Pictures of the coin posted below! There is 1 circular organic spot on the obverse, with a small amount more to it's right and I'd like to remove it. My first thought is a q-tip with distilled water. Any better ideas or is it a lost cause? I'd like to limit the damage as much as possible. I like the coin for its distinctive die cracks so that's why I'm keeping it and not just trading it in. I haven't been able to attribute it yet to a specific VAM but I'm still trying lol.
If neither of those work (at worst, a q-tip in conjunction with acetone), it'll be time to sit back and contemplate if more intrusive methods are even warranted. The coin isn't particularly valuable, and what you've already done will eliminate the consideration that the mark is "progressive" so it won't be getting any worse. Although harsher methods might eliminate it, they will also likely leave the coin with a "clean" splotch which will clearly indicate it's been worked on. In this case, of course, no major monetary harm will be done but it isn't something I'd do to any coin having greater numismatic value.
If you look you can see that same black color in various places all over the coin, both obv and rev. This tells me that coin was toned black at one time, and then dipped. The remaining black that you see now, is what dipping the coin did not remove. The coin is fairly well worn and almost all of the luster is gone anyway, so if you were to dip the coin again to get rid of the remaining black, well you're not really going to hurt the coin any more than it already has been. And dip, in my opinion, is the only thing that's going to get the rest of that black off the coin.
I appreciate the help gentlemen. I certainly won't retire with this 1 lol but I do like it since it may be a variety. If it was a coin of value I'd probably send it in to be conserved but I enjoy learning on the lower end stuff. I think I may try the acetone first and go from there.
SuperDave, do you have any opinion on what VAM it may be? I've looked on VAMWorld and just can't seem to match this 1 up.
The only real pickups we have here are the two die cracks you've illustrated, and unfortunately those are both high-stress, common areas to see cracking. Neither seem to be early states of identified die breaks. So, no, I've no opinion here due to lack of data. It's likely to remain true throughout the history of VAMming that some won't ever be identified, and many others will only be attributable through microscopic study. Not a hobby for those who frustrate easily.
That is true certainly not for the easily frustrated or impatient lol. I've been looking at the different VAMs for a while now and comparing to some of my peace dollars and just couldn't come up with anything that fits this coin. I've managed to attribute some though which has been gratifying. Maybe this 1 will remain unidentified. I guess I need to invest in a microscope! Thank you for looking at it and replying!
Part of the problem is, much relevant data simply isn't recorded for a given VAM. It's stated that it exists, and images are either not available or too small to be definitive.
