I'd like to work in a coin shop, but not to get paid... I'd work for free. Being around coins all day makes me happy
Just curious since you posted the above if you have talked to your boss or other emmployees about this? Would be interesting to know what their replies were.
Definitely some great info being contributed in this thread. I appreciate it. Gives me a different perspective on cleaning. I saw some today that I agreed with...and didn't agree with. Had a roll of unc war nickels that had some toning and discoloration that wasn't attractive. They got dipped quick and looked awesome afterwards. I was fine with that. The cleaning I don't know if I would have done was on some XF Morgans. They got dipped, rinsed, and then rubbed with baking soda on both sides...then rubbed dry with a towel. Just seemed kind of harsh to me. I looked when they were done and they looked nicer from 10 feet, but up close it was easy to see all the gunk that was still around the letters and finer details. Whatever the case, another good learning experience. One more thing happened that kind of made me mad. One employee had a coin and asked another what he thought the grade should be. Before he even checked out the coin, he asked if it was to buy or sell. I understand what he was getting at, but that does not change the grade. Bought it for XF money, scrubbed on it with MS70 with a dirty old towel for a minute and then talked about putting it in the case as AU. Having been a coin shop customer for 25 years and a coin shop employee for only a couple weeks, I was disappointed. Thought that wasn't cool at all. Just doesn't seem very ethical. And no, I haven't mentioned any of this to the boss yet. I feel like I need more time there to fully understand how they do business and for myself to form a well thought-out opinion.
Congrats on getting the job at the coin shop. Like others have said on this thread, you will get the experience and this will also increase your knowledge of coins. There will be good and bad things about any job and unfortunately you saw a "bad" part of the job when the coins are getting cleaned. Despite that, I still think it was a good move to take the coin shop job. I have always thought that you should get a job (or start a business) in doing something that you like to do. This job experience could also lead into other aspect of coin related job fields.
As I began researching some of the junk mom left me, I began reading a lot. I cannot remember the source, but it was stated that nearly every coin (although they may have meant ancient ones) had undergone some sort of cleaning. I see on eBay where cleaned coins command higher prices it seems than an untouched circulated one. Go figure. But it must be true, or no one would clean them, right ? As to the buy-sell spread ? I only know that I will never walk into a coin store again.
Man, I just fot the notification in my in box today ??? I give it up. Somehow I am getting this all messed up. Think I will unsubscribe for awhile. Thanks.