Can a large gold coin that is "polished" be worn down to remove polishing? UPDATE - PUT IN

oreville

I have a lovely 1861-O $20 gold coin that was unfortunately "polished" at one time.

It is graded by Accugrade as AU-50 and indeed has AU details. However, I want to legitimately wear the coin down to VF-XF and eliminate all traces of the polishing. I can afford to do so since I paid only Fine prices for the coin a few years go.

Just put it in my pocket in the safe office environment? Or? Or?


I just received sage advice today (September 26th) from a respected numismatist to do the following:


Put the coin in your SHOE under your socks and the action of the shoe leather/sock as well as the sweat will eventually remove the offending polishing.

This will not create pitting and nicking of the soft gold coin as the action of the other coins may cause against gold. .

Perhaps I will do this in my office ONLY so that no one will find a rare gold coin in the parking lot!

Is it possible?
ANY OTHER IDEAS?

Pros and cons?

originalisbest

Interesting experiment oreville, but I wonder if clanking it against modern era coins in your pocket would have the desired effect. Better to have it in your jeans along with some 90% silver (assuming you don't want to also wear down other gold pieces.)

I would say don't rush it and just do it every day, probably to get the effect needed might take months/years. Would be interesting to snap monthly pics to gauge progress. BUT I'm not sure, after all that, if there still wouldn't be traces of the polishing left.

Good luck!

nicetoning42107

It can be done, but it has to be done slowly otherwise it'll look polished all over again; been there done that.

au58

This will work. It will take a while.

Put this coin in a jar with about $25 face in 90% silver coins (roll of dimes, roll of quarters, roll of halves). The size of the jar should be such that it is about half full. Gently shake the jar and coins for about two minutes every day for a year or until you have achieved the desired results.

pennyannie

What about using a rock tumbler with some type of media beads??

renomedphys

Now we're talkin!

lasvegasteddy

just an idea...

put in some dirt first and step on it to remove the paralell field lines...a lil pitting is better then polish lines in nooks n crannies

then use it as a pocket piece with other coins jingling by it

GrumpyEd

If you keep it in your pocket for a few years be careful not to let it get lost.

coinlieutenant

The polishing near the protected areas (assuming that it was polished uniformly), will always show the polish. That is not to say that it wont grade if you wear the puppy down. Do you golf? A 61-O 20$ would be a killer ball marker, and would give you an excuse to golf.

"Honey, I have to go work on this very expensive coin, I'll be back in 5 hours.".

oreville

thanks for the interesting idea, so far.

Ball marker? Could be dangerous if it falls out of my pocket?

AU58: Would a bunch of very toned older circulated wheaties to cut down the amount of silver coins by half and adding an equal amount of older wheaties do better than just silver coins? What about adding a little dust, a little dirt (very little) and putting the bottle in a steamy bathroom once in a while to add some moisture?

lasvegasteddy: you said:



<< <i>put in some dirt first and step on it to remove the paralell field lines...a lil pitting is better then polish lines in nooks n crannies >>



I am not following you on the "step on it" part?

TwoSides2aCoin

No, once damaged, it's worth melt. I will pay you ten over spot oreville

coindeuce

You could try refinishing it in a glass bead blaster under extremely low air pressure. Ya know, give it that matte finish

lasvegasteddy

<<<I am not following you on the "step on it" part?>>>

it's kool if you don't follow that but consider...

polish lines...the same in nature if not same direction too

thought of bead blasting...all the same size grit...manmade look about it

but to induce an uneven surface texture with different size media...just doesn't look man induced

the surface of a circ coin will reflect different size dings and nicks in the surface

so dirt not being uniform...not being overly done...would produce a surface of in the nooks and crannies

i'm not saying step on it in a rock garden but gentle pressure in mild dirt...won't look bead blasted or hold polish lines by devices

it would produce something natural in appearance before you tied in it some sock with other coins in a dryer

RYK

Why not soak off the polish and then wear it down a bit?

UTTM07

I wouldn't carry soft gold with other coins. Not clad for sure, maybe some silver. I've also noticed a difference in the type of wear that occurs in a pocket day to day vs. doing yard work. I bet it'll turn out better if you carry it when you're working in the yard and then leave it in a drawer in between.

oreville

<< <i> Not clad for sure, maybe some silver. >>



isn't adding copper copper coins (wheatie cents) softer than silver coins and clad coins for sure?

Why not some other gold coins in the mix?

UTTM07

Can't say for sure if bronze or 90% is softer. If you have gold to put in a your pocket please instead send it to me, I'll replace it with something better!

lkeigwin

Accugrade? Ahem. Just sell it and buy a worthy replacement. Really...is it worth the trouble?

coolest

Sell this one as "Choice BU" or "Brilliant uncirculated" on e-bay and then buy a nice one!

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>The polishing near the protected areas (assuming that it was polished uniformly), will always show the polish. That is not to say that it wont grade if you wear the puppy down. Do you golf? A 61-O 20$ would be a killer ball marker, and would give you an excuse to golf.

