What is this stuff on this nice 1916 FB Mercury?

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john_nyc1
john_nyc1 Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum


Is it "toning"? Verdigris ?

Anything to do about if it is not to one's taste?

Thanks!
John

Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

Comments

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    looks like toning and finding one that is all white from 100 years ago will be more than just a challenge
    examine coin pictures from here: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1916-10c-mercury/4904

    getting rid of all the spots may not be possible. it looks like someone has given it a good try already

    this is about the best you can expect out of white

    .

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks like toning, but it might or might not have been dipped.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • mark_dak
    mark_dak Posts: 1,161 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Looks like toning to me

    Mark

  • The_Dinosaur_Man
    The_Dinosaur_Man Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I'd say that's toning. If the spots appeared on the face, you could have said Liberty had a case of the freckles.

    Custom album maker and numismatic photographer.
    Need a personalized album made? Design it on the website below and I'll build it for you.
    https://www.donahuenumismatics.com/.

  • Shurke
    Shurke Posts: 782 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I’m in the toning camp as well.

  • Steven59
    Steven59 Posts: 11,232 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Shurke said:
    I’m in the toning camp as well.

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,111 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Toning of some type 🙂

  • john_nyc1
    john_nyc1 Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
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    Thank you all.

    Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

  • Crypto
    Crypto Posts: 4,098 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @TomB said:
    Looks like toning, but it might or might not have been dipped.

    True but with the spots as thick as they are, it is doubtful there wouldn't be any thinner spots around. Esp seeing the faded spots on the portrait I would guess @PeakRarities nailed it

    11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set

  • braddick
    braddick Posts: 25,190 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    An example that is a bit more extreme:


  • john_nyc1
    john_nyc1 Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
    edited May 7, 2025 7:37PM
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    At that extreme @braddick it’s much cooler, imo! Good thing I stopped dropping LSD this week. :)

    Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 8, 2025 11:23AM
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    Connecticut half -

    Was this bought sight unseen?

    Badly spotted. Appears to be biological attack. This subject is discussed in the Coin Preservation Handbook. Shop it around the bourse at a show and see what they offer / say.

    The coin looks ruined to me. Send it in for conservation?

    The Merc - appears to be biological attack. What a shame - with its nice luster and without that wb PQ. Would a dip get that off? Another for the conservation staff.

    Investor
  • braddick
    braddick Posts: 25,190 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Cougar1978 said:
    Connecticut half

    Badly spotted. Appears to be biological attack. This subject is discussed in the Coin Preservation Handbook. Shop it around the bourse at a show and see what they offer / say.

    The coin looks ruined to me. Send it in for conservation?

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,192 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The Connecticut commem looks just like so many of this issue that I have seen come out of their original, bank-issued boxes raw.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    the merc looks well dipped

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • john_nyc1
    john_nyc1 Posts: 249 ✭✭✭
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    This wasn't GTG but adding for the heck of it.

    Casual collector: Morgans & Peace Dollars & 20th Century Type Set. Successful BST transactions with ProofCollection, Morgan13, CoinFinder, CoinHunter4, Bretsan.

  • Cougar1978
    Cougar1978 Posts: 10,067 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for sharing / best of luck.

    Investor

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