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Morgan Dollar - Is this restore-able? What caused this?

ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 20, 2024 9:30PM in U.S. Coin Forum

Alright experts, I'm pretty sure I know the answer but thought I'd check with you guys. I have this Morgan dollar with this big white patch in the otherwise prooflike fields. Can this be fixed/removed? I've already tried a quick dip in ezest and long soak in acetone and it doesn't appear to be getting any better. As far as I know those are the only two "safe" methods. Are there any other ideas? I suppose it's likely this is also eteched into the surface rather than a contaminant on top. This isn't a high dollar coin so I'm willing to experiment.

Comments

  • Clackamas1Clackamas1 Posts: 920 ✭✭✭✭✭

    PCGS has a restoration service as does NGC.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    see above, im not sure if i would play with it, jmo

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,043 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Clackamas1 said:
    PCGS has a restoration service as does NGC.

    Sorry I wasn't clear, I am looking to do this myself.

    @johnny9434 said:
    see above, im not sure if i would play with it, jmo

    See above. I'm already playing with it.

  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 28,259 ✭✭✭✭✭

    good luck

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,321 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It looks like the remains of very nasty fingerprint. As Dante would say: Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

    Don't try to "improve" it, just sell it and move on.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • maymay Posts: 1,584 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Try some acetone for starters, and then a very light dip if you want to take the risk.

    Type collector, mainly into Seated. -formerly Ownerofawheatiehorde. Good BST transactions with: mirabela, OKCC, MICHAELDIXON, Gerard

  • MFeldMFeld Posts: 13,383 ✭✭✭✭✭

    My guess is that what you're seeing is etched into the metal.

    Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.

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

    Not restorable. Looks like it was already dipped at some point.

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

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2024 7:27AM

    @DelawareDoons said:
    Not restorable. Looks like it was already dipped at some point.

    What are you seeing that indicates that?

    @291fifth said:
    It looks like the remains of very nasty fingerprint. As Dante would say: Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

    Don't try to "improve" it, just sell it and move on.

    This is an R&D project, so I'm looking to test what can be done, not just be rid of it.

  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2024 7:31AM

    @ProofCollection said:

    @DelawareDoons said:
    Not restorable. Looks like it was already dipped at some point.

    What are you seeing that indicates that?

    @291fifth said:
    It looks like the remains of very nasty fingerprint. As Dante would say: Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here.

    Don't try to "improve" it, just sell it and move on.

    This is an R&D project, so I'm looking to test what can be done, not just be rid of it.

    The chalky area in the fields from 9 to 11. Screams a spot that had something into the metal that was removed. I could be wrong, but that's my read on your images based on my experience dipping silver dollars. I've dipped a LOT of Morgans, thousands.

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

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,868 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @MFeld said:
    My guess is that what you're seeing is etched into the metal.

    @DelawareDoons said:
    Not restorable. Looks like it was already dipped at some point.

    +1

    Likely etched into the surface

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dip it and see what happens, I'm curious now too.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
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  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2024 8:40AM

    @DeplorableDan said:
    Dip it and see what happens, I'm curious now too.

    "Dip it" in what? As explained in the OP, I have already tried ezest and it's been in acetone for many days. There could be slight improvement but I don't know if it's just wishful seeing. The only other thing noteable is that the brown dot above the star next to "E" is gone.

    Everyone commonly and casually talks about "dipping" coins but they never say what they are dipping the coin into.

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @ProofCollection said:

    @DeplorableDan said:
    Dip it and see what happens, I'm curious now too.

    "Dip it" in what? As explained in the OP, I have already tried ezest and it's been in acetone for many days. There could be slight improvement but I don't know if it's just wishful seeing. The only other thing noteable is that the brown dot above the star next to "E" is gone.

    Oops, I read too quickly through your post. If the E-zest didnt work, I'm not sure what will.

    Founder- Peak Rarities
    Website
    Instagram
    Facebook

  • DelawareDoonsDelawareDoons Posts: 3,413 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 21, 2024 9:18AM

    @ProofCollection said:

    @DeplorableDan said:
    Dip it and see what happens, I'm curious now too.

    "Dip it" in what? As explained in the OP, I have already tried ezest and it's been in acetone for many days. There could be slight improvement but I don't know if it's just wishful seeing. The only other thing noteable is that the brown dot above the star next to "E" is gone.

    Everyone commonly and casually talks about "dipping" coins but they never say what they are dipping the coin into.

    Always ez est when I say dip.

    If I was suggesting MS70 or acetone or ammonia or xylene, I'd say those specific substances. But dip is always ez-est to me. :)

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

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,868 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Why don't you show us photos after the dip and acetone bath?

  • ProofCollectionProofCollection Posts: 6,043 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:
    Why don't you show us photos after the dip and acetone bath?

    Here is what is looks like now:

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