PCGS Restoration service
one_fine_dime
Posts: 21 ✭✭✭
I won this 1919-S at Heritage a couple years ago. Recently a very experienced and reputable professional numismatist pointed out that it has PVC contamination. I'm assuming that's what the greenish coloring is in spots. Since I understand PVC contamination can get worse and actually harm the coin's surface, I want to address this. I'm planning to submit to PCGS for the Restoration service, assuming they agree with MS62 minimum.
If I just submit for the Restoration service without any message, would they likely both use acetone to remove the PVC and use a coin brightener solution to remove toning? I understand the Restoration service will often be used to remove toning and brighten a coin. If I only want the PVC removed, do you think I should add a very clear note to ensure the natural toning remains untouched (i.e., "PVC REMOVAL ONLY").
Let me know what you think. Thanks.
Comments
Are the green spots stable and unchanged in several years? I like the small ANACS slabs and I hate to see one be destroyed. If it were my coin and the green spots are stable, I'd keep the coin where it is.
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you can try a note.
make sure the note is huge.
then pray they follow it
i personally would like the color goe too. i think it would take away $$. but it's your opinion that counts
You can write a book and send it with your submission if you want, but it won't make any difference. When you ask for restoration you are giving PCGS a blank check to do what they think is necessary. One of the possible outcomes is you get back a shiny coin in an UNC details holder. PCGS does not grade the coin until after the restoration, there is no way they can properly evaluate the surface until the goo is removed. And given the age of that holder it is possible that the surface could be etched, not guaranteed but possible.
If you only want acetone used then crack it yourself and use acetone, that is the only way to ensure that only acetone is used.
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I think this is the answer.
And there is really no way for you to go wrong with acetone, just make sure you buy 100% acetone, not nail polish remover that may be 99% acetone.
There is no grade guarantee for an ANACS coin to cross over at PCGS, there is not really any premium for the later numeric only ANACS holders, and it will be much cheaper and quicker to not have PCGS do the restoration.
If you want the coin restored and in a PCGS holder, it's a no-brainer to me.
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Yeah, I'm with you. I have several other small white ANACS holders. But I have absolutely no way to tell what "stable" really means with PVC, and with a valuable coin like this, I'm not sure I want to take a chance.
Yea, dipped coins are not original, they strip away surface metal. So I don't want this coin dipped. I abhor dipped out coins.
Not sure what you mean by "grade guarantee". I think potential premiums for ANCACS small white holders is based on individual collector demand. Maybe only the alpha-numeric ANA holders are currently at a premium, but in a few years all ANACS soapbox holders might be.
I sent my entire collection to a reputable coin dealer to help with CAC and PCGS submissions, so the coin is with them. I'll ask them for advice, and likely have them just write a BIG note about it.
Thanks all.
If PCGS restores a coin in a PCGS holder it has a grade guarantee meaning the coin will not come back with a lower grade than is currently on the holder and will not details grade (if in a straight graded holder).
If PCGS is restoring and crossing over your ANACS (or other TPG) coin, they do not guarantee the current grade of 62. So, once they crack the coin out, you may get the coin back in a different grade or potentially in a details grade.
Meaning, If you want them to crack it out and acetone dip it anyway, there is no benefit to having them do that versus you doing it yourself. And in fact it's a detriment because they will charge you additional fees.
https://www.pcgs.com/restoration/
chopmarkedtradedollars.com
Ok, I found this: https://www.pcgs.com/restoration
Maybe I'm getting nervous about nothing, but I'd just hate to see this specimen turned into another artificially bright white coin.
Agree with most of the above. One other thing to mention is that PVC is not just green blobs or film. It can have other colors including a brownish one. Here is a link to a thread I did where I took a lot of pictures at different angles to try and capture the different looks of the PVC on the coins. I then removed the PVC (no acid dip used).
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1077719/please-allow-me-to-introduce-myself-i-am-pvc-update-completed
The OP coin, in my opinion, has a good chance to have PVC in areas other than what appears green. Acetone will remove the film and could alter the 'toned' areas also because it is not all toning. Or if there is a film over the toning the film will be removed by the acetone.
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Looks like the PVC was very visible/active when Heritage auctioned it, based on the slab photos. Perhaps you got a "deal" on it when purchased.
Since you don't seem to care about the small ANACS holder, I'd probably just auction it off (you may attract a buyer who likes the old holder and tolerates the PVC) and reinvest the funds into another coin.
Dealing with PCGS Restoration (months and months) or a DIY job at home may leave you worse off and be an avoidable headache.
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My belief is you cannot remove pvc without affecting the color. I sent some in from the kingdom of Hawaii. The silver was getting really dark. I don’t know if PCGS can help . They sure can’t hurt the historical significance despite our “improper”housing of coins over a couple centuries of ignorance.
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Either acetone a similar solvent with xylene available at Home Depot as "Goof Off" in a well ventilated space would probably remove the goo.
(Wrong thread)
@coinbuf 's reply is spot on. I have extensive experience with PCGS restoration. They will do what they want to get the job done. With that said, they are generally pretty conservative and will do what's in the best interest of the coin with a bias toward keeping toning vs getting rid of it. They are very cognizant and really try to avoid making it look worse.
Note that with no PVC present, PCGS will usually deny to restore coins to remove toning. Since yours has PVC though, you really should either "fix" (restore) the coin or sell it as-is because it's a problem coin and it can only get worse. I don't see a lot of harm in trying to do it yourself if you are comfortable with that.