Ink marking on taler

worldcoinguy

I believe there was recently a forum topic about indian ink in the last few weeks (if I have the terminology correct). Is this an example on this Fulda taler - reverse at 2:00? Perhaps an auction number? Can it be removed, or would this be considered graffiti?
Brent

AuldFartte

If it's ink, I believe it can be removed, but I don't know the proper method for that.

Are you sure it's just inked? Kinda looks "etched" to me.

1960NYGiants

It is probably "India" ink. Many museums and collectors marked their coins in this manner. Helps with provenance but the slabbers treat it as grafitti.

You could try the acetone bath method in an atempt to remove the marking but you might end up with "negative" toning, i.e. the 1518 would be white instead of black due to the overall toning of the coin.

Using a product such as MS70 might work but then the coin would look too bright i.e. lose some of the underlying grey color.

I wonder what an olive oil soak would do?

Note: I have not tried to remove such markings. Has anyone tried? Success or failure? Got pix?

edit to add:

BTW, nice looking taler!

worldcoinguy

Thanks for the thoughts. My initial impression was that it was india ink, but I cant be certain. The pic is straight from the dealer's website, so I do not have it in hand to examine. I think I will pass on this one.....it was too good to be true.

Aethelred

I look at things like this just a little different. I consider the marking historic, they would date to the 1800s in most cases. In my view removing a museum mark would be like having an ancient coin in a box that dates to the 1700s and throwing the box away.

1jester

I concur with the Dead One. I consider this "grafitti" historic and very desirable, in fact. The markings contribute to the authenticity of the coin, and I would definitely not remove them.

Very cool Thaler too!

coinpictures

I guess I'm the odd one out. I consider it to be defacing the coin. I shudder every time I see it, especially when it's been engraved into the surface of the coin.

*bleagh*

farthing

I have several tokens with ink markings, they do not bother me on old items.

My favorite - Middlesex Spence DH 749 "One only master grasps the whole domain" and Spence's very popular Shepard image.

TwoKopeiki

I would keep it if it's not affecting the surface of the coin.

2Kopeiki.

SYRACUSIAN

Mine is an inexpensive coin, so I really don't mind it, I kept it as a novelty and for historic reasons. Besides, it's almost invisible in hand.