Is there anybody here that does slab restoration?
USMarine6
Posts: 2,046 ✭✭✭✭✭
I've got this OGH that I would like to have some work done to the slab. I just don't trust myself to do it. It almost seems like something was spilled on it around the label area and then dried.
1
Comments
You should be able to fix that with a bit of PlastX plastic polish.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Since it doesn’t affect the view of the coin, I would be inclined to leave it alone.
I did try a little bit of that but it didn't make a difference
Perhaps something got on it that stained/slightly melted the plastic. It may be permanent in that case.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Maybe one of those headlight restore kits.
I wish someone would come up with and document a mechanical process for doing this. I'm sure there is a way. I've had OK results with PlastX. Maybe I don't have enough patience to rub it long enough, but one would think that there's a way to get rood results with a polishing wheel or die grinder with the right attachment. I just haven't tried it.
It is difficult to tell, this almost looks like the plastic has been damaged within. If it is just on the outside surface, regular toothpaste (not gel) preferably with baking soda is used to clean and restore headlight lenses, that might help.
grinders and grinders and dremels turn too fast and will heat the plastic. it can damage the plastic such that it can't be restored. perhaps it was done here
have you tried plastx and a toothbrush?
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/947337/restoring-scratched-slabs-version-2-1-new-improved
I used some this week to remove scratches from a slab window. You can whiz a slab, but not a coin.
Looks like some acetone spilled on it at one time.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I've had excellent results with a buffing wheel on a drill with Slab Renew. They no longer sell Slab Renew, but I imagine you could use Plastx the same way. Don't go full speed, but put a little pressure behind it. Stay away from holograms, gold embossing, CAC stickers, etc. If it's small surface scratches, it's relatively quick, but deeper scratches will take multiple buffing sessions. I can't exactly tell what your damage is; hopefully, it's not too deep to save but @TomB could be right that something like acetone spilled on it.
I've done this method with many of my OGHs and NGC 2.0-2.1's, not saying that everything is fixable, but it's amazing what a little elbow grease will do.
Successful BST transactions- Bfjohnson, Collectorcoins, 1peter223, Shrub68, Byers, Greencopper, Coinlieutenant, Coinhunter4, SurfinxHI, ProfLiz
Have PCGS reholder it for you
I believe that product has been discontinued......I loved it.
Now that you mention it I think this may be case case
Nice half. Looks like obverse 7 to me. WB-9 or WB-10?
The plastic looks like it chemically etched. If deep, you might need a polishing wheel and extremes like in the link yosclimber posted above. Maybe someone should start up a side hobby of restoring old collectible slabs.
Yes I was hoping to find someone here that does just that
Why not get it reholdered ?
Because he likes the OGH and doesn’t want to lose it.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
A new slab should have the same label and a holder that would be less likely to allow the coin to rotate.
You are kidding, right?
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
I would get it reordered. That would drive me nuts.
I like the gold shield most of all
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP BruceS bigjpst
JWP
Sorry, not the same label but same numbers.
So you think it would be a good decision to lose the OGH label (and the potential price bump that has) for a new non special holder so it does not rotate?? Why do you think the coin rotates in this holder? This is not a rattler holder.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
There may be a ring insert in that one but they still somehow rotate. They weren't left rotated when originally holdered. So for me yes I would rather have an old NGC fatty reholdered in new plastic with the original number which allows me to view the coin without it feeling like sleepers in my eyes.
I have seen on many occasions a brand new PCGS holder with the coin rotated as much or more than what you see in the op photos. Contrary to your assertion PCGS does not always get the coin perfectly straight when placing into the holder.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
This
I use Novus plastic cleaning compound, comes in 3 bottles, which I use on my pinball machines to buff out any scratches on the plastic coating of the field. But PlastX should work just as well with effort. It takes a lot of work, it is not just a quick rub. (like some long days)
But the location here looks to be extremely difficult other than the flat surface over the label, if possible at all and does look to me like it was an acetone spill or another agent that similarly attacks plastic. You should be able to buff out the flat plastic area over the label, but there is no way to repair the seams and edges, and that seems to run down the edge of the holder to the bottom half of the left side.
You will have to live with just improving the label area, or reholder, you will not get that holder anywhere near back to normal looking otherwise. Looks like a Gen 3.1 or 3.0, so at least not a highly valuable holder. Your call.
Well, I'm happy to see someone posted a link the the thread I made about this. It's pretty easy to do.
To the OP, shoot me a PM, if you want. It should be easy to improve that slab considerably.
I knew this stuff existed, just couldn't find it! That explains that...
“Land of the free because of the brave”
“Saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone”
In Deo solo confidimus
Member since 2026
Successful BST transactions with: Ted 1, JWP, bigjpst, Vetter, nickelsciolist,
With a miniature Dremel tool with the right attachments will speed up the process!
Leo
The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!
My Jefferson Nickel Collection