Doctoring Sovereigns (or other coins)

[dicker]

Hi All

I have over the years seen a couple of Sovereigns that were genuine but just didn’t look right.  

I don’t have a photo, but essentially they had been circulated but had a curious sheen, giving them the impression that there was lustre remaining.  The giveaway being that there was a sheen over the whole coin.

I suspect they had been treated with something to give the coins this effect.

Had anyone else seen anything similar on Sovereigns?  (I know that Morgan Dollars have / still are interfered with to infer a better presentation).

Best

Dicker

[Pete]

Yes I have seen this lustre on several sovereigns and also read something albeit a long time ago.
I don't believe it was a protective coating of any sorts but a natural effect possibly caused by elevated temperatures during stamping.
It does look like a clear coating however which is why you may be suspicious.
It seemed to appear on only a narrow range of sovereigns- maybe George V but I cannot recall.

[dicker]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

Yes I have seen this lustre on several sovereigns and also read something albeit a long time ago.
I don't believe it was a protective coating of any sorts but a natural effect possibly caused by elevated temperatures during stamping.
It does look like a clear coating however which is why you may be suspicious.
It seemed to appear on only a narrow range of sovereigns- maybe George V but I cannot recall.

Thank you for this - Interesing.