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Copper spots -- help!

Awhile ago when I got my gold 1913 soverign from American Gold Exchange, it had a small red dot on the obverse. People told me this was referred to as a "copper spot" due to the uneven mixture of the alloys?? Anyway, my grandpa is a geologist. I went to his house today and he did not think gold coins could have copper spots. He agreed that could could become red due to the copper in the alloys, but didn't think red copper dots could appear on gold coins.

I did a stupid mistake too, I scratched most of the dot off with a knife, leaving a few good size nicks on my coin. I submitted it to ANACS and it came slabbed, UNC details Net AU 55. I've heard that often ANACS becomes inconsistant, and being slabbed, it means it is geniune (To them at least). I don't want to know it might be a fake, I'm just confused on this copper spot and baffled my grandpa thought the copper spot was unusual on a gold coin.

Any advice/help?

Edited: I also wanted to note out of my 4 or so gold coins this is the only forign one (the rest are US) and this is my oldest gold coin I have. Maybe age has to do with it ..

Comments



  • Spotting can ocure on gold coins. I have a gold $5 Indian with 4 spots on it.Its oxidation from the copper I believe.
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  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,141 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Copper spots are usually one of the best indicators of a genuine gold coin. They are not unusual, as circulating gold contained a fair amount of copper.

    It would be highly unlikely that ANACS would slab a counterfeit piece. However, as you said, it was foolish to attempt to scratch away the spot. Any mark that is part of the coin will not be removed, and damaging the coin will only lower its value.

    Jeremy
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • XpipedreamRXpipedreamR Posts: 8,059 ✭✭
    The never ending saga of the spotted soverieign...image


  • << <i>Spotting can ocure on gold coins. I have a gold $5 Indian with 4 spots on it.Its oxidation from the copper I believe. >>



    It was a perfectly round dot, and was small. Still normal?
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,141 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Spotting can ocure on gold coins. I have a gold $5 Indian with 4 spots on it.Its oxidation from the copper I believe. >>



    It was a perfectly round dot, and was small. Still normal? >>

    Yes--a copper spot is in no way unusual to gold
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  • Copper spots are quite common.
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  • darktonedarktone Posts: 8,437 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Copper spots are usually one of the best indicators of a genuine gold coin. >>
      Red spots can me the coin was dipped to remove the copper spots and they turned pink/red just like cleaned copper. mike
    • lathmachlathmach Posts: 4,720


      << <i>

      I did a stupid mistake too, I scratched most of the dot off with a knife, leaving a few good size nicks on my coin.

      Any advice/help?

      >>




      Advise you want?
      Okay, Next time find a piece of wood to whittle on and leave the coin alone. If you suspect you have a bad coin, or have questions about something like this, you can get helpful advise here if there are no dealers or coin clubs near you where you can get help.
      Another thing, get rid of this now, even though you may take a hit and lose a little money. From this time forward you'll never like this coin.

      Ray
    • ShamikaShamika Posts: 18,780 ✭✭✭✭
      "I scratched most of the dot off with a knife"

      image
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    • << <i>

      << <i>Copper spots are usually one of the best indicators of a genuine gold coin. >>
        Red spots can me the coin was dipped to remove the copper spots and they turned pink/red just like cleaned copper. mike >>



        ANACS didn't say it was dipped. It was red though... and round.


      • << <i>

        << <i>

        I did a stupid mistake too, I scratched most of the dot off with a knife, leaving a few good size nicks on my coin.

        Any advice/help?

        >>




        Advise you want?
        Another thing, get rid of this now, even though you may take a hit and lose a little money. From this time forward you'll never like this coin.

        Ray >>



        That was pretty rude.. Just IMHO. I realize your trying to help but you could've said it alot nicer. No I'm not going to get rid of it. I guess it upsets me that you say that because your telling to get rid of it. It's my first certified coin and it means alot to me. Ok maybe if I ever do sell it it won't sell that well on ebay, since it is scratched. But it is slabbed by ANACS and is equal to a 1913 soverign coin at AU-55 grade. I might've still lost a few bucks but it's still worth it to me.

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