Any Washington experts out there? Need help with a 32D & 32S. (Warning - 10 pictures)

JustMakesCents

Recently purchased a complete set of Washington Quarters that have been in a safe deposit box for 40 years. Quarters are not my specialty and I'm looking for some help from the resident experts.

1932-D
This coin has a sort of rusty toning with a haze that covers the entire coin. In the pics, the haze makes it look like there is considerable rub on the high points. I do not believe that there is any rub. Would appreciate grade thoughts with and without rub.
(I did not notice the the reverse scratches until I posted this. I do not believe that they are obvious on the coin.)




1932-S
This coin shows no rub, but has considerable obverse hits on the portrait. Reverse is clean.




Any help that can be provided would be appreciated. Since the luster on the 32D is severly impaired by the haze and rust toning, do you think it would be helped with a quick dip or is this type of haze/toning acceptable.

Thanks,
Jeff

robertpr

The first coin could benefit from conservation, though it's hard to say without seeing it in-hand. The haze may be the beginnings of PVC.

JustMakesCents

Robert -

I was thinking the same thing. Just wanted to get some differing opinions.
It shouldn't be haze, however. It's been sitting in a old-style Wittman folder (w/slides)
since 1964. It's possible it was in a flip before that, however.

Jeff

Boom

JMHO, but I'm pretty much old school and do not believe in cleaning coins, however there are times when doing so by "acceptable means" may benefit. I have a 32-P PCGS 66 and a 32-D PCGS 64 that looks better than the 66, that both have this haziness. It's quite natural if it's what I think it is.

However if you want to try to clean it up without harming it, there are many here that advocate the use of Acetone. They say it is safe. None the less, it IS a chemical and you will need to make sure to get the chemical off. Some say to place it in a bowl of soapy water afterward and rinse thoroughly then dry thoroughly.

Others advocate neutralizing the chemical in some way such as putting it in a mix of 1 tbsp of baking soda to 10 parts water.This procedure is usually used when people "dip" their coins! The baking soda/ water mix will neutralize the chemical. rinse thoroughly for 2-3 minutes and either pat dry or make certain the water is all off by maybe blow drying it gently or if you have an air compressor blowing it dry with no heat.

Just suggestions that I've picked up from reading and asking questions. Don't use a towel or you may end up with hairlines. Good luck!

JustMakesCents

Thanks Boom,

I will certainly be using Acetone to try to remove the haze, just seeing if anyone thought a dip was in order.

BTW, any opinions on the grades?

Jeff

Bikingnut

Judging by the amount of contact marks on both those, and the fact that the 32D does appear to have some rub, I would say both are AU58.

oreville

I would not use anything other than clear odorless mineral oil (use Q swab soaked in mineral oil and then let the excess drip (several times) onto the coin until the coin is completely covered with oil).

Then gentlly squeeze dry with very soft tissue until the excess oil is dried off the coin. DO NOT RUB or SLIDE the coin in the TISSUE PAPER!

If you cannot remove the oxidation then you want to leave the coin alone.

Dipping at this coin is very iffy since there is reduced luster on the coin already and dipping could remove even more luster.

Also, the mineral oil will dilute the PVC if it is present but does not appear to be there.

dorkkarl

the 32-d looks like a slider unc, the 32-s looks ms-62-3. neither appears to warrant "conservation"

K S