Recent acquisition!

devious

I'm becoming a commemorative nutcase. And every time I see something interesting relating to not just a coin, but the history of the commemorative, I scoop it up.

Today, I received the 1925 Lexington in the original issue wooden box. Based on what I know, the box is authentic from the period and not a counterfeit. The dates stamped on counterfeits apparently do not leave impressions and the details are lesser than the originals on both the front and backside.

On any note, the coin looks to be a 64. I wanted to ask if it would be safe to leave this coin inside its box? Would pine have any detrimental effect on the silver as far as anything negative? I am not worried about ugly tarnish and so forth. And I don't think it'd be right to slab this coin. I love how the top slides off and the coin is presented to you in its little place in the box. The box is made of pine apparently. It's very soft and light. And I am happy to have it with the coin also.

Added: The stamping on the back of the box is known to wear off. So it appears lighter than the front.




And lastly, unrelated, but how long would I let a PVC silver coin sit in acetone before getting good results? I have a Stone Mountain I picked up that is in tip-top shape, but the PVC on it looks out of hand.

Thanks for reading!

Aaron

erickso1

Where did you pick it up at?

Sonorandesertrat

If the PVC on the Stone Mtn. commem really is 'out of hand,' then I would be concerned about possible pitting underneath the goo.
Acetone will dissolve off PVC (sometimes repeated soaking is needed, changing out the acetone with each new soak), but if there is
any pitting due to the presence of hydrochloric acid (a decomposition product of PVC), you're stuck.

TexasNationals

These stone mountains have green verdigris on them, but not PVC, it is from the box.

devious

@erickso1: online chance!

@desertrat: thanks, I don't think it'll be that bad. For all I know, I'm an idiot (I am color blind) and it could possibly be something else. The luster is extremely subdued by whatever is on top and I feel a soak will actually bring the luster back. I do not want to dip it. There is some beautiful toning on it. And this will be my first time playing in acetone.

@Texas: Thanks for that. The stone mountain I do believe was in a soft flip (PVC)? when it arrived and the flip looked rather old and the coin was stapled in there...so I'll just keep my fingers crossed that the acetone bath works in favor for the coin and its subdued luster!

TomB

The Lexington box is made of pine and long term storage in these boxes gives a deep, greenish-brown coloration to the coins that mutes all luster. This is caused by the acids and other compounds in the wood. The coins that take on this appearance are generally unattractive. As for the Stone Mountain with bad PVC, well, it might be a lost cause since the PVC may very well have pitted the metal beneath the coating.

erickso1

Very cool. I'll have to check my books tonight about the original Lexington boxes. The thing that makes me stop is the quality of the shape the box is in. Clean, ding free with good solid color (on both the stamps and just the color of the underlying wood). It looks not like what I would expect an almost 90 year old pine box to look like. I've never seen one in hand, nor do a I have a lot of experience, so I may be dead wrong. Hopefully some of the other commem guys will give it a look (like if you put commem in the subject ) . They would have a better idea then me. Very cool p/u though, especially if it is genuine.

PCcoins

As far as I know you can soak a silver coin in acetone for days if not longer without any bad effects to the metal or patina.

Same with copper, but I've seen some changes in toning when soaking a toned copper coin in acetone for days at a time... just depends on the coin too. I would soak any coins you have in acetone, and repeated rinses can help as well.

devious

Just got back from walgreens. Are there any post-steps I should follow? Acetone soak followed by rinse? I have 91% alcohol on hand and distilled water. If somebody can give me a few more steps? I'll go ahead and submerse the coin in the acetone now.

@TomB: Thank you for that advice. So in other words, be advised to NOT store the coin in its original box. Based on what you see, do you think it too will benefit from an acetone bath? Will that do anything "helpful" for the Lexington?

@erickso: Yes! The box is in outstanding shape. You would almost think it was made a few years ago. But if it's just been sitting in a safe or in somebody's drawer, I could see why it looks and smells like new. Oh, and the box would definitely grade higher! Haha!

llafoe

<< <i>Just got back from walgreens. Are there any post-steps I should follow? Acetone soak followed by rinse? I have 91% alcohol on hand and distilled water. If somebody can give me a few more steps? I'll go ahead and submerse the coin in the acetone now.

@TomB: Thank you for that advice. So in other words, be advised to NOT store the coin in its original box. Based on what you see, do you think it too will benefit from an acetone bath? Will that do anything "helpful" for the Lexington?

@erickso: Yes! The box is in outstanding shape. You would almost think it was made a few years ago. But if it's just been sitting in a safe or in somebody's drawer, I could see why it looks and smells like new. Oh, and the box would definitely grade higher! Haha! >>



You just bought fingernail polish remover and alcohol... sounds like you're opening a Spa?

devious

<< <i>

<< <i>Just got back from walgreens. Are there any post-steps I should follow? Acetone soak followed by rinse? I have 91% alcohol on hand and distilled water. If somebody can give me a few more steps? I'll go ahead and submerse the coin in the acetone now.

@TomB: Thank you for that advice. So in other words, be advised to NOT store the coin in its original box. Based on what you see, do you think it too will benefit from an acetone bath? Will that do anything "helpful" for the Lexington?

@erickso: Yes! The box is in outstanding shape. You would almost think it was made a few years ago. But if it's just been sitting in a safe or in somebody's drawer, I could see why it looks and smells like new. Oh, and the box would definitely grade higher! Haha! >>



You just bought fingernail polish remover and alcohol... sounds like you're opening a Spa? >>



No, I am not opening up a museum for "the ex-wives of llafoe collection"...

Mitchell

I've owned several Lexington boxes in various conditions from really nice to showing it's age. Don't fret too much if the box is nice, be glad. Your main concern, whether the box is genuine or not is dead on as well as your diagnosis.

re: storing the coin in the box
What everyone else says - fun to put in there but you risk toning the coin and not in a good way. Also, repeated sliding of the top risks adding hairlines.

Congratulations and good find.

Mitchell

DorkGirl

DON'T use fingernail polish. Go to the hardware store and pick up the pure stuff. Make sure you put it in glass, not plastic, and in a well ventilated area.

devious

<< <i>DON'T use fingernail polish. Go to the hardware store and pick up the pure stuff. Make sure you put it in glass, not plastic, and in a well ventilated area. >>



Despite it having said it was 100% acetone, your post made me worry so I just went to ace and got their acetone. More for less too! So now I have a glass filled with about 3 ounces with two coins sitting in there. :-)

I already notice a HUGE difference in the stone mountain. There is no pitting. I could have been wrong. It may not have been PVC, but the flip was old, soft, and likely to be PVC. But whatever it is, it was just on the surface and is looking much nicer.

Thanks!

TheBigB

Nice box, as others have said do not store coin in box.

PerryHall

<< <i>DON'T use fingernail polish. >>



Agree. There are more convincing ways to add color to a coin.

SilverAvalanche

A tip i just learned last week...... Place coins on a cottonball so it does not hit glass