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was this $5 indian gold piece puttied or is it toning? thanks for any tips

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  • PlacidPlacid Posts: 11,299 ✭✭✭
    Seeing as the coin as been looked at in person by pcgs and cac I would hope it is not puttied.
  • RegulatedRegulated Posts: 2,992 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So called "putty" is generally found in the central field areas on those (in my experience), although I would need to see the coin in hand. It looks to me like the photo is burned out and the color correct was lousy, making natural toning look bad.

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • TomBTomB Posts: 21,983 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Please take this opinion for what it is worth since I am not expert in any manner with gold coinage or with the exquisite designs of BLP, but I don't think there is putty on the coin given the limitations of the image. I write this because the fields on the coin appear to have obvious imperfections and gouges, which might be caused by the peculiarities of planchet strike for the incuse design (imperfections) and post-strike abuse (gouges). Also, there does not appear to be any type of hazy look, simply color. Again, this isn't my niche at all, but my knee-jerk reaction would be an overexposed image without putty on the coin.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>So called "putty" is generally found in the central field areas on those (in my experience), although I would need to see the coin in hand. It looks to me like the photo is burned out and the color correct was lousy, making natural toning look bad. >>



    i have to admit that i am used to looking at non-incuse coins
    and i agree with the putty locations you mention above.

    with incuse coins though i am not sure where the luster breaks
    would appear first and hence a reason to hide them before grading.

    your guess of the lighting could be a very good guess of why the
    pic looks like it does.
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Please take this opinion for what it is worth since I am not expert in any manner with gold coinage or with the exquisite designs of BLP, but I don't think there is putty on the coin given the limitations of the image. I write this because the fields on the coin appear to have obvious imperfections and gouges, which might be caused by the peculiarities of planchet strike for the incuse design (imperfections) and post-strike abuse (gouges). Also, there does not appear to be any type of hazy look, simply color. Again, this isn't my niche at all, but my knee-jerk reaction would be an overexposed image without putty on the coin. >>



    yup it could be the image. my first reaction was simply "odd" and
    hence i asking here for tips and opinions.

    by going to heritage directly one can get some very big pics to examine
    if they wish. i just thought where the discoloration was there
    was also noticeable marks...
  • adamlaneusadamlaneus Posts: 6,969 ✭✭✭
    My guess is that you are looking at a polished coin. Polish can cause color changes when the lighting is 'just so'. Cameras pick up on colors much more than the human eye does.

    Look closely; I think you can see reflectance in the areas that show the color change...but you cannot see reflectance in the areas that are warmer in color. This seems apparent on the eagle on the reverse of the coin.

    I'm seeing a very bright shine in the color changed areas on the reverse and not so much of a shine in the warmer colored areas. This says to me that you are seeing regions of the polish as a change in color due to photographic lighting conditions.

    When I say 'polished', I mean that in a very abstract sense and not in a numismatical "that coin has been polished" sense. A surface can become polished looking through normal circulation wear. It can look more polished if there are finger oils present.
  • DJCoinzDJCoinz Posts: 3,856


    << <i>Seeing as the coin as been looked at in person by pcgs and cac I would hope it is not puttied. >>

    image
    aka Dan
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>My guess is that you are looking at a polished coin. Polish can cause color changes when the lighting is 'just so'. Cameras pick up on colors much more than the human eye does.

    Look closely; I think you can see reflectance in the areas that show the color change...but you cannot see reflectance in the areas that are warmer in color. This seems apparent on the eagle on the reverse of the coin.

    I'm seeing a very bright shine in the color changed areas on the reverse and not so much of a shine in the warmer colored areas. This says to me that you are seeing regions of the polish as a change in color due to photographic lighting conditions. >>



    i do not think polish is a good way to describe what we are seeing.
    i just see some grayness around areas where there are marks and
    was wondering if someone "puttied" the coin to hide obvious disturbances...

    polish ussually means something else to me.
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Seeing as the coin as been looked at in person by pcgs and cac I would hope it is not puttied. >>

    image >>



    we have seen many examples of puttied coins in TPG holders...
    they get past graders and then turn in the holder. i am just seeking
    opinions on this coin.

    it seems the highest points and areas in the fields have this discoloration.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,721 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I see no evidence of putty in your pics. Looks like a nice original lightly toned Indian half eagle.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭
    Looks ok to me.
    image
  • Talk about an overexposed picture, the CAC sticker looks blue (they are green).

    I believe the toning is natural and I doubt a puttied coin would get by both PCGS and CAC.
  • fcfc Posts: 12,793 ✭✭✭
    thanks all for the opinion. it appears the pic is just odd and not
    the coin.

    keep in mind that puttied coins, though, get into slabs. we have
    seen enough examples in plastic not to doubt the doctors can
    slip them pass graders.

    we have also had coins shown that some people think are pretty
    yet a lot of people think they were puttied.

    that look is often how people first get an idea if a coin was messed
    with putty wise.

    but i do not care to buy this coin nor am i the owner. i just wished
    to discuss it.

    image
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭

    i think you have an authentic gold pieceimage
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington

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