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Coin Doctor for my Gobrecht?

Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭
Allen Stockton has a great reputation for quality work are there any others who can fix a damaged coin?

I bought a Gobrecht Dollar and its got some pretty messed up fields. This coin is one I never expected to own and even in the heavily damaged state that it is in, it was still a lot of money. I would like to send it to an expert to restore it.

image

Comments

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,894 ✭✭✭✭✭
    That's one of my all-time favorite coins. How cool to own one.

    Sorry I can't help with a recommendation. I'm not sure I would want any more "work" done to it, though.
    Lance.
  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 13,113 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you contact Stockton? I know he plugs holes nicely, not sure if he can do anything with deep scratches.
  • Bayard1908Bayard1908 Posts: 4,095 ✭✭✭✭
    That coin probably had a very interesting 19th Century inscription
  • Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭
    Ive sent him an email with a photo to get his thoughts. His turn around is about 4 months. I would hate to be parted with it for so long!
  • Are you planning on taking the "NY" off of it too, or just the scratches?
    imageimageimage
  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The signature line is appalling. Buying damaged coins and then having them worked on will only aggravate the already notable problem with tooled coins in the marketplace.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭
    I would want to consult with the Mr. Stockton or whoever will be restoring the coin before deciding. I dont want to make this coin into a frankenstein.
  • Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The signature line is appalling. Buying damaged coins and then having them worked on will only aggravate the already notable problem with tooled coins in the marketplace. >>



    I respectfully disagree. This is the kind of "doctoring" that should be done. We are not talking about artificially toning or attempting to undo a cleaning. We are talking about fixing damage that was done to a treasure of a coin. This falls under restoration and the purpose is not for me to resale and fool anyone. I just want to look at my coin and see it as it was supposed to be seen before some 19th century vandal did this.
  • rld14rld14 Posts: 2,390 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The signature line is appalling. Buying damaged coins and then having them worked on will only aggravate the already notable problem with tooled coins in the marketplace. >>



    I personally have NO problem with that coin being restored whatsoever, so long as that coin ends up right back in a Details/Genuine holder showing repaired/tooled/etc

    If I were Speety, I'd have that 70-S dollar restored, and of course would have it holdered as such.
    Bear's "Growl of Approval" award 10/09 & 3/10 | "YOU SUCK" - PonyExpress8|"F the doctors!" - homerunhall | I hate my car
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,897 ✭✭✭✭✭
    NO!

    DON'T MESS WITH IT!

    Better to have an original "damaged" coin than a tinkered-with piece! That's contemporary damage. The graffiti is part of the history of that coin (and O, What A Coin It Is- and what a history, no doubt!)

    OK, the fields are a bit messed up, but even if some buffing or tooling or other trickery is used, they're still gonna be messed up.

    I'll take 19th century messed-up over 21st century messed-up any day.

    Please tell me you won't be having a doctor (no matter how skilled) playing with that.

    (Edit/PS- I have no idea why this prompted such a knee-jerk reaction in me. I'm a little bit surprised. Of course I see it from your point of view, too, and totally understand the desire to repair it. I still disagree with that notion, but I do see both sides on the issue.)

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  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I wonder what the inscription said? It was probably well done and very cool.image
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

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

    image
  • I think it is an amazing coin as is. That said, I'm not into the perfection thing, tinkered with in the past, tinkered with in the present, it is still a great coin. Do what will make you happiest. I'd gladly take it in either condition.
  • lordmarcovanlordmarcovan Posts: 43,897 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>That coin probably had a very interesting 19th Century inscription >>

    You mean, in the fields, where the scrubbing was done? Interesting. Is that true, ATA76? Do you have closeups? How intriguing.

    I suspect the same might be true of my 1860 $3, in the same area of the fields, in front of the face. It looks as though there had once been something engraved or punched there, which was later obliterated.

    Of course I would much rather that this engraving or counterstamp, whatever it was, had remained intact, instead of being so harshly removed. In fact, now that the shoe is on the other foot, I could see where I would be almost tempted to have that area doctored, if this were a more valuable or visually appealing coin. I wouldn't want the hole fixed, though- it fits my whole "holey" schtick and makes a nice front-and-center piece on my trademark Holey Gold Hat. If it had initials or a surviving counterstamp, I would never want them repaired, and would consider them a plus and not a minus, since the coin is already "damaged goods" anyway. (There is plain old damage and there is interesting damage, if you knowhutimean.)

    I'll amend my earlier cries of anguish slightly (only very slightly) to say that if you want to get those field scuffs worked on, OK by me, but don't remove the N. Y. initials. They could end up having a very fascinating historical connection, and on something so rare as a Gobrecht dollar, that connection might actually be traceable.

    Aren't you glad I'm giving you "permission" to have part of your coin worked on? imageimage

    (I also worry that doctoring would change the color of the coin slightly, and I like its current grey look, original or not.)

    Explore collections of lordmarcovan on CollecOnline, management, safe-keeping, sharing and valuation solution for art piece and collectibles.
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,340 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have to agree it is really too bad that whatever was inscribed in the fields (I suspect there was something) is now gone. The N. and Y. look fabulous.

    Personally, I would enjoy it for what it is, and not have anything more done. Anything more would take away from it's current state, no matter how well done, and to me that is another layer of "originality" gone.

    In fact I would free it and just keep a pciture of it in the slab, and the tag.

    But that's me ... it's your coin.

