Thread: Cleaned or not.

I was wondering if you guys would be able to tell me if the coin on this link has been cleaned or not. I am trying to learn how to identify cleanings myself. This would help me a lot. Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...TODAY.m238.lVI

I would say cleaned.
Two hints:
1) Does not look natural, coppery color.
2) it is on ebay.

Originally Posted by Treashunt

I would say cleaned.
Two hints:
1) Does not look natural, coppery color.
2) it is on ebay.

I agree that the color doesn't look natural and that therefore, there's a good chance the coin has been cleaned. However, there are plenty of non-cleaned coins on Ebay, especially those of fairly low value, such as the one/type being discussed here. So it doesn't necessarily follow that because a coin is on Ebay that it's been cleaned or is otherwise unworthy.

I agree that the color does not look natural. I looked at all of this dealers other coins and they all have that type of shine. Was wondering if it was a cleaning or just how the light was reflecting off of it. Thanks for the responses. Anybody else?

MArk:
It was just a poor attempt at scarcasm, sorry that it flopped.

However, that said, unless the lighting is WAY off, it ain't natural.

Originally Posted by Treashunt

MArk:
It was just a poor attempt at scarcasm, sorry that it flopped.

However, that said, unless the lighting is WAY off, it ain't natural.

Oops, sorry. Some people have made similar comments and were being serious, so I didn't realize you were being facetious.

Thanks guys,

I agree that the color is not just because of the lighting.

Originally Posted by Spartan

I was wondering if you guys would be able to tell me if the coin on this link has been cleaned or not. I am trying to learn how to identify cleanings myself. This would help me a lot. Thanks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&i tem=170212810486&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI

No, it has not been cleaned. Possibly the effects of camera flash to cause rust color rather than nice brown patina. IF you are serious about purchase, email the seller and request a better photo of coin, ebay graphics compress photos because they want an extra buck to allow full size pic. If the ebay seller refuse to send you a pic then save your money.ozarktravler

ozark
good idea, for the additional pix.

However, how can you tell that it hasn't been cleaned?

Originally Posted by Treashunt

...However, how can you tell that it hasn't been cleaned?

He can't, just as we can't tell that it has been cleaned. All we can do is guess/speculate, based upon the images and how we interpret them.

And to top it all off.
We all have different monitors that display color differently to a degree.
From what I see I would guess it has been cleaned, but I wouldn't bet on it.

What about this MS66 in a NGC slab?


http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-VDB-NGC-MS6...QQcmdZViewItem


Say this wasn't slabbed. What would everybody think? A lot of people selling things on ebay either don't invest in good cameras or they don't know how to use what they've got.

If you really want something but are worried about the color, ask the seller if they would take the coin outside in natural day light. Have them bring a pure white sheet of paper with them and tell them to push a single button and set their custom white balance. Then take a pic of the coin, right there outside. Only then will you get true color representation.

With different lighting and cameras with settings all over the place, you rarely get to see real colors on ebay.

Originally Posted by Vess1

What about this MS66 in a NGC slab?


http://cgi.ebay.com/1909-VDB-NGC-MS66-RED-LINCOLN-1c-PENNY-ID-D799_W0QQitemZ220228062393QQihZ012QQcategoryZ39456 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Say this wasn't slabbed. What would everybody think? A lot of people selling things on ebay either don't invest in good cameras or they don't know how to use what they've got.

If you really want something but are worried about the color, ask the seller if they would take the coin outside in natural day light. Have them bring a pure white sheet of paper with them and tell them to push a single button and set their custom white balance. Then take a pic of the coin, right there outside. Only then will you get true color representation.

With different lighting and cameras with settings all over the place, you rarely get to see real colors on ebay.

That coin and its color look entirely different from the one being discussed in this thread. That said, your point is valid with respect to many coins and their images.

Hey gang...

This MAY be a case of bad pics.....I have never been burned by this guy, and have bought plenty of Lincolns from him. He has horrible pics, and the yellow background does not help one bit, but every single time I have bought from him, the coin is WAY better in hand.....both on and off Ebay

Originally Posted by Arizona Jack

Hey gang...

This MAY be a case of bad pics.....I have never been burned by this guy, and have bought plenty of Lincolns from him. He has horrible pics, and the yellow background does not help one bit, but every single time I have bought from him, the coin is WAY better in hand.....both on and off Ebay

Now THAT personal, hands-on experience and commentary is a lot more meaningful than our guesses