Do copper spots on gold coins lower their value?

clw54 · January 23, 2005 7:00AM

I don't mind them at all, but do they affect price?

CarlWohlforth · January 23, 2005 7:05AM

I think they do keep the gold coin from realizing a PQ price for the grade.

nwcs · January 23, 2005 7:07AM

Depends on how many and how ugly. Mild ones that are not distracting don't affect price much. Big splotchyn and unsightly ones affect the price a lot.

Lakesammman · January 23, 2005 7:18AM

I'm told it's a sign of originality that disappears after dipping. Is that a old-wives tale??

RYK · January 23, 2005 7:28AM

As long as the copper spots are not too prominent or too many, they rarely significantly affect grade and value. If I am buying a generic coin, I would avoid the coin with the obtrusive spot--if a rare coin, it would not sway me nearly as much.

I'm told it's a sign of originality that disappears after dipping.

I have been told the same, and though I have seen lightly dipped coins with copper spots, I have not seen heavily or over-dipped or harshly cleaned coins with them. (Observations from my limited experience)

nwcs · January 23, 2005 7:28AM

It won't disappear with a dipping. At least the big ones won't. But they can still come back.

coinguy1 · January 23, 2005 7:34AM

Some buyers will pay less for such coins or not buy them at all. The end result is that copper-spotted gold coins are often less liquid than non-spotted ones, even if they end up bringing the same price.

Depending upon the color, location and size of the copper spots/stains, they can be quite attractive in some instances.

JohnMaben · January 23, 2005 8:46AM

In the case of generic gold coins that are fully maxed out, yes, it can make a 5-15% difference in the value. However if the coin is high end (PQ if you will) the spots don't mean squat. Bear in mind, in most cases copper spots can be removed (professionally) with zero trace of the spots or the removal, so they should not be likened to other spots that are of a corrosive nature.

John

pharmer · January 23, 2005 10:23AM

I don't have my Redbook here to see % composition, but are gold coins you're referring to gold mixed with copper? Sort of thought they were not 100% gold, but didn't know the other component(s). The copper spots aren't just a discoloration of gold, or are they? Just a generic term to refer to the color of the spot? Thanks.

291fifth · January 23, 2005 10:36AM

Anything that detracts from eye-appeal will lower the value of a coin. This is especially true in today's very picky market.

au58 · January 23, 2005 10:54AM

Yes, almost always.

clw54 · January 23, 2005 11:05AM

<< <i>I don't have my Redbook here to see % composition, but are gold coins you're referring to gold mixed with copper? Sort of thought they were not 100% gold, but didn't know the other component(s). The copper spots aren't just a discoloration of gold, or are they? Just a generic term to refer to the color of the spot? Thanks. >>

According to my Red Bood, the half eagles from 1866 to 1908 are 90% gold, 10% copper. I don't think it would be feasible to make them pure gold, because it's so soft.

Do copper spots on gold coins lower their value?

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