Toned 5 Lirot, 1958, Israel

Picked up this Israel 5 Lirot 1958, with really nice toning. They were sold in wooden boxes, and spent 62 years in them. New kind of toning: Wood box toning.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Which side was facing out?
I'm assuming the Menorah.

Nice toning.

 

The Menorah was touching the lid.

 

That is pretty cool, are you gonna have it graded?

 

Thinking about it. It would grade Gem, I am sure. Don’t see anything to preclude a 65-66.

Here is one on eBay that graded 65. I think the one I got is cleaner, and the obverse toning far nicer.

 

The black spots on the "5" denomination side are a bit unsightly. Any chance you could soak that off without disturbing the toning?

Out-gassing from wood does weird things to coins. Sometimes they are very nice, other times they are completely ruined.

 

That is possible. They are bits of toning, so I think a one-sided dip is possible.

 

I was thinking more of an acetone bath. A dip could accidentally ruin the whole coin's look. Tread lightly I guess. As long as they aren't PVC or something active, I suppose they'd still slab it as is. Lover the obverse toning - that iridescent stripe of teal is fabulous!

 

That is the only reason I am reluctant to do anything to spoil the obverse toning. I am sure it would straight grade as 65 or more. The dark spots on the obverse are just crusty toning, so I could live with it the way it is. It could get a * for obverse toning from NGC.