Characteristics of cleaned coins

I thought they were already out...thanks.

 

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They are.

 

They announced them at the Fun Show last January but they said very little about it.

 

The ad is in all the coin magazines. I'm looking at it right now in coin world monthly.

 

If you'll pardon the pun (or even if you won't)...

They made a big splash about the waterproof holders when they announced them but since then it seems like they sunk to the bottom of the fish bowl without a trace.

 

Yeah, yeah, we all have a story to illustrate a point of view - there are exceptions to everything. James Halperin did the same thing to a Bust dollar long ago. Unfortunately, stories from several years ago don't hold water because the TPGS have become more sensitive to alterations - good or bad - that raise or lower eye appeal.

Toning (oxidation) happens in degrees shown by color. When the color of natural oxidation is black - the surface is gone - etched period. I have never seen an exception. I feel qualified to say this because one of my nicknames at a particular organization was "Dipper." The coin above may have looked OK. Perhaps the formerly toned surface was "worked on" by professionals after the toning was removed but I'll guarantee that under a microscope the surface showed evidence of etching or its possible restoration to improve the look. Unfortunately, most don't examine coins closely or are ignorant of characteristics found on an etched coin's surface. Besides, in spite of the oxidation removal the TPGS determined the coin was market acceptable as an MS-66. As you have written before in many posts, that does not mean you would agree with the assigned grade.

 

That is a silly question. Of course they do. Everybody on this forum knows that and you all write about it! NCS, and ICG conserves coins all the time before they are graded. I believe PCGS and ANACS do also. As far as I know, ICG does not charge for this service but collectors need to check with each TPGS for their policy.

 

I have NEVER seen an exception. If you and I sat together and did the following experiment, think I could change your mind. Here is the experiment for you. Find a silver coin with a dark tarnished edge. Dip it carefully. You may even need to soda any really bad part that did not dip off. Now look at the luster and surface. Perhaps you will now agree that it is etched.

True many of these are graded because after proper conservation they are market acceptable. That is the key. There are several groups of guys around the country who decide what gets slabbed and what does not. That has nothing to do with the fact that a coin becomes etched when deep black corrosion is removed.

Many collectors/dealers who show me coins cannot even see a scratch so it is no wonder they cannot detect an improperly cleaned specimen or an etched rim. it's up to the TPG to say what goes if a coin is sent in. Otherwise it is up to the collector or buyer to set their limits. Anyway, the insert covers edge problems.

 

Of course there are stages of black but I'm not referring to the soft soot-like crap that wipes off w/MS-70 on a Q-tip. I've conserved many of those. That is not the terminal black that etches the surface.

 

Doug, is your last name M?

 

Does this mean you don't do CRH? : - )

 

What does CRH mean. We called a well-known now departed authenticator from the 1960's -1970's Old Cracked Eye because of several false opinions.

 

Coin-roll-hunting...going through thousands of coins from bank rolls looking for good dates or errors...guaranteed to kill your eyes, even without a microscope. Comment meant in jest, you know us old frats.

 

You said it buddy!!!!

 

I guess I could be called a CH as I examine coins using a stereo microscope. Two eyes, proper lighting , and mostly 7X. Also use a B&L 3X+4X=7X. IMO, best magnifier for a beginner. AFAIK (Is this used one for as far as I know?) B&L no longer makes them but knock-offs are around.

 

Every coin is going to have a defect or two when looking through a microscope. I buy what I like and use only 10X max.

 

Ha, ha...every vintage coin is going to have defects with your naked eye too. IMO, a 10X loupe is too powerful for grading. You cannot see the entire coin at the same time. The lens I mentioned allows a grader to see a large modern dollar completely and lets in plenty of light. Many dealers don't even look at a coin with a hand lens.