Home U.S. Coin Forum

2016 Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar disaster. Can PCGS Restoration repair the damage

MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

I don’t know if restoration is even possible. I bought this from the Mint when it came out and just put it away. I recently decided to open the packages and this is what I saw. It’s horrible! Someone inserting the coin in its encapsulation must have cut themselves and a droplet of blood dripped on the eagles right wing on the reverse. Can Restoration repair this or am I just stuck with a damaged coin now. Thanks


Comments

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,085 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A dip in acetone may remove that "blood" color. Acetone certainly won't hurt the coin. If that doesn't work, try eZest coin dip. Be sure to rinse your coin well. Let us know how it turns out.

    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

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Manorcourtman and PerryHall for your input. I have some Acetone so I will try that first. I will let you know if I am successful.

  • RelaxnRelaxn Posts: 990 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I will trade you even up you cover shipping and I will take that "damaged" coin from you and give you one without copper spots.

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I had a similar red spot on my gold 2014 JFK. It is copper oxidized and is not "spillage" as it is a part of the metal alloy with local increased copper.
    The best way to remove and what I did was with ammonia: rinse coin with even tap water, tamp dry with high nap white cotton towel, immerse in ammonia for at least 5 to 10 minutes and check progress.
    You will see some to most of the red gone. If not put it back in the ammonia (white or undyed) for another 5-10 minutes and repeat until the red is gone.
    When done with this, then rinse with water, dish soap and water, rinse thoroughly, tamp dry.

    If you search it, I believe I posted on this before...
    Hit me with questions on PM if you like.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,179 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It's not blood. Some of these, and some gold Buffaloes as well, are known to have these red spots on them directly from the Mint.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • Insider3Insider3 Posts: 260 ✭✭✭

    It is called a copper spot and it can be easily removed. I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PUT THE COIN BACK INTO ITS CAPSUL so you eliminate the chance of ruining it! If it bothers you that much, send it to PCGS for conservation.

  • 1madman1madman Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭✭✭

    What’s the black spot under Y in Liberty?

    The red spot on the eagle’s wing can easily be restored/removed

    Keep in mind that both T’s in the word States have hits on them, so it’s probably not worth sinking money into this 69 coin. Sell it and buy a nice 70 example if you like the coin.

  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 12,812 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Doubt if it is a copper spot - it is 24 kt gold, not .900 like pre-1933 gold

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,085 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Relaxn said:
    I will trade you even up you cover shipping and I will take that "damaged" coin from you and give you one without copper spots.

    A very generous offer but why would you want the OP's coin with that ugly spot on the reverse?

    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

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I will go ahead and vote for copper spot as this has been checked by others already. This is how copper oxidizes and not gold; furthermore it responds to the treatments mentioned as copper would.
    It is NOT an organic topical contaminant such as blood, chocolate, etc.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,085 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @7Jaguars said:
    I will go ahead and vote for copper spot as this has been checked by others already. This is how copper oxidizes and not gold; furthermore it responds to the treatments mentioned as copper would.
    It is NOT an organic topical contaminant such as blood, chocolate, etc.

    Where did the copper come from? There's no copper alloy in 24K pure gold.

    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

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    Thank you for all of your comments on this coin.

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:

    @7Jaguars said:
    I will go ahead and vote for copper spot as this has been checked by others already. This is how copper oxidizes and not gold; furthermore it responds to the treatments mentioned as copper would.
    It is NOT an organic topical contaminant such as blood, chocolate, etc.

    Where did the copper come from? There's no copper alloy in 24K pure gold.

    As you know there are trace amounts of copper and why it is that the buffs will also pop spots & the Chinese. I also posted a Singapore Singold of "pure" gold coin with the red spot that I restored....

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,085 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @7Jaguars said:

    @PerryHall said:

    @7Jaguars said:
    I will go ahead and vote for copper spot as this has been checked by others already. This is how copper oxidizes and not gold; furthermore it responds to the treatments mentioned as copper would.
    It is NOT an organic topical contaminant such as blood, chocolate, etc.

    Where did the copper come from? There's no copper alloy in 24K pure gold.

    As you know there are trace amounts of copper and why it is that the buffs will also pop spots & the Chinese. I also posted a Singapore Singold of "pure" gold coin with the red spot that I restored....

    A spot is one thing but the OP's coin shows discoloration over the whole edge of the eagle's right wing. I would dip it and see what happens. If that didn't work, I would try the ammonia treatment that you suggested earlier in this thread. If done carefully, it can't hurt this coin.

    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

  • wondercoinwondercoin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭

    MtW124 - what part of the country are you (and the coin) from?

    Wondercoin

    Please visit my website at www.wondercoins.com and my ebay auctions under my user name www.wondercoin.com.
  • Insider3Insider3 Posts: 260 ✭✭✭
    edited March 20, 2024 4:10AM

    There are impurities in "pure" gold.

