Gray penny

[Prayman49-migration]

I have a 1911s penny it's like new all details are sharp it looks almost like it's right from the mint. One problem though it's gray somehow someone turned it grey the edge of the coin has a little part the is still copper color but the rest is gray. It looks gray but under the gray you can see the redish color trying to come through. The coin shows an oliy rainbow if you put a drop or two of water on it. Can it be fixed some how and how does this kind of fixing and about how much does it cost. A 1911s penny in this condition is worth a lot of money if it was not gray

[CHRISS]

It is difficult to say without actually seeing your coin what might be going on, but I see two different scenarios which might be described as yours is.

 

The gray might be a residue that is just beginning to be corrosive. We often see copper coins that have an area of grayish to greenish film. Sometimes we are successful enough in removing the offending residue that the coin may grade with NGC following the conservation work. In other times, however, the corrosion has begun to eat into the surface and we are able to take steps to halt its progression and make the coin at least look better, but the damage is too much to be graded by NGC.

 

The other scenario that comes to mind is that you may have a coin that is artificially colored. The coin has been altered chemically often in an attempt to hide a further problem such as mild corrosion or improper cleaning. With this type of problem, NCS can address any active residue issues but the coin will not be gradeable with NGC.

 

Chris, NCS

[Prayman49-migration]

how can I add a picture also I have good pictures that are to big to put here can I email one to you

[Prayman49-migration]

here is the picture

[CHRISS]

The bad news is your coin appears, at least in this image, to be an artificially colored coin. Professional conservation can not help copper coins that have been artificially toned. Artificially colored copper coins are frequently altered in an attempt to hide an additional problem. Though I can not tell if that is the case with your coin from the attached image, conservation would most likely not be able to help your piece.

 

Chris, NCS

[Prayman49-migration]

thanks for looking it is a nice penny except for the color