1872 Indian Head small cent

[bigslur]

I recently sent in a 1872 Indian head cent to pcgs, I thought it was in very good shape or better. PCGS sent it back saying it had I quote "enviromental damage" ok ?

Can anyone tell myself what this could mean? And how to fix it?

Thanks for looking

[Bob P]

Environmental damage could be anything from corrosion to discoloration from being left out in the elements. I had seen the term used also when the coin was stored in a PVC type holder and has got that green goo all over it. Some PVC damage may be taken off by soaking the coin in acetone and blotting off the dmage. This does not always work as it depends on the severity of the damage.

[bigslur]

Thanks Bob for answering so fast. It appears on the coin like a rainbow type color, or like oil on top of water-does that make sense? I actually used acetone on a silver coin once and it passed PCGS grading un noticed.
Bob I will try acetone and let you know.
Thanks again,
Jim


PS this coin sat in My Mothers dresser draw for many years she is now 73. She said she got it from her Mother. So I am betting it was perfume or makeup of somesort that got on it. It was stored in a envelope as old as the coin. Anyway Happy Mothers day to all the Mothers!!

[coop]

I think you answered your own question and didn't realize it. Not perfume or make up, but the storing in a envelope does that to coins. It turns them dark with a redish brown dark tone. They would still be a uncirculated coin, but just not a BU red/more a brown coin. So that is why it got body bagged. I would try ANACs and see itf they will grade it? Some grading companies will accept ones that were cleaned/or like you said had envionmental damaged coins with a reduction in the grade took into consideration. I've got a 1950 Proof coin that was stored that way and you would not even think it was a proof coin. The paper did it. It like a roll of coins that have never been opened, the obv/rev look find, but the rims are missing the BU look, and a lot duller looking and the other parts.

[Gabe]

I think that high sulfur envelopes will cause silver coins to tone in an unatural way. These are sold a lot on ebay, as naturally toned coins, but they are not. Like Coop said, ANACS should be able to grade your coin, but they will point out the problems that coin has, and they will house it in their older type slab.