Are these flecks something I can remove.

[wireless2u-migration]

I have a group of 1885-0 Morgan dollars some of which have flecks on them. I received them as a group and do not know what these flecks are and if it would be a problem to remove them. These coins, even restored are not going to be worth much over $20 - $30 in value.

 

I was wondering if these flecks might be debris laying on top or are they some sort of environmental damage? Also if they are debris is it something I can attempt to remove myself considering the value of the coins and the cost of professional conservation?

 

If anyone has experience with this kind of problem I would appreciate your advise, either on the list or privately.

 

Sorry for the gold tone, photographed by lamp light.

 

Thanks for your insights,

 

John V

[HaydenTubbs]

Dip those babies!

[Hoot]

Hey Wireless -

 

First thing might be a soak in a mild soapy water solution. A little Woolite in water can work wonders at getting rid of grunge. Mild rubbing in the solution with your clean fingers can help, but be gentle, as significant debris caught between your finger and the coin can hairline the coin. After this, rinse in warm water very thoroughly for a long time (10 minutes or so, then give them an acetone bath.

 

If the spots are still present, then you can try a mild dip - be sure to use a 25% or less solution of Jewel Lustre. Again, rinse forever, then acetone dip.

 

Whenever you acetone dip a coin, be sure that the acetone is fresh. Dirty acetone will leave a resudue that will harm your coin.

 

If the spots are still there, then you may have a coin that has impurities in the surface metal. Those impurities will not be removeable. You can try NCS (which is what I'd do in the first place if the coins were valuable), but I have tried them with carbon spots and the coin still comes back spotty. Sometimes, there's just nothing that can be done.

 

Hoot

[wireless2u-migration]

Here is the same spot after Woolite and a rinse. The woolite, hand rubbing and a little picking at it, freed the fleck, but it had already pitted the surface. It does not stand out as much now as before?

 

I have a few other coins with the same deposits on it. Do you think the Jewel Lustre can remove the deposits even if they are some kind of corrosion? Trying to flick off the deposit is hard to do and I might cause other minor flaws in the process. Just interested in how Jewel Lustre works.

 

[HaydenTubbs]

Here is the same spot after Woolite and a rinse. The woolite, hand rubbing and a little picking at it, freed the fleck, but it had already pitted the surface. It does not stand out as much now as before?

 

I have a few other coins with the same deposits on it. Do you think the Jewel Lustre can remove the deposits even if they are some kind of corrosion? Trying to flick off the deposit is hard to do and I might cause other minor flaws in the process. Just interested in how Jewel Lustre works.

 

Hi John,

I'm sorry I didn't get back with you,as I haven't been on the past few days.

I usally just give my silver coins a 15 second max. dip,if they're lustor lackers.If they're really dark toners,you've got to dip them for a while and they come out looking almost as bad.

I've never tried but I don't think a dip will get rid of corrosion.A dip is more for dirt,etc.

[BankNote1]

That flyspeck on the Morgan looks like a bit of debris that was on the planchet before striking rather than a pitted surface caused by the flyspeck, IMO. I could well be dead wrong.

I have found it is better to trust my problem coins to NCS than try to remove some crud and ruin the coin myself! I use dip every now and then but sparingly. Dip can ruin a coins lustre and lustre can't be put back on a coin after it is removed.

[wireless2u-migration]

Thanks for the help and explanations. Maybe you can give me some pointers on the below coins.

 

I have a whole slew of 1885-O Morgans that have spots on them. For example:

 

See the two deposits on the eagle's right (your left) wing.

 

 

Or the two spots in front and below the chin on this coin

 

 

Also, spots like on the below coin most visible around the UNIT of united

 

 

I tried the Woolite and acetone suggestion but these don't seem to help at all, any ideas if anything can be done? These are BU 1885-O and are common so I do not believe it is economically a good expense to have them conserved by NCS.

 

John V

[Wihlborg]

John,

 

In my experience the type of spots you are asking about do not respond well to any of the commonly found over the counter coin cleaning remedies, including dipping solutions.

 

You could dip a coin until the luster has been stripped from its surfaces and those spots will still be visible. Most cleaning solutions work well on light surface tone and dirt, but do little to remove heavy tone, spots, and surface impurities with out doing more harm than good.

 

One caution, if you are not experienced in how to correctly use the various cleaning products DO NOT try using them on a valuable coin. There have probably been more coins ruined by someone trying to clean their coins than any other reason.

 

John

[BankNote1]

John;

I would leave the spots alone. It won't raise the value of the coin by removing the spots in your photos. You also run the risk of lowering the value of the coin. Most collectors would rather have an "original" mint state coin with a few flyspecks than a dull looking "cleaned" or hairlined coin. Picking or rubbing a mint state coin with anything can distrub the lustre!

[midwest]

could ncs help?

[wireless2u-migration]

Sounds good to me. Just leave them alone and leave the coin natural.