Conserving a High-Grade Half Cent

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by TypeCoin971793, May 2, 2022.

  1. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    This originally got posted in the Bullion Investing forum somehow (???), so I will try again.


    I’ve started experimenting with coin cleaning/conservation to hone effective techniques, and just because it is very satisfying.

    This coin was in a pvc-filled cardboard flip for at least 40 years. The obverse was covered in gunk and yucky crusties. The reverse was flat and lifeless.

    7FAA6BDE-1BAD-4EAB-9048-0280473063F1.jpeg C61E954A-A946-4108-B05C-F0A69D2A01F1.jpeg

    Looking at the flip, the devices were plainly visible, which is never a good sign:

    02D58D0C-1034-4DE4-BB67-81F97724909A.jpeg B529B988-E46E-4780-A12D-D93CC948CF42.jpeg

    I soaked it in acetone for about 30 minutes. Then I soaked it in Verdicare overnight with a distilled water rinse every couple hours before I went to bed. Then I rinsed with distilled water, dried, and then treated the surfaces with Classic Coin Conditioner (Blue Ribbon substitute which I actually like better than BR). I rolled the CCC onto the surfaces, rolled off excess, patted away 50% of the remaining excess, and let dry for 12 hours. The results are below.

    I was expecting maybe a 50% improvement. A 95% improvement is quite pleasing.

    C5E7A738-F8CC-43D0-A00D-86669D31D1A5.jpeg 81FA3F83-C449-415C-80A5-1B52F81FAAB6.jpeg
     
    JimsOkay, jerryc39, alurid and 4 others like this.
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  3. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    nice job!
     
    TypeCoin971793 likes this.
  4. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    Next step: Send it into one of the TPGs and see if it straight grades.
    A bit of an expensive test but it will indicate whether you are "conserving" or "cleaning".
    And if what I believe happens the test will stop you (and others) from reducing the value of their coins.

    DEFINITIONS:
    -- "Conserving" is a positive. It only interacts with non-metallic debris on a coin's surface.
    -- "Cleaning" is a negative. It works on the results of the interaction of the coining metal and environmental conditions (oxidation, acidic etching, etc.)

    As I understand it, acetone will not "clean" a coin.
    It does not alter the coin's surfaces.
    It will just remove extraneous debris.
    It's a true "conserving" technique.

    On the other hand, as I understand it, Verdicare will alter the surfaces.
    I believe it does "clean" a coin.
    And I'm not familiar with Classic Coin Conditioner so no opinion.
     
  5. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I’m using methods practiced by the PCGS conservation team, so…

    I just conserved this coin as well, using largely the same methods. It is in the NGC grading room as we speak.

    3182C712-D5FC-450D-B712-C194F14A52A3.jpeg 57EE4EFA-692E-421A-B176-7281D1CB2DC4.jpeg
     
  6. kanga

    kanga 65 Year Collector

    And where do I get a description of the methods that they use?
    That description should go a long way to getting my mind straight on this topic.
     
    Scott J likes this.
  7. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I talked with the ex-head of the PCGS conservation team. I shared my methods with him, and he said that that it was an acceptable conservation method.

    Their methods are strictly confidential, so they do not have a published description.
     
  8. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    I would not think using verdicare would constitute cleaning.
     
  9. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    This probably revisits ground from your other thread, but I disagree with this.

    If the coin does not straight grade, that doesn't say anything about whether these techniques were "conserving" or "cleaning". It may simply say that the coin was damaged by improper storage. It certainly wouldn't have straight graded if it had been sent in without this treatment.

    I'm pretty sure that these treatments protected this coin from further damage. At the same time, they will have revealed damage that happened during storage.

    That damage can't be undone. Rather, it can, sort of, maybe -- but that's coin repair (aka "doctoring"), and separate from cleaning or conservation.
     
    AdamL and TypeCoin971793 like this.
  10. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    Thank you for making this distinction. I’ve had some people accuse me of being a coin doctor, which is hardly the case.

    Conservation: using industry-approved practices to remove potentially-damaging substances from a coin’s surface to prevent further damage and to increase eye appeal.

    Doctoring: Fraudulently altering a coin to make it appear a higher grade than it actually is.
     
  11. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

  12. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Yes. I already posted my thoughts in the original thread and it looks like they got deleted.

    After commenting on your good work, I asked if you were finished conserving the 1855 half cent? The obverse still has a lot of crud in the recesses.

    BTW, conservation is a form of coin doctoring and you should proudly profess yourself. I'M ALSO A COIN DOCTOR!

     
  13. BadThad

    BadThad Calibrated for Lincolns

    VERDI-CARE™ is designed to NOT alter the surfaces or to "clean" the coin. It is intended as a conservation product that only removes what you don't want while leaving the surfaces undamaged.
     
  14. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    ALL'S Good. :happy:

    You and Kanga may be saying the same thing. Removing something from the surface of a coin ALTERS it, cleans it, and if done properly - conserves it. ;)
     
  15. TypeCoin971793

    TypeCoin971793 Just a random guy on the internet

    I wasn’t going to be a fully problem-free coin, so I didn’t put in the effort to take it 4% further. In hindsight, I probably should have used a toothpick in the crevices, but I was thrilled enough with the results as pictured.

    I already sold it, so discussing further conservation is a moot point
     
  16. eddiespin

    eddiespin Fast Eddie

    I know it was picked up by PCGS coin sniffer when they first came out with it to encourage us to buy their premium slabs. That was back when they had us seeing coin doctors around every corner. I never used it but I bought a coin the seller told me up front was treated with it, and the coin looked just fine to me. I don’t know if they still got that sniffer contraption or their secure slabs but I thought it was a marketing stunt then and I still think it’s a joke. I don’t need no AI to tell me if I like toning on a coin.
     
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