Does PCGS secure plus grading offer a higher level of quality and conservation?

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I'm not here to argue. I simply stumbled across this thread and thought I could shed some light on a subject that was clearly up in the air. I know what electrolysis is and so does the friend/dealer I refer to. I don't wish to speak for him so I'll simply say I feel there are many misconceptions about PCGS and what is covered and what isn't. My source for this info speaks with PCGS on a weekly if not daily basis, he is not confused as to the processes taking place and the results of said processes. Unless you work for PCGS and are telling me otherwise I'd like to respectfully state you are wrong.

 

Disgruntled employees do shred facts. I'm not arguing just stating statistically were most statements that are not factual come from. Google it

 

That may be the case, however this isn't a negative thing... This is a great service and very valuable for the modern silver coinage collector. I take advantage of it and have never been disappointed, I hope in the future more are aware of the benefits and use it. Definitely worth the money.

 

I do not believe it does.

 

So would I since I know for a fact that PCGS's conservation amounts to some degree of dipping beit Acetone or E-Z-Est via a full dip or Q-Tip application followed with a thorough rinse.

Maybe the poster is thinking "Ultrasonic Cleaning" which, I suppose, could be used to remove larger area of dirt in devices?

But then, I do not think that PCGS employs Ultrasonic cleaning (conserving) either.

 

Electrolysis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolysis\

Reading the article, I noted the following:

"Electrolysis is also used in the cleaning and preservation of old artifacts. Because the process separates the non-metallic particles from the metallic ones, it is very useful for cleaning a wide variety of metallic objects, from old coins to even larger objects including rusted cast iron cylinder blocks and heads when rebuilding automobile engines."

Maybe they do use it?

 

What exactly is that box in that attachment?? An XRF or just a airport-security style spectrometer set up for a suite of elements?? Does anyone know what the "PCGS sniffer" actually is??

 

PCGS would never use electrolysis on coins, unless they're hankering to lose all of their credibility.

 

I could be wrong (which is rare ) but I believe that the "box" is proprietary to PCGS.

 

Evidently there are several generation models. The one in an earlier post looks like and update to the one shown here.

but closer to the spectrometer type used for bomb detection/environmental gases.

 

More details on trademark filing

http://www.trademarkia.com/coin-sniffer-85049509.html

 

I must have missed the PCGS "ray gun" ( see url) article before. Anyone ever see one used. Appears to be a XRF type. I want one for Christmas please.

http://www.coinweek.com/coin-gradin...e-pcgs-coin-sniffer-to-detect-doctored-coins/

 

2009 January "Coin Doctoring" Coin World is were photo came from. Maybe still online if you can log in?

 

My source? I don't need one other than my 25 years experience as a chemist and coin conservationist. Electrolysis is the harshest cleaning method for any metal. It will strip any metal surface clean (since it actually removes metal). Any coin that has been electrolytically cleaned will be ruined permanently for it's collector value.

 

Yea, it's just a handheld XRF device. A lot of pawnshops and such use them to analyze metals. XRF is cool for that, it does a decent job at semi-quant analyses and good enough to find "foreign" metals when the composition is known.

 

Try GSA/auctions that have not been outsourced to a vender Near you.I
know Redstone Aresenal Hsv Al did have them each 30/90 days. but since relinement not sure if still happens like that?

 

Well, electrolysis would certainly do the job....but it will also leave the coin devoid of luster after the top levels of metal have been removed. I know first hand as I've experimented with electrolysis on coins when I was researching verdigris removal methods.

 

Love that video! I would pay $1000 to see the "spectrum" they obtained for VERDI-GONE. It would have no IR absorbance peaks on a low-energy reflectance FTIR instrument. Not to mention, no trace would be on the coin by the time it got to PCGS. As a scientist, I could tear them up on the failings of the video which I believe is nothing more than a dog and pony show.