Early PCI green label holders. Sad story.

I'm digging out coins that need a proper holder to be sent to auction and ran into about 20 Seated Half Dimes and Seated Dimes with this look.
These holders are known to create toning, both good and bad but these small silver coins took on a really ugly look. I'm at a loss of why and if they can be helped. I worry that the surfaces are already damaged under the black stuff.

 

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Man, that's too bad.

 

That seems so weird. Only toned in the center of the coin. Do you suppose it was the paper/ink they used?

I wasn't aware that PCI holders are known for creating toning conditions within the holder but then I'll just add this to the small numbers of things I've learned out of the huge volume of stuff I don't know.

Since you were planning on re-holdering them anyway, why not send them in for conservation evaluation? There's always the cost/risk factor: Pay to send them in and then find out they're going to come back details - Ouch!

You have my sympathy. It must have been a nasty surprise.

 

The cause is very apparent, inadequate and poor seal. Good luck with your decision.

 

It is weird. They were really nice when I sent them to PCI but I don't think they did anything to cause the problem. After searching my records, I see that they all came from one dealer in about 1993. I'll say who that was later.

 

We have an expert here that worked at PCI about that time.
@Insider
Help me out here. Have you seen this look before and were you able to conserve them. I worry what the surfaces look like under the black.

 

Hope you get them fixed.

 

Toning is always a concern when it comes
to silver coins in and out of the slab, I do have a couple Mexican libertads 1 OZ Silver
coins both are PCGS PR-70 DCAM,S but I just
don’t trust silver sometimes you can cultivate
great colors but most of the time it’s a blackish brown and that’s a turn off at least for me.

 

Insider maintains that the paper inserts cause the toning, if I’m not mistaken. Personally, however, I think it’s the chemical makeup of the gasket. They literally stink. Smell very unnatural. If the coin isn’t removed, it will only get worse. It’s in constant contact with the problem.

 

I also think it's the insert because these holders are known for target toning, where the label would be nearest the top.

 

I have learned more about these coins.
They all came from the same dealer but went to PCI along with many other Seated Half Dimes and Seated Dimes that came from different dealers. None of them show any problems.
I don't blame the dealer in any way. This is my guess. I'm thinking the coins were cleaned but not stabilized properly. Once in the new slab the label and or the gasket went to work on the fresh surfaces. I may be wrong.

 

Nope, never. Most PCI coins start toning at the rims. Now it is comical because the lable on many of these that remain in the holder say "100% White." It was a good idea at the time because most collectors did not like toned coins.

After the coins started to tone in the holder years after I had left PCI and went to NGC, we thought the paper and ink was causing the toning because many of the labels were seen with brownish toning on the label edges. The fact that the "newer" PCI coins (after the company was sold) using the same plastic inserts are not found toned made the guess about the paper label seem correct. Now I favor a combination of the insert and the paper. So, who knows? Anyway...

I can't tell anything from the image. In my experience, PCI coins that have toned can be conserved. The person doing the work HAD BETTER EXAMINE THE COIN USING A STEREO MICROSCOPE to detect any corrosion before doing anything to it.
If in doubt, save your money and sell the coin at a MS price. With the passing years of gradeflation, the coin will probably pass as an MS-62!

 

Thank you.

 

Just because the insert is "the same" doesn't mean the vendor used the exact same mix of plastics to make it. This is especially common if you put it out to bids.

The white pigment, titanium dioxide, is expensive.

 

OUCH! How were the slabs stored?

Agree with Insider, if it's not too advanced, they could probably be saved but I don't have high hopes, the corrosion is black which is typically terminal.

 

These were stored along with over 100 other PCI holders that show no problems.

That's exactly what I said to myself when I found them. I have little hope of good results.

 

I am not sure if this one is an early PCI or a second generation PCI. I bought it years ago for the toning, and it has only progressed since I have had it.
Forgive the modern, but the toning is exceptional IMO.
Larry, your coin I don't believe toned because of the insert or slab.
Hope you don't mind me posting this.

 

1991 -2000 - Green border s/n 10 digits, 2 codes (Futura font)

But beware of the 2010? remakes (generously called "new" above, reverse border is NOT microprint and has break upper right)(If you were to say they were out and out fraudulent, I would not disagree ... https://coinweek.com/pdf/Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law.pdf)​

1999 -200109 - Green border s/n 14 digits, 1 codes

200109-200203 - Green border s/n 9 digits (Leslie Shade ownership)