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Restoring a *corroded* coin - now with pic
Coinman999
Posts: 41 ✭
I found a coin that I would love for my collection. It appears to be in XF condition except that the obverse has what looks like dozens of mold spots on it. Reverse looks good. Asking price is in the VG-Fine range.
Would you buy this coin in the hopes that an acetone soak would clear up the mold? I have zero experience with any kind of cleaning.
Thanks!
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A photo would help. What is it? You do different things with different metals.
I have no photo, but it is silver, covered with mold spots on the one side. Barber quarter.
Are you sure that mold is on the surface? Copper and silver ions are toxic to fungi.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
Not an expert, but looks like mold to me. Tons of spots ... is there something else that might cause this type of damage?
Picture needed. What color is this "mold"? Could be corrosion, pvc, etc.
It is a dark grey. If Pvc is always green that that's not going to be it ... no hint of green.
It is hard to say, some top mold you can remove, but imbedded mold it may be best to leave it alone.
I doubt it is mold. It is likely corrosion which will not wash off with acetone. Removal would leave the coin pitted.
Was able to find a pic. Thoughts?
It could be tarnish. A dip might remove it.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
I think a chemical reaction of some sort but I don’t think a dip would make it look any more natural.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
I think It will looked over dipped (cleaned) and there might be some smaller spots left behind after cleaning it. Especially if someone already tried to remove them if the spots were even darker to begin with which is what I’m thinking may have happened.
Mr_Spud
PASS. It is a problem coin with an unknown (and very ugly) surface issue. Buying it will just make it your problem.
Not a good looking coin! Pass.
Even dipped, that coin will have traces of the contamination/corrosion. Definite problem coin... I would not buy that one. Cheers, RickO
My guess is that someone has already messed with it and it is highly unlikely it can be rescued.
Acetone is by far the safest but it only works on organic material. I doubt it will cure what ails it. But it won't hurt it.
Other restoration agents might help minimize the spotting (eZest, MS70, etc.) but you might find damage like etching below the spots. Furthermore, the coin surface might suffer and have a flat, lifeless appearance.
Best advice? Pass. There are plenty to more to choose from.
Lance.
I can't imagine there's much of anything you could do to that coin that would make it look better.
JMO, YMMV
This might work
Just kidding 😉
Mr_Spud
I've had coins like that dip fine. Ya never know unless you try. If it's cheap enough weigh your downside.
Looks like normal spotting on a barber coin - probably ain't gonna get rid of it - pass
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
Those surfaces look messed with before the spotting, and now plenty of ugly spotting has been added. What makes this a coin you’d love rather than finding a nice problem-free example? Also, I doubt anything will make that coin look better.
If it's got an S on the back, send it in for professional conservation. If not, I like @amwldcoin Daryl's advice.
Find a better one.