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Cleaned I presume; what chemical?

coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
The yellow/gold in the recessed areas looks funky. What chemical would have caused this look and is it salvageable?

image

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Numismotography

1/2 Cents

U.S. Revenue Stamps

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    HyperionHyperion Posts: 7,438 ✭✭✭
    looks like only half the problem,
    the other half is what happened to the rest of the coin.


    IMHO nice for type, and a shame.
    My Ebay (None)
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    PTVETTERPTVETTER Posts: 5,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    try soaking it in acetone for a long time like two or three days

    Can't hurt to try!
    Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211


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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Looks like it may have been poorly plated to pass as a $5 Gold piece image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    SilverEagles92SilverEagles92 Posts: 6,787 ✭


    << <i>Looks like it may have been poorly plated to pass as a $5 Gold piece image >>

    That was my first thought - gold plating.
    image
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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That gold certainly is unusual.....I have read that many years ago, cyanide was used treat large cents (and half cents I suppose) to brighten them. Over the years they would slowly reoxidize, but not to a truly original color. This kinda, sorta looks like it could be the case here, sans gold spots maybe. It does not look like the typical acid dip and treated with Deller's Darkener.
    To add - I do not think you could do much to positively alter the coin.....maybe keep it exposed to warm air for a long period of time to let it continue to oxidize?
    Successful BST transactions with 170 members. Recent: Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
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    halfhunterhalfhunter Posts: 2,770 ✭✭✭
    Other than the aforementioned acetone, I don't know what can be done to the gold color.

    Have the stars been tooled?

    HH
    Need the following OBW rolls to complete my 46-64 Roosevelt roll set:
    1947-P & D; 1948-D; 1949-P & S; 1950-D & S; and 1952-S.
    Any help locating any of these OBW rolls would be gratefully appreciated!
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    yellowkidyellowkid Posts: 5,486 ✭
    If it wasn't a coin I would say paint remover.image
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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 45,415 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If it wasn't a coin I would say paint remover.image >>



    Isn't acetone a primary component of paint remover?

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.

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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 45,415 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Looks like it may have been poorly plated to pass as a $5 Gold piece image >>



    Very unlikely since $5 represented a lot of money back then and gold coins received a lot of scrutiny due to the prevalence of real counterfeits in circulation at the time.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.

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    fcfc Posts: 12,789 ✭✭✭
    my only thought is that the yellow only seems to take place where any
    remaining luster would be.... thus it was probably improper storage
    over a long period of time?
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    FlatwoodsFlatwoods Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Interesting coin. I tend to agree with fc.
    I'm not sure anything needs to be done.

    I like pieces like this makes you think.
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    zeebobzeebob Posts: 2,825 ✭
    NCS.
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    blueifalconblueifalcon Posts: 963 ✭
    ditto zeebobimage
    Ilikacoinsawholebuncha
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    joecopperjoecopper Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭
    What struck me was the almost "cameo dull" look of the portrait and wreath, almost like it has been etched?
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    ksteelheaderksteelheader Posts: 11,777 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>If it wasn't a coin I would say paint remover.image >>



    Isn't acetone a primary component of paint remover? >>



    Sometimes.
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    yellowkidyellowkid Posts: 5,486 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>If it wasn't a coin I would say paint remover.image >>



    Isn't acetone a primary component of paint remover? >>



    I didn't have any Zip Strip around right now so I did some checking and yes, acetone is the main ingredient. I use Zip Strip on antique iron to get old paint off, that coin has the exact same look as a hitching post that has been stripped.
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    ksteelheaderksteelheader Posts: 11,777 ✭


    << <i>

    << <i>

    << <i>If it wasn't a coin I would say paint remover.image >>



    Isn't acetone a primary component of paint remover? >>



    I didn't have any Zip Strip around right now so I did some checking and yes, acetone is the main ingredient. I use Zip Strip on antique iron to get old paint off, that coin has the exact same look as a hitching post that has been stripped. >>



    Other ingredients in different paint thinners:

    # Acetone
    # Mineral turpentine
    # True turpentine
    # Naphtha
    # Toluene
    # White spirit
    # Xylene
    # Methyl ethyl ketone
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    lkeneficlkenefic Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Interesting piece...

    just a cautionary note.... I couldn't help but notice methyl ethyl ketone as an ingredient in some paint thinners. This organic solvent is quite powerful, volatile, and will melt plastics. Wear gloves if posible and definitely use this stuf in a well ventilated space! MEK is about the strongest organic solvent I've ever used.

