20836

1874 3CN --Environmental Damage--NCS. Proof. Gunmetal g 1874[3CN]--Environmental Damage--NCS. Proof.

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1874 3CN --Environmental Damage--NCS. Proof. Gunmetal g 1874[3CN]--Environmental Damage--NCS. Proof.
<B>1874<3CN>--Environmental Damage--NCS. Proof.</B></I> Gunmetal gray toning with pleasing gold and lilac iridescent highlights. Close examination reveals evidence of a uniform micro-porosity on both surfaces, something which may have resulted if the piece had been dipped in a cyanide solution many years ago. During parts of the 19th and 20th centuries, cyanide was used by some collectors to remove toning and oxidation from their numismatic treasures. In addition to damaging the coins, at least one celebrated numismatist of yesteryear, J. Sanford Saltus, is said to have died when he accidentally took a sip of cyanide instead of ginger ale, while he was cleaning some of his coins. Envelope Included.