  • Insider3Insider3 Posts: 260 ✭✭✭

    PS There are two basic kinds of copper spots. One is a copper colored spot. The other is a copper colored spot surrounding a tiny black speck. I suspect the hard black speck is caused by debris in the press. Elongated impurities that can also have copper colored reaction rings happened in the rolling mill.

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    @wondercoin said:

    Upper Midwest

  • OAKSTAROAKSTAR Posts: 7,039 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry to be so scrupulous but I enjoy looking it details. It's still a beautiful coin!

    Disclaimer: I'm not a dealer, trader, grader, investor or professional numismatist. I'm just a hobbyist. (To protect me but mostly you! 🤣 )

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    It is truly a Beautiful coin OAKSTAR.

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    I looked at the coin images in CoinFacts and found that two of the three coins pictured have the red spots ( one is significantly spotted). They are all listed as MS70’s. I did not expect that.

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    LOL. Subjective is the word.....However, this is usually easily remedied. If you were in DC metro area I could help you.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    7Jaguars, Subjective yes. I personally would pass on a 70 in a slab if it had any issue. I might give your method a try since I would never slab it the way it looks now. I have another one with spots as well that are not as distracting so I might submit it to the host under the restoration designation just to see if the try to eliminate the spots.

  • DoubleEagle59DoubleEagle59 Posts: 8,298 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Sorry to say this but if this is a 'disaster' you really need to step back and try to enjoy life a little more.

    "Gold is money, and nothing else" (JP Morgan, 1912)

    "“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)

    "I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
  • dcarrdcarr Posts: 8,421 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @7Jaguars said:
    I had a similar red spot on my gold 2014 JFK. It is copper oxidized and is not "spillage" as it is a part of the metal alloy with local increased copper.
    The best way to remove and what I did was with ammonia: rinse coin with even tap water, tamp dry with high nap white cotton towel, immerse in ammonia for at least 5 to 10 minutes and check progress.
    You will see some to most of the red gone. If not put it back in the ammonia (white or undyed) for another 5-10 minutes and repeat until the red is gone.
    When done with this, then rinse with water, dish soap and water, rinse thoroughly, tamp dry.

    If you search it, I believe I posted on this before...
    Hit me with questions on PM if you like.

    .

    A similar process using coin "dip" cleaner instead of ammonia can also work. You don't want to put copper or silver coins in coin dip for any extended period. But 999 gold is unaffected by a relatively long exposure to it.

    PS:
    Some of the earlier gold pieces I minted prior to about 2015 have developed red "copper" spots years after striking, even though they are 999 pure. But I have not observed that problem since I started bead-blasting and wire-brushing all gold blanks prior to striking them.

  • OnastoneOnastone Posts: 3,917 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Looks like a Wounded Eagle rare variety type.

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    dcarr Thank you for that information. It is very helpful. I am going to try that first.

  • 7Jaguars7Jaguars Posts: 7,433 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I may have omitted in my earlier post that of course I had tried dip and although getting some improvement did rather pale (like the pun?) in comparison to the ammonia. Although both methods interact with the copper oxidation, the dip - in simpler lay terms - will "outoxidize" the copper which still produces an oxidized form of the metal, even though it is likely solubilized and removed from the surface.
    BUT, the ammonia creates a reduction reaction and essentially restores the copper to "native" or unoxidized state.

    Trying to keep this simple but you will see if you look it up. Again, PM me with questions.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    @7Jaguars said:
    I may have omitted in my earlier post that of course I had tried dip and although getting some improvement did rather pale (like the pun?) in comparison to the ammonia. Although both methods interact with the copper oxidation, the dip - in simpler lay terms - will "outoxidize" the copper which still produces an oxidized form of the metal, even though it is likely solubilized and removed from the surface.
    BUT, the ammonia creates a reduction reaction and essentially restores the copper to "native" or unoxidized state.

    Trying to keep this simple but you will see if you look it up. Again, PM me with questions.

    Thanks for this information. The last time I used straight ammonia was in the early 80’s making blueprints. Brings back memories of accidentally getting a good whiff. I’ll try it as I have a few with the same issue.

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    Update: I sent it in and the coin and it came back as a 69.

    Thanks for all of the help.

  • JimTylerJimTyler Posts: 3,352 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If it bugs you sell it and buy a slabbed one you like

  • MtW124MtW124 Posts: 411 ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Jim, I took some advice from some members here and the spot came off so I’m happy with the 69 grade that it received.

Leave a Comment

BoldItalicStrikethroughOrdered listUnordered list
Emoji
Image
Align leftAlign centerAlign rightToggle HTML viewToggle full pageToggle lights
Drop image/file