Perhaps you guys with more gold experience can chime-in on this one. I just bought this quarter eagle ($2 ½) for just a little over spot. I do not know enough about US gold to routinely buy raw gold coins. However, the risk on this one was small & I was relatively confident that it was a genuine US coin. There are no pimples or non-mint-like spikes or marks characteristic of counterfeit die strikes. The coin also has a nice die crack which is characteristic of a genuine US mint product. Now the big questions- (1) Should I do anything to the coin & (2) What does it grade? :rollling: The coin appears to have luster but it is subdued under what may be toning or residue. (There was some gunk at one of the stars that fell away). I am tempted to do an Acetone soak and then possibly follow-up with a dip. Comments? The coin seems to exhibit cabinet friction (breaks in the luster) at the high points. Would a TPG call this wear and give it an AU grade or is it one of those market acceptable things that would still get an MS grade? Comments?
The little spot at the ninth star is the gunk that fell-off the coin. I took the photo prior to removing the gunk.
I would leave it alone. Sometimes acetone and dipping uncovers problems you don't want to know about.
I often advise folks that sell coins that they are not happy with instead of working them to death and ruining what original surfaces they may have. I would tell you to sell the coin. It looks like a nice AU with skin. It isn't going to become a blazing MS68 if you strip the coin; it will merely be a stripped bare AU.
A Beauty I hope others will read the good advice given in this thread. The coin is an attractive antique AU lady with some healthy skin. I hope everyone appreciates her for what she is.
