Thread: Cleaned????

I am trying to learn how to tell cleaned coins. Am I right in saying that the attached quarter is cleaned??? The Franklin has me stumped. They both have cartwheel luster. I have been to the coin store and studied there Franklins, and I can't tell. The quarter has the small scratches which I believe is from cleaning. Any opinions???


Thanks!
Brian

Here is a further shot (Trying to get my lighting, and camera figured out).

Brian

Sublime,

I will tell you what I think, though I will say if you can get a closer pic, that is clear will help.

For the Franklin Half Dollar, I do not see any scratches to show cleaning. Actually, to my untrained eyes, it looks quite nice. However if you look on the obverse, is there a die crack or something on the mylar holder going from the E in "United" to the Bell.

As for the Washington Quarter, I do see some scratches on the left side of the obverse. Could this be cleaning, wearing? I do not know.

Hope that helps but probably not.

Regards,
S

No that is a nasty scratch from the coin machine I got it from (similar to a coinstar). It broke my heart to see that.

Well, from your pictures, I can't say either one was cleaned. But keep in mind, there are several methods of cleaning.

The type of cleaning that tends to leave scratches, or "hairlines" is often done when someone uses some type of fabric or cloth, and presses that against the coin. There are an infinite number of levels of cleaning. Lines that can be seen from the naked eye are usually noted as "harsh" cleaning. If you need a 16x to see hairlines, some wouldn't even call it cleaned (and then there is everywhere in between).

"Dipping" is another method of cleaning. This can be noticed by the lack of luster. If a coin looks dull and lifeless, and has no luster, it is possible that the coin is either worn or cleaned. If it is a technical MS, but has no luster, this can be noted as cleaned.

There is also whizzing and polishing, but I don't think these would qualify as cleaning per se, as they seek to change the surface of the coin by regenerting luster. Keep in mind, original mint luster cannot be restored; however, some "coin doctors" may come close to giving the appearnce of original mint luster.

I don't see any evidence of cleaning on your two coins, but a closeup picture might help.

I see cartwheel luster....so I think not


stainless

anyone got a rough grade on the franklin?

Originally Posted by sublime118

anyone got a rough grade on the franklin?

from the pics I'd say AU-58ish

stainless

They look clean. A lot of feathers on the eagle's breast, showing that it has not been in circulation long.

Nothing stands out to me. BU coins of these varieties are not that uncommon so that's one thing you have going for you. Looks like cartwheel luster on the reverse of the Franklin. That's normally a good sign.

I don't think the Franklin was cleaned , if it was it was done right , The quarter could go either way , the scratches could be just scrathes not from cleaning , nothing like having a coin in hand .
rzage

Originally Posted by sublime118

No that is a nasty scratch from the coin machine I got it from (similar to a coinstar). It broke my heart to see that.

Did you get both of them from this coin machine ? If so, it looks like somebody cashed in a collection for face. Both coins appear to be quite nice to me. Quarter I'd say is AU and Frankie would probably go 63.

And I see no signs of harsh cleaning.

i wouldnt stop buying from the machine till they ran out of quarters it could be a potential gold mine

It was definitely a collection. I got about 14.00 face in quarters. About 4 Franklins, some kennedy proofs, some bicentenial quarter proofs. Why she would cash them in there. . . .who knows??? Yeah the machine is a gold mine

Dipped, perhaps, cleaned, I don't think so.