What do you think about this coin and should I just leave it alone?

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I purchased this coin several years ago (possibly 10 or so) from a dealer who specialized in cameo/dmpl Morgans. I asked him if his coins were ever cleaned or restored and he said ‘none are to the best of my knowledge.’ So I bought this ‘beauty’ and my stomach dropped when I received this back. For the record this has been sitting in a corner for the last few years as I hate being reminded of the money I spent on it. Just looking for what the experts here would do with it. It really APPEARS to be a nice coin…..but the grade makes me feel like it’s a nice car loaded with body putty under the paint. Would a restoration by PCGS help? Thanks everyone!

coinbuf

Restoration/conservation cannot undo damage, I cannot tell from your photos what surface alteration was done but short of carrying it as a pocket piece to wear down/off the alteration I doubt there is little that can be done.

Having said that, there are some really good coin docs that might be able to "improve" it with tricks and techniques that I unaware of.

davewesen

why isn't it in a problem holder? did you specify do not holder problem coins?

most 'altered surfaces' are mechanical and can not be reversed ... if something was applied to the devices to make it whiter, it could possibly be removed with an acetone soak.

PerryHall

It looks like it's been puttied. A quick dip in e-Z- est or a soak in acetone should remove it.

slider23

I agree on giving the coin an acetone soak to remove any applied foreign substance. Once you do the acetone soak, you may want to consider resubmitting to PCGS.

Walkerguy21D

@slider23 said:
I agree on giving the coin an acetone soak to remove any applied foreign substance. Once you do the acetone soak, you may want to consider resubmitting to PCGS.

I wouldn’t resubmit until you determine it was something applied, that was removed by the acetone….and once removed, the surfaces look at least mostly original.

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Thanks for the inputs everyone. I also received a 1932 quarter back that was also not slabbed and returned as a
‘delamination’ which I can’t see. 🤔 As far as an acetone dip goes…… if I should go that way since I don’t have much to lose at this point, what is the process? Any particular brand/concentration? Handling during the process? I appreciate the input! Why can’t anything be easy anymore? 😩😉

GaCoinGuy

Get pure acetone, not nail polish remover. Most hardware stores will carry it.

Depending on the coin, I normally hold it on the rims with bare fingers if just swishing, To soak, I would put it in a glass bowl and then pour the acetone onto the coin enough to cover it. Rinse with distilled water and lay it on a towel or something to dry.

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@GaCoinGuy said:
Get pure acetone, not nail polish remover. Most hardware stores will carry it.

Depending on the coin, I normally hold it on the rims with bare fingers if just swishing, To soak, I would put it in a glass bowl and then pour the acetone onto the coin enough to cover it. Rinse with distilled water and lay it on a towel or something to dry.

Thanks! I went to several other older posts and some of the posters were making this procedure into a rocket launch including using hazmat suits ….lol. Now, off to the local hardware store! Cheers!

AUandAG

I just had an 1882cc come back with the same issue. I wonder if the sniffer is still in the works. I can't see anything wrong, in hand or by the TV.
Oh well,
bob
vegas baby!

jmlanzaf

@knovak1976 said:
Thanks for the inputs everyone. I also received a 1932 quarter back that was also not slabbed and returned as a
‘delamination’ which I can’t see. 🤔 As far as an acetone dip goes…… if I should go that way since I don’t have much to lose at this point, what is the process? Any particular brand/concentration? Handling during the process? I appreciate the input! Why can’t anything be easy anymore? 😩😉

Why would delamination result in a body bag?

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@AUandAG said:
I just had an 1882cc come back with the same issue. I wonder if the sniffer is still in the works. I can't see anything wrong, in hand or by the TV.
Oh well,
bob
vegas baby!

It would be really nice if PCGS gave a small remark as to what the grader saw or where the culprit was on the coin. Getting a coin back with no grade or with a dreaded ‘questionable color’ or ‘cleaned’ or other problem would help us that aren’t so knowledgeable see what the grader saw….and possibly prevent us from wasting our money on sending a problem coin in in the future. JMHO of course. Sorry about your coin Bob….it looks great to me! 😉

lilolme

@AUandAG said:
I just had an 1882cc come back with the same issue. I wonder if the sniffer is still in the works. I can't see anything wrong, in hand or by the TV.
Oh well,
bob
vegas baby!

If I were looking at photos I would not see anything here either. However, since you mentioned the code 94 grade I can then speculate. On Morgans (and others) there is sometimes what is referred to as thumbing (wether that is what is actually done or not). Is there a lite color change or tan color in the chin to jaw area? Anywhere else? When I look at this single image that area appears as if it is a little darker than say the nose, forehead, hair or similar. Tilting the coin around any film or stuff to be seen? Otherwise I don't know.

Cougar1978

Looks like it’s tuition time for you.

Buying expensive raw coins has its risks. Just pay your tuition and move on. Prefer buy lottery tickets than play that roulette wheel.

I don’t really like the coin, agree with our hosts. Hopefully you did not pay too much for it. Would first try get it conserved. If can’t - I would Start it on the bay at 99c and get rid of it, write off the loss. Stuff happens. You might want try find a problem coin dealer who would buy it outright before going that route. A primary market for them is people who crack them out for their albums.

DisneyFan

Sell it "as is." Even after "restoration," it would never CAC.