What to do about a coin with no luster, but also no wear?

So a couple years ago I picked up this 1920 Maine commemorative. It was in an estate collection, and the gentleman passed away. According to the envelope it was in, he (or his dad) 'bot' it in 1925. Each coin in his collection was 'documented' the same way; each coin in a clear cellophane type sleeve, stapled shut (staple was so old and rusty), and then that was placed in a small manila envelope, with the coin description and year of purchase written on the envelope. This was the only coin I purchased, as most were Morgans & Peace $'s, and lots of Barber coins, all of which I didn't actively collect.

Almost all (95%?) of them had the same look as this coin. I didn't 'closely inspect' the others that I wasn't interested in, but they all were similar in general look, and toning. I attribute the color to the manila envelope, which I believe is a correct assumption, and one of the things I like about it.

What I can't figure out is the lack of luster on the coin (as well as the others I saw). I have looked at this coin a hundred times, compared it extensively with MS67's and 68's on PCGS, and I see as little (ie, none?) wear as the 68's, but no luster. I actually see less coin bag type hits on my coin then on the 68's. Strike also appears to have been a strong strike.

I think if I was to send this in, it would get an AU grade for lack of luster, but the low level/lack of wear (IMO) would put it in the 66-68 range (in all honesty I see it as a 68 if wear was the only factor).

Could this coin be saved/redeemed for what I feel it should be? I was wondering if this is a good candidate for NGC's coin conservation, or would that be wasted money?

What do you guys think?

 

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Don't dip it a 9th time

 

Wow, nice coin. I'm biting my tongue not to say "dip it", but you couldn't hurt it with a nice bath under hot running water, an acetone soak and another hot running water bath before a distilled water rinse.

 

I forgot to mention that it was dipped, and probably over-dipped. Is that what the green-tint crud is, dip residue? That's also why I'm wondering about (professional) conservation.

 

It is a nice, overdipped coin. It won’t grade high, because of that, so enjoy it as it is.

 

Oh... and I have not done anything to the coin since i got it, other then put it in a different holder. Not even water or acetone.

 

Just leave it alone and enjoy it. It is an attractive coin as it is.

 

Gun metal grey ain't all that uncommon, and quite common, with uncirculated commems. Perhaps the storage contributed to its' current condition. Leave it be as raw.......much more history and interest.

 

I look at that and think it was improperly stored and the surfaces deteriorated for that reason, not because it was dipped.

I would guess that the environment has already done its dirty work and dipping/conserving that coin would just yield a dead looking silver coin. I’d leave it alone and sell it with the flip myself- Still has character.

 

That green looks like PVC damage. Could be something else.

 

Once the luster is gone, it’s gone; nothing can bring it back. The mint surface has been impaired, and it cannot be graded Mint State.

 

It appears to be a toned Unc.

You could get it graded or put in 2x2 marked Unc. Then price it accordingly based on grade.

For raw would put Unc on 2/2 and price it at MS60 money $135.00 (wholesale bid $100).

I don’t know dipping would improve it. Sitting on fence on that.

Not sure worth grading costs. I don’t see it going over 63 a long shot anything higher. If dip improves luster perhaps higher.

something like this don’t see as a deal if over ms60 blue book....

 

This Maine commemorative half dollar is PCGS graded MS-64. The Greysheet says it's worth $145. At that price it would not be worth the grading fee and shipping at today's rates.

 

I would agree (typically), but I also know how much I paid for the coin.

I also have an MS65 Maine (bought 2 days before the one in this thread), that I love, but there's something about this coin that mesmerizes me.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/gtg-and-grade-this-1920-maine-x2.314503/

 

Nothing short of Dremel with a buffing wheel is going to restore luster. Polishing is best left for a Harley and not a coin. Dipping will remove the "toning" but leave it a flat, even looking grey. My vote is with the others, leave it as is.

 

That won't restore luster either. It may make it "shiny" or polished, but it WON'T resemble original mint luster. Once luster is gone, it is gone. Only way to restore it would the way D Carr does. By completely overstriking the coin with a new set of dies.

 

Yeah butt!

 

Dingy toning is not atypical for a Maine. The PVC green goo, courtesy of the sleeve it was in, is not, and is likely what is killing the luster on that coin a lot more than the toning is. Step 1 is a serious acetone bath, because the goo is on top of the toning and is not coin the coin any favors whether or not you grade it. Chances are the remaining toning will still be a bit hazy, and that hides surface imperfections. If the remaining luster is actually a bit flashy, that means that the goo layer was really thick, which may also mean it will have scarred the surface. As luster and eye-appeal are very important parts of the grade, it will not grade better than 64. Not worth grading on its own.

 

Not it’s not. There’s plenty of luster. It’s hidden under crusty toning and PVC residue. A dipping and/or acetone soak would improve the appearance greatly