I have some bicentennial proofs still in the government holders they came in.They have developed grainylike spotting over the whole coins. I was wondering why it happened,these are the 40% silver proofs.It also happened to 2 Eisenhower proofs.Was it the plastic they used around then or what.Should I take the coins out of the hard plastic holders? Any ideas. rzage
I've seen this with a lot of set like yours and a lot of Brown Ike's (40% silver proofs 71-74). The spots develop as a result a bad store practices. Humidity is a big player in this. How ever, I have had some success in cleaning spots and what I like to call hazing, looks cloudy. The process has the potential to ruin your coins if performed incorrectly. I have Brown Ikes that have been cleaned some 4 years ago and today they are still clear of any hazing and in their original displays. I have seen coins that were so bad, "so poorly stored", they developed very dark spots on them, I tried to clean them and the spots had not completely disappeared after cleaning. The containers are not the problem. Just have to keep the coins stored in a climate control space. I would like to suggest this: Since there are large numbers of real nice, real clean, Bicentennial sets still in the market and at a fair price, you should breakout any coins that are worn looking or highly handled in their displays. I say break those out and if they clean up nice you can use them in custom displays for types or sets. These coins are quite beautiful and I have developed a fondness for Ikes, real "nice" Ikes. Costs weren't high when I was putting my sets together several years ago. I have a pristine 1976 three coin proof set never assembled in the styro tray with the cardboard sleeve. Got that one for a huge $16.00. I'm short three Blue Ikes to have a complete BU Ike set, not including all the varieties. I'm not a big variety collector, its to costly. Good Luck and Keep on Collecting!!! Allen
Speaking of PROOFS, I went to the convenience store tonight to get something and paid with a $20. I said I'd take dollor coins if he had any. He was more than glad to part with them.....and this: :hail: This was with my camera phone, sorry for the poor quality. And yes, it has edge lettering darn it. :goof:
Thats alllll - RRRRight! Never hurts to ask, even the outrageous. Nice find. Keep on Collecting!!! Allen
Was wondering what you used too clean them, & howto clean them.Like you I also have some clouding on 2 Brown Ikes. Thanks rzage
I used a coin dip product for silver, nickel, but not copper. The success in using this product was to have the coin in the dip for a few seconds only, swirling the coin to agitate the fluid. I used plastic coin holder to hold the coin, its kind of like a plastic hemostat. I used regular running tap water to rinse the dip and rinse well. Pat dry soft cotton. If the problem is gone your done. If it stills shows some residual spots, you can repeat the process. Three seconds, only three seconds. If you play with this dip too much you can and will ruin a very good coin. Coin shops should have this product or one similar. Good luck, be careful, be smart!!! Allen
