Is this coin toning natural or a problem? (It has a bit of mineral oil applied.) Do you think a few acetone baths are in order to try to remove the gunk between the letters? Oh, and are both coins EF or would the toned one make AU? Thanks
I'm not a toning expert but I'll go with natural toning. I would rate the toned coin as EF-45 and the other as EF-40. The non-toned IHC has very nice eye appeal. I took off ten basis points for the scratch. I wouldn't clean them. They look good as is.
My opinion is that both coins are problem coins despite the toning. They both appear to have altered surfaces, been cleaned, or both. The originality of the toning is the least of the problems.
The coins aren't without issues but I wouldn't classify them as "problem coins". I can read a full Liberty on both coins with quite nice reverses. The rim of the toned coin appears to have a small nick on the rim but the other coin's rim looks quite good. I still stand by my EF40 and EF45 rating.
xf details on both and agree with Paul. The second looks oily like something was used to darken it. The first coin I am not sure what was done to it, but the scrape on the ribbon does it in. To me this are nice coins for a album.
You can see some marks and tiny hairlines on both. Both don't have any original "feel" to it, and I would agree with the consensus here, altered surfaces, and the EF range is about right. Also, I would say that the Acetone bath isn't necessary, the coins are cleaned enough, and you don't need to be altering the surfaces anymore than they are.
I wouldn't use acetone. But if you want to get that gunk out of the lettering on the one coin, soak it in mineral oil for a few months, then see if that helps loosen it up, if not, leave it in for a year. then you can very very very carefully get the gunk out something like the tip of a toothpick or something perhaps. i'd just leave them alone though, most coins aren't worth messing up any further by playing doctor
Both coins looked cleaned , I don't think acetone would hurt them anymore , but it's better to leave them alone and let nature retone them . rzage
I also agree about the coin being cleaned, however, I don't believe soaking it in mineral oil or Coin Care or Blue Ribbon will harm the coin. You can also use a toothpick or rose thorn to loosen the dirt after soaking for an hour or so - it doesn't have to be months. Then rinse it in soap and water, dry it off, put it on a window seal that gets lots of light for a few months, turn it over periodically, and let it retone naturally.
I was shocked to find the coins are cleaned, more so that it is to the point of 'altered surfaces.' Hopefully the retoning advice will improve them. Thanks all for the advice!
