help me "curate" this Columbian half

darktone

I just got this today and it looks like a 64 if not for the splotchy toning. Any ideas on how to go about fixing this? If it was just toning I would leave it alone but it looks like little spots of something that has caused the toning. thanks mike

hookedoncoins

Looks like it has the plague. I would just send it to NGC and have NCS work on it while its there.

That is very odd toning. I wonder what caused it to tone that way.

-Jarrett Roberts

Outhaul

ahh...ahhh...ahhhhhh.........CHOO!!!!

Outhaul

Well, depending what grade you think it'll make would determine if it were worth fixing. I ran into that with a couple of coins, one is at NCS right now.

Cheers,

Bob

darktone

Thanks guy's NCS is not an option as I was not very happy with coins I just recieved back from them. mike

hookedoncoins

Well, you could dip it yourself. I have no experience with dipping coins, so I really don't know much about it. I'm sure the coin would look really nice dipped.

-Jarrett Roberts

dorkkarl

you run considerable risk trying anything w/ that coin. columbians were frequently stored improperly & subject to environmental influences (in my experience). i strongly suggest you leave well-enough alone in thsi case, judging by the appearance of the scan.

K S

Placid

Looks like a nice coin. Leave it as is or dip it and lose some luster. If the toning has penetrated the surface then you will have pock marks.

smprfi

From the members that have used this they say they do a good job. GO HERE.

Outhaul

Yeah, but Placid...he can just fill the pock marks with silver solder!

Dog97

If ms70 or acetone doesn't help it then nothing will. Dipping won't because IF the black tone even comes off the surface has been damaged.

darktone

Thanks guy's. I tend to agree with Dog97 and I tried acetone already. I was hoping someone had a secret special formula that would remove the ugly spots and leave the luster. mike

Coulport

I think it is a bit more than toning.
Looks like pitting and corrosion. You remove that and you will be left with chalky white spots or pits.
Why send it to NCS and throw good money after bad?
Good luck and move on. There are a ton of them available.

darktone

Coulport, I have no intention of sending it to NCS but I am looking for anybody that has been able to remove this type of toning without destroying the coin if indeed anyone has been able to do so. mike

Stigmata

If I were you I'd just soak it in Olive Oil for a good couple of weeks then rub the surface with a towel or another soft cloth that won't scratch the surface, and see how it turns out. I use olive oil on coins I clean, and have had no bad results.

BigD5

If acetone didn't do anything, I'd try ms/70. I'm not sure how far I'd carry the dipping process with this one. GOOD LUCK!!!

You could try soaking it in Blue Ribbon Coin Conditioner for a while, and if it's "crud" on the surface, it could loosen up. Doesn't look like "crud" though.

darktone

Stigmata, thanks for the idea but I think no matter how lightly the coin is rubbed with a soft cloth the luster will be destroyed and hairlines will occur.

BigD5, thanks the blue ribbon sounds like a good idea and I think I got some laying around. I am going to give this much thought and experiment on the rim before I attempt the whole coin. mike

Steve27

"NCS is not an option as I was not very happy with coins I just recieved back from them."

Could you show us some examples of their work?

darktone

Steve, here's a link to one of them LINK if you scroll down you will find before and after pictures. I am not trying to start an NCS bashing thread. I know coins can be ruined when dipped maybe I just had too high of an expectation? I knew if I dipped the BTW I would have had the same results they did. mike

Steve27

Thanks, this was the first time I heard of someone being unhappy with their services and I was curious as to what happened. I agree that the BTW doesn't look to be MS65 with that pitting. I would guess that either the same would happen with the Columbian half or the black spots would be turned white; not a good result in either case.

MadMonk

ET Kointainer has a new solvent. I know Virg Marshall sells it. Sorry but I can't remember the name of the product, and I'm not at the house.
ANA money store might be a good place to look. I used this product about a year ago with mixed results. Dynamite on PVC, and other surface contaminants.

dorkkarl

again, i strongly recommend you avoid altering that coin, judging by the likely etched damage.

K S

nwcs

<< <i>ET Kointainer has a new solvent >>

It's called Koinsolv. They claim it's better than acetone and other chemicals and claim it causes no chemical reaction on coins. I saw that they sell it for $17 for 16 oz. I think pure acetone is still a better deal.