    Leo
    Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;

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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    Coinpictures, Your photos have awesome saturation. Is this gold tone exaggerated? In hand does it look much milder? I've seen similar toning on many near unc large cents and wouldn't totally rule out NT. More likely, it is just something on the surface. The oil and brush technique that EACers use should do it. --Jerry
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    FrankcoinsFrankcoins Posts: 4,569 ✭✭✭
    Many of these were surprisingly brassy in color when new due to alloy variances. Possibly, it's original color because it's all in protected areas with mint luster. If it were plated, there would be gold in the denticles.
    Frank Provasek - PCGS Authorized Dealer, Life Member ANA, Member TNA. www.frankcoins.com
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    BobSavBobSav Posts: 913 ✭✭✭
    Do you know where the coin came from, that may lead to some clues .

    Bob
    Past transactions with:
    Lordmarcovan, WTCG, YogiBerraFan, Phoenin21, LindeDad, Coll3ctor, blue594, robkoll, Mike Dixon, BloodMan, Flakthat and others.
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    coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,471 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ditto what notwilight wrote. Try an application of the Blue Ribbon that you just purchased from me, combined with a light brushing.

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.americanlegacycoins.com

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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Coinpictures, Your photos have awesome saturation. Is this gold tone exaggerated? In hand does it look much milder? I've seen similar toning on many near unc large cents and wouldn't totally rule out NT. More likely, it is just something on the surface. The oil and brush technique that EACers use should do it. --Jerry >>



    Hi Jerry,

    I do my best not to overaccentuate color in my photos. The gold/yellow in hand is as it appears in the pictures. The only potential difference is that the coin overall is darker in hand unless you're under direct lighting; not uncommon when photographing copper - showcasing the coin in a brighter light so as to expose more detail.

    But as for color, it's on the money.

    Right now I'm struggling with whether or not to keep the coin or return it. It clearly has issues, but it also has character. I'm into the coin for a C-note. What do you think?
    Numismotography

    1/2 Cents

    U.S. Revenue Stamps

    image
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    Walkerguy21DWalkerguy21D Posts: 11,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not a bad coin for the price paid - maybe a little high given that it's not original. Yes, it has issues, and would not slab, but it is not unattractive. An original, choice AU would run maybe around ~$175 or so. If it bothers you, or you are a purist, return it, and pay more and get the real deal. These coins are not hard to locate.
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    JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I believe that this coin has been boinked severely and is also tooled.
    Have this one checked.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
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    keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    it's possible that it was cleaned/dipped and then re-colored with something like Deller"s Darkener or some other paste and the lighter color at recessed areas and around the devices is the result of a poor job.
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    I'm at work now and can't see the photos. If I were you I would probably keep it and try to conserve it, more for fun than anything else. If you aren't interested in conserving it then I would make the decision based on eye appeal in hand.

    I see one respected forum member thinks it may be tooled so I would check that out too.

    --Jerry
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I believe that this coin has been boinked severely and is also tooled.
    Have this one checked. >>



    Sorry, I'm not familiar with the technical term "boinked". Also, what details do you believe to be tooled?
    Numismotography

    1/2 Cents

    U.S. Revenue Stamps

    image
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    JRoccoJRocco Posts: 14,277 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I believe that this coin has been boinked severely and is also tooled.
    Have this one checked. >>



    Sorry, I'm not familiar with the technical term "boinked". Also, what details do you believe to be tooled? >>



    Hey CP,
    First off, this is not a series I have specialized in, but with that said after I looked at the
    date on this piece my eye went straight to the thirteenth star. It just did not look right. I
    then looked at stars one and two and they also do not look right. Most of these pieces that
    I recall seeing have generally poor star detail to begin with, this one looks like someone tried to possible
    enhance the stars.
    As for the term boinked. It is a kind of catch-all word meaning that the coin has been worked on. I believe that this one
    might have had some detail smoothed in some way. But please have this checked by a copper guy.
    Some coins are just plain "Interesting"
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    coinpicturescoinpictures Posts: 5,345 ✭✭✭
    I guess I'm missing the tooling diagnostics. When I compare the star details to that on the closeup images for this MS66 at Heritage, the stars look almost identical.
    Numismotography

    1/2 Cents

    U.S. Revenue Stamps

    image
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    notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    I can't see the photos now but stars vary a lot. They get full of "grease" which is really gunk. Or the strike can affect the stars. It is not unusual at all to have stars vary a lot on a coin. So it could be that the lower stars are good and the other stars are poor.

    --Jerry
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    mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Don't know what has been done to this coin, but send it back.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.

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