Wow, I'm really on a roll tonight! Anyway, here is my 1856 Seated Liberty Quarter. I'm not sure what's up with my camera tonight... as with my 1845 Seated Liberty Half, these pics don't show the luster. This coin actually still has about 80% of its luster. I'm not sure what the circular marks on the obverse are? How would you grade this coin bearing in mind the 80% luster not shown in the pics? ~mrtrek
Pics are very dark and hard to grade. May go AU but looks like orangish dip residue on it. Without brighter pics would be hard to tell for sure.
It's certainly in better condition than the half detail wise - would probably go AU in that respect or high XF. But those circular marks - they appear incuse in the pics - are they ? If they are - the major grading companies ( other than ANACS ) would not grade this coin as they would consider that damage.
the circular marks aren't half as bad as they look in the pics... I didn't even notice them until I took the pics! Just to look at the coin, they look more like discoloration than holes.
Alright, now I do need to figure this out. Upon removing this coin from it's sleeve, I find that those circular marks do not actually exist, neither does the discoloration around the shield. However, in that sleeve was some sort of yellowish liquid... almost seems like household oil... and that had created the appearance of the damage on the coin. First of all, why was this oil in there (if it is even oil), and second of all... will this hurt the value? Thanks, ~mrtrek
Let me start by asking a question - just how long have those coins been in those holders ? If I remember correctly you got them from your grandfather - yes ? There was a time when some collectors would place a a coat of shellac on their coins to protect them from toning, corrosion etc. Some would use a light coat of oil. That may be what was done to your coin. But whatever it is - I would try to get it off. Normally I do not recommend that a coin be dipped or cleaned with anything - others disagree on that subject. But when a coin has something on it like PVC residue or whatever this liquid is on your coin - then it needs to be cleaned. Please read This Thread for what I would recommend you do.
To answer your question, almost all of my coins were from my grandfather. This particular coin I just bought for $35 at a local antique plaza. As for the oil residue... I removed the coin from the holder and carefully set it on a piece of paper. All of the oil ran off or dried, as there is no trace that it was ever there at this point. Should I still clean this coin, or leave it as is? Would you still say this coin will go AU? If so, 50 or 55? Thanks for all your help, ~mrtrek
You can never say this too much....NEVER CLEAN A COIN...now if a coin has PVC you have to clean it....I would pat it with a soft cloth...not a paper towel...that will mark a coin bad....but maybe a soft T shirt. Speedy
Right, I was just speaking of GDJMSP's suggestion in the post before that it may be necessary. Thanks
Just because you can't see it - doesn't mean traces are not still there. Trust me they are there. I would still follow my suggestion about the acetone. Once you have done that - try some new pics. We'll see about he grade then
Sounds good! Might take a while though, I'm rather busy at the moment. But I'll resurrect the thread when I get around to it!
I too found a strange residue on my coins.... I have a bag full of wheaties ( a leather headphone bag) and I went digging through it one night, and found a sticky residue on many of the coins, in preculiar places (on the underside of coins, along sides, as in it had not been dropped from the top). I gave them a rinse in hot water, with a bit of soap, and most of it came off, but some re-appeared in a different bag. Any ideas? It repels water, and is quite sticky.
Pete P. - I'm going to copy your post and start a new thread for you in Coin Chat named Sticky stuff on wheat cents. Please make all comments & posts about this in THAT thread - Click Here
