Question about dipping a Morgan

Morgan13 · January 16, 2026 4:00PM

I am not a fan of the toning on this coin but I am afraid to dip it for fear of losing the frost which I like very much.
Has anyone had any experience with this type of situation?

Peasantry · January 16, 2026 5:18PM

That looks like more stubborn toning; longer bath. More textured/less PL surfaces also tend to add to the length of bath needed. Neither bodes well for frost.

There's also the random dark spots; seemingly a different type issue from the splotchy rim toning. I don't think the cheek or bonnet spots ever fully clear up. Bonnet spot is for sure leaving a mark post dip.

Morgan13 · January 16, 2026 5:26PM

@Peasantry I won't dip it if thats the case. Ill leave it alone. Not worth the compromise. I like the frost way to much.
I am still curious if anyone has had any luck.
Would MS70 do any good. I dont even know if that stuff removes toning.

Cougar1978 · January 16, 2026 5:31PM

Not a fan of tarnish - I have dipped a number of coins in my life , even rolls in chasing Gem BU / PQ. Many of these projects were successful. However I am skeptical much can be done for your coin. Send it in to our hosts for conservation? Beyond that some things just not meant to be.

Can see it in a raw coin for somebody’s show browse box in flip (Unc?) in 2x2. As far as pricing, your call.

ELVIS1 · January 16, 2026 5:52PM

I don't think the dip would harm the coin but I think it will expose it.

Morgan13 · January 16, 2026 6:46PM

@ELVIS1 said:
I don't think the dip would harm the coin but I think it will expose it.

Not sure what you mean when you say "expose it".
My main concern is losing the frost on the devices. Its just amazing.

ProofCollection · January 16, 2026 6:56PM

I've never lost any frost from dipping. I'd be surprised if those carbon spots improve but the toning will get removed which may make the spots stand out more.

Morgan13 · January 16, 2026 8:05PM

Yea bummer about those spots. I paid $90 for this 1880-O and its uncirculated. It has alot going for it.
I think I'll give it a dip and see what happens.

ELVIS1 · January 16, 2026 8:55PM

@Morgan13 said:

@ELVIS1 said:
I don't think the dip would harm the coin but I think it will expose it.

Not sure what you mean when you say "expose it".
My main concern is losing the frost on the devices. Its just amazing.

I think the obverse is really weakly struck through the face, all along the hair, the cap and wheat and cotton balls which is actually the reverse of most O mint Morgans of this year because the Eagles breast is usually the weak spot.
Just my opinion and I am wrong a lot so I could be blowing smoke.

Bochiman · January 16, 2026 10:55PM

If any of that is "terminal", you are likely to see the upper metal surface removed where the "toning" was. That will affect the look of the coin as well. You won't like it. I'm pretty sure of that.

If you don't like it, as is, it's best to find a replacement you do like and sell that one to offset the cost.

dipset512 · January 16, 2026 10:59PM

I’ve dipped one similar to this one. I would dip for less than 2 seconds and rinse and see the result instead of dipping for say 10 seconds. No frost was ever lost.

Morgan13 · January 17, 2026 9:10AM

@dipset512 I will think about giving that a try.

skier07 · January 17, 2026 9:26AM

I don’t see how you could make the coin look any worse conserving it yourself with acetone, dip, MS70 etc.
You’re in the coin at a slight premium to melt so your downside risk is very minimal unless you like the coin as is.

dipset512 · January 17, 2026 11:56AM

@Morgan13 said:
@dipset512 I will think about giving that a try.

I'll expand on some additional points. My dips were done using EZest. When you dip a coin like that and remove it from the dip, sometimes it'll still show a little toning; however, once you rinse and pat dry (never wipe), it'll look very different. Looking at the coin and it not looking how you envision right when you pull it out could cause one to do additional dipping which could only further damage the coin.

Ones that I won't dip now are any mirror like surfaces as in my experience, they become cloudy.

I've also experimented with dipping a Q-Tip in dip and then quickly going over the area in question. I wouldn't advise this because the surfaces will not look even.

coastaljerseyguy · January 17, 2026 12:24PM

A quick dip shouldn't do any harm unless there is something hidden underneath. A better date if if it comes out right, you're in the money.

If you dip, have a glass of water mixed with a little A&H baking soda for a quick dip to neutralize the acid, and you won't have to rush the rinse. Just a tablespoon in about 8 oz of water should do the trick. More coins were ruined by dipping due to an improper rinse then the quick dip. You do not want to leave any residue of acid on the coin. Also do you have those dip tongs, mine are blue bought 20 years ago. I always wonder when folks say dip the coin how they do it to submerge the whole coin quickly without it falling on the counter or in the sink.

dipset512 · January 17, 2026 12:48PM

@coastaljerseyguy said:
I always wonder when folks say dip the coin how they do it to submerge the whole coin quickly without it falling on the counter or in the sink.

This dip comes with a tray thingy to submerge.

coastaljerseyguy · January 17, 2026 1:06PM

@dipset512

Wow new & improved, at least from the container. Mine doesn't have that but also around 20 years old. Wonder if the formula/strength is the same. Not a big dipper, only if horrible toning on an UNC.

Maywood · January 17, 2026 1:35PM

Not sure where the OP is coming from when saying “losing frost” by dipping the coin. A dip won’t affect frost but it will remove haze.

