Are people buying old slabbed / graded cleaned coins, putting them in their pockets for a while and then submitting them hoping to get a non-details grade? I'm not smart enough for that action, but it kind of annoys me because I don't mind details coins and it seems to be driving up the prices. Now, if I have ICG do "conservation" is this coin going to get any prettier? I think it might be XF (opinions please!) but it's kind of ugly as is, I don't like the toning. Thoughts? Input? Does anyone have examples of coins they have conserved - before and after - and does anyone know the process used?
I like the coin and I give it a VF condition grade but I don't know there conservation process . Many have told me this though :
Me neither, but I got a good price on it, I need a better 1926D, and I'm hoping I can get it looking better, hence the question.
It's tough to tell from the photos but it almost looks like it was covered in shellac at some point... there are a bunch of us here who know different ways to try and restore a coin but with the coin you're showing if any of the processes can remove that toning or coating it's likely to leave behind some lighter and darker obviously 'cleaned' spots so it would be unlikely to straight grade for many years. Until it gets some natural age back on it...if you pocket it will wear even more and certainly end up in worse condition...might be fun as a "pocket" coin for a while and if you fondle it enough that surface will probably lighten up...maybe end up on your fingers and or your pocket a little bit for a few years though lol.
I'm in the same ballpark with @SensibleSal66 too much wear on breast and shield to rate an XF. Personally I'd not spend the $$$ on restoring a $35 coin, but that's just my opinion. It's your coin and your $$$
Thanks, good note! I will look into rehabbing PVC damage. I'm not going to do anything myself - I did buy pure acetone but so far I've been too chicken to dip any coins in it. I'd love to see this coin without those ugly splotches, right?
Pure acetone will not harm any coin (except maybe plastic ones), the worst it might do is to uncover damage under the schmutz. Give it an overnight soak (cover the glass container) and see what it looks like. A xylene soak would be next to remove any organics that the acetone won't faze. After this, the next thing left are coin dips and they aren't good for coins below AU.
Looks like ferric chloride remains, which is not a method for silver. People are so rediculous over toning it might be an easy sell. Jim
Nothing wrong with getting a small jar, place the coin in some acetone for a couple of days. You may work a miracle and you never know if you don't try. If it was my coin, I'd go for it!
Make sure it's covered well! If it all evaporates you get a new kind of ugly as the gunk gets redeposited on your coin!
I agree, nothing will go wrong as long as the jar is clean and you keep a lid on it. Pour enough acetone to cover the coin around 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the coin. good luck!
I’ll tell you this. Carrying around a cleaned coin in your pocket for a few weeks or months will give it an unnatural shiny/cleaned appearance. I tried this experiment myself once. But if it is done for years, like @GDJMSP did with his brand new gold Eagle, it can begin to get dirty and tone naturally with the oils on it and the knocks it takes.
You have nothing to lose on that coin. That will be a good coin for you to experiment on and get more comfortable with the process
Gasoline. Turpentine. Baking Soda. Olive oil. H2O2. One can say the same for all those, you’ll never know unless you try. Just don’t get your hopes too high up, this one’s past it.