Am I the only one who thinks gold coins with traces of solder are still worth collecting as gold? I am finding that if I clamp the coin into a vise and hit is with a propane torch, usually, the solder just drops right off and there is no damage to the coin.
I agree and feel that there is still some numismatic value to the coin, not just gold value. The melting point of the solder is such that it shouldn't hurt the coin, if heated carefully. Sometimes the coin is purposefully abraded before soldering, but you don't know until you remove the solder. I have a type 3 $1 gold coin that had been jewelry. I used acid to remove the solder on that one. Would've been easier to heat it. Next time...
If it's a quality coin and its not severely damaged yes I feel it still has numismatic value I'd be proud to own any of the capped bust type us gold that was ex jewelry I've bid on several I'm my opinion it's not severe damage such as a hole tooling bad scratches etc and is the one of only ways I'm likely to be able to afford any early (pre 1834) us gold
It's silver and not gold, but I found a 1967-P half dollar with a hole in the top that I made a necklace out of. $1 for the chain and 50 cents for the coin.
Sure. This was in a bezel. With a clot of solder on the rim. It dropped off nicely. I have some more T1 and T2 jewelery $1 coins coming in this week. Averaging about $180 for them on Ebay. Bid end sniping works as a tactic. When the new ones come in I will photo them before and after (maybe a during too). I don't mind holes if the resultant price is close enough to spot of the remaining gold weight. <Keeping in mind that circulated US coins are 90% gold, vs bullion coins being 99.%.> For me it is about having a small change bag (or 5) of gold coins I can clink to my hearts content or throw in a safe and play leprechaun with. So I don't mind holes or bent US gold coins. I am also noticing some occasional good buys by including the word 'cleaned' in my search string.
Sequence is 4, 5, 6, 8, then 12 as the finished coin. The padding in the vise is soaked with cold water just in case. This is about the 14th one I have taken the solder off or removed out of a bezel.
Very nice! You been making some really good buys and working it into more money than you started with. Nice looking collection!
Thanks. That one was $175 on Ebay. I see a lot of these going cheaply because someone 'destroyed' them by putting them into a bezel or something. Many times, a little heat, and the solder just drops off. I have acquired one of those (an 1851) as cheap as $154, and also some $2.50 golds and have also seen similar $5 coins. Seems much cheaper to me than bidding top dollar for a numismatic version of the same coin. I haven't picked up any of the 'love' coins (one side slammed flat with some initials or a cute saying carved into it) yet, but have been watching one of those lately. I figure I will check it 4 minutes before the auction ends and if it is still under spot, I will add it to my little cloth coin bag. Gold is gold.
