I see spots! (and it's not good!) 1909 proof nickel

Ok, I'm up for ideas. The spots seem to be carbon or "gunk" of some type on top. Not sure what is underneath yet, but I'm willing to learn because it's ugly and a details grade at this point anyways. It's a shame too, because the reflective fields ought to rate this a cameo at least on the obverse.

Is MS70 safe on a nickel? Or - is anything? As I said, at this point, nothing to lose - and a perfect coin to go into my Dansco.

Thanks in advance!

 

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Send it to NCS if you wish. Don't mess with it. It's not a Cam.

 

@Brett_in_Sacto
Is it good to clean your coin? If it were my coin, it would not be cleaned. I would love it with all the spots. Looks beautiful (but I'm a new student of numismatics).

 

Probably, I've had good results with it on clads. Whether or not it is strong enough to get that is a different story

 

I usually don't, but this is going into my "never sell" Dansco. I just want the raise pieces of junk off the coin. Whatever is left underneath I am happy with.

 

This question really needs like a four hour dissertation to answer. If in doubt no don't, conserving is different though

 

@Brett_in_Sacto
I'll love to see it when you're done! I read about proofs over the weekend, but now I'm confused. This one is a proof? But not type of cameo?
Back to my studies.

 

Cam and Dcam are grades. Not every proof at that time makes those standards. Proofs are always proofs but do not always have those grade levels

 

Thank you. Simple and clear.

 

This proof is in a 2x2 and should have been protected better.
It is probably impaired. There is a scratch at 1 o'clock.
This coin has been handled more than I would like.

 

Yeah, this one has a wire strike through, the fields allow me to see reflections of the trees in the back yard. I do think this one may go cameo, but it's a details grade.

I think it's a 61/62 overall it does have some tiny blemishes. But the fields really are mirror like - the pictures don't show it. I had to use an angle to get rid of the reflection.

 

The spots look on the photo look like copper ( cuprous) oxide which is mainly soluble in Potassium cyanide or dilute acid or ammonia solutions. Very insoluble in water. Probably a quick rinse in EZ-est or dilute ammonia might help, but it is a crapshoot. It isn't bad enough yet to try, give it a few more years.

 

I thought CAM and DCAM were attributes, rather than grades.

Chris

 

My suggestion is do nothing at all. The coin is really nice and you can put significant hairlines by even very safe cleaning methods. I echo the suggestion to send the coin in for professional conservation.

That being said if you must try something a soak in acetone wont hurt the coin even for a few days in a covered container. I hope to see the coin conserved it really is a great coin.

 

Semantics.

 

I am leaning towards conservation since it is a proof.

So many of the 1909 are well struck - but so many were set aside because everyone was after the cent.

If you feel that acetone will do no harm, I will try that. Beyond that - I don't want to ruin the surface and mirrors - so it may go to NCS.

I know acetone is safe on 90% silver, but nickel is definitely an unfamiliar beast for me.

Acetone votes? Yay or nay?

 

Do you know how to use the acetone? The way you use it is the only thing that will harm the coin.

 

Hey, that's a beauty even with the spots........I wouldn't mess with it, but if you decide to, let someone else do the messin' (TPG conservation ). The fact that you have to ask for advice on cleaning/conserving shows that you're not experienced enough to do the deed, and this is far too valuable a coin to be experimenting with.