What caused this unnatural surface on a 1921 Peace $1???

mbogoman · October 24, 2012 11:34PM

The surfaces of this Peace dollar are clearly not normal. Look closely at the fields - they look like the skin of a lizard. I have my suspicions, but would appreciate opinions from the experts.

TIA

TwoSides2aCoin · October 24, 2012 11:37PM

As near as I can guess : MAN

Broadstruck · October 24, 2012 11:40PM

<< As near as I can guess : MAN >>

mbogoman · October 24, 2012 11:45PM

<< << As near as I can guess : MAN >> >>

OK, we've established the guilty species, how about a little more insight into what technique this man or woman used that resulted in these surfaces?

Broadstruck · October 24, 2012 11:50PM

<< 

<< << As near as I can guess : MAN >> >>

OK, we've established the guilty species, how about a little more insight into what technique this man or woman used that resulted in these surfaces? >>

Well it wasn't polished or harshly cleaned....

So I'd like to take a shot at silver tarnish removal paste applied with a soft sponge.

MFH · October 24, 2012 11:52PM

The surfaces looked etched. Almost as if a lemon slice laid on top for a period of time.
The acid could have caused this effect... Hard to tell, really, only the culprit knows for sure.

phnatacc · October 24, 2012 11:54PM

Harsh or repeated dip and soda cleaning.

BustHalfBrian · October 24, 2012 11:56PM

Just a victim of one-too-many bad dips, IMHO. Whatever is going on in the fields definitely occurred post-Mint - it's probably the result of the acidic solution used for dipping eating away at the Silver.

7Jaguars · October 24, 2012 11:59PM

I actually LIKE those surfaces...

Not for a premium though.

cucamongacoin · October 25, 2012 12:01AM

While it does look cleaned, that "scaley" look is often found on 1924 dated coins in particular.

TwoSides2aCoin · October 25, 2012 12:11AM

I'm no expert. But my perceptions tell me that the coin was cleaned as previously noted. A harsh cleaning. Then it sat somewhere with some foreign substance or substances coming in contact with it for an extended period in order for it to have a "new skin". That's how my mind perceives this one.

SmallTownCoins · October 25, 2012 12:21AM

looks like it was put in a rock tumbler with silica sand..
Lots of mail order company's do that...

DorkGirl · October 25, 2012 12:30AM

<< looks like it was put in a rock tumbler with silica sand..
Lots of mail order company's do that... >>

Why?

SmallTownCoins · October 25, 2012 12:33AM

<< 

<< looks like it was put in a rock tumbler with silica sand..
Lots of mail order company's do that... >>

Why? >>

Makes them look new and shiney ....

DorkGirl · October 25, 2012 12:34AM

Oh, got it.

ColonelJessup · October 25, 2012 2:34AM

<< well it wasn't polished or harshly cleaned....

So I'd like to take a shot at silver tarnish removal paste applied with a soft sponge. >>

or close enough.

The first edition of Van Allen-Mallis (1973?) recommended baking soda treatment so variety diagnostics were more easily viewable. Things change much?

A pity; hell of a strong strike for the issue.

magikbilly · October 25, 2012 2:37AM

<< 

<< well it wasn't polished or harshly cleaned....

So I'd like to take a shot at silver tarnish removal paste applied with a soft sponge. >>

or close enough.

The first edition of Van Allen-Mallis (1973?) recommended baking soda treatment so variety diagnostics were more easily viewable. Things change much?

A pity; hell of a strong strike for the issue. >>

Gee Colonel,

with advice like that perhaps Malice and not Mallis?

Just kidding, I'm sure there was no bad intent. I recall when that book was the rage. I was a tiny collector..

Best wishes,
Eric

grip · October 25, 2012 2:46AM

<< While it does look cleaned, that "scaley" look is often found on 1924 dated coins in particular. >>

...and I don't think anything was done to it.

ColonelJessup · October 25, 2012 7:52AM

<< 

[The first edition of Van Allen-Mallis (1973?) recommended baking soda treatment so variety diagnostics were more easily viewable...

Just kidding, I'm sure there was no bad intent. ..... >>

I was a tiny collector then too.

No bad intent whatsoever. Most VAMs are common dates and were virtually bullion at the time.

Actually my remark about baking soda was incomplete. It was recommended that the coin be dipped and subsequently soda'd (applied with a toothbrush!) to neutralize the dip.

Loads of stuff I remember from the seventies actually is true and accurate. This could one of those instances.

What caused this unnatural surface on a 1921 Peace $1???

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