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Lincoln cent question: white haze on surface

I've been checking through Lincoln uncirculated red cents that were kept in plastic rolls for 40 years. Many of the pieces have a grayish-white film that seems to coat the surfaces, usually on just one side. At first glance it looks like a portion of the coin is toned, but closer inspection reveals otherwise.

Does anyone know what this is and how to remove it without damaging the coins? I've tried applying acetone with a q-tip, but the white haze was not affected.

I assume that the grading services would body bag such pieces regardless of how nice they were otherwise. If I called NCS, would they be willling to provide advice, or are they likely to ask that a sample be submitted?

Comments

  • coppercoinscoppercoins Posts: 6,084 ✭✭✭
    Good question, and I'm sorry I can't come up with a good response without being able to see one of the coins in question. Hopefully someone else has some insight. I have never seen white stuff on a cent that acetone wouldn't easily take care of.
    C. D. Daughtrey, NLG
    The Lincoln cent store:
    http://www.lincolncent.com

    My numismatic art work:
    http://www.cdaughtrey.com
    USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
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  • STEWARTBLAYNUMISSTEWARTBLAYNUMIS Posts: 2,697 ✭✭✭✭
    Gemtone 5,

    Contamination from the plastic tube.....and even if you get it off the coin..... THE RED will never be the same.

    SPEND THEM

    STEWART

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