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Stained and Artificially Toned Coins

I've seen quite a few coins in "stained" and "artificially toned" coins recently in slabs. I was just wondering if it's possible to buy one, crack it out, give it a quick dip and re-submit for a problem free holder? It seems rather logical to me.
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<< <i>Coins are usually stained and AT'ed in an attempt to hide cleaning, scratches, and other other unsightly imperfections. If you dip such a coin, you're most likely going to reveal something nasty that'll keep the coin from an problem-free holder anyways. >>
Well said.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>I've seen quite a few coins in "stained" and "artificially toned" coins recently in slabs. I was just wondering if it's possible to buy one, crack it out, give it a quick dip and re-submit for a problem free holder? It seems rather logical to me. >>
It's possible, but there's usually a reason for the AT.
Here's an ANACS-slabbed MS60 20c piece I acquired. PCGS bagged it for questionable toning and I guessed that was the right call. So I cracked it and did an acetone dip, which removed all the organic toning some doctor applied.
The result, as you can see, is a lifeless, stained coin, void of luster. I figure I'll make it my next forum give-away. Someone will enjoy it as a freebie.
Lance.
<< <i>Ok, makes sense. Would you say it's worth the risk to buy the AT or stained coin just for the sake of dipping and resubmitting Greeniejr. >>
Dipping often won't remove stains.
I suppose if the price were right it might make sense to buy an AT coin. But there's too much risk for my taste, generally. Dipping may reveal underlying problems. It may strip luster. I wouldn't recommend what you're asking about.
Lance.
<< <i>The result, as you can see, is a lifeless, stained coin, void of luster. I figure I'll make it my next forum give-away. Someone will enjoy it as a freebie.
Lance. >>
That's a perfect candidate for a pocket piece to give it some real character and let it tone naturally again.
http://macrocoins.com
<< <i>Here's an ANACS-slabbed MS60 20c piece I acquired. PCGS bagged it for questionable toning and I guessed that was the right call. So I cracked it and did an acetone dip, which removed all the organic toning some doctor applied. >>
My first thought is that toning must have been very superficial for acetone alone to have done that. How long did you have it in the acetone?
Before you removed the offending substances, was it obvious that the coin had a surface finish added? Odd feel to it (if you tried touching it), different "ring" sound, or anything to help identify that it had been messed with?
I wonder how many of the coins you see in dealer's showcases are doctored in this way?
http://macrocoins.com
<< <i>
<< <i>I've seen quite a few coins in "stained" and "artificially toned" coins recently in slabs. I was just wondering if it's possible to buy one, crack it out, give it a quick dip and re-submit for a problem free holder? It seems rather logical to me. >>
It's possible, but there's usually a reason for the AT.
Here's an ANACS-slabbed MS60 20c piece I acquired. PCGS bagged it for questionable toning and I guessed that was the right call. So I cracked it and did an acetone dip, which removed all the organic toning some doctor applied.
The result, as you can see, is a lifeless, stained coin, void of luster. I figure I'll make it my next forum give-away. Someone will enjoy it as a freebie.
Lance.
This is the best representation I've seen that illustrates what coin doctors do to hide a dipped-out coin...
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I have used acetone to remove PVC from silver coins but I never seen it strip the color like that. But then maybe I never dipped a AT one
<< <i>
<< <i>I've seen quite a few coins in "stained" and "artificially toned" coins recently in slabs. I was just wondering if it's possible to buy one, crack it out, give it a quick dip and re-submit for a problem free holder? It seems rather logical to me. >>
It's possible, but there's usually a reason for the AT.
Here's an ANACS-slabbed MS60 20c piece I acquired. PCGS bagged it for questionable toning and I guessed that was the right call. So I cracked it and did an acetone dip, which removed all the organic toning some doctor applied.
The result, as you can see, is a lifeless, stained coin, void of luster. I figure I'll make it my next forum give-away. Someone will enjoy it as a freebie.
Lance.
This was just from an acetone bath Lance?
I have never seen acetone remove this much from the surface of a coin.
And I have left coins to soak in acetone overnight hundreds and hundreds of times...maybe thousands.
Did this one look really boinked with layered on "stuff" other than artificial tarnish which
acetone will not usually touch no matter how long the soaking?
I figure the surface damage occurred long ago and the toning was added to hide it.
As most everyone knows, acetone will not harm NT.
I was disappointed with the result but you have to get burned by coin doctors to truly hate them.
A pocket piece is possible but it's a little small for that, and too easily lost among other similar size change. A give-away is in its future, I think.
Lance.
<< <i>Yes, just acetone. And the dip lasted no more than 10 seconds. >>
Well, then, that toning was superficial, indeed. Maybe it was imparted from a darkener compound of some kind. It most certainly wasn't the work of any good coin doctor. A good coin doctor would have imparted natural tarnish to it through the use of a sulfur compound. Stripped clean, the coin does look like it had been exposed to an acid, maybe even polished, some, as well.
<< <i>
<< <i>Yes, just acetone. And the dip lasted no more than 10 seconds. >>
Well, then, that toning was superficial, indeed. Maybe it was imparted from a darkener compound of some kind. It most certainly wasn't the work of any good coin doctor. A good coin doctor would have imparted natural tarnish to it through the use of a sulfur compound. Stripped clean, the coin does look like it had been exposed to an acid, maybe even polished, some, as well. >>
I am not an expert, but i know enough to say that there are many recipes for AT and altered surfaces, not all of them are accelerated natural toning with the help of heat and sulfur.
<< <i>Yes, just acetone. And the dip lasted no more than 10 seconds. Before the dip I did not notice any unusual surface issues like laquer or paint. But I only inspected it in hand after cracking, not with a glass.
I figure the surface damage occurred long ago and the toning was added to hide it.
As most everyone knows, acetone will not harm NT.
I was disappointed with the result but you have to get burned by coin doctors to truly hate them.
A pocket piece is possible but it's a little small for that, and too easily lost among other similar size change. A give-away is in its future, I think.
Lance. >>
Gee, I've never had one of those