What do you suggest I do with the spots on these proofs?

AuldFartte

The color is a pretty light blue and rather "milky", and the brighter spots are white. Can the spots be removed without removing the blue toning? Or not?

coinrookie

When you dip a coin to remove the milk spots, you also remove the toning. Also sometimes if the milk spots are bad, you can strip the luster trying to remove the spots. Be careful.

Steve

Darkhorse

Use a Brilo pad and Comet.

AuldFartte

<< <i>Use a Brilo pad and Comet. >>



You are SOOOOOO helpful this morning

CIVITAS

I was gonna say, "Lick 'em." but I see the mandatory smartassed answer has already been posted.

vrtech99sboss

<< <i>I was gonna say, "Lick 'em." but I see the mandatory smartassed answer has already been posted. >>





Pretty coins, Tom! What causes the spotting?

AuldFartte

<< <i>I was gonna say, "Lick 'em." but I see the mandatory smartassed answer has already been posted. >>



Man, I really picked the wrong day to ask this one, didn't I???

AuldFartte

<< <i>Pretty coins, Tom! What causes the spotting? >>



Darned if I know, Deb. It's from an original cased proof set for the Cook Islands (made by Franklin Mint) and I'd bet it has something to do with the insert material the coins are surrounded by. Looks like faux leather, but I really have no clue. The pics are of the coins still in the plastic case. I haven't opened it up yet.

FC57Coins

At the risk of losing the toning - you might try to soak one of the coins in acetone. I soaked a canadian dollar and I didn't lose the toning, and most of the hazyness came off - but I would do this only with the thought that the toning might come off.

AuldFartte

Thanks, Frank. I may try that. I don't want to use E-Z-est except as a last resort. It does appear that the "color" is, in fact, in the haze, so I'm pretty sure I'll lose it. That's okay, though. Blast white is nice, too!!!

boz

I highly doubt those spots will come off. Try one if you must, but i would leave them myself. Let us know though. I could be wrong.
It's my feeling the spots are in the silver. The haze will come off, the spots will remain, or return.

1jester

I agree with Boz. Although you could try acetone and find out; at least you won't damage the coin.

This is basically why I don't buy proofs at all. I can't stand when they get messed up like this. It infuriates me, in fact. So I avoid proofs.

MSD61

Tom old buddie....as one who has had a lot of experience with proof coins my suggestion is leave em alone. Milks spots are really hard to remove. Your coin you have pictured reminds me of some of those brown box Ikes. As an Ike collector I went threw all kinds of crap to remove the hazing and milk spots. In the end it just wasn't worth it. IMHO

AuldFartte

Thanks, boz, 1jester, and MSD61

You're probably right on the spots, although I did have good success removing milk spots from an Ike using E-Z-est. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to resort to that kind of "dip" at all.

I'm gonna try an acetone bath on one of the coins first and see what it does ... or does not do.

Unfortunately, I really like Darkside proofs

Guess I'm destined to have these problems again.

Aethelred

I'd have the bottle of ez-est out so fast it would make your head spin!

lordmarcovan

While the spots are a little distracting, I don't find the overall look of the coin too objectionable. The fact that the haze is symmetrical, in a sort of "halo effect", is kinda nice.

You could dip it, but as coinrookie said, you'd lose the color, and run the risk of stripping the luster.

I think I'd leave it alone.

Aethelred

I have never liked haze, makes the coin look like it was a smoker.

lordmarcovan

I generally don't like haze, either, and I can see why it would be tempting to dip that sucker, but the halo is nicer than random or streaky haze, you gotta admit. It ain't totally awful-lookin', anyway.

Aethelred

I'll bet there is a great big wee-wee on the back of those things!

AuldFartte

<< <i>I'll bet there is a great big wee-wee on the back of those things! >>



Awwww ... You peeked!!!

I'm still debating. Sadly, the worst spots are on the Weenie Dollar

spinaker2000

you got "spotted weenie diese"

AuldFartte

<< <i>you got "spotted weenie diese" >>



... ssshhhhhh ... don't tell anybody

1960NYGiants

AF, there is a product called MS70 that I've had some success with. Try Brent Kreuger. If the spots are on the surface they should come off, remember to thouroughly rinse in distilled water and pat dry.

Gene

MadMarty

Man I send you a haze fee, spot free weenie coin and you get white spots on it... I don't even want to know!!! Ewwwwww!

rhound1977

First off nice sigline coins, Everyone has pretty much stated the facts on getting rid of those spots, just be careful what you dip your
weenie (er coins) in.......

AuldFartte

<< <i>Man I send you a haze fee, spot free weenie coin and you get white spots on it... I don't even want to know!!! Ewwwwww! >>



Hey, Oh Mad One ...

I love the coins, and THANK YOU again

AuldFartte

<< <i>First off nice sigline coins, Everyone has pretty much stated the facts on getting rid of those spots, just be careful what you dip your
weenie (er coins) in....... >>



Thanks, Rhound I'll be real careful.

And, thanks 1960NYGiants!!! I need to get a bottle of that stuff. I've never tried it.

JZrarities

If the acetone didn't work and you have to resort to a mild acidic dip (EZ) may I recommend:

- Dilute the dip by placing some distilled water in a shallow dish and just using a few drops of the dip.
- After you dip it you shouldn't notice much of a change. Let it sit for an hour, and then try again.
- The key is being patient and waiting for the process to start (out of the dip), because once it does it is easy to strip off too much and kill the luster. Patience - it may take 5-6 dips in the diluted solution until you get the haze to clear and hopefully keep some of the toning.

This has worked for me in the past. The ones I screwed up were the ones where I hurried with too much solution...