Hairlined coin used as pocket piece to remove hairlines?
ARCO
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I can't find any topics on the subject, so I thought I would inquire of the experienced collectors here:
Let's say there is a fabulous and scarce AU coin that has great AU details, but has obvious and probably fairly strong hairlines from a cleaning. 1) Have any collectors here taken such a coin as a pocket piece to wear the grade down a notch, enough to remove the hairlines?. 2) Are hairlines completely gone that the coin might holder? 3) What is the time frame for a coin to wear - say from AU55 to AU53 or AU50? 4) Are there other methods which simulate circulation, but that do not harm the coin...like a rock tumbler set on low (with cloth and other coins perhaps, which simulate circulation)?
Anyway, this is something that has intrigued me for years, but I just haven't been able to find much from other collectors and feedback.
Gracias,
Tyler
Let's say there is a fabulous and scarce AU coin that has great AU details, but has obvious and probably fairly strong hairlines from a cleaning. 1) Have any collectors here taken such a coin as a pocket piece to wear the grade down a notch, enough to remove the hairlines?. 2) Are hairlines completely gone that the coin might holder? 3) What is the time frame for a coin to wear - say from AU55 to AU53 or AU50? 4) Are there other methods which simulate circulation, but that do not harm the coin...like a rock tumbler set on low (with cloth and other coins perhaps, which simulate circulation)?
Anyway, this is something that has intrigued me for years, but I just haven't been able to find much from other collectors and feedback.
Gracias,
Tyler
0
Comments
i wouldn't toss it in no tumbler
i'd carry it in pocket with other coins
take it out every once in awhile before washing my hands
maybe forget it in my pocket at wash time....a time or 2
and let nature do it's magic until that cleaned surface wore away naturally
not doctoring if nature does it
not sure how long such would take as it would depend how deep some knucklehead cleaned it
might even look better then the cleaned starting grade down a notch or 2
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Honestly I think the tumbler would yield you a coin with a polished look.
<< <i>Your not going to want contact marks from other coins in the tumbler.
Honestly I think the tumbler would yield you a coin with a polished look. >>
Agree. Also, based on my experience, using it as a pocket piece may result in a burnished look.
Can we get a detailed high resolution pic of this coin?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
You want something that vibrates to create mild in pocket type movement...
Now just don't get carried away and look for something in your wife's naughty drawer!
^^^ this is very important address you mention ^^^
just how scarce
as some scarce coins...issues become less important versus attainability
<< <i>
<< <i>Your not going to want contact marks from other coins in the tumbler.
Honestly I think the tumbler would yield you a coin with a polished look. >>
Agree. Also, based on my experience, using it as a pocket piece may result in a burnished look.
Can we get a detailed high resolution pic of this coin? >>
Coin looks to be AU53- AU55. If it were worn down to an AU50 or XF45...and it could holder afterwards, the drop in grade would still be worth it. I have been an avid collector of Barber Halves for 15 years. Never once had the opportunity to own an XF or AU 1897-O that had originality and eye appeal the way I like 'em.
Tyler
au needs some remaining mint luster...even if isolated
one sad shame there
i don't know enough to advise you here
<< <i>with that image...the "AU" has been polished away
au needs some remaining mint luster...even if isolated
one sad shame there
i don't know enough to advise you here >>
Tough one I know. If it were worn down to an XF40 without hairlines, it would be worth the price paid. Its gotta holder though and actually look like it just came out of circulation.
Tyler
<< <i>That's the crux of the situation. How to find the coin I like without making it
Ain't that the truth.
Some coins you just gotta go to great lengths and a little natural doctoring!
the details would be preserved
you don't have a dog i hope
<< <i>Your not going to want contact marks from other coins in the tumbler.
Honestly I think the tumbler would yield you a coin with a polished look. >>
I used to have one of those rock polish kits, as a kid, but I never thought to put coins in it.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>If you have a cat try placing in the kitty litter box for a year
cat scratch fever may have worked for ted nugent but surely would be a travesty for coins
<< <i>Perhaps letting it tone naturally would help its appearance (like wrapping it in a Taco Bell napkin for several months). It would still be cleaned and you wouldn't get a straight grade from any of the major grading services. >>
Taco Bell napkin could cause some fruity color progression on impaired surfaces?
