Once in a life time...

[Keleum]

As you can tell from my other posts, I've just started collecting coins. Some time last year, I decided to go about in earnest. Well last evening, my wife found the "tin" of old coins her father/grandfather left her. Turns out it was hidden safely in my closet about 5 feet from where I've chosen to store my coins. So in a cookie tin for the last 30-40years, wrapped in a kraft paper envelope was this:

As well as many german and french/other european coins (an 1813 Napoleon, 19th c Thalers, etc. ) from the 17th c to ealry 20th c.So anyways, it looks MS to me? What do you guys think? This is the first gold I've ever handled, any advice?

[SkyMan]

Very attractive coin, Keleum!

 

It's always GREAT to find "buried treasure".

[WinstonWare]

Remarkable find . Can you identify what the green spots are? I’m concerned that they may be PVC residue. If they are you can likely remove them with acetone.

[TomB]

Holy Smokes! That's a fantastic find.

[James_OldeTowne]

At least MS-63, and I think you should get it certified.

[robec1347]

What a great find. I've got to go check my closet right now. I'll be back in a minute.

[Keleum]

Thanks guys! I'm planning to get it cleaned then certified. I still can't believe it, myself.

 

How could I tell if the green was PVC or something else, it's been in a paper coin envelope since the 60s-70s, I have no idea what it was in before that. But if I had to guess it was something her great-grandfather would have kept it in.

[123cents]

Very nice but I am concerned about what looks like graffiti in the field in front of Liberty's nose.

[WinstonWare]

With a coin of such personal and monetary value, I would send it to NCS. You could also post this image on the NCS board and ask them their opinion. Finally, if you know a local dealer that you feel comfortable with you might bring it in and see what they advise.

[WinstonWare]

Very nice but I am concerned about what looks like graffiti in the field in front of Liberty's nose.

 

I think that's a loose thread of some sort. Not part of the coin if I'm seeing the image correctly.

[Hoot]

This is a fantastic find. I would definitely not send the coin to NCS - they might take the patina off the coin and wreck it. Instead, simply buy some acetone from the local hardware store, dip the coin for a minute or two in the acetone, rinse it with water, and pad it dry with a soft cotton cloth. Then use some compressed air to remove lint, etc. The coin will then be perfectly ready to send to a certification service.

 

Excellent!

 

Hoot

[MBA101]

Thanks guys! I'm planning to get it cleaned then certified. I still can't believe it, myself.

 

How could I tell if the green was PVC or something else, it's been in a paper coin envelope since the 60s-70s, I have no idea what it was in before that. But if I had to guess it was something her great-grandfather would have kept it in.

 

Don't "clean it". Gold is non-reactive anyway, and cleaning may damage the original surfaces.

 

Looks like at least a '62, and likely a '63. Fantastic find! Same date that my Dad bought for me for Christmas when I was a kid almost 30 years ago!

 

If you are planning on selling it, or displaying it in some way, yes it is worth slabbing for sure. But if you are just going to lock it away someplace and not "play" with it, then I wouldn't bother.

[rrantique]

Eureka Great find Keleum. Hidden treasures always bring more Joy.

[harvey8542]

Great coin I would also not clean it but use acetone remember to be carefull very flamable.

[Keleum]

I don't trust myself to do much else with this coin but submit it, and even that with guidance.

 

Do you really think NCS would mess up the coin?

 

Thanks for help with this everyone,

 

Zane

[MBA101]

I don't trust myself to do much else with this coin but submit it, and even that with guidance.

 

Do you really think NCS would mess up the coin?

 

Thanks for help with this everyone,

 

Zane

 

Unless you want to pay the $100 and join the collectors society to get some free submissions to NGC, I suggest finding a certified dealer and having him look at the coin, and sending it out through him.

[WinstonWare]

In truth, I haven’t used NCS and I’m sure that Hoot is more knowledgeable than myself in this area.

[Keleum]

I have submission "privileges" through ANA. And there's only 1 certified dealer who has an office by appt only.

[RUSS BEGA]

As you can tell from my other posts, I've just started collecting coins. Some time last year, I decided to go about in earnest. Well last evening, my wife found the "tin" of old coins her father/grandfather left her. Turns out it was hidden safely in my closet about 5 feet from where I've chosen to store my coins.

 

So in a cookie tin for the last 30-40years, wrapped in a kraft paper envelope was this:

<br/>

<img src="http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/9/7/11/zdick/f_IMG0623m_d6fb2fd.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" />

 

<img src="http://img30.picoodle.com/img/img30/9/7/11/zdick/f_IMG0625m_5e4eb1e.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by Picoodle.com" />

 

<p>

As well as many german and french/other european coins (an 1813 Napoleon, 19th c Thalers, etc. ) from the 17th c to ealry 20th c.

