1875-S 20 cent piece gooey stuff removal?

Hello all!

I received a 1875-S that I’m excited to list on my store I do believe this to be a lower AU. The coin seems to have some gooey stuff on it at least that’s what it looks like? I haven’t taken a closer look yet since I’m not home but I did swing by the hardware store to grab some acetone. Is there any recommendations on how long I should let the coin bathe in the acetone bath or should I try any other techniques first? I don’t want to cause any damage to the coin. I’ll add the pictures thanks again everyone!

 

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Acetone won't hurt it. The amount of time is dictated by how long it takes it takes to do the job. Try it for about 10 minutes and then see if the stuff comes off by itself. Swirl the coin in the acetone bath and if it comes off completely, you're done. Bathe it in deionized water and let drip dry.

 

I’ll give that a go thank you. Any idea where I can find deionized water? I looked at local stores or hardware stores could not find.

 

Would he be OK using distilled water if cannot find deionized water?

 

I really hope so because all I could find was distilled I’m sure it won’t hurt?

 

Well.... I don’t know. I have never cleaned a coin in my life and I been collecting a looong time. I do trust acetone completely and do believe it is the answer to a gooey mess..... But here’s all I know about distilled and deionized water.... They are both void of chemicals. And that in my mind is the important thing. But deionized water also does not carry an electrical current. That part makes me wonder if there may be a concern of some electrolytical process that may deposit unwanted stuff..... I just don’t know.

 

That would make sense down to something technical like that. So far it’s been in the bath for about 5 minutes and no affect to any of the stuff on the coin.

 

Acetone will likely get the job done. It may take a while depending on what the goo is. Acetone won’t hurt your coin.

 

I’m at home looking at it with a loupe and it doesn’t seem to be goo of any sort I’ll attach closer pictures. And also the S looks like possible S/S error? Or just really worn.

 

For all intents and purposes, deionized = distilled water. They both should have essentially zero electrical conductivity and are pretty much 100% H2O. The deionized might have some organic stuff in it...

 

Well I used distilled water after 10 minutes in acetone and all was good but no difference with whatever the residue is. Doing a bit longer acetone bath now.

 

Is there a safe amount of time it can bathe in the acetone? Possibly over night, or is there an amount of time you don’t want to go over?

 

FWIW, as long as you are accepting of no improvement, the method you use and the time the method is used will not make a significant difference. i don't grade from photos. I have a suspicion that this piece has been in contact with acidic/caustic agents...and could have been a jar of coins of different composition...which would cause the same similar type of effect, and the dark color is terminal.

 

Wow that's a pretty coin - meh, it has a few little stains, it's in amazing condition for almost 150 years old. Congratulations! What do the pricing guides reflect for one like that?

 

That’s what I’m thinking it almost looks like they’re small burn marks but not from fire.

 

Nice looking coin! I hope you're successful removing the schmootz.

FWIW, I don't see AU though. I see XF45.

 

Looks a lot better then the sellers picture so I was pleasantly surprised! She definitely is pretty still has some luster under the marks. It looks AU to me and from PCGS graded coins I could compare it up to a few of there 55s. I will upload better pictures later with my macro lense. It does look like the S/S error to me due to how it looks.

 

The XF45 is an extremely fair grade but looking at PCGS graded coins it was very comparable to the 50-53s and one of the 55s. I guess it comes down to whoever is grading it over there.

 

Please know that I would buy that coin if i saw it at a dealer's table at a show, without hesitation. I have my reasons.
The coin is fine, considering. I am only addressing any effort in removal of that which is not removable.

 

She is a nice piece I agree even with the little spots on her, I’m glad you like it! I will be listing this as an auction item on my eBay this weekend.