While browsing through a large dealer's proof and uncirculated coins and sets, it seems that EVERY coin is bright and brilliant. I don't think ANY of my hundreds of proofs and uncirculateds are that bright, even the 2006 Brilliant Uncirculated Silver Eagles. Is that what dipping does? Or is it likely that these coins came from the Mint that much better than the ones I received? Should I get some dipping solution? :rolling:
Maybe this dealer cherry picks his inventory? Maybe the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. Should I get some dipping solution? NO... Spend the money on coins. I have several sets of proofs that I had purchased from the mint back in the 60's. Found some recently that I liked better. The way they were housed? The enviroment that they have been kept in? I dunno.. But the grass was greener at this dealers shop that day.. (as was his wallet when I left.) When I compared the new ones with mine. They were close.
For real his coins may appear really shinny and bright. He may not be dipping coins at all. He may just be a smart person that knows about lighting. For instance did you ever go to a auto dealer at night and notice how beatiful all the cars looked and during the day they just looked like normal. It's the type of lighting that does that. Did you ever notice that on many auto advertisements on TV the ground is wet? That reflects light and again makes a car look much better. Many stores that sell jewelry have spent a fortune in lighting so that when you pick up a diamond ring it appears to be emitting light all by itself. At many coin shows you can see coin dealers that will keep some coins in a shadowy location and others will have a bright light over them. Again, lighting will play a trick or two with your optic senses. Instead of dipping your coins, try looking at them under different lighting. If you check out a lighting store you'll find that fluorescent lamps come in a large variety of types including daylight, true light, cool white, off white and a multitude of colors. If you have a sun lamp at home check out you coins under that.
I agree about the lighting, and I have checked out a lighting store. I was looking for a 5000 Kelvin Compact Flourescent photography bulb that was recommended for photographing coins, but couldn't find one- but ended up buying: - a 20/75 Watt Daylight Color 6500 Kelvin compact flourescent - a 28/100 Watt Cool Color 5000K Panasonic Light Capsule - an Eiko 250 Watt 4800K Photoflood Bulb I'm already using a 35 Watt Halogen Tensor lamp to grade my coins (after preliminary grading with an ordinary daylight bulb). Ergo- I have looked at my coins under a variety of lights, but still can't get the shine that the dealer does. One other detail- all of his coins I looked at were either broken out as singles or were part of re-packaged set, which is another reason why I wondered if they could have been dipped.
Yes, the coins could very well have been dipped. And no, you do not want to do it to your coins. Dipping a coin, if done improperly, can strip the luster right off the coin and reduce the value by 50% or more. As for the lighting, when grading coins it is best to use incandescent bulbs. Any book on grading or any experienced grader will tell you this and they will also tell you to not fluorescent bulds. For taking coin pictures, GE Reveal bulbs are highly recommended. And you don't want too much light or the pics will be washed out looking. 60w to 75w sized bulbs will do you just fine - and diffuse the light. There have bene many threads posted with the tricks of the trade for coin pics - just do a search to find them
I have to agree with this 100 %. If you've tried all those types of lamps and can not match that guys shine to his coins, he may well be dipping them or as one cheating dealer I know did, sewing machine oil. He put a dab on his fingers and lightly touched each coin. And as for incandescent lamps, be carefull. They also come in a large variety of types, colors, clear, frosted, directional, other shapes, etc.
