If it's active it might grow. I can't tell if it is or not but if it's not active then whatever. That coin is small enough as it is and a dot like that on a blownup image means it's almost unnoticeable in hand.
If the coin were a slightly better grade it would matter. I'd grade the piece MS-63. If it were bucking for an MS-64+ or better, that little spot would pull it down.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
<< <i>I don't believe that you can see it easily with the naked eye, just imagine all that is on the surfaces of a coin that you can't see without the add of magnification. I like it when I find crude on my coin, a testament to iits originality. Sure I don't want anything corrosive on a coin, but if you can hardly notice it what does it matter. I am sure all coins have harmfil stuff on the surfaces of a coin that are tough to see with the naked eye. The whole reason gold is great is because it is a tough alloy same with silver but to a lesser extent, copper is the worst on the list. Last I looked my gold onlays aren't corroding with it being in my wet mouth 24/7. >>
When it comes to gold dollars, even a near sighted dude, like I am, gets out the 10X to check on the coin. With the 10X, you are proably not going to miss that spot. And since gold dollars a small and light, it does not take a lot to knock down the grade. A couple hairlines on a $20 gold piece that is graded less than MS-65 probably won't matter. On gold dollar, they can make a big difference.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
<< <i>I agree with Broadstruck... acetone bath should remove it... could be verdigris on a copper spot.... Cheers, RickO >>
It could be verdigris on a copper spot, but I think that is fairly unusual. That coin does not appear to be made from gold that was poorly mixed with the copper, so my vote would be PVC. I think that would be farily easy to remove it.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
the good news is that gold is highly resistant to PVC. For some reason PVC does not etch into the gold surfaces as it can with copper, silver, aluminum, and nickel.
TPG services are usually quite successful in removing such PVC in gold coins at no charge and putting it back into the same graded holder. the the exact same slab, just a replacement one.
Comments
seems more like VDG to my newbie eyes. pvc green seems more pastel green from the 1970s.
type2,CCHunter.
<< <i>PVC, never heard of verdigris forming on gold. I could be wrong though. >>
Either one is possible if copper is present and most gold prolly has some copper in it.
<< <i>isn't that just too small to matter? >>
If it's active it might grow. I can't tell if it is or not but if it's not active then whatever. That coin is small enough as it is and a dot like that on a blownup image means it's almost unnoticeable in hand.
<< <i>isn't that just too small to matter? >>
If the coin were a slightly better grade it would matter. I'd grade the piece MS-63. If it were bucking for an MS-64+ or better, that little spot would pull it down.
The more bothersome hairlines unfortunately are permanent residents.
<< <i>I don't believe that you can see it easily with the naked eye, just imagine all that is on the surfaces of a coin that you can't see without the add of magnification. I like it when I find crude on my coin, a testament to iits originality. Sure I don't want anything corrosive on a coin, but if you can hardly notice it what does it matter. I am sure all coins have harmfil stuff on the surfaces of a coin that are tough to see with the naked eye. The whole reason gold is great is because it is a tough alloy same with silver but to a lesser extent, copper is the worst on the list. Last I looked my gold onlays aren't corroding with it being in my wet mouth 24/7. >>
When it comes to gold dollars, even a near sighted dude, like I am, gets out the 10X to check on the coin. With the 10X, you are proably not going to miss that spot. And since gold dollars a small and light, it does not take a lot to knock down the grade. A couple hairlines on a $20 gold piece that is graded less than MS-65 probably won't matter. On gold dollar, they can make a big difference.
<< <i>I agree with Broadstruck... acetone bath should remove it... could be verdigris on a copper spot.... Cheers, RickO >>
It could be verdigris on a copper spot, but I think that is fairly unusual. That coin does not appear to be made from gold that was poorly mixed with the copper, so my vote would be PVC. I think that would be farily easy to remove it.
If that doesn't do it, a dab of Verdicare should.
If it's graded and slabbed by PCGS I'd ask them to take care of it.
Lance.
<< <i>i think i would be giving it an acetone bath for sure. can you post a reverse image and/or disclose the date? i am curious about this coin. >>
1869 G$1
TPG services are usually quite successful in removing such PVC in gold coins at no charge and putting it back into the same graded holder. the the exact same slab, just a replacement one.
proof coins is another matter altogether.