Preserving Sunshire Rarities Purchases: Expert Conservation Strategies for Suspicious Acquisitions

The Perilous Journey of Sunshire Rarities Coins

Having handled countless coins with compromised eye appeal, I can’t stress enough how easily improper care destroys numismatic value. Let’s discuss safeguarding your Sunshire Rarities acquisitions – those problematic pieces from this notorious dealer (not Sunshine Rare Coins!). Over years of collector testimonials, I’ve documented misgraded specimens, suspect encapsulation, and coins crying out for provenance verification. Your mission: preserve these historical artifacts while stabilizing their collectibility.

Understanding the Risks

Sunshire Rarities coins arrive with more red flags than an auction of unsearched rolls. Through painstaking documentation, we’ve identified four existential threats:

• PVC Damage: Multiple collectors reported NTC holders oozing that telltale greasy film – the kiss of death for original surfaces
• Environmental Abuse: Storage conditions so appalling (think actual toilet paper wrapping) they’d make a conservator weep
• Misattribution Mayhem: The infamous 1913-S Buffalo Nickel masquerading as 1915-S still haunts certification forums
• Metal-Specific Perils: From the delicate patina on 1891 Morgans to the vulnerable luster of 1861-O $20 Liberties – each demands tailored care

Toning: Nature’s Time Capsule

Original toning is a coin’s autobiography written in rainbow hues and midnight blacks. When that PCGS VF35 1861-O $20 Liberty upgraded to NGC XF40, its undisturbed surfaces told the true story. To preserve these chemical narratives:

• Photograph toning patterns under natural light before storage
• Banish PVC forever – Mylar flips are your new best friend
• Maintain 68-72°F with 40-50% humidity (think museum-grade stability)
• Resist the urge to “improve” nature’s artistry

The Oxidation Dilemma

Watch how metals age differently – silver blooms into iridescent rainbows while gold scoffs at time’s passage. For those frightening NTC slab escapes:

• Silver: Apply microcrystalline wax like armor against sulfur’s assault
• Copper: Benzotriazole vapor treatments halt verdigris without scrubbing history away
• Gold: A distilled water baptism is all these nobles require

The PVC Menace

Those cursed NTC holders leave forensic evidence even rookies can spot:

1. Greenish goo clinging like numismatic plaque
2. Fingers sticking to surfaces like maple syrup
3. Artificial rainbow sheens screaming “chemical invasion!”

Rescue protocol for contaminated coins:
1. Quarantine immediately – PVC damage spreads!
2. Pure acetone bath (no additives – this isn’t nail polish!)
3. Distilled water rinse to flush all contaminants
4. Air-dry on acid-free paper – no shortcuts!

Proper Storage Solutions

Given Sunshire’s legendary shipping fiascos, assume every arrival needs triage. Long-term preservation requires military precision:

Holders Matter

• Destroy questionable slabs (NTC/ACG) like expired milk
• Archival Mylar flips preserve surfaces without chemical warfare
• Premium pieces deserve NGC/PCGS sanctuary – pay the re-holdering fee!

Environmental Controls

• Never exceed 72°F – coins aren’t tropical plants
• 30-40% humidity keeps metals stable without condensation
• Activated charcoal traps sulfur like a numismatic HEPA filter
• Zero-VOC cabinets – because coins shouldn’t smell like Home Depot

The Cleaning Conundrum

When facing misattributed rarities like the 7TF/8TF Morgan debacle, remember: improper cleaning erases history. My ironclad rules:

• Never scrub before authentication – you’re destroying evidence!
• PVC emergencies? Call a conservator – this isn’t DIY territory
• Pre-1900 surface deposits? That’s “honest dirt” – leave it be!
• Document every intervention like a crime scene investigator

Authentication Protocol

Suspect a 1913-S Buffalo hiding in 1915-S clothing? Become a numismatic detective:

1. Weigh with jeweler’s precision (0.01g tolerance)
2. Specific gravity tests reveal counterfeit cores
3. Study die markers under 10x loupe – the coin’s fingerprint
4. Compare against certified examples like a forensic analyst
5. Scour mint records – often the smoking gun for rare varieties

Historical Context

Consider the 1861-O $20 Liberty – struck as New Orleans plunged into Civil War chaos. Proper conservation:

• Shields delicate mint luster from careless handling
• Preserves original surfaces whispering tales of wartime commerce
• Prevents contact marks between these gold giants

Collectibility Assessment

Yes, Sunshire coins come with baggage – but salvaged properly, they can shine again. Numismatic value hinges on:

• Metallurgical integrity – no hidden corrosion
• Surface quality – original strikes tell richer stories
• Third-party certification potential – the market’s trust builder
• Historical weight – that 1861-O gold piece witnessed a nation tearing apart

Conclusion: Protecting Your Investment

Sunshire Rarities may have tested our patience, but these coins deserve redemption. By implementing these protocols, you’re not just preserving metal – you’re safeguarding history. Remember the collector who transformed that 1891 Morgan from PVC casualty to showpiece? That patience separates custodians from mere owners. Handle each piece as if future generations are watching – because they are.

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