Hi all. I've got a 2009-S Proof Lincoln Cent with a speck above Liberty. See... While it's not too evident in the photo above, there's discoloration spreading from that speck. See the two photos below. (Disregard the two dots in front of Lincoln's chin, which is a speck on the capsule reflected on the coin's field.) See the discoloration starting outwards from the speck above Liberty? My first impulse is to remove the coin from the capsule and use a Q-Tip to remove the speck. But I figured I ought to check here first. Should I go ahead and do that? The four coins are displayed with their reverse sides facing up. Now and then, I'd take a look at them but I never looked at the obverse till yesterday. Thanks for your advice.
I think I'd try to blow it off (compressed air?) before touching the coin. Maybe an acetone bath would wash it away, or maybe even a distilled water bath?
The compressed air may work to get the speck off. But the damage to the surface of the coin may already be done.
@Beefer518 @furryfrog02 Thank you both. I'll do that. Hopefully, the staining may "lighten a bit" (?) after soaking. Regardless (and thankfully), the obverse doesn't show in the U.S. Mint packaging that they come in.
I don't know for sure, but it looks like whatever it is has already discolored the copper, and the speck is not removable. I believe I have run across a speck like this before and it was adhered to the coin.Wait for more experienced collectors opinions though.
@Beardigger may be right. It may be too late. I don't think it hurts to give some things a try...but that being said, you may not end up any better than where you started.
I'm with the others Jeff. My guess is that the damage is done. Many coins like this get liberated and put into circulation.
My opinion is it was too late from the mint. Just one of those proofs that can't qualify for PR70 straight out of the gate. No idea if you can remove it and correct the finish really. It may be embedded in the surface of the coin to begin with and not simply laying on the surface. Possible I suppose to soak in acetone and hope whatever it is dissolves. It likely still won't improve the finish if it was embedded but should arrest it from going further. The discoloration ring around it will spread out further over time if it isn't or can't be removed. The 2009 S is 95% copper so it's not a simple zincoln proof. I personally wouldn't release it into circulation of it doesn't work out. It's just not gonna be a perfect example anymore but still a nice coin.
Hi all. Surprisingly, that speck was blown off (I used a syringe) pretty easily! (Wheewwwww!!!) It's soaking now. (The coin, not the speck.) The discoloration may not improve but at least it won't get worse as Burgess said. And luckily, in the mint (Coins & Chronicle) packaging, only the reverse shows!!! LOL. If I were a dog, my name would be Lucky!
Good luck with the soak. I was going to suggest using Xylene instead of Acetone just to avoid any issues with copper.
Spot has faded but still visible. But definitely an improvement. I'm happy with it. In real life, not as visible as the second photo shows. I'm very glad!