"Honey, I have to go work on this very expensive coin, I'll be back in 5 hours.". >>



I tried that with a polished Saint a few years ago. Still can't find that sucker. I like the jar with the 90% idea best.

au58

<< <i>thanks for the interesting idea, so far.
AU58: Would a bunch of very toned older circulated wheaties to cut down the amount of silver coins by half and adding an equal amount of older wheaties do better than just silver coins? What about adding a little dust, a little dirt (very little) and putting the bottle in a steamy bathroom once in a while to add some moisture?
>>



A few copper coins will probably not hurt, but copper coins are harder than both gold and silver (that's why copper was added to both gold and silver coins).
Silver is only slightly harder than gold. Over time, with gentle action, it will abrade the gold.

Every once in a while, you can change the action. Put all the coins in a bag and gently shake it up.

Be patient, this will take a while.

Do not use a rock tumbler. A tumbler and its action is designed to SMOOTH the surfaces of whatever you put into it.

19Lyds

<< <i>Accugrade? Ahem. Just sell it and buy a worthy replacement. Really...is it worth the trouble? >>



He did get some of the grades correct!

To slam a coin simply because it was graded by one outfit over another is a little ridiculous especially since oreville didn't post a picture.

oreville

Here is the 1861-O $20. It is only lightly polished. Many dealers who have seen it thinks it is lightly wiped instead of polished.

It is still an attractive coin and for the price I paid (well under $3000 it was quite a bargain).

Broadstruck

<< <i>Do you golf? A 61-O 20$ would be a killer ball marker, and would give you an excuse to golf.

"Honey, I have to go work on this very expensive coin, I'll be back in 5 hours.". >>

streeter

In the metal finishing Biz.....there are all types of media available to achieve the desired result.

While I do not recommend this until trying it out....I suspect that plastic media would work. I.E.----when plastic buttons are made, the punch outs of the holes are sold as a certain type of media blasting material.
This material actually has abrasive edges on it from the punch and wears down rapidly(quite rapidly).

I would think that it might achieve your required end result over time if you could get the right combination of wear. For instance, a couple of months in your pocket with NEW MEDIA and the coin in a pouch. Then go to worn out media which is smaller and more rounded off. The evolution of the degraded media over time would impart a more natural look of wear and I do not think you would lose a grade.

I think you need a 5lib for the experiment first

lkeigwin

<< <i>

<< <i>Accugrade? Ahem. Just sell it and buy a worthy replacement. Really...is it worth the trouble? >>



He did get some of the grades correct!

To slam a coin simply because it was graded by one outfit over another is a little ridiculous especially since oreville didn't post a picture. >>

You are right. I apologize.

oreville

lkeigwin: Now that oreville has posted a picture, you can resume your bombing of the desired target!

tradedollarnut

I think you'd be crazy to do that. Despite its flaws, it appears to be a very high detailed attractive piece. And it should always be worth as much or more than the piece it could be turned into by being carried in a pocket.

Are we so caught up in what will or won't certify that we now need to artificially wear coins?

fc

<< <i>I think you'd be crazy to do that. Despite its flaws, it appears to be a very high detailed attractive piece. And it should always be worth as much or more than the piece it could be turned into by being carried in a pocket.

Are we so caught up in what will or won't certify that we now need to artificially wear coins? >>



well said and i agree with the master.

thatboyaintright

I still believe in "primum non nocere" first, do no harm. Whether I'm treating patients at the hospital or agonizing whether or not to dip a particularly unsightful low value toner, I have to ask "am I doing any harm" Most cases with my level of coins the answer is yes I will probably harm the coin and its value by any attempt to change it. On the bright side, with a little due diligence you can probably find what you seek at a price your willing to pay if you have the patience.

lkeigwin

<< <i>lkeigwin: Now that oreville has posted a picture, you can resume your bombing of the desired target! >>

No, no, no! I was properly called to the carpet. No more posts after a few single malts.

lasvegasteddy

shoot after seeing that coin...i'd leave it as is

PerryHall

<< <i>shoot after seeing that coin...i'd leave it as is >>



Agree. Nothing you can do to the coin will improve it. Carrying it in your pocket with other coins will give it a burnished look which is no improvement. If you don't like it, sell it.

7Jaguars

But does polishing always get into the small spaces around lettering or devices? What about this particular coin - does the polish extend into the little crevices?

oreville

7Jaguars:

Yes.

oreville

Here is a different example of a damaged coin in my collection.

A damaged coin would not bother me if it is damaged in a very defined area. See the area of the punchmark to the left of the 1856 date. I purchased this for $4370 at Heritage auctions in August 2001. It is otherwise a very attractive coin. I have resisted many offers to "repair" this cent.

This was the writeup by Heritage:

1856 1C --Damaged--ANACS. VF Details, Net Fine 12. Actually this well known transitional rarity is totally original and, save for a modestly distracting punch mark to the left of the date, not at all unattractive. For the Flying Eagle/Indian Cent collector limited by budget constraints, here's one we wholeheartedly recommend.

oreville

I received sage advice on how to really remove the polish off the gold coin WITHOUT HURTING the coin!!!
This came from one of the top numismatist in the hobby.

Put the coin in your SHOE under your socks and the action of the shoe leather/sock as well as the sweat will eventually remove the offending polishing.

This will not create pitting and nicking of the soft gold coin as the action of the other coins may cause against gold. .

Perhaps I will do this in my office ONLY so that no one will find a rare gold coin in the parking lot!