Is this from an old putty job?

Downtown1974

The cloudiness in the fields that outline her profile from the forehead to the chin…is that from old putty that has turned since it has been slabbed? Any insight is appreciated.

MFeld

It appears to be the case.

Namvet69

Interesting. What type of putty was applied to alter the appearance? Would it dissolve in acetone?

2windy2fish

I would imagine that acetone would remove the “putty” but you probably wouldn’t like what it was hiding…

braddick

Even Liberty appears slightly perturbed over what was done to her.

johnny9434

indeed, who likes a hack job

MFeld

@2windy2fish said:
I would imagine that acetone would remove the “putty” but you probably wouldn’t like what it was hiding…

Admittedly, I don't know what the actual percentages are, but I've heard of numerous cases in which putty was removed and the coin still looked fine for the assigned grade.

ricko

Certainly appears to be putty.... You could crack it and soak it in acetone, see what was covered and decide whether to resubmit. Right now, any attempt at sale (with full disclosure of course) will probably result in a loss.... Whatever is underneath, may not be so bad... Cheers, RickO

PerryHall

I would send back to PCGS for conservation and reholdering.

streeter

By sending back intact, that might be of interest to the Home Office in helping them ID'ing the puttier.
I'm curious about the grade on that coin.

mark_dak

I'm curious also... altered surface designation on the slab?

Mark

PeakRarities

I’m not sure if you have to pay for conservation in a case like this, but if they did it for free than that route sounds fine. Other than that, you’d be taking a loss after paying for those expenses.

Like Mark stated, I’ve heard a lot of times puttied coins come back fine for the assigned grade. There are doctors that just loved to hide even a few minor hairlines at a shot for the next grade but in all reality the coin would have graded the same.

Downtown1974

Thanks for the comments everyone. This is a coin I was considering for purchase. It’s not mine. It’s a straight graded MS64. I’m going to pass on it though.

Downtown1974

Here is the TV. Obvious signs that the appearance deteriorated post encapsulation.

streeter

That coin is no 64.

Issues. More like a 1/2. Lightness all over both sides.

dcarr

It could just be old PVC haze. A solvent would probably take it right off.

PeakRarities

Yea I would just keep it moving, it’s not even a strong looking 64. There are plenty more 1926 you can find that look nicer, unless it was a steep discount.

Glen2022

what is a putty job? Never heard of this before. Is it like bondo?

MFeld

@Glen2022 said:
what is a putty job? Never heard of this before. Is it like bondo?

Below is a link to an old PCGS article. See the first section - “DETECTING SOPHISTICATED SURFACE ALTERATION TECHNIQUES”

https://www.pcgs.com/news/detecting-doctored-coins-part-2

Glen2022

@MFeld said:

@Glen2022 said:
what is a putty job? Never heard of this before. Is it like bondo?

Below is a link to an old PCGS article. See the first section - “DETECTING SOPHISTICATED SURFACE ALTERATION TECHNIQUES”

https://www.pcgs.com/news/detecting-doctored-coins-part-2

wow! I was not aware of all of the ways to octor the surface of the coin.

Thanks,

Bill

cameonut2011

It sure looks puttied to me.

alaura22

@DeplorableDan said:
Yea I would just keep it moving, it’s not even a strong looking 64. There are plenty more 1926 you can find that look nicer, unless it was a steep discount.

Looking at the true view that coin doesn't look that bad for a MS64 I believe it is consistent for the grade
What are you seeing that doesn't make it a good choice for a MS64 coin?
Edited to add: Not the way it looks now of course.