Detecting Puttied Coins?

elwood

In Indian Artifact collecting they use black lights to see if an artifact has been repaired.

Would a black light reveal if a coin has been puttied?

savoyspecial

makes sense

greg

direwolf1972

From what I remember of some photos posted last year, PCGS has a few black lights in their grading lab. Pretty sure someone at the time said that they were probably used for detecting puttied coins.

COALPORTER

Could you explain what a puttied coin is ?
Do they use silver paste to fill dents or retool detail?

elwood

<< <i>Could you explain what a puttied coin is ? >>




It's usually applied to gold coins to fill in and smooth over problem areas on the coin. I assume it is them colored
in a fashion that matches the rest of the coins color.

prenum

No, not detectable with a black light. Also putty is not colored after application.

Can be detected only by feel or smell when first applied. btw, hand lotion has also been used for the same purpose (fill in scrapes, scratches, etc)

after a couple of years putty turns a creamy white and is easily spotted. acetone removes it completely.

the people who putty coins are obviously trying to make money by deceiving others. I think there's a name for that.

PQMorgans

interested info ...Thanks

RYK

This one looks puttied and turned to me.

MikeInFL

<< <i>In Indian Artifact collecting they use black lights to see if an artifact has been repaired.

Would a black light reveal if a coin has been puttied? >>



I can't speak for all putty, but the single puttied example in my collection does show quite well under blacklight.

adamlaneus

Not every foreign substance will fluoresce under a black light. But if it does, you know for sure that something foreign is on the coin.

Black lights are great for picking up on refinishing jobs and the like on furniture.

TomB

Black light will make visible fluorescent or phosphorescent components of putty, but I do not know that all putties contain such compounds.

AUandAG

<< <i>Not every foreign substance will fluoresce under a black light. But if it does, you know for sure that something foreign is on the coin.

Black lights are great for picking up on refinishing jobs and the like on furniture. >>



It's also great for finding scorpions in the desert at night. Did ya ever wonder how
those scorpions got caught?
scorpion

Bear

Why would one want to catch scorpions?

adamlaneus

<< <i>Why would one want to catch scorpions? >>



Don't judge me.

I collect what I collect.

My oh my.

So much hate on these forums lately.

scoobydeux

<< <i>This one looks puttied and turned to me. >>



I thought she was just wearing make up.

OnlyGoldIsMoney

Could this one be puttied? Obverse fields look odd.

sinin1

I thought putty was on higher MS coins - but do not know how luster would not be impaired


but can see how a small scratch or graffiti could be filled in a lower grade coin




florescent lights are shined through stamps to detect paper repairs/creases

adamlaneus

Could very well be. A whitish haze.

I figure that the folks that putty expensive coins will practice on cheap ones first. Thus you will see many coins affected, both cheap and expensive.