So this is a weird case. I have this really fabulous looking 1949 Cyprus half piastre. The side with the date on it has a little discoloration but it's not bad and you only see it in certain light. But when I take a photo of the coin, you can see it actually has words on it. I can see what looks like 1891, and maybe the words "coin" and "piastre." It must have been stored up against something that transferred the ink to it through the years. I tried an acetone soak but it didn't do anything. Ever see this before? Anything I can do about it?
If I were to guess, it probably sat on top of an item with those letters written on it for a very, very long time. The letters likely transferred onto through toning it and I don't think you can remove them if you already tried acetone. I have seen this happen before on other coins. There was a post a while ago where a coin had sat on top of another coin for decades, and the design was toned onto it. I assume a similar thing happened here. I don't know why it's only visible through the camera lens though. You have probably already tried this, but maybe look at it from other angles? It's interesting for sure.
I see what you mean but it's a really fine example and I feel like it diminishes it. I guess though at least you can't see it unless you take a picture.
It is nice, but the hidden text makes it so much more interesting especially if you could read it all - is there a way you could enhance it? I'm curious as to what it could have been in contact with. I'd also like to know what a grading company would make of it.
There was a recent thread somewhere with the same thing. Someone tracked it down to the exact wording printed on an old coin album that transferred to the coin.
I wouldn't remove it. But doing so would mean a dip and that removes any natural toning the coin has.
I have a Conder token with a catalog # written on it by a collector from long ago. At first I thought it was kind of annoying, now I think it's kind of cool.
Those old fashioned India ink collector numbers inked directly onto the coin are a different matter, but also kind of a similar issue. Distracting at first, but when you think about it, they’re also part of the coin’s history and can be kind of interesting.
