In an old coin roll, came across this lovely 1944 cent marred by the spot on the reverse. It looks like a dried adhesive (maybe) but don't know what it feels like as I am reluctant to touch the surface. Has anyone seen anything like this before, and can it be removed? I've had good results with acetone on other coins, but not with a copper one as shiny as this. I'm hoping to rescue this - its a really nice specimen! Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Darn!! That is a spot. Don't let Mom see that! Seriously, is it raised ? Does it look like a stain or something else? More Pics please. Thanks.
I'm not sure, but it might be "end roll" toning. That circular stain might have resulted from part of the end of the roll the coin was in being open, thus partially exposing that area and causing it to tone. But if it's an end roll toner, it's rather unusual- I've never seen one with that pattern. On the other hand, it could also just be a mystery stain of unknown origin.
That explanation definitely sounds like it could be, possibly, not sure, absolutely, indubitably, without a doubt, most certainly, questionably, something.
Here you go... various angles and closeups... View attachment 1403612 View attachment 1403614 View attachment 1403615 View attachment 1403612 View attachment 1403614 View attachment 1403615
If the coin had been in a PVC type of holder, it could have been a touch of residue that some one decided to just put it into a reject roll. I personally have never had acetone react badly on copper metal itself. If the residue is chemically reactive itself, then yes, it may make it worse. Jim
I had a mint(?) or commercial roll one time of Lincoln cents from the 1980s all bright and shiny, had a big glob of dried glue on the end and a little trail from the edge of the roll paper. Like the paper roll itself was glued for some reason. Stain reminds me of that glue glob, but now that I think about it, not sure why they’d glue the roll. I always thought the rolls were kind of crimped but not sure about that now either…
The roll was crimped, but this was not one of the end coins. Since it was a roll of mixed dates, so who knows where this coin was before.
