So awhile back I picked up this 1945 s Merc dime graded ms65 and it happened to be a unlabeled micro s. But when I got it, it didn't have these small black spots forming on it and I was wondering if this is damage or toning? Could it even be damage cause it was graded ms65? Sorry for the photos of the coin it's self my camera is crappy?
They are carbon spots... they tend to surface and there isn't any thing one can do to stop or make them go away. Found alot on Buffalo nickels, but can happen on any coin. Copper.nickel silver . Unfortunately they can get worse or stay the same.
Aww man I was hoping it's the starting of toning but it's ok I guess it's come as part of the hobby. Thank you for the info this group is amazing I learn alot from all you guy's. Another quick question dose it effects the value?
Yes and no... yes if the buyer has an issue with the spots no if they dont...for this collector yes... I was looking at a nice rainbow tone 1970s small date proof ...until I saw the spot on the back of Abes head...it was quite large. And I passed .
The chances of avoiding carbon spots improve if you buy coins that have never been dipped. Dipping exposes virgin metal which is more susceptible to them. Another factor is to avoid getting your breath anywhere around your coins. Silvia is a major source for this problem. Sneezing on a coin is a recipe for disaster. The trouble is it’s impossible to know a coin’s history. Buying coins in old slabs is one strategy. Given proper storage, (e.g. no storage in the attic or garage) you probably will never have a problem with silver, nickel or gold. Red copper has its own issues.
Let me put it this way. You've seen toned coins. Some of them tone out quite nicely, you agree. Envision a perfect coin, say, a perfect Morgan Dollar, and put a beautiful bright red toning spot on it, right smack at the tip of her nose. It wouldn't matter if it were a green toning spot, or blue toning spot, or yellow toning spot, or, yes, black carbon spot, it's going to reflect negatively on how you feel about that coin. Ought to tell you, it's not the carbon, it's the spot. The spot is the "eye-magnet" disrupting your eye-movement through the coin, which is the primary determinant in how you feel about the coin. That's why you just don't want it. And the market sees it, too.
