How are coins properly dipped?

They never refer to it as a dipping service. They have a process which is supposedly more involved than baking soda and aluminum foil. And they don't accept or endorse your version of it either.

 

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While they may not refer to it as a dipping service...but dipping coins is certainly one of their conservation methods. Now, as to what they dip the coins in...like I said, that's no doubt a proprietary secret. Therefore, stating "the TPG's don't accept or endorse any method" isn't accurate. We just don't know the method they endorse.

 

I a betting man and I would take a bet that if you used the identical method and process they use, your coin could be rejected by them. If it doesn't go through their facility and their technicians, they won't give it a numeric grade, just details. They will then mark it cleaned or harshly cleaned. So no matter what you do, they will not accept it nor endorse you doing it, if we know their method or not.

 

You do realize that virtually every 19th century blast white coin that is in a slab has been dipped...right? That dipping if done properly is a perfectly acceptable thing to do.

 

@ saltysam-1, if you want proof that this is true, please read this thread.

1892 CC on the way to PCGS Grade?

 

We allowed dipping back then because we were not aware of the damage done to the coins. They even cleaned the coins in the mints own coin cabinet, set aside as samples and types. I'm not a novice at this nor ignorant of past practices. It's not whether it will pass if done properly, it's whether the TPG's will except it without the connotation of being cleaned. A very negative word when you are trying to sell. Once done, there is always the chance they will only give the coin a details grade regardless of how well you did it. It is not reversible.

 

Dipping a coin properly is easy, determining if the coin can take the dipping without becoming 'detailed' is much much more difficult.

 

Ok, So after a coin is dipped, and you like the results; how is the coin properly rinsed? How do I keep trace amounts of dip residue from continuing to react with the coin? From time to time I hear about a coin with "dip residue" .

 

I'm not saying that dipping is a past accepted practice...I'm saying that is a currently accepted practice.

 

@saltysam-1, The thread I linked was from November 2013.

 

This is the question my response was aimed at and my answer still stands... Your talking about collectors and dealers, I'm speaking to the OP's question about TPG's. Perhaps our views are both right depending on the source it is aimed at.

 

They don't "endorse" any method. But, they do know that it is perfectly acceptable to dip coins. The reason they don't endorse it is because they want collectors to pay them to do it.

 

Although that may be the reason they do not endorse or accept it, it still remains such.

 

You will want to rinse the coin several times with distilled water until all residue is removed. Keep the coin on edge so gravity makes the water run off. You can use a hair dryer on low to help blow it off as well. Just don't use the heat control on it. The water could evaporate and leave water spots on the coin.

 

DO NOT dip any coin that you plan on keeping, that has any value, or if you contemplate submitting them to TPGs. This isn't conservation- it is experimentation by an amateur. Many coins are ruined by over dipping--this process can destroy luster permanently. If you want to experiment with coins that are valueless, go ahead. Just understand that over dipping is as harmful to a coin as mechanical cleaning. If you want bright, un-toned coins-- buy them that way.

 

Still remains as such what? An acceptable practice if done properly?

 

He said in his original post that they are just junk silver he wants to play with. No harm in experimenting with those.

 

Then, it is fine. I just wanted to make sure that he and everybody else who may be fairly new here that dipping is cleaning, and over dipped coins can be damaged permanently. If one wants to play with junk, no problem there---I have tried the "baked potato" a couple of times for fun with a junk coin. Conservation by a TPG or trained conservation specialist is a difficult and fine art, and can be time consuming and expensive. That process should be reserved for valuable coins that don't have eye appeal, but only should be done by a professional. Experimentation with "beater" coins is fun.

 

I would like to dip some of my 40% Kennedy Half Dollars. They are only worth melt and once dipped will still only be worth melt. I just want for my junk silver to be untoned. I am perfectly happy with my Morgans being toned and I would never dip a Morgan. I know all of the risks, but it's still good to point them out for others reading this thread. Thank you for that