PCGS Restoration: 3 Peace Dollars -- RESULTS
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I have been curious about the PCGS restoration service so I thought I would give it a try. There were only a few examples of pre and post restoration results that I could find so I thought I would post my results. There will be more posts to come.
I have noticed that even though my restoration order is still in the grading stage, they have attached the TrueViews to the certification so I can see the results of the restoration. I assume this means the grade could still potentially change. In this case I didn't really expect any improvement in grade, but my intention was to make improve the appearance a) for my liking and b) to ultimately realize the maximum potential of the coin when I do go to sell and c) to get True Views. In general these coins looked dirty/hazy to me, so that was the main goal but I was also hoping to remove some of the toning and spots.
Unfortunately my photos aren't great. And the restoration is a little disappointing but I do feel that the coins do look better, but perhaps it's the quality of the TV photographs. I do not have the coins in hand yet. Now let's get to it.
As always, to see full size photos on PC, right click ---> Open image in new tab
Comments
Looks like they got MS70'ed. Wicked good stuff.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
On the 1934-S, I'm trying to learn... can someone help identify where the wear is that makes this AU vs MS?
Given the vastly different lighting and camera set-ups it is difficult to appreciate exactly how much the coins have changed. However, the TV images make them appear very appealing and far better than I would have otherwise expected. It also looks like MS70 was used on the coins properly. I'd assume they will be stable over time, but that is another issue to be revealed in the future.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Muted luster, wear on Liberty’s hair around her ear to above her eyebrows, weakness of the strike on the reverse words “Peace” and “E Pluribus Unum”, moderate number of ticks/hits on the obverse
Yes, very difficult to make an assessment based on the photos. The TV's do look better than the slab pics. Hopefully the coins in hand look far superior than they did before.
USAF (Ret.) 1985 - 2005. E-4B Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief and Contracting Officer.
My current Registry sets:
✓ Everyman Mint State Carson City Morgan Dollars (1878 – 1893)
✓ Everyman Mint State Lincoln Cents (1909 – 1958)
✓ Morgan Dollar GSA Hoard (1878 – 1891)
I recently had a Peace Dollar conserved. I'm mostly happy with how it turned out, the haziness/PVC is gone, although I was hoping for a touch more brightness. The trueview is awful - there is a hint of toning in hand but nowhere near the yellow.
I also had them conserve a shield nickel but I was very disappointed in the results. I bought it with mediocre pictures and did not notice the spots. I hoped that they would address those spots but the coin looks identical after returning. Once again, the TV is not even close to representative to how it looks in hand.
I currently have a very darkly and unattractively toned trade dollar and a puttied gold dollar in Encapsulation after conservation; I'll update once I receive those back.
To be fair to pcgs about that shield nickel, you can see debris sitting on the surface inside some of the black spots causing the corrosion. IMO that coin cannot be helped.
There seems to be some improvement in the OP's coins... In hand will be the real test. Please let us know when you get the coins. I like TruView's, but often they are more glamor shots than in hand accuracy. Cheers, RickO
This. Lost the OGH for nothing. PCGS should have no serviced that one and it should have never been cracked.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Agreed. Unfortunately, should be in a details holder for corrosion. If it was sent in raw it would be.
The peace dollars came out really nice.
I won't disagree about the spots/corrosion as that is beyond my knowledge base.
However, and I understand I'm in the minority, I don't care about the OGHs and don't feel they add much value (maybe more with copper). Also, the coin did upgrade - picked up a CAM which it deserves.
They look nice appears they did a good job.
When coins become over tarnished in holder / go bad they need conservation. The other choice - quick turnover, churning inventory before reaction to atmosphere sets in.
I don’t care about the ogh stuff either. When it’s time for a dip, conservation that party is over. People coming coming in bourse room for most part prefer material that is brilliant, wellstruck, PQ with bright white super cartwheel luster. A coin that is badly tarnished, looks like harbor sludge is not PQ. It will only get worse as time goes on.
Very patient to run those coins through the restoration and re-grade process, how long did it take? Peace dollars are much more prone to surface issues like spotting, I'm not sure why. I heard the old MS70 was better, and that it had the now banned freon.
I had this 1928 Peace dollar that was darkly toned that ICG conserved.
After:
.
I prefer the after on 1 of the 5 pictured. Different strokes.
The 28 Peace needed help.
The CAM designation is far more important that the age or type of plastic.
I submitted some modern coins for restoration at the same time on 3/16. Those shipped from PCGS less than a month after PCGS got them on 2/14. This order with the Peace and Morgans is in Quality check and should be shipping this week. Resto service appears to be faster than Economy and Regular service.
Very nice results!
The wear is subtle, but it is there.
It appears in 2 places as a slight discoloration on the hair above the ear, and at the top shoulder of the Eagle.
There is also a trace of wear showing in those locations. Look at the full-sized Trueview and you should see it.
Figuring out wear isn't easy for me, either, but I try my best.
Pete
I'm too chicken to have this conserved... I'd like to see it bright white though, It has really nice mirrors underneath the tarnish.
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Oh dear. That 1890-CC desperately needs an acetone bath. I'll bet the improvement would be wondrous.
Lance.
UPDATE: Those Trueviews might be the pre-restoration photos. I just received back a submission of Morgans I submitted for restoration and the TV photos were taken BEFORE restoration. I have an email in to the photography dept to ask if there are post-restoration photos available. Something tells me they didn't take any after restoration.
It boggles my mind that PCGS would take TV photos before restoration. I'm not intending to sell them, but this would make them difficult to sell since the photos do not match the current appearance. While I am interested to have good before/after photos for academic reasons, it boggles my mind that PCGS would think collectors want pre-restoration photos rather than post-restoration photos. Standby as I verify that this is truly the case.
Why are restored coins not identified as such on the cert?