Strange color on circulated copper - Is this acceptable?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by KSorbo, Oct 21, 2024.

  1. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    I just picked up this post-Colonial 1795 Talbot token. When I got it in hand I noticed some very dark coloration around the center of the obverse. Is this considered market acceptable? It’s in a straight graded PCGS holder but I’m wondering if it picked up this pattern after being slabbed, perhaps resulting from a bad cleaning? It doesn’t look like corrosion or staining, just unusual.

    I took a gamble as it was listed in the wrong category and didn’t have very good photos.

    IMG_5864.jpeg IMG_5865.jpeg
     
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  3. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    I'd add her to my colonial/early US collection in a heartbeat
    for a 200+ year old copper token, a little discoloration is kind of expected.. Unless of course you got one of those rare as hell MS coins of that age and even some of those will have discoloration...
     
  4. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Reverse looks great, exactly what you want. Obverse looks weird... not a fan. Don't know exactly what was done to it, but I don't like it.
     
    KSorbo likes this.
  5. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Wish I had that coin in my early American collection.
     
    KSorbo likes this.
  6. capthank

    capthank Well-Known Member

    Looks like acetate soak.
     
  7. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    Acetone? I didn’t think that affected color or toning.
     
  8. capthank

    capthank Well-Known Member

    My experience is it depends how long the coin is soaked. I do just a bit more than a dip so as not to lose the patina and immediately soak in distilled water.
     
  9. ldhair

    ldhair Clean Supporter

    A coin dip takes seconds. Anything longer than that kills the coin.
    A bath in acetone is safe for several hours. It won't remove natural toning. It will remove anything organic.
    A dip and a bath are two different things.
     
    Michael K likes this.
  10. capthank

    capthank Well-Known Member

    Is the same solution used for a dip? I only use acetone.
     
  11. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    I have the same question. I've seen "dip" referenced for years and still have no idea what it is.
     
  12. KSorbo

    KSorbo Well-Known Member

    “Dip” is an acid that dissolves a coin’s toning as well as metal from its surface, but acetone is just a solvent that only dissolves organic material.

    Someone please chime in if this understanding is not correct.
     
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  13. capthank

    capthank Well-Known Member

    thanks
     
  14. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Same stuff my wife keeps under the sink to dip her rings and such into. It is obviously very aggressive. I seen her dip a grimy piece of jewelry in that jar and take it out seconds later like looking spiffy new. This stuff. I won’t allow it in the same room as my coins.

    IMG_4556.png
     
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  15. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    I got a bottle of that myself... On the tool shelf with the other nasty chems. It does a great job on jewelry but will strip "antiqueing" as well as some enameling.. nasty stuff! not for use on coins in any way
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
  16. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    So when I had my coins conserved by ANACS that's why they used? I'm having a hard time believing that.
     
    capthank likes this.
  17. Mr. Numismatist

    Mr. Numismatist Strawberry Token Enthusiast

  18. capthank

    capthank Well-Known Member

    Thats a good question.
     
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