1921 Peace $ advice. Conserve? What would you do?

sparky64

I've shown this before but I don't think I've solicited advise.
I think it would take more than an just acetone bath to get the grunge off.
The pics are unedited and there is luster under there.
I think it's struck as good as most, if not better.
Would it be a good candidate for the conservation service?
How 'bout grade? BIG difference in price from 63 to 65.

DennisH

Wow, that '21 has a killer strike. But it's awfully hard to look at it. It needs something, whether it's conservation or a more attractive replacement.

LindeDad

<< <i>That type of toning, from my experience, doesn't come off very well. I'd be inclined to leave it as-is. >>



afraid this might be more a case of environmental damage or one of those leather case toning that are acid based and do not come off evenly.

braddick

It can be lightened though, and the luster enhanced through careful conservation, and that's not a bad thing.

lcoopie

send it in for conservation

daOnlyBG

The shoulders are well struck, though the high points on the hair aren't too detailed. I could also see a few marks on the obverse. I wouldn't give this one a 65, but perhaps my grading is a bit conservative in nature. I'd prob give this a 63 CAC, or 64. Of course, such a coin is still awesome in any collection.

I personally don't see the harm in giving it an acetone bath, but I doubt a 3-second bath would help much- you may want to consider leaving it in for a day or two. If you decide the conservation route, as long as it's cost-efficient, you may end up with an incredibly eye-appealing coin, as I could even tell the luster is present from the picture.

I don't see the value in keeping it "as-is," but maybe I'm missing something.

BryceM

If you plan to keep it, I'd enjoy as-is. It has lots of character and I'd be happy to own it. If your plan is to sell it, I'd give it a bath in acetone for a day or two and reassess. If the dark grunge around the portrait comes off, you might have a coin that a dip would bring to life. Yes, there is luster there, but I'd be reluctant to think you'd end up with a gem 21. It's just not very likely. You might end up with a mess, an attractive but un-gradable coin, or maybe a coin that would go in an MS63/4 holder.

coinkat

very simple-

Sell it if you don't like it and find one you like.

If you try an enhance this, I really doubt the end result will make you or anyone else happy

123cents

I think MS-70 would help.

epcjimi1

The circular lack of grunge on the obverse with the rectangular black grunge inside of it is cause for pause IMHO. Restore it and I bet the circular feature is still there.

Sell. Buy another. My .02

sparky64

<< <i>The NCS or PCGS restoration is worth a try, in my experience the former service will not do anything if they think there is a chance of a problem and they don't like to be second guessed. PCGS knows as much as the alternative about what to work on, with conservation and grading you are looking at $50 or so. A lot of dealers would rather have someone else take the chance on problem material. >>



Is the PCGS quarterly grading special Restoration Service and TrueView or just a TrueView only?

DorkGirl

<< <i>very simple-

Sell it if you don't like it and find one you like.

If you try an enhance this, I really doubt the end result will make you or anyone else happy >>



I agree.

MsMorrisine

grunge?

or toning?

agentjim007

Dilute some jeweluster. Dip it as fast as you can. Place it immediately into a bowl of water with baking soda while holding it and moving the coin giving it a wash. Then under the faucet. Place on a towel and press between folded towel, do not rub only squeeze. Repeat if necessary.

291fifth

<< <i>very simple-

Sell it if you don't like it and find one you like.

If you try an enhance this, I really doubt the end result will make you or anyone else happy >>

Dave99B

Don't mess with it.

Dave

ColonelJessup

<< <i>The circular lack of grunge on the obverse with the rectangular black grunge inside of it is cause for pause IMHO. Restore it and I bet the circular feature is still there.

Sell. Buy another. My .02 >>



Yup... 8 o'clock "Milk spot" underneath.

Shamika

I actually like the originality of the coin. But the light spot above IN GOD WE TRUST is distracting.

BillJones

I'm more concerned about what looks like a "valley" from the front of Ms. Liberty's nose to her chin. If that is depressed into the coin, don't waste your money. This coin is not worth the conservation fee.

topstuf

Conserve and sell quickly. I had that kind of black taken off (scuse me.... conserved) and it came back in a few months.

BustHalfBrian

Keep it as-is. That sort of darker, mottled toning is typical of this one-year type.

ricko

No offense, but that is a butt ugly coin.... two things... I agree with BillJones..if that is an indent on the obverse, than you just have bullion, second, although it might improve with some acetone soaking, that type of tarnish may represent permanent surface damage. Good luck, Cheers, RickO

mdwoods

<< <i>It can be lightened though, and the luster enhanced through careful conservation, and that's not a bad thing. >>



That's what I was thinking as well.

nwcoast

That's a tough one!
I too haven't had any success with the very dark material seen in the periphery.
And, as others have mentioned, the area in front of the face and the light spot are worrisome.
Given that this IS a significant key date, I don't think it's ever going to be reduced to spot value, no matter how botched and splotched it gets or is..
Feeling lucky and adventurous? Then try dipping it yourself...
Want a little better odds of a decent result- then send it in for "conservation".
The easy way out might just be to sell it off and pick up a finer example...
No easy answer on this one.....

If you do attempt any conservation though, please share the results with the forum here. I LOVE these kind of exercises.
Thanks and good luck!