St Gaudens with fine white powder

Has anyone ever seen a slabbed St Gaudens with fine white powder in all the cracks and crevises of the coin? Never seen that before. Almost like dandruff. I'm wondering why PCGS wouldn't just wipe it off before slabbing it? But I don't know what it is. Its very noticeable when you hold the coin at an angle. I attached some pics. Just wondering ideas.

 

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Several questions arise:
1. Did you send it in and was that there previously?
2. If you sent it in, did you pay the fee for conserving it?
3. If you did not send it in, was it there when you acquired it?

Conserving is not cleaning but they do and can remove this kind of problem but it’s not free nor is it cheap…imo…Spark

 

I think they blow some compressed air on the coins before slabbing, but if the stuff is packed into crevices...

 

Thats dipping residue from being improperly rinsed.

 

Puttied.

 

That's what I thought...and I had some black spots on a 1915-S I owned a few years ago.

Looked loose, wondered why they didn't air-blow it off.

 

Because it was missed during grading/encapsulation process, and after encapsulation putty deteriorated, either because of quality/age/environment (no, the Coffins are not always environment proof).

 

Why would they putty the coin?
It kind of looks like that though.
I bought it encapsulated already and noticed it later.

 

The Holders before the ethylene formulation change, yes.
This is not a Holder from that period.

 

That coin has received improper care in the past.

 

So do you think its putty or dipping residue?
If putty, why would they putty it?!

 

The putty would hide minor hits and make the coin look better. It could be hard to see and many of the coins straight graded. Over time the color of the putty could change and be easy to see.

 

I'm disappointed. I thought for a moment CoinTalk was going to discuss hookers and blow.

 

Holder, like a flip. Not a slab.

 

Nice save...but....no.

BTW, who decides "Best Answer," around here? The OP?

 

You're not the first to ask...

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/best-answer.411208/

 

Yep, I know This has come up many times, in the years I have been here. It is the OP. I have often wondered when I "see" the selection. I think it is usually more of a popularity selection thing by the OP.

But (there is always a "but", what is the basis of the "Best Answer" choice by the OP, for his question?

 

I'm not going to debate you on cause, but perhaps you could enlighten us on your answer of "putty". What mastermind would putty between the drapery folds like exhibited on this coin? What were they trying to hide THERE?

This substance is frequently found around edge lettering/details, so why would someone putty these areas which account for extremely little on a coins grade?

Why did this putty turn white instead of grey?

When putty dries, it usually becomes powdery/flaky. Yet, this white substance is waxy. Why?