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PCGS Restoration: Morgan PL Silver Dollars, Before & After

ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,142 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 6, 2023 2:57PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Because I don't think there's enough examples of what's possible with restoration, I thought I would post some results. Enjoy!
Before:

After

My goal with this one was to reduce the haze and improve the mirrors:
Before:

After:

Again I wanted to improve the mirrors if possible, was curious if any of the black tarnish would come off (nope).
Before:

After:

Tagged:

Comments

  • CladiatorCladiator Posts: 18,042 ✭✭✭✭✭

    PCGS killed the old cert numbers. Did any of the coins upgrade post-"restoration". If yes, which ones and by how much?

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,142 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 6, 2023 3:28PM

    @Cladiator said:
    PCGS killed the old cert numbers. Did any of the coins upgrade post-"restoration". If yes, which ones and by how much?

    There we no upgrades. That wasn't really my goal but I had thought some of the PL's might become DMPLs if the mirrors cleared up. Part of this was to learn what was possible with restoration and the other part of me believed that I would get back at least the cost of the restoration if/when I go to sell, and I do think I may have improved the future sale price by at least that amount (approx $50-60). Hard to say though. Seems like the 1902 could be a low end MS64 though. The bottom 1800-CC to me would be MS64 without the gash on the eagle. The top 1880-CC also to me is high end 63 or low end 64.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,132 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 6, 2023 4:16PM

    Is the proper term "restoration" or "conservation"? In any event, there is a very noticeable improvement in eye-appeal of your coins. B)

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • winestevenwinesteven Posts: 4,513 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    Is the proper term "restoration" or "conservation"? In any event, there is a very noticeable improvement in eye-appeal of your coins. B)

    PCGS uses the term “Restoration”, although I believe they’re mostly synonyms.

    Steve

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,132 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I wonder if CACG will have a restoration/conservation service similar to the major grading services.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection... I do believe the visual appeal was improved with restoration. Thank you for the comparative pictures, should help others who are considering the service. Cheers, RickO

  • LeeBoneLeeBone Posts: 4,438 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like positive results for all of them IMO

  • logger7logger7 Posts: 8,518 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 7, 2023 5:06AM

    Thanks for the rigorous overview and improvement. I've thought that PCGS does a better more aesthetically sensitive job of conservation than NGC and more likely to leave coins alone that would not be improved to their own economic detriment.

  • OldIndianNutKaseOldIndianNutKase Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I find it interesting that all of the "before" pics are very different and all of the "after" pics are very much alike. Do you think that this might be due to only an acetone dip? I have dipped silver dollars in acetone and it did not alter the toning as it did on your coins, so I am guessing that something other than acetone might have been used.

  • coastaljerseyguycoastaljerseyguy Posts: 1,347 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Agree an improvement with restoration, but without the haze, your eyes are drawn to the surface imperfections and they stand out more easily. But to be expected for 63's.

  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @Cladiator said:
    PCGS killed the old cert numbers. Did any of the coins upgrade post-"restoration". If yes, which ones and by how much?

    There we no upgrades. That wasn't really my goal but I had thought some of the PL's might become DMPLs if the mirrors cleared up. Part of this was to learn what was possible with restoration and the other part of me believed that I would get back at least the cost of the restoration if/when I go to sell, and I do think I may have improved the future sale price by at least that amount (approx $50-60). Hard to say though. Seems like the 1902 could be a low end MS64 though. The bottom 1800-CC to me would be MS64 without the gash on the eagle. The top 1880-CC also to me is high end 63 or low end 64.

    You can definitely dip a hazy pl and get a dmpl but it doesn't happen much. Just for whatever it's worth.

    @OldIndianNutKase said:
    I find it interesting that all of the "before" pics are very different and all of the "after" pics are very much alike. Do you think that this might be due to only an acetone dip? I have dipped silver dollars in acetone and it did not alter the toning as it did on your coins, so I am guessing that something other than acetone might have been used.

    I'd guess these used diluted Ez Est. Substantially diluted.

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

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