lakebreeze

First off I cant send a photo as at the present my scanner has brain damage. Recently got interested in coins again after a 31 yr. gap. Put all my coins in a bank box in 74. Brought them home for re-evaluation, they all look the same as in 74,except one. It's the dime in a 5 piece 1938 proof set, it has this light colored fuzzy looking growth on it. I hate to bust up a proof set but I'm thinking this could spread to the quarter and the walker which are still pristine. What do you think, should I isolate this dime? Thanks.

satootoko

I moved this post to the Main Forum because I think it is more likely to be seen by people who can help.

What color is the "fuzzy stuff"? Can you tell whether the metal has been affected, or just covere?

Are the coins in their original mint packaging?

The dime, quarter and half are all "coin silver" (.900 silver/.100 copper) so whatever is affecting the dime could be just as dangerous to the other two.

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Roy

Speedy

If the coins are in the original packing I would hate to see that cut up...

If it is not I would place the other coins in nice holders and place the dime in one too or even sell the dime and replace it to still have a complete set.

Speedy

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GDJMSP

A '38 Proof set in original packaging is almost unheard of today. It would indeed be a shame to ruin that. But I am hoping you are going to tell me that the set is in a Capital Proof set holder because if it were me - I would move that dime away so fast it would make your head spin.

But if it is in original packaging - please don't DO ANYTHING until you post here again. I do have some suggestions for this situation.

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lakebreeze

If the original package is that thin plastic bag like they came in during the 60's then it's not original, it's in a black & clear hard plastic 3 pc.holder about 3/8in.thick with the date embossed in gold color. I got it from what was then called Bower&Ruddy galleries. The color of the growth is light greyish silver.Thanks.

GDJMSP

I was hoping that's what you were gonna say

Kinda disappointed though - I spent a large part of my life looking for original Proof sets from the '30s - never found a single one.

But back to the dime - the silver soft & fuzzy has me going. It sounds like some kind of mold. But I would get it out of that case - and get the other coins out too. I'd buy a new case just to be safe.

I would suggest sending the dime in to NCS to have it conserved. If anybody can do it - they can.

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JAG90

I would place the set in a Capital Plastic Holder as well. They make a nice display and keep the coins in mint shape. I hope you have good luck with the dime.

JBK

Two things....first, safe deposit boxes might be safe from criminals, but they are often not stable as far as humidity is concerned. Collectors should be aware of that.

Second, are you sure it is three dimensional and not just fuzzy looking toning? I would like to think that it is not growing on the coin, so I am just looking for another explanation. But, as the others said, take some action to avoid damaging the others.

BTW – if the set is that old, maybe the coins should be slabbed. Back then they were not quite as advanced (obsessive) at grading, so maybe you will luck out and get some higher end grades.

lakebreeze

I brought home the prf. set home yesterday and did a real close up, the 50 and 25 ct. pieces also are showing the same condition and the 5 ct. is developing a haze. I called NCS and I think I was talking to some one who knows very little about c. conservation,she had to ask someone else and came back with, Yah we do that. Maybe the people that do the work are real good but my initial contact was negative. Are they the only game in town? I just want to send the coin in to be conserved and graded and then pay the fee. It sems they conserve it and then send somewhere else for a grade but only if you join a society, They probably are all in the same building and every thing beyond grading is a way to extract more fees. Thanks.

GDJMSP

I'll get you the name of a person for you to talk to.

Yes - NCS is the ONLY game in town. And you were misinformed. You do not have to have coins graded or have them sent someplace else - unless you want to of course. NCS can and will do the whole deal - they will conserve the coins and then place them in NCS slabs which guarantees authenticity but has no grade.

As for joining the society - there are other options. 1 - you can take the coins to a NGC/NCS dealer and have them submit the coins for you. Or if you are a member of the ANA you can submit the coins yourself, but you do have to fill out a form, no big deal.

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lakebreeze

I gave up on the scanner ,here are camera photos, can you notice the difference when held at different angles? Any clues as to what this fuzzy stuff is?

Attached Thumbnails

 

JBK

Looks like toning to me.

cdb1950

I agree. Slabbing might be an excellent option. Some of the slabbing companies will take steps to preserve your coins before slabbing if it is something that can be easily fixed. A 1938 proof set is certainly worthy of that kind of attention. Silver coins are the easiest to conserve, copper that toughest.

I think that there might have been some mild or maybe harsh cleaning done to the coins before they were packaged in the Capital holder. Probably a fingerprint or ugly stain was removed.

That's one of the biggest problems with cleaning coins, what is it going to look like 30 years from now.

Must be pretty exciting to re-examine a coin collection after 30 years! I have some coins that I lose track of and re-discover them 5 or 10 years later. Lots of fun!

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satootoko

Their "set" status could be preserved by having them slabbed in a multi-coin holder. I know NGC has them, and I think PCGS does too.

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Roy

lakebreeze

Took it to the dealer,he said it was oxidation and said it was worth 1200. I've seen just the halve's go for between 1200. and 2200. I've got other coins that are toning and they don't look like this at all. Guess try e-mailing NCG and try to find out how they treat oxidation.