This 1981 Type II SBA dollar was part of a complete set in a Dansco album. I have no idea how long it was in the album or how it was stored. If it were a tropical fish, I would say it had ich and I would treat it with a fungicide. My local coin dealer is a very good guy and realizing that this coin is most of the value of the set, he took it back and agreed to replace it. Any idea what happened to it? Another guy at the coin shop suggested that someone breathed on it before it went into the album. It also looks to me as if someone tried to clean it (in the field to the right of the portrait), perhaps to remove the spots and then gave up.
Could be saliva spots. Could just be normal milkspotting common on coins of this era. Could be something else also (not sure what though)...Mike
Lol. Hard to really say, could be a number of things, breathing, saliva, etc. But I like those answers. Phoenix
Thanks. Once again you've reminded me that if you don't ask questions, you won't find out what you need to know. I'll try cleaning it with Head and Shoulders.
It's probably salt water. lengthened exposure to salt water causes this kind of discoloration in many coins...if I'm seeing it correctly. Some oils cause it as well.
First, I have no idea about the damage to your coin. I guess my problem with the SBA is the portrait. For goodness gracious, the portrait of her is a hawkish old woman. So, yes, I agree with the Modern Nay-Sayers. The SBA is just coyote-ugly! Of course, that will probably make it worth gadzillions of dollars 50 years from now. Warren Buffet said you buy when people are selling and sell when people are buying. He's done pretty good.
dreamer, Is/Was the coin in a Coin Album that is mainly Leather? If so, then "coin1907" was probably very close to the cause! Since Leather is tanned with with tanic acid and salts, the salts draw or absorb moisture and then if stored or carried (transported) in an enviroment that is too warm or hot, those salts will seep out and effect the coins. I have seen coins that were stored in a Leather Pouch for many, many years that were literally destroyed by the salts in the Leather. Frank
A few have already said it but I'll repeat it. She's ugly in the first place. A little Ich makes her look a little better (but not much).
I am with Hobo.........it's got that right look to be PVC...i might have been in one of those old albums that are all plastic that the row slides into the clear page from the right (dates on the sliding part) You got a closer pic of the set it doesn't look right?? Is it flat at the top of the s? Can't tell in the image
The picture I posted is the only one I have and I don't have the coin anymore. It's a genuine "clear S"; that's not the issue. It's just a mess. I don't know where it was before it ended up in the Dansco album. I'm looking for a replacement.