Peasantry · January 17, 2026 5:11PM

H> @Maywood said:

Not sure where the OP is coming from when saying “losing frost” by dipping the coin. A dip won’t affect frost but it will remove haze.

Dip is acid. It removes metal. Short exposure equals less metal gone. Long exposure more. A flawless proof or PL surface is just flatter metal; less surface area exposed to the acid. Frost or cartwheel luster surfaces are textured metal; greater surface area exposed to the acid. A textured metal surface will be more effected by a dip than a flat surface; dulling, reduction in luster/frost, etc.

It's not that frost and luster will disappear instantly, but they're more prone to being negatively effected than a flat surface.

ELVIS1 · January 17, 2026 7:43PM

I have dipped in eZest for 20 seconds and got a point and plus increase.
I am not recommending it but it worked for me.

Morgan13 · January 18, 2026 4:27AM

@ELVIS1 said:
I have dipped in eZest for 20 seconds and got a point and plus increase.
I am not recommending it but it worked for me.

Do you have any before images of this WLH. Looks pretty nice to me but I can still see some small spots of toning.

PeakRarities · January 18, 2026 5:19AM

@coastaljerseyguy said:
@dipset512

Wow new & improved, at least from the container. Mine doesn't have that but also around 20 years old. Wonder if the formula/strength is the same. Not a big dipper, only if horrible toning on an UNC.

I’d get rid of it and buy new, I’ve had issues with old e zest before and it’s cheap enough not to take risk.

It was recommended to me from an industry titan to buy one of the gallon jugs and refill a small jar each time I want to dip a coin. Every time a coin is dipped, it leaves behind silver oxide that will collect in the bottom of the jar. Also if you’re rinsing in between dips, it gradually dilutes the small jar if there’s water on the coin. I don’t know the science behind it, but when I continued to use the small jar with the little basket for multiple coins it seemed to have lost its strength over time.

Morgan13 · January 18, 2026 8:49AM

@Peasantry said:
H> @Maywood said:

Not sure where the OP is coming from when saying “losing frost” by dipping the coin. A dip won’t affect frost but it will remove haze.

Dip is acid. It removes metal. Short exposure equals less metal gone. Long exposure more. A flawless proof or PL surface is just flatter metal; less surface area exposed to the acid. Frost or cartwheel luster surfaces are textured metal; greater surface area exposed to the acid. A textured metal surface will be more effected by a dip than a flat surface; dulling, reduction in luster/frost, etc.

It's not that frost and luster will disappear instantly, but they're more prone to being negatively effected than a flat surface.

I also believe that the frost is not like the frost of today. It appears to me to be almost a powder attached to the metal of the coin.
Instinctively I can envision it melting right off the coin using ezest.
I could be wrong because I have nothing to support my thoughts on that.
Always looking for advice of considerate board members.
Id love to dip this coin and be done with the toning and just have a nice frosty Morgan.
I just need to be confident before doing so.
It would really be a bummer to ruin this coin regardless of its dollar value.
It has a place in my collection, I like it.
Some may feel different becasue of possible soft devices under the toning or the carbon spots which may or may not be removed or lightened.
I can overlook them myself because I will enjoy the better qualities of the coin.
I didnt buy this one to sell it.

rooksmith · January 18, 2026 9:29AM

I'm sort of surprised the anti-dip zealots arent jumping on this. I find it refreshingly honest. My old friend the neigborhood (coin) dealer, used to say: "Never dip a coin, leave it to the expert (me)". All his coins were brilliant white.

ELVIS1 · January 18, 2026 1:32PM

@Morgan13 said:

@ELVIS1 said:
I have dipped in eZest for 20 seconds and got a point and plus increase.
I am not recommending it but it worked for me.

Do you have any before images of this WLH. Looks pretty nice to me but I can still see some small spots of toning.

No but I do have the ICG MS 64 label..
I think that the toning spots in the truviews are artifacts because I don't see them in hand.
Really bad phone pic

dipset512 · January 18, 2026 2:24PM

Here is a before and after of a coin I dipped that has frost. The first picture is taken in the slab so the lighting is a bit different from the second one; however, you can see how it doesn't mess with the frost.

Maywood · January 18, 2026 7:28PM

I also believe that the frost is not like the frost of today. It appears to me to be almost a powder attached to the metal of the coin. Instinctively I can envision it melting right off the coin using ezest.

Some of the responding members here clearly don't understand what "frost" is and the die preparation involved in achieving that finish on coins. Maybe read before you criticize those of us who do.

PTVETTER · January 18, 2026 8:04PM

I would try a number of other options!
put it in acetone first.
at some point maybe MS70.
LAST choice is dipping it!
I'm sure there are other steps, but I don't all of those.

Morgan13 · January 19, 2026 3:12AM

This coin is part of a collection that I am slowly purchasing. These coins have not seen the light of day in decades.
Pretty cool to buy nice fresh coins with all original toning.

seatedlib3991 · January 19, 2026 7:14AM

@Morgan13. I have no experience but what I have seen in pictures. The experts say the mint blossom will remain. The comment about accenting the black spots scares me. You definitley don'y want that to happen. Good luck no matter what you decide.; and I hope you post followup shots good or bad results. James

Morgan13 · January 19, 2026 7:42AM

@SeatedLiberty I am going take a very slow approach.
Ill try mild stuff like acetone or MS70 before I go to the hard stuff.....

Question about dipping a Morgan

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