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Altered surfaces

Started by Jakeblue,

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CHRISS

CHRISS

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Posted

There have been instances when the appearance of "altered surfaces" has been the result of residues and toning. Conservation has been able to help these coins. Most "altered surface" coins, however, have surface damage that can not be helped through professional conservation. The best we could do with most coins with altered surfaces is authenticate the piece, give it a grade of the details and encapsulate it in an NCS details holder.

 

Chris, NCS

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Smilie Puss

Smilie Puss

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Chris:

 

The problem here may be NO EVIDENCE of surface damage excluding possible hairlines or abrasions of inadvertant mishandling of the coin. NO EVIDENCE of "fill in" compounds was also determined. NO EVIDENCE of laser ablation (localized surface melting) either.

 

Proof coins are especially prone to the Altered Surface designation due to the mirror-like surface. The question becomes was it altered by natural/inadvertant(oxidation/contamination-PVC) means or deliberate to deceive or hide imperfections or blemishes? In other words, gives the coin a false impression of physical appearance.

 

The next question to ask is who would want to alter the surface of a proof coin if no evidence is observable @ 10X of physical or chemical damage? This doesn't make reasonable sense. Yes, it could happen but the odds are it probally wasn't attempted or tried.

 

The other question may be more of knowledge regarding cause and effect. Does the grader know the method of alteration other than giving the misnomer: "it doesn't look normal" or "it doesn't fit the general appearance"? This is vague and may absolve the grader if there is a legal challange to the coins authenicity or condition.

 

I have had experience with NCS coins that were identified having Altered Surfaces when in fact NO OBSERVABLE EVIDENCE was found by either microscopic (optical) or by differential image characterization (DIC) examination to have been altered.

 

itsnow24u

Senior Research Chemist, Retired

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