I picked up an album of coins recently for a really good price. The best coins were 1870 and 1872, and these two coins look to be strong XF candidates. Unfortunately they both have a small verdigris spot. Since I've never submitted coins before, I don't have a feel for how much verdigris, if any, is acceptable for a problem free grade. I'm assuming basically none. Also, I just bought some Verdi-Care and was wondering if that would help before submitting them. It claims to be totally safe to use. Do I dare using the toothpick method on these coins, or will that make it worse? Here are some pics: 1870 with verdigris between 1st and 2nd feather 1872 with verdigris between O and N
I would say...as is, they are not gradable. I don't have a lot of experience with removing verdigris, but I do know that often there is damage to the coin underneath it. Assuming you can remove it without damaging the coin...and there is no damage beneath the verdigris, they would then have a much better chance at grading.
At this stage, you wouldn't want them to grade with the extent of corrosion that is there, it would only get worse in any holder. I think that it can be reduced enough to see if the corrosion is deep enough to have the environmental damage apply. I would soak in distilled water for a few hours and then put them in a small glass container of acetone about an inch deep for a few minutes, take out , allow to air dry and then follow the directions on the Verdi-care. Toothpicks, green rose thorns or Bougainvilla thorns, bamboo skewers, etc. , are easy to scratch the surface, especially inside of letters or date numerals where few scratches should be , and cleaning is usually noticed. Some of experience use a fine hog bristle or camel hair art brush soaked with excess acetone to gently break up some field deposits, but it is at one's own risk as a last resort. The acetone and Verdicare, will usually give you a good idea before trying any physical means.
That sounds like a good plan, thanks for the info. I'll have to pick up some distilled water and acetone. I think that the 1870 is likely more salvageable than the 1872. Even if they end up having damage under there, they still look pretty nice in my album. I guess this will determine if I keep them or not.
