Was it common at one point to lacquer coins?

Longacre

I don't know if I spelled lacquer correctly or not. But anyway, I have a Peace dollar that I got from my grandmother and it definitely has something on the surface because it just does not look like an original surface. It definitely looks like there is a thick coating, similar to what you would see on a lacquered floor or furniture. Was this common? I don't have a picture of it, but if someone has a picture of a lacquered coin, I would be interested to see it. Thanks.

coinguy1

Longacre, not only did you spell it correctly, but you also probably guessed right about what you saw on the coin. I have seen a good number of (mostly older) copper coins that have been lacquered.

From a quick search:

"LACQUERED COINS - Coins, particularly copper, that have been coated with a clear transparent lacquer, usually to protect the coin from further toning or damage from contamination. The lacquer can be easily removed without subsequent damage to the coin.
"

ccr

Wasn`t the 1933 Saint Gaudens that was auctioned off in 2002 lacquered as well?

coinguy1

<< <i>Wasn`t the 1933 Saint Gaudens that was auctioned off in 2002 lacquered as well? >>

Not from what I could tell when I saw it and I have not heard anything to indicate that such was the case.

ccr

Thanks, as I wondered if it was really true.

AgMe

Yep, it's true.

-g

coinguy1

<< <i>Yep, it's true. >>

If you are refering to the possibility of the 1933 $20 having been lacquered,what do you base your comment on?

morgannut2

Can laquer be removed from silver coins w/o evidence of it being there? Is there a difference between circulated/uncirculated "damage", if any. I presume copper is ruined, unless unc.

AgMe

<< <i>

<< <i>Yep, it's true. >>

If you are refering to the possibility of the 1933 $20 having been lacquered,what do you base your comment on? >>



Oh, I'm sorry... I meant: "It's true that some coins are lacquered".

Sorry for the confusion.

-g

Darkhorse

<< <i>Can laquer be removed from silver coins w/o evidence of it being there? Is there a difference between circulated/uncirculated "damage", if any. I presume copper is ruined, unless unc. >>



The laquer can easily be removed with alcohol without any evidence or damage to copper or silver coins. Laquering coins was fairly common with British and Colonial coins and many spectacular examples survive today because of it.

paperpusher

King Farouk laquered many of his coins along with laminating some rare paper money..........

OKbustchaser

<< <i>Can laquer be removed from silver coins w/o evidence of it being there? Is there a difference between circulated/uncirculated "damage", if any. I presume copper is ruined, unless unc. >>



Oh, I don't know about ruined...dropped a grade or so? Probably.



F-12 without the lacquer Net VG-8



AU+ without Net EF

morgannut2

I didn't realise it could be easily removed and have passed some examples thinking they could never be graded. I guess the type of laquer used was based on natural tree sap durning this era, so it should be organically soluable as long as there's no acidic based reaction with a coin's surface.

MacCrimmon

Many of Pittman's Canadian coins were lacquered. It seems Akers thought the Can. Mint or the Mint workers he acquired them through had done the lacquering. Catalog is presently absent.....

coinguy1

<< <i>King Farouk laquered many of his coins along with laminating some rare paper money >>

I'm not certain whether he lacquered any of his coins, but he is well known for having cleaned them.

Veep

This is amazing. I was going to post something similar as I just looked at a collection of large cents on Saturday that had been lacquered.