Bought an 1855 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

The coin is in fairly decent shape (would maybe grade a step below VF), especially for its age, but it has a "sticker" like protector that has been put over both the front and the back. It's a transparent covering that feels fairly thick. It's very secure, I guess glued on.

Will acetone remove this without damaging the coin? If I can't find a way to get this plastic or whatever off, I'm going to scrap it tomorrow.




Would scan but I'm not at my office.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Acetone could melt the plastic case.

Do a small test on a very small part of the case (dab the thickest part of the side with a fine pointed brush or toothpick).

If the plastic starts to get gummy STOP!

:smile:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Thanks. Do you think this has destroyed any numi value, even if I can cleanly remove the case?

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

I wonder if it will count as being cleaned?

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

That depends on the condition of the coin.

As for mintage populations the 'S' =228,000 and 'P' minted around 250,000.

Couldn't find population for Denver (if there were any in the first place).

Sounds like this coin may have potential.

I'd leave it in the plastic until you can get more info.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

It sounds like this might have some serious numismatical value. (Not that I care about those things, but...) If I had this coin, I would consider sending the whole thing (coin and case) to a reputable grader and get a fresh and current grading and plastic. I don't know how much that costs, but the cost may be modest and a good way to get the most value for the coin.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

In the solvent category, my personal preference would be to use M.E.K. It's available at hdwr stores. MEK is not going to attack the gold.

Something as simple as an application of PEANUT BUTTER to gently attack the stickiness you are reporting, would also be useful. If it were mine, I'd remove as much of the plastic as possible without touching the coin surface, and then use peanut butter on the residue. After using a Q-Tip to liberally apply the peanut butter to the residue, then let it sit for a couple days. Then remove peanut butter with your favorite dishwashing liquid and gentle rubbing with your fingers. Then repeat if needed. Could be something as harmless as rubber cement and it will just peel off with little effort.

As far as affecting coin grading is concerned, it is my understanding that if a coin is graded cleaned, it is simply 1 grade lower than if it were an UNCLEANED coin. That cover's still going to have to come off. Might as well be you that removes it. It's the old "bird in hand is better than a pix of a gold coin in a Redbook" deal.

:bull-smile:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

would love to see a picture. :36_3_12:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

probably only 90% gold anyway

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

it bettter be...:banghead:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Thanks, I will try one of these methods to get the casing off.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

1885 isn't a special year, so there is no real numismatic value above other common date pre-33 gold. Skeptic, are you going to put it up for sale here on GIM? Post a pic and a price and maybe I'll send you a PM.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

I am not really interested in selling it unless it has enough numi value to make it worth the time over scrapping it out. Scrap I can get about $520-530 from it, depending on the POG.

It looks like shit in this scan. Looks better IRL, maybe the lighting on the scanner makes it look bad.

What you see above "America" in the second photo is where the wrapper is peeling off.

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5323/img008di.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/8713/img009re.jpg

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

The coin says 1855, not 1885. But it looks cleaned/polished to me.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

:111: You're right! That's what I get for waiting to start the thread an hour after I had looked at the coin, and after a good 12 hour day.


Yesterday was insane. Between the two locations I bought over 9ozt of scrap. Mostly 14K. Good, good day! :565:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

You know, another member of this forum (CoinHunter) personally witnessed the Phil in question (not the one I sent Tom) behave exactly the same as a known .900 fine coin in an acid test.

Just sayin'.

:coolbeer:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Even at 1855 P (instead of an 1885) the population was only 121,701.

How many were melted over the years?

There are always factors that can make a difference one way or another.

It is still worth checking out further IMHO.

:smile:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Looks VF-20 with some "problems". With the 2 edge bumps,the coin is damaged,and maybe cleaned,so any further marks getting the plastic off,should not affect price much.IMO....High gold price now,I would try to sell. May get 10-20% over spot on ebay,BUT the fees may not be worth it. Try selling as is for a set amount (BUY IT NOW) on ebay,see what happens.OR sell it here in the buy/sell forum.

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Must be getting late...1855:yes::yes::yes:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

I have 2 old David Hall flips and the coins are in plastic i wonder if is the same casing
ing?

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Soak it in goof off

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

I put it in pure acetone yesterday afternoon and left it to soak overnight.

Most of the casing is off now, but there is an ugly film left. I guess I could let it soak longer, but will this really help?

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

You're right. I just caught that this morning.

It plum jumped off the screen into my noggin'.

Thanks for the catch.

:smile:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

Good for you.
Acetone WILL leave a film, where M.E.K. won't. That's one reason why I didn't suggest acetone. Most acetone currently available t'day is via the wife's fingernail polish remover, and has other ingredients, including a foul lemon smell I don't care for.

Gently wash in hot soapy water to remove the acetone film, and grab the peanut butter.

Keep us posted.

:bull-smile:

Re: Bought an 1885 $10 piece with weird casing over it - how do I remove?
 

The coin looked horrible after I let it soak in acetone (100% pure though) overnight - the film came off, but there was a white residue left. I ended up selling it for spot over the weekend....