Wondering about this 1893 IHC. It has such a strange surface patina, I didn't know if it was prooflike or just toned. I also am including another IHC from the same collection just because it's pretty. These have both been housed in a book for many decades. Thanks!
Cleaned and electronicly re copper coated... I've seen this done quite often. IMHO both have been altered surfaces.
When you plate something say gold plating or any medal for that matter. You must clean the surface and prep it so the bond of molecules can attach to the surface. In areas where the surface isn't cleaned the plating won't stick. Or it will rub off. You can see around the the head as well other areas where it wasn't preped thus old surfaces showing through the plating
I admit that I know very little about IHCs and their grading. Was just looking for insight, but I guess I'll stay for the ridicule...dear fellow.
Ya think if they were going to replate something they pick a lower mintage. Maybe this was a trial run....
Hesitate to reply.............. Don't know much, so I'll just remain stupid.......which is my 'safe zone'........
This one was harshly polished, probably with baking soda or something like that. That tends to leave a reflective surface like you describe - a weirdly reflective, but at the same time rough surface. Sorry, definitely not a (natural) prooflike.
Prooflike Indians are extremely rare. Here is one of the very few. Notice how on mine, the fields are bright and clear. On yours, you see a haziness around the devices - this is the remnants of the polish that was used.
Holy crap Jason. And a semi key too. I need sunglasses. May I take a stab at grading it? I’d guess 64PL......
I did not know this was a thing. I am very aware of plated curio set type pieces and know that re-plated war cents are quite common. But not re-plating like this. Is it done as an attempt to fool a purchaser into believing he is buying a better grade coin?
I was going on the contact marks in the fields and over “ONE” on the reverse holding it back. It definitely has 65 eye appeal!
I have 3 jeweler friends, Steve showed me how to plate items . Of course immersed in the solution and a elertric current running through the item. However the surface of the item must be clean from anything that would interfere with the process. Look at around the devices notice the voids around the profile and in areas that the polish didn't clean or was left behinde. Notice the color difference as of course the transfer didn't happen. On the reverse the same. The cleaned high points have been plated, but the cracks and crevices don't....show it was plated. And of course it also depends on the the amount of plating on how fast it will wear off. But again when you plate an item the finial result will be determine on how well the item is preped. From looking at the op coin it wasn't prepared very good as it's can be seen clearly where the plate took hold and where it did not.
