Carbon Spot Pubblico Deposited
- Carbon Spot. A small discoloration of tarnish on the surface of a coin or medal; actually a misnomer, since the contaminate is sulfur rather than carbon. The spot is usually darker than the base metal of bronze or silver, sometimes with a black or green center. The sulfur contaminate combines with the surface metal forming a sulfate of the base metal (copper sulfate, silver sulfate) which may continue to spread. The spot should be removed professionally as quickly as possible by chasing (see refinishing). A more accurate term would be sulfur spot.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor