Lacquer on coins.

keets

This old school practice is encountered sometimes. Has anyone used the services of NCS or PCGS Restoration with regard to "Lacquered" coins?? If so, what were the results??

Thanks in advance.

Al H.

ModCrewman

Would love to know also...recently had this 1950 Lincoln that is a drop dead gorgeous "fresh" red CAM returned in a genuine holder as "Lacquered." It was the 2nd submission of that coin, the first time it came back, it was just "Altered Surfaces." With the new "lacquered" diagnosis, I'll probably try a soak in Acetone to see if I can see any change. These are just quick cell phone pics, so apologies for the image quality.

topstuf

Don't need to. Acetone will dissolve it with no ill effect. I experimented with lacquered coins in a manila envelope in a toning test tears ago.
It 's hard to find better than Mylar lined 2x2s. Stapled 4 times.

amwldcoin

Yeap, acetone will dissolve lacquer. Usually takes a couple of rounds to get it all. I actually don't mind copper that has been lacquered correctly as it's an excellent preservative for copper. I've owned many older world coins that were lacquered.

keets

I have used acetone on lacquered coins before and with glue residue and such things. my reasoning is that I may try that but also will send it through one of the TPG's since I accept they will remove any trace and improve upon my results.

Insider2

@ModCrewman said:
Would love to know also...recently had this 1950 Lincoln that is a drop dead gorgeous "fresh" red CAM returned in a genuine holder as "Lacquered." It was the 2nd submission of that coin, the first time it came back, it was just "Altered Surfaces." With the new "lacquered" diagnosis, I'll probably try a soak in Acetone to see if I can see any change. These are just quick cell phone pics, so apologies for the image quality.

Suggestion: Leave the coin alone. All you can do is possibly hairline it and expose its "fresh" surface to oxidation. Apparently, it has been WELL PROTECTED for decades. "Lacquered" is a much better description (harmless) than "altered surfaces" which usually indicates fraudulent intentions.

keets

Suggestion: Leave the coin alone. All you can do is possibly hairline it and expose its "fresh" surface to oxidation

another reason for using the TPG services. has anyone out there had NCS or PCGS Restoration do that??

Insider2

At least two conservation services I've worked at remove lacquer with good results. If you don't get it entirely off, the coin will have an iridescent film. Judging from submissions, there are not as many lacquered coins still around. I've only done four so far this year; however, there are larger conservation services who may see more lacquered coins.

rmpsrpms

I have a roll of 44-D Jefferson Nickels that was lacquered (every coin!) in the distant past. I guess I need to go the hardware store and pick up some acetone...

That '50 Proof is really nice! Is that a die crack from the U to left wheat ear? Seems odd to see such a thing on a Proof. Or is it a small thread of something embedded in the lacquer?

ricko

I had a couple of lacquered coins...older copper..I removed it with acetone....Took several baths though... Cheers, RickO

neildrobertson

Most types of lacquer are not harmful to coins and the use of lacquer can be a good conservation technique. Most solvents like acetone will completely remove it with no I'll effect. A conservation service should have zero issues being able to do it.

Aspie_Rocco

Old thread revived******

Anyone have any recent success with pcgs restoration of lacquered coins?
I won two pcgs mercury dime RPMs and I am curious I’d pcgs restoration service can get them into a graded holder.

dsessom

What ever happened to @keets anyway? He used to post here all the time.

Aspie_Rocco

@dsessom said:
What ever happened to @keets anyway? He used to post here all the time.

It is my understanding he was banned.

dsessom

@Aspie_Rocco said:

@dsessom said:
What ever happened to @keets anyway? He used to post here all the time.

It is my understanding he was banned.

That's a shame. He really contributed quite a bit to the forums.

DNADave

Is this lacquer on these ASEs? The two on the bottom have a 1/8 thick layer of something not paint or a sticker.

It like to never came off with acetone but after two days it did.

lilolme

@Aspie_Rocco said:
Old thread revived******

Anyone have any recent success with pcgs restoration of lacquered coins?
I won two pcgs mercury dime RPMs and I am curious I’d pcgs restoration service can get them into a graded holder.

I have no experience with it. I did look at the pcgs restoration pages and no specific information for it. A forum search of pcgs restoration lacquered found several somewhat applicable results. A couple below. Might come down to your specific coins for the worth it or not and if any other potential issues after the removal.

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/978940/the-perks-of-acetone-restoration

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/10429347#Comment_10429347