Forum Thoughts/Opinions on PCGS Restoration on Steel Cents
ProofCollection
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I don't know if anyone has a definitive answer here, but none of the PCGS information I can find addresses the restoration service for steel coins. Maybe someone understands the metallurgy or chemical process here and can answer based on that?
I have this 43-S Cent in a PCGS MS67 holder but I must have got a good deal on it long ago because it looks awful. Straight on, it's covered with white spots. At an angle, the spots look dark and unsightly.
I've already got a nice replacement for it, but I'm wondering if PCGS restoration might be able to fix/improve it? Otherwise the coins is a true 67 and free of significant surface damage. Restoration will cost about $50 all-in, which I believe that if treated I can recover in resale. These go for about $200 on ebay.
Any thoughts or experiences?
Comments
If the coin isn't otherwise special to you (sentimental value, for example) or rare, and you already have another (so you aren't keeping this one anyway), why worry about restoring it? Wouldn't the grade guarantee kick in and cover the coin? If so, I'd take a fair offer from PCGS over paying for them to restore this, hoping it comes out well, and then going to the effort and cost of selling.
A fairly common coin and not worth much even if completely spot free 67. IMO, not worthy of restoration. I would just take the "L" on this one.
How would PCGS "restore" this coin without stripping it down to bare steel (processed) which is done by some?
Usually they dip it in something like e-Zest. I just don't know if that would work on a steel coin.
Well, it's worth $200 on ebay without problems, and would probably go for $50-80 in current state, so if I can spend $50 to make $120-150 I would do it as I can use the funds for more coins. $100 is still meaningful to me.
There's an idea. Do you think PCGS would make an offer on this one? I don't think it would get 67 if I submitted raw like this so you're probably onto something. Maybe I'll go that route.
Start with the premise that you would never have bought the coin in this condition. That can only mean it turned after encapsulation. Ship it to PCGS for the guarantee. Let them worry about it.
Waste of time and resources to do anything with this coin, use the PCGS guarantee and don't look back.
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I don't know if this applies to the OP but thought it might be worth considering. From the pcgs guarantee page.
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The steel cents are zinc plated. So I looked for Zinc information. Here are a couple of links. First one discusses how zinc reacts (and corrodes). It appears it actually reacts but that reaction slows down further reactions or corrosion (if I understand it correctly).
The second one says some of the same but adds a couple things and a picture of zinc after it has reacted.
https://www.corrosionpedia.com/does-zinc-rust/7/7030
https://nordicgalvanizers.com/corrosion-of-zinc-coatings/
So I don't know if the OP has something floating on the surface that can be remove with acetone or similar. Or if it has reacted with something as indicated by the articles. Also if it has reacted, how deep is it and could it be removed similar to toning using a dip. From what I am reading if it has reacted it does not sound so go but I don't know.
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Good points @lilolme! I was going to take the advice and submit under the guarantee and I think I probably will unless someone here thinks the spotting are "environmental deterioration." Clearly this is not rust, but I might consider it to be "spotting" but not like the spots you tend to see on copper or silver coins.
Still, I think my path forward is to a) make a guarantee claim and if that fails b) try for restoration.
As a follow up, I did send this in for guarantee review and PCGS is going to buy the coin back which worked out better than any other option I was contemplating.
Good for PCGS doing the right thing.
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Smart move.
My Collection of Old Holders
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I actually dipped a steel cent in EZ est because it had rust spots. Glad I used a no value coin for the experiment. It was a disaster. The zinc reacted, sizzled and was stripped off. This was several years ago. The coin looked horrible afterwards. I don’t remember whether the rust remained or not. I suspect not.
I am shocket to here the out come. Good for PCGS that's why they are #1. Once I read about a 1936 1c that got a spot that they bought back; however, I thought all the TPGS do not guarantee spots appearing on coins anymore.
The zinc-coated steel cents are surprisingly fragile. Once as a "fun gift" to my mom I made a PDS set of just a few-bucks' worth coins, they were all decent BU, not processed (but not gems) and placed them into a little snaplock holder in (probably) cheep Chinese-sourced cardboard. When they went in, they were nice. Whatever was in that cardboard, the steelies did NOT like -- all three got rusted-solid edges within a matter of a month. Ouch!
(Not exactly the same scenario, but for this reason I don't really trust BU coins in any holes and slides albums. I much prefer, if using an album, to have well-circulated "stable" pieces inside that I don't expect the appearance to change with normal care.)
Not true. Milk spots, yes. Limited guarantees on red copper. Hint: their guarantees and limitations are posted online.
I am sorry to post misinformation. I never read the guarantee or I would not be so ignorant! I will be more careful with my opinions.
PS I looked you up and see that you are one of the best members for good information. May I know if you are a coin dealer?