Indian Head Cent contamination-what is this?

[jesbroken]

What is this contamination? This is the second time I have seen this on an Indian Head Cent. Just for knowledge sake, I would like to know. It certainly stops me from being interested in the coin.

Jes

[WoodenJefferson]

Looks like "verdigris" which commonly occurs by the action of acetic acids creating the green cuprous chloride, when copper, brass or bronze is exposed to air, seawater or PVC's over a period of time.

 

Course it's just an opinion...best left up to the expert copper collectors, this may however get the perverbial ball rolling.

[lkenefic]

Look like corrosion spots caused by PVC damage to me and you're right...I'd pass as well. Most often if you try to remove it you'll only find corrosion underneath.

 

Leo

[gedis3]

I'm no copper expert, but it looks like some corrosion has already occured...

 

It may have had an even bigger verdigris problem at some point which was not completely eliminated, and what you are seeing is the really deep stuff they couldn't easily get off without scratching the bejesus out of it.

 

NCS might be able to clean the green and stabilize the coin -- but where it was growing will still show corrosion damage.

 

I'd take a pass unless it was a key date and the price was really righteous.

[bsshog40]

Corrosion for sure. Very hard to remove. Even trying to dip this, you would probably lose any luster that it has.

[al_e_gator]

Looks like green Sharpie dots to me.

[lsica]

More verdigris