Question about my double eagles

What is the white material or residue in the creases of these coins? It can be seen when the coin is magnified. To my knowledge, these coins have not been cleaned.

 

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First, welcome to the neighborhood!

I don't collect gold coins, but isn't it possible that someone else cleaned these coins? After all, they are 109 years old.

Chris

 

Welcome
Ok, I have a couple questions.
Are they both 1908's with motto on the reverse?
What's on the rim of the first one, almost looks White like casting residue?
Do these checkout as gold?
Is the diameter and thickness along with the weight correct?

 

Both 1908's have no motto on the reverse. Both were sold to my family as gold coins but I have not had them examined and verified. That may be a good next step. Thank you for the advice.

 

Chris - Thank you for your reply. How would I tell if these coins have been cleaned? This would affect my asking price.

 

Perhaps someone who has more experience collecting gold will chime in. I am not qualified to answer it.

Chris

 

I personally have handled thousands of those coins without ever seeing that believed unnatural effect. I believe the condition may have been caused by a baking soda application. It would be difficult to determine without an in-hand examination.

Not having the capability to examine, I'd estimate the coin to have ~$1200 current value if it can be determined authentic. You can accomplish this yourself with a non-destructive Gold test kit, or possibly submit the coin to a conservator, third party grader, or local coin shop for testing.

JMHO

 

Welcome to CT. I see a couple of spots that look like PVC residue. This can be easily cleaned with a pure acetone soak. As for authenticity, they look pretty good to me, but I don't see any edge lettering; though it could just be the angle of the image. I would also like to see a reverse image before making a call.

 

I plan to have the coins inspected by an expert because now I have doubts.

 

The edge lettering is the motto E Pluribus Unum followed by stars. Attached are the reverse photos.

 

Where were they purchased from a coin shop? or other good entity?
was it close to the price of spot gold?

or was this a "steal" of a purchase?

 

It looks like polish to me. Soak it in nail polish remover. It may take a little picking at with a toothpick, but if that's what it is, you should get it off. That didn't get in those crevasses and creases by accident.

 

Don't you have to be careful to only use certain nail polish removers? I seem to recall that some have non-desirable ingredients and that "pure" (?) acetone is preferred...?

 

But here her nail polish remover would work just fine, as they're already polished coins. But "pure" acetone is what you want to use on good surfaces, for sure, and that's good you brought that up.

 

I am not confident about putting anything chemical on a coin, but I appreciate the replies I have been reading.

 

Unknown where the coins were purchased.

 

Acetone cannot harm metal...it is an organic solvent. That 'residue' is strange... almost as if it has been puttied.... but the residue should not be a different color. The entire coin looks suspect - however, it could be the pictures. If they have not been purchased, then walk away... if purchased, return them.

 

Even "100% Pure" acetone has a chemical in it to induce vomiting if swallowed...

 

Not true. There aren't a lot of acetonolics out there; so no need to make the stuff nauseating. It's not particularly toxic either. Our bodies produce the stuff if we haven't eaten for a while or have untreated diabetes. Still shouldn't consume it on purpose though. It is very flammable, and vapors can be explosive. Denatured alcohol (ethanol) does have nauseating and/or bad tasting and/or toxic compounds added.

Cal