How would you conserve this half dollar?
AUandAG
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This coin has nice rim toning, is a proof, and has over the years developed a light haze (most notable in the pic, under the date and behind Ben's head). I do not want to harm the coin or remove the toning. But, the haze is driving me nuts and I would like very much to remove it. Sorry for bad pic through plastic.....but you get the drift I'm sure.
Your thoughts?
bob:)
Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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I am not sure if the haze can be lifted. The 1954 Proof sets were shipped in two kinds of sleeves. During the first part of the year, the coins were packaged in celluloid sleeves as had been done for the 1950 to ’53 sets, and probably for the sets from the ‘30s and ’40s. Then the mint switched to plastic sleeves which deposited haze and toning on the coins. This haze and toning was seldom attractive, and it’s been my experience that it does not dip off well.
This is one of the reasons why the 1955 box Proof sets have a lower bid than the flat packs. All of the ’55 box sets were housed in the plastic sleeves.
How do the rest of the silver coins look in the set? Are they free of the haze? If so, maybe it’s the more normal haze that might dip off the coin.
I see what appears to be marks that may be on the coin or the plastic. The marks are on the coin, I would not spend the big bucks to get it conserved by PCGS or NGC. It still might be marginal to have it done in any case given the value of the piece.
Yes, the remaining coins are haze free. At least as of now! Just the half is hazing over time. I got the set in the Capital plastic holder so don't know which packaging. When I bought the set (40 years ago, maybe more) there was no hazing but it had already rim toned. The toning is stable and has not changed.
bob
Chances are the haze will dip off, but I don't know how the luster will be after it's done. It should be okay, but you can never know for sure.
Not trying to be an a$$, but a good rule of thumb is that if you have to ask, do not do it. There is NOTHING wrong with this coin. If it is "driving you crazy" get one that will not, but there is nothing to "fix" here.
First. I'm not a coin doctor. I am not a chemist either so I don't know how things work. I do all this in the back of the VW bus I live in at the campground with a water and electrical hookup. I just like to clean things. What I write is not anything secret as anyone with a little common sense could figure this out for themselves just as I have with a few coins to practice on over the years.
I recommend "area conservation" on this one. Since the color of the coin indicates "originality" the "trick" is to remove the haze while leaving the color. Acetone should not remove the color but MAY remove the haze. Use a Q-tip and roll the chemical on - no rubbing! I keep the bus windows open and a fan on when working with acetone. You'll want to start in the middle and blend the haze removal with the colored area making sure there is no distinct "line of demarcation" between the haze removal and the untouched area. If the acetone does not work, Try soap and water, then try very dilute MS-70. Make sure to use hot, soapy water and then distilled water. I dry my coins with the same hot hair dryer I use on my dog, Mr. Chips.
PS Perhaps this is a coin you should not touch at all as it looks nice and lots of folks will buy it just as is.
I can tell from dealer experience that hazed silver Proof coins are bears to sell, even when they are certitified. I had a 1940 Proof Mercury Dime that was in an NGC PR-66 holder (this was 10+ years ago) that was mark free, never dipped original surfaces, but it had the original haze that Roger Buirdette speaks of in his new book. I couldn't sell the piece.
A veteran dealer told me that the coin should have been dipped for haze before it was put in the holder. I came to the conclusion that he was right. I ultimately sold the coin at a loss, which was unusual for me.
I'd try a soak in acetone. Shouldn't harm the toning but is likely to remove the haze.
I use a plastic forceps to hold the coin - then I pour acetone in two glass cups. Dip for a while in the first and then use the second as a rinse.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
...70% dip strength lightly rolled on by a q-tip and immediately stabilized right after in warm soapy water and then rinse clean with distilled water and finish with a quick acetone rinse. I'm no pro but I'm not scared either
I've heard that sudsy ammonia is good for removing some haze and "hardening" mirrors without affecting toning, but I really don't know to what extent it is effective. I'd experiment on something with lower value, first. If someone has tried this on lightly hazed proof coins, please comment.
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I'd keep it how it is. If you want to try I would only use an acetone rinse as described above. I doubt it will do anything to the haze, though.
Whole lot of good info here! sudsy ammonia is another good product. Pretty soon we'll know all the chemicals in my bus!
BUT...While I agree with this: @Cameonut said: "I'd try a soak in acetone. Shouldn't harm the toning but is likely to remove the haze."
I disagree with this 100%: "I use a PLASTIC forceps to hold the coin - then I pour acetone in two glass cups. Dip for a while in the first and then use the second as a rinse."
Plastic and acetone do not mix. Most will eventually dissolve and the acetone will become contaminated and leave a coating on your coin that needs to be removed with fresh acetone.
I agree with the acetone comments. If that doesn't work, I would leave it alone since you don't want to lose the toning by dipping it.
Thanks all, I'll just leave it as it is for another 40 years or so......check estate sale of coins on ebay in ten years or so and you may say "I know I saw that coin somewhere before, hmmmmm".
bob
If it can be removed. if it were my coin and if I wanted to give it a try....I would use MS70.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
Try the acetone soak first ...no plastic forceps....rinse with alcohol then hot, running water. If that does not work, and it may not... try Conserve cleaner.... and rinse the same way. Cheers, RickO
Two shots of Bailey's Irish cream added to your coffee will fix it. And to make sure: quit looking at it.
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I agree with insider on this one; also I use Conserv which works ok.
I should have been more specific with respect to the forceps as some plastics don't mix with solvents.
These are the tongs I have used for over a decade. I have soaked them in acetone for hours with no apparent effects. Even though I have soaked the tongs, I normally do not do that in practice. A few seconds/minutes usually does the trick. I like these tongs because you can get a good grip on the edge of the coin and it locks in place, thus reducing those unfortunate "drops".
Available at Wizard for a few dollars. Kointongs are Cameonut approved!
wizardcoinsupply.com/product/kointong.html
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!