Contaminated Dellars and my Whacked S VDB Part 2

I won't rewrite everything done to this coin that was previously posted in this post: http://www.cointalk.com/forum/t47934/

Long Story short, I orginally soaked coin (mistakenly) in acetone too long (about 2 days) to remove verdigris. Acetone does not remove verdigris, but I did not know this at the time. The previous dellars darkener was removed to reveal several areas of hairlines. (I am assuming someone had put dellars on this coin based on the look when I bought it). I had cracked out of a PCGS EF 40 slab (go ahead and Shoot at me here if needed :headbang::headbang: ) due to lots of grime in the lettering, numbers, edges, etc.. that was driving me crazy. Should have stopped there as I know it would have graded no problem. But I tried to remove the verdigris with the acetone.
I then posted here under "Post some Lincolns" if I remember right. Someone criticized it there having all these hairlines and I felt sensitive about it and tried to fix it. I think it would have graded even with the hairlines. Anyway, put the contaminated Dellars Darkener on and it spotted (didn't know that Dellars can clump up with concentrated sulfur areas). Used Verdigone to finish off the verdigris and calm down the gray look. Finally gave up and sent to NCS. They did a decent job, except they "dinged" it on the beard. I don't know what they did to cause this spot. I still like the coin, but don't like the light color of the 1909 and the LIBERTY.

Big question. Keep as is and let tone in the holder, or crack out and put in my album? It is growing on me in the holder actually. Is it worth more in the NCS holder or after toning in an album?? How would I safely tone in the holder-leave in the open air on my desk or for a few hours in indirect sunlight? I am emotionally detached now from the coin and OVER the pain and suffering aspect of the torture I put it through. Expensive lesson, but I have healed (a little time and help from God). If you guys want to shoot at me for my stupidity I can take it. :crying::crying::headbang:

 

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Part 2 cont'd

Here's some more photos.

 

oh, im sorry to hear this. if it were me, i would take it out and put near my window or in an album to let it tone.

 

I would think that it is worth more in the NCS holder. The reason is that way you have proof to a potential buyer that it is authentic. If you put it in an album and let it tone it is still a cleaned coin...so it's going to bring damage money. At least in the holder you can show without a doubt that it is an genuine S VDB.

 

Ouch! I would leave it alone and let the poor coin rest for a while.

 

It's a tough call for me. I have put together 3 ways of collecting Lincolns now: Graded PCGS/NGC; in Dansco Album; and in Intercept 2x2's in Eagle Pages with Eagle labels in an archival album. I need to have a S VDB for each set so I would either put in an album or leave in my graded set. Thanks for opinions so far.

 

If I were you I would have dipped it in E-Z-EST then retoned it with dellars.

 

I don't think I would do that. I think this coin has been altered enough and anymore would just make it worse. I'd just leave it as is.

 

If anyone wants to experiment with Dellar's, they should put a small amount of it in a BIG glob of petroleum jelly and mix well. As it comes out of the container it is very strong, and a dilution allows better control. I am not recommending the product, just if one is determined to do it, give yourself a safety margin.

Jim

 

AND for God's sake ( and your own), practice on common coins first.

Jim

 

One thing is for certain; you definately have a lot of guts Boss. Not many people would crack an XF S VDB out of its slab and try to improve it. Even if you crack it out of its new slab to let it tone, the ding on the cheek will probably remain noticeable. I would let it be. Nice coin, even if its improperly cleaned.

 

Before I read your quote below, I totally agreed with what Camaro said. No matter what, the coin is autheticated.

But after you mention this, I also would be detached from the coin and would probably just crack it out to put it in my book. When I crack a coin out of a slab, I typically save the insert just to show that at one time it did grade as such and such a grade.


But then again, the slab gives it "authentication" and now-a-days, that counts for something.

But I am like you, once I screw a coin up, I become detatched from it and just want to move on and get a new one. But because you are trying to put together three sets, I would use this coin for the lesser of the 3 sets. Good luck.

 

As much time, effort and frustation this coin has caused you I think it's time to part ways with it. Personally, I'd sell it in the NCS slab and buy a new one. I'm sure it would fetch good money on ebay or elsewhere as it's still a rare coin. Take the proceeds and apply them to a new S-VDB.....and don't tinker with it for God's sake. LOL

 

Right now I won't do anything. Gathering opinions and deciding what to do. Lord knows I have been impulsive enough. I don't have cracked out coins and had them upgrade, so it doesn't scare me as much as it should I suppose. For some reason I think the coin looks esthetically nice in the holder. I think it will tone in time in the holder so nothing to lose by waiting. Curious what others think. Appreciate all the opinions so far. Everyone listen to what Jim said if you use Dellars. I think Verdigone is a Godsend and if I had known about it this debacle would not have happened.

 

Good point, unload it and buy a better one or at least an uncleaned one. Tough to accept a loss though, now with the NCS fees involved. It may fetch a better price out of the slab. Good theory though, unload the mistakes and don't make them again.

 

Two wrongs do not make a right.

If you're lucky additional attempts to "improve" this coin may hide the damage caused by the previous attempts to "improve" it. If you're not lucky you may further destroy a KEY coin.

My advice is to leave the coin alone and consider this an expensive lesson.

 

Definatly one for the tuition box, Boss, and I agree with Harry, you have some real nutz to crack and attempt to clean a PCGS XF SVDB, OR be nutz

It is now a problem coin, so better to lose it and try again after a bit of reflection and saving money for the next one.

 

i say it put it on a raffle on CT and forget about it. ask $5 for an entry ticket . picj a number and there u go everyone will be happy and u wont lose money

 

I would sell the coin as is in the NCS holder.
Album toning is not going to correct the cleaning problem or the looks of the coin. I'm sure NCS left the surface of the coin as stable as possible so toning will be very slow in the slab.

It's too easy to find a nice one in a good holder.

 

I am with him. Sell it. Wait for a nicer one.