 

So anyways, it looks MS to me? What do you guys think? This is the first gold I've ever handled, any advice?

</p>

 

 

 

 

WOW! nice looking double eagle! wish i found stuff like that!

[WinstonWare]

Hoot is right that you don’t want to wash that patina off the coin. I’m just not well versed in the restoration area. Perhaps if you wrote Hoot a PM he would be willing to outline what steps to take

[TomB]

I agree with Hoot and would not send the coin to NCS. They might be able to remove the gunk on the surface, but they will likely do it in a market acceptable manner that will destroy the patina.

[MarkFeld]

Nice find I wouldn't do anything to it or have anyone else do anything to it, either, and would submit it as is.

[Houston Investor]

The Green PVC needs to go. The coin definitely needs to be dipped. Get some Jewel Luster from your local coin shop and work the green area with a dip soaked Q tip being carful not to scratch the coin (I am unsure a quick in and out will get the PVC, repeated application may be necessary). Tap it softly and work it for about half hour if need be. If you believe the coin may be mintstate dip the entire coin. Gold usually retains its luster indefinitely so dipping should improve the eye appeal of the coin considerably.

 

Otherwise send the coin to NCS. Do not spend good money slabbing a coin with ugly PVC toning, it will only get worse. Your worst decision would be to not do anything to it as the PVC toning will only get worse. I have dipped hundreds of gold coins in my lifetime and can tell you this coin definitely needs a dip.

 

Wow - treasure like that in your closet and you did not even know? Perhaps your local dealer will dip it for you or coach you how.

[bsshog40]

Very nice find. Definately MS62-63. I would use the majority of the advice and rinse this in acetone. Couple of rinses should eliviate this PVC. Very nice again!!

[WinstonWare]

Nice find I wouldn't do anything to it or have anyone else do anything to it, either, and would submit it as is.

 

Mark, are you saying that you don’t think that’s PVC or that it may still holder if it is PVC?

[rbrown4]

Zane,

 

Very nice coin find. Whatever you decide, please keep us informed especially if you send it to a TPG.

 

Rey

[MBA101]

The Green PVC needs to go. The coin definitely needs to be dipped. Get some Jewel Luster from your local coin shop and work the green area with a dip soaked Q tip being carful not to scratch the coin (I am unsure a quick in and out will get the PVC, repeated application may be necessary). Tap it softly and work it for about half hour if need be. If you believe the coin may be mintstate dip the entire coin. Gold usually retains its luster indefinitely so dipping should improve the eye appeal of the coin considerably.

 

Otherwise send the coin to NCS. Do not spend good money slabbing a coin with ugly PVC toning, it will only get worse. Your worst decision would be to not do anything to it as the PVC toning will only get worse. I have dipped hundreds of gold coins in my lifetime and can tell you this coin definitely needs a dip.

 

Wow - treasure like that in your closet and you did not even know? Perhaps your local dealer will dip it for you or coach you how.

 

Dipping will remove any nice patina that has developed over time, and the coin will not look original. Also, the toning on the coin will subdue all the small marks and scratches on the surfaces. This will at the very least make the coin more attractive to the owner. Unless you can determine that the surfaces are absolutely pristine, dipping is a bad idea. And how can it be PVC if it was in a Kraft envelope?

[bsshog40]

I agree. I wouldn't dip with this type of problem. Acetone would be the way I would go. No damage to the coin and would get rid of any PVC if this is the issue!

[Hoot]

I'm not at all convinced that the coin has any PVC on it. Gold can get green spots due to copper and silver that were alloyed with the gold. This is why I suggested to simply give the coin a little bath in acetone. Acetone will not harm the surfaces, it won't remove the patina, and if there's any PVC on the coin, or other potentially harmful surficial chemicals, then they will readily be removed with acetone followed by a simple rinse with water and a dusting/drying with compressed air. In my estimation, the green spots will not go away, but that's no big deal, as they are associated with impurities of the alloy and are not overwhelming or distracting.

 

Hoot

[MarkFeld]

Nice find I wouldn't do anything to it or have anyone else do anything to it, either, and would submit it as is.

 

Mark, are you saying that you don’t think that’s PVC or that it may still holder if it is PVC?

I'm not at all certain we're seeing PVC on the coin. And I believe it far better/preferable to try it as is and find out it is PVC (in which case something could be done later), rather than remove the original film unnecessarily (and have no recourse).