Would you try to conserve this coin?

Would you try to conserve this coin? If so, what would you do to it, or not do to it?

 

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No I would not, but I am sure others might try with acetone. But I would wait for someone that knows more than me.

 

it just looks like ugly toning? i would never clean a coin

 

Is it really ugly toning, or is it something else, or are the pictures just so so. I mean the coin looks to be in good condition. A bath in acetone won't hurt it, but if it doesn't need it I wouldn't do it.

 

Here's a link to the coin with better pics. Scroll down the page and click on the pics to enlargement them. I'd say the coin is at least EF, but that toning could be better, I'm wondering if it's gone past toning and harmed the coin, which would look even worse if removed.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290402462208&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

PLEASE don't clean it. I resisted the urge on this crusty Busty and I am glad I did...

 

I don't think anything could be done to help either coin.
The toning is probably hiding lots of tiny marks.
A dip would make it look really nasty.
The price on the Ebay one is already more than I would pay.

 

The coins I'm seeing here cannot be conserved.
They can only be cleaned which of course is a no-no.

 

Thanks all for your input, which is my gut feeling too - any attempt to improve the coin probably wouldn't. Yet it's tempting to try, given its low value as is and the coin's potential if it improves. Since it appears to have been an improperly stored gem and given the price it sold for, an attempt to improve it probably wouldn't lower its value much more (it's already rock bottom at a G4 price) and if it does improve, the value goes up significantly.

I'd say it looks like it was an unc and what appears to be wear on Liberty (in the pic, but maybe it’s not) is from the attempt to clean it. If Liberty hasn’t been damaged, the rest of the attempted cleaning doesn’t appear to have damaged the coin significantly. Did they stop the cleaning because there is definitely pitting under the heavy stuff? Although my experience tells me there is probably pitting, I’m not convinced the coins appeal can’t be improved, given the fact an attempt to do so ain’t going to make it worth a lot less. With a minimally invasive cleaning and many years of proper storage (opportunity to tone correctly), I think the coin could exhibit much better eye appeal.

So, given the facts of this coins condition, if one were to attempt to improve it, not wanting to dip it long enough to remove the heavy stuff, thus dooming the luster and eating away the sharpness, what would you use to attempt to remove the heavy stuff?

 

What you are calling heavy stuff looks to be dark toning and a dip is the only thing that will remove it. It's in the surface of the coin not just on it. I don't feel you can ever remove it all and any try at dipping it will end in a worse looking coin. It is what it is but would love to see the images after you finish messing with it.

 

LOL! I'll be sure and post the before and after pics, if I decide to take a chance. It may look better in person - it does look better in the smaller images.

 

The damage has already been done. The 'toning' had advanced to straight out corrosion and the pitting can already be seen. I have no doubt additional 'toning' will eventually render this a truly ugly filler.

This is why I can't understand the appeal of toners. It's always just the beginning of the end.

 

Can you really see pitting in that image?

 

Yeah, I think it's premature to say there's pitting - but likely so under the heavier toning.

I hear what you're saying about toning, left unchecked it will eventually ruin a coin. But, a lightly toned coin, with hints of rainbow, is a beautiful coin, as is a blast white one. Either one of these coin's toning can be virtually stopped, though not completely, by placing it in an as air tight as possible holder.

 

Acetone has been often mentioned as a means to remove PVC plasticizers/infections, but it also can be used to remove any loosely bound molecular water from the corrosion process. It doesn't remove corrosion products, but it can reduce it's activity due to lessened water. Then putting it into a "relatively air tight" holder will basically stop the corrosion process IMO.

But this is a coin I believe in corrosion process rather than toning, and although I can not point to any spot and guarantee pitting, I would strongly expect to find it.

Jim

 

While I can certainly be wrong, I believe I see significant corrosion including flaking around the stars which is already in the process of further corrosion. The metal is being transformed into other molecules and they are not protecting the underlying metal like a few compounds do which result in conservation of the coin's base metal.

 

It looks like it's been through the ringer, but...

I would:

• Not sell it, (unless I was able to reap a very nice reward).
• Leave it alone, and or
• Not clean it at all

 

I take it back, based on the larger photos I would take the chance and dip it. I think it is dog ugly and would either dip it or dispose of it, either way I couldn't keep it looking like that.