And I was told by them that no PVC damaged coin could be graded by them at all . HA HA http://www.ncscoin.com/news/enews/2007/August/article1.asp
dear NGC, Please tell me your secret ways of removing green corrosion and returning a coin to its original red tone , and by doing so not be considered to be re toning or cleaning the coin.
The PVC can be removed with a simple acetone bath. I do think the color change is pretty tremendous though. It could be that the coin had other surface contaminents which were also removed by the acetone, or it may just be a difference in photography. Its tough to know without seeing the coin in hand.
And they told you the truth. The key word in the statement is damaged. Not every coin that gets PVC residue on it is damaged. The situation is this - none of the grading companies will grade a coin that has PVC residue actually on it. But if the PVC is removed first and the coin is then examined and it is determined that no damage was done by the PVC or its removal - they will grade it. The could care less who removed the PVC.
That's because they are a lot alike. One major difference though - cleaning is done by an amateur, conservation is done by a professional. And your question is a very good example of why I am always trying to explain how important terminology is in this hobby. For example, many people will swear that they have heard that the top TPG's will not slab cleaned coins. That's not true, not at all. NGC and PCGS will and do slab cleaned coins all day every day. But they will not slab harshly cleaned coins. One little word, but a huge difference in meaning.
Hey then, GDJSMP, and anyone else for that matter: I hear people mention dipping coins in acetone an awefull lot around here. So, whats up with that? Is it generally accepted, or not? Is there a right way to do it, and a wrong way to do it? Its always sounded like cleaning to me. Just curious. Thanks.
I like the last entry above here ... anyone with experience and or knowledge...we would love some help...
It's cleaning to me too, but it is not harsh cleaning. And no, I never recommend doing it unless it is absolutely necessary. Probably 99% of all the collectors out there will tell you that acetone is harmless to coins. I'm in the 1% that disagree. I have seen too many coins dipped in acetone with a residue on them that shows up later. Yes there is a proper way to do it, if you are going to do it. Get 3, clean, glass ( NEVER plastic ) dishes or small bowls and place a small amount of acetone in the bottom of each. Dip the coin in dish 1 and leave there for as much time as you think is needed. That may be anywhere from 10 seconds to an hour depending on what is on the coin. Then dip the coin in dish 2 for 10 seconds or so. Then dip the coin in dish 3 for the same time. Then remove the coin, rinse it thoroughly in distilled water and let it air dry. If this does not completely remove the contaminant from the coin, repeat the process. But make sure you throw all of the used acetone away and use clean dishes or wash & dry them before using them again. If after two attempts it doesn't work, then it's not going to work. And always do this in a very well ventilated ( fresh air ) area.
So, do you think its possible that some of the walkers I have bought that later had black ugly spots show up on them, could have been dipped in acetone?
Possibly, but if the spots are black I rather doubt it. I would suspect it was a commercial coin dip since acetone won't remove toning at all.
Ok, Opinion needed: Removing soil and crud with Blue Ribbon Coin Conditioner (tm) and a small brush like the kind we can borrow from our wife thats soft enough for her make-up kit? Namely copper coins, you know me, Lincolns. Nothing other than removing dirt. Well?
NCS. Not NGC. If you submit coins to NCS they will attempt to "fix" your coin. If it turns out to be unfixable they will slab it and net grade it. If they are able to "fix" it, NGC will then grade it. NCS and NGC are sister companies, not the same company. Looks like the submitter of that coin did pretty well.