Hi everybody, Today I got a nice XF 1909 Indian head half eagle at spot price. It has some gold solder over the words "five dollars" on the reverse. Does anyone know how I can get this off. Thanks, Charlie
I might take it into a jewerly shop and see if they could remove the extra gold for you. It sure wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure that the coin would look different under the solder spots, but that's better than clumps there.
It does depend on the alloy that's used on the solder. But usually most of the time, it's impossible to remove it. You have to send it to the "coin doctor" who specializes in this area. Not cheap but honestly, would you want to try it yourself and find out you are no worse than trying to ruin the coin itself?
On the other hand, since you paid bullion value for it, you can treat it as a bullion investment with some possibility of additional numismatic value to someone else in the future. It might already be worth more than you paid to someone if you put it up for sale "as is" on Ebay. I wouldn't rush to do anything with the coin. But getting ideas in this forum is probably a good start.
If you're successful in removing it,let me know because I have a certain Hawaiian coin (hope Doug isn't reading) with a similar "problem" ***jk***
Nitric Acid or Silver nitrate should remove it....dont use it on silver coins tho (for the guy with the Hawaiian coin)
Will nitric acid damage a gold coin like it damages clads and coppers? Do you know how it works to remove the solder? Thanks, Charlie
The key point here is to determine what other metal was used in the gold alloy in the 5 dollar coin. Mostly likely copper if I am not wrong. And with that, you also have to find out what kind of solder is used on the gold coin. If one of the metal composition is similar to the gold coin itself, then there is no point contining on unless you want to dissolve the whole coin, which I say is not a brilliant idea.
your best bet will be to leave it as it is. Any attempt to fix it is almost guaranteed to compound the problem.
Even if you could dissolve it or get it off - you would always be able to tell that it HAD been there. This typically only serves to make people think you are trying to pass the coin off as something it is not. Leave it alone.