    Whatever you decide to do, take care of it as you see best ... and thanks for sharing it ... a true treasure. image



    “We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”

    Todd - BHNC #242
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    Ah so YOU are the one who outbid me! Great coin! I love the character it has. I did win another coin I always wanted so I am happy.
    Congrats on a great coin!
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • speetyspeety Posts: 5,424


    << <i>

    << <i>The signature line is appalling. Buying damaged coins and then having them worked on will only aggravate the already notable problem with tooled coins in the marketplace. >>



    I personally have NO problem with that coin being restored whatsoever, so long as that coin ends up right back in a Details/Genuine holder showing repaired/tooled/etc

    If I were Speety, I'd have that 70-S dollar restored, and of course would have it holdered as such. >>



    We have gone back and forth on this many times. Since it's not going anywhere for a LONG time, we have plenty of time to have the coin restored if we decide to in the future image I have no problem with tooling done to make the coin look more original, as long as the coin is never passed on as problem free.
    Want to buy an auction catalog for the William Hesslein Sale (December 2, 1926). Thanks to all those who have helped us obtain the others!!!

  • Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭
    Thanks I spent a lot on it, but its still the cheapest Gobrecht ever to sell on Heritage. I am inclined to leave he N Y and have the fields worked on. The open fields of those coins are a big part of their beauty. Even though they may never look perfect, I am certain they can look less distracting than they do now.

    I didnt think I would ever own one of these. Such a tough coin. I cant wait to get it in hand.

  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    Very true. I bought a 1800 $5 gold eagle instead. I would try restoring it though. I have dealt in old comics, and restoration really hurts the value. Leave her be.
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,097 ✭✭✭✭✭
    These are definitely cool coins. Since you do not have it in-hand yet, you might want to prepare yourself for what appears to be a fairly decent rim bruise at 4:00 and also for surfaces that have been previously cleaned in addition to the obvious engraving and subsequent damage. These might be trivial annoyances, but if you pay too much attention to the engraving/scratches then you might be in for a surprise regarding the remainder of the coin.
    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

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

    image
  • sinin1sinin1 Posts: 7,500
    that is a cool coin

    the label says repaired already


    since you have the coin in hand, can you see anything done already and describe it?
    has anything been done by the rim at 4 o'clock?
  • UtahCoinUtahCoin Posts: 5,366 ✭✭✭✭✭
    He does good work, but VERY slow. Here's some pics
    image

    image

    image
    I used to be somebody, now I'm just a coin collector.
    Recipient of the coveted "You Suck" award, April 2009 for cherrypicking a 1833 CBHD LM-5, and April 2022 for a 1835 LM-12, and again in Aug 2012 for picking off a 1952 FS-902.
  • Still merits a image
  • COALPORTERCOALPORTER Posts: 2,900 ✭✭
    Im surprised that more people aren't appauled at such a showing.
  • BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭
    This is exactly why Secure Plus is needed----------------BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
  • Ooooh. I think stuff like that should me marked if you get it done which I could not. Like inpainting done on a Ryder or other valuable painting witha spot of damage - must always show and never disappear completely. I did find the first plug but the rest....

    Best,
    Eric
  • rld14rld14 Posts: 2,390 ✭✭✭
    Let me clarify. I despise coin doctoring, however, to me, this isn't doctoring.

    Contemporary counterstamps are indeed cool and part of a coin's history. Scratched up fields? No, those look nasty IMO and ruin the eye appeal of the coin to me. I would much rather have one in a "VF Details - Repaired" holder than in a "VF Details - Gouged" holder.
    Bear's "Growl of Approval" award 10/09 & 3/10 | "YOU SUCK" - PonyExpress8|"F the doctors!" - homerunhall | I hate my car
  • AnkurJAnkurJ Posts: 11,370 ✭✭✭✭
    But seriously, how can the scratches be covered up? A lot of metal would have to be added to hide the scratches.
    Again though, when I looked at this coin and bid on it, I wanted to leave it as is. Frankly I thought it added character and history to the coin.
    All coins kept in bank vaults.
    PCGS Registries
    Box of 20
    SeaEagleCoins: 11/14/54-4/5/12. Miss you Larry!
  • What if I told you that I know someone who can get this coin into PCGS plastic?

    99.9% of the people here would not be able to detect that it has been repaired, of course PCGS would not know either.

    Bottom line is your own PCGS coins might have been repaired and you'll absolutely never know it.
  • Alltheabove76Alltheabove76 Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Let me clarify. I despise coin doctoring, however, to me, this isn't doctoring.

    Contemporary counterstamps are indeed cool and part of a coin's history. Scratched up fields? No, those look nasty IMO and ruin the eye appeal of the coin to me. I would much rather have one in a "VF Details - Repaired" holder than in a "VF Details - Gouged" holder. >>



    I am with you. The counterstamp is something that gives the coin charachter, nasty scratched up surfaces are just....well nasty.
  • HoledandCreativeHoledandCreative Posts: 2,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Very impressive work on the Newf 1946 and the 1798 Gold.

    Utah, How much does he charge for work like that?

    It is a shame if that Gobrecht was ruined by someone who thought they were helping the coin by destroying the engraving in such a crude manner. Of course, it could have been done by a scorned lover. Nowadays, a coin doctor can really enhance that coin and make it look very desirable. Also, if the NY can be removed without a trace, I'd say go for it. If not, I guess Nemo Yankovic could have owned it in 1850.

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