never clean your coins is that amateurs end up ruining the coin in the process. Cleaning a coin without leaving a trace or cleaning a coin to stop corrosion even if it leaves a trace, are different from amateurs rubbing coins with cotton cloth and abrasive cleaners.
I would also add that one of the things professionals can do that you couldn't do at home is laser ablation.
Would you submit this coin for restoration?
/Users/James/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/10/00/1035/ys4htoBMRxKyxEDc3J0y5A_thumb_1035.jpg
/Users/James/Pictures/Photos Library.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/10/00/1036/Ofkc6qRAQ5GnHXh9MSX+Bw_thumb_1036.jpg
Does anyone have any opinions about this stuff?
Conserv Safe Coin Solvent - 8 Ounce Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I6ZCBDE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.zuQBbT9AHS9Q
@quarinteen I never tried Conserv Safe but I'd be open to trying it on junk silver until I gained some confidence. I mostly rely on acetone and eZest, sometimes a little Blue Ribbon conditioner.
@Zsmartie As for the 90-S Morgan, most collectors would consider that undesirable toning. PCGS calls it "negative" or "below average". See here:
https://pcgs.com/eyeappeal
For coins that are not expensive or difficult to replace it is usually smarter to sell the coin, even at a loss, and buy a nice example, than to pay for professional conservation (including S/I both ways and PCGS's premium).
If it were submitted for restoration PCGS would likely dip it to remove toning. What other option is there? I am not sure it would all come off even with an acid dip and it's hard to say what the coin might look like under the toning and contaminants like the fingerprint, upper reverse.
Lance.
Thanks for your advice. I wish I had not purchased the coin, as I do not like the toning. So I may just sell it and take my lumps.
We call those "professionals" COIN DOCTORS!
Do coins curated or conserved by professionals still maintain their luster or is that stripped away? The original skin of a coin is quite fragile.
Yes.
So, yes the surfaces are fragile. Yes dipping removes metal compounds. Yes this “uncovers” what damage already has been done by corrosion. Yes, it leaves raw, unprotected surfaces that are sometimes even more chemically susceptible than before. Yes, dipping certain coins will leave you with a dull, lifeless disaster. Yes, dipping certain coins uncovers a gorgeous coin. The trick is knowing when to hold and when to fold.
That '90-s looks to be a nice, well struck coin, though I would not dip it, as I believe it would appear 'washed out' after a bath tempting as it may be. jmo
The 1890-S is an unattractively toned coin. Your best move would be to sell it for whatever it brings and move on. Don't throw good money after bad by paying for "restoration" as you really don't know how the coin will look (or sell) until after such work has been done on it.