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Carbon Spot Removal - Jefferson Proof

BigDowgieBigDowgie Posts: 1,779 ✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I need a little help, if there is any to offer? I have a few Jefferson Proofs that have a problem. Suggestions other than "live with it"!

imageimage

I guess I'll live with it! I heated up some water and let it soak for a bit and gave it a dip and here you go. Not sure what the spots were, but they came off. They took a little of the proof surface, but much better than the black spots.

Thanks

Comments

  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    Move?

    I am used to seeing 1 spot in the worst place possible, not this odd buckshot pattern.

    Eric image
  • tahoe98tahoe98 Posts: 11,388 ✭✭✭

    ...OUCH!
    "government is not reason, it is not eloquence-it is a force! like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." George Washington
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,773 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Suggestions other than "live with it"! >>



    Sorry, "live with it," is the best I can offer. Even if you had these spots removed, you would have spots or "holes" where the “carbon” used to be at best.

    This is prime example of what happens when you talk or worse yet, sneeze over a bare coin. The enzymes in your saliva and mucus attack the metal and give you this result.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • 19Lyds19Lyds Posts: 26,492 ✭✭✭✭
    My only suggestion would be a professional conservation which will, unfortunately, remove any coloration on the coin. It would also be only a temporary fix since the spots will more than likely return at some point in the future.
    I decided to change calling the bathroom the John and renamed it the Jim. I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.



    The name is LEE!
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Suggestions other than "live with it"!

    well, i could offer some nice Pollyanna-isms for you if you're interested in feeling good about those coins, but you'll only wake up tomorrow and curse me. i have had similarly spotted coins, typically 1939, 1940 and 1941 Jefferson Nickels and the carbon spots can be lessened to a degree but absolutley not removed. i have tried to help coins myself and sent coins through NCS; the results were typically the same with the spots being less dark but still there. as far as i can tell the origin of the spots is probably from being struck with rusted/pitted dies. among the coins i've had which looked similar to your 1939 were a 1940 SEGS PR64 CAM and a raw 1940 R.39 that later graded PR64 at PCGS.

  • guitarwesguitarwes Posts: 9,290 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Suggestions other than "live with it"! >>



    Sorry, "live with it," is the best I can offer. Even if you had these spots removed, you would spots or "holes" where the “carbon” used to be at best.

    This is prime example of what happens when you talk or worse yet, sneeze over a bare coin. The enzymes in your saliva mucus attack the metal and give you this result. >>




    Yup. Very important to take into consideration your bodily excretions when handling any raw coin. Fly specs is a term that comes to mind, especially on red copper.
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  • BigDowgieBigDowgie Posts: 1,779 ✭✭✭✭
    Updated picture above after a little work on the spotting.

    Not too bad, eh!
  • ModCrewmanModCrewman Posts: 4,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you try my method at all?
  • ElcontadorElcontador Posts: 7,680 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You're stuck with it. I've seen a 1911 Liberty Nickel in a PC 6 holder that had white spots where the carbon used to be. Didn't care for the coin. I think the carbon spots were less distracting.
    "Vou invadir o Nordeste,
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  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    I am not crazy about it at all - problem coin IMHO. But watch heat and Proof surfaces. I saw someone turn a DMPL Morgan dead flat in a B&M years ago. Granted, Pl is not Pr, but it stuck in my head firmly.

    Best,
    Eric
  • keetskeets Posts: 25,351 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Not too bad, eh!

    yes, very bad from my perspective. if you look at the surface you'll see exactly what was there before you did whatever you did, except that now the spots aren't black. as Eric said, i'd consider the coin damaged.
  • lasvegasteddylasvegasteddy Posts: 10,432 ✭✭✭
    "i'd consider the coin damaged."
    in this crowd too i am...
    it is now an impaired proof
    everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see


  • OldEastsideOldEastside Posts: 4,602 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Don't feel bad BD, I have a 42P type 2 proof that I "Conserved" back
    in my younger days that now resembles a Matte Mottled Flat ???image
    Its kind of neat looking in a only a mother could love sense and will
    stay with me till the end, but It's also a stern reminder not to mess
    with stuff.
    These days carbon spots on early stuff doesnt bother me as it once
    did, allthough I find it distracting, I view it as a natural thing.

    Steve
    Promote the Hobby

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