A old non acid free Kraft envelope with sulfur content on a sunny windowsill used to be the old school way to re-tone something.
<< <i>You could place the coin inside a cotton bag with other non needed edge coins and place it atop your clothes dryer.
You want something that vibrates to create mild in pocket type movement...
Now just don't get carried away and look for something in your wife's naughty drawer!
The right bra might help lift the coin a grade!
<< <i>
<< <i>Perhaps letting it tone naturally would help its appearance (like wrapping it in a Taco Bell napkin for several months). It would still be cleaned and you wouldn't get a straight grade from any of the major grading services. >>
Taco Bell napkin could cause some fruity color progression on impaired surfaces?
A old non acid free Kraft envelope with sulfur content on a sunny windowsill used to be the old school way to re-tone something. >>
If you try to retone a cleaned coin you should first remove any oils/grease from the coin with acetone to expose clean surfaces.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
… find a coin that you like, or one that isn't screwed up, rather than try to fix one that's already "damaged" beyond tolerance.
Any time spent fixing one seems counterproductive, to me.
No time to work in a lab or wait around for "experiments". That's kind of how my simple mind thinks.
<< <i>All joking aside, though.
… find a coin that you like, or one that isn't screwed up, rather than try to fix one that's already "damaged" beyond tolerance.
Any time spent fixing one seems counterproductive, to me.
No time to work in a lab or wait around for "experiments". That's kind of how my simple mind thinks. >>
I think yours is probably the best advice. It has been fifteen years looking. I guess I can wait another 15.
Tyler
<< <i>
<< <i>All joking aside, though.
… find a coin that you like, or one that isn't screwed up, rather than try to fix one that's already "damaged" beyond tolerance.
Any time spent fixing one seems counterproductive, to me.
No time to work in a lab or wait around for "experiments". That's kind of how my simple mind thinks. >>
I think yours is probably the best advice. It has been fifteen years looking. I guess I can wait another 15.
Tyler >>
That seems to be by far the best advice.
<< <i>Hairlines tend not to be limited to high points, so you would presumably wear down all the high points to ever reach the other areas. That hardly seems worth it. You might be better off allowing some natural toning to soften the look. >>
Yes. If the hairlines go right up to the devices the coin will have to wear a lot
more to look natural. The best bet in such a case is to carry it with several coins
so they can wear up right next to the devices. It will require an AU-55 to wear
down nearly to XF-45. If the hairlines are less severe or don't include the area
near lettering and devices much less wear is needed.
It's very easy to lose pock pieces. Try carrying it only when very active to minimize
chances for loss.
<< <i>So, now that that's settled, how much you want for the janky '97o?
It is listed on Ebay by Arniejr1 right now for $1995.00 I believe.
Tyler
however as PerryHall said, as the minor hairlines diminished, it began to look ever so slightly more glossy, so I stopped carrying it and stuck in an album instead. I'd say generally, any method that takes less than a few years is more likely to make it look worse than make it look better, and that would include tumbling, rubbing, or taco bell napkining, etc. Maybe a kraft envelope for a few years would work, but I'd leave it in normal coin storage locations, not on a water heater or windowsill, again because you don't want to hurry it. Might also try a leather bag with some junky and dark silver coins for a while, back in the envelope, etc, and be real patient.
Or just buy one you like as it is
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
It is what it is, hopefully it was bought as cleaned.
thanks for the information !!!
You could generate wear, and make it into lower XF or higher VF coin. Even XF coins should ideally show luster in protected areas and you still have a problem there.... Even if you did that you'd have a coin that was likely white, with no patina. Most XF Barber halves were pulled from circulation long ago and have developed an age-appropriate look. If you could turn this into a VF/XF piece and let it sit around for a few decades you'd probably have the coin you're after.....
I really think you'd be better off buying what you're looking for instead of trying to manufacture it. Sure, they aren't exactly common, but I doubt it would require more than a few years to find a problem-free example if you put your nose to the grindstone and enlist the help of a few dealers.