Hello all, I was wondering if there is a guide out there that can help me decide whether a coin has been cleaned or not. website maybe, or a book worth getting. whatever is helpful. Thank you in advance, Luke a.k.a Auggie
Auggie, Start by learning what uncleaned and undoctored coins look like. A good way to do that is by looking at LOTS and LOTS of coins slabbed by the top TPGs. Then look at coins that have either been body-bagged or placed in 'Genuine' holders by the top TPGs due to improper cleaning or questionable surfaces. After a while you should be able to spot coins that do not look like what the coin should look like.
I agree with Hobo. There isn't any book I'm aware of. That is probably because there are few rules that would apply to all cleaned coins. There are different types of cleaning, a coin that has been dipped in chemicals versus one that has been whizzed versus one that has had ultrasonic cleaning will all have different diagnostic markers. Plus, some cleaned coins have been artificially re-toned. Your best bet is to have patience and learn the process through experience, by looking at a lot of coins. This is how most (if not all) of us here have learned to tell the difference.
This thread will help some, but it's basically saying what you have already been told - http://www.cointalk.com/t193751/
Hobo has it right, (he frequently does), but looking at lots and lots of coins will also help with learning to grade, education of various US coins, and other things. Basically the best way to be a better coin collector is to be a coin collector and look at LOTS of coins, over and over again. I could think of worst things to do. Chris
thank you guys. Right now I am getting $200 in rolled coin quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Find some really nice nickels from pre WW II in AU or MS condition. Also starting to recognize bubbles and discolorations on some coins as well.
