What are some methods of determining if a coin has been dipped or not? Maybe somebody could post some comparative photos.
I guess I'll rephrase the question. Is there any way to determine if a coin has been dipped or not. Anyone?
There are some methods to attempt to decide if a coin is dipped, I usually try to: 1) Compare the color to a coin that you have that is natural (that you know is natural). The dipped coin will be artificially white -- that is, too bright and white. 2) Look for slight lines in the patina, or surface. This is a sign that the coin has had a wipe after cleaning, in order to remove the residue. If done properly the coin will be thoroughly rinsed and v-e-r-y carefully dried, not air dried, which can leave spots. 3) Ask a dealer, who you trust to show you a dipped coin, and then consider buying it, to compare to others. 4) Buy some dip, and experiment with cheap, junk coins. A little practice, and you may begin to be able to tell. Cleaned conis may sometimes be easy to spot, they look too bright, seem artificial, etc. However, remember, that not all dipping is bad. Sometimes ugly toning can be removed and the result will be attractive. Good Luck Frank
Forgive me, but: AFAIK? Huh? Also, sure cleaning is bad, and a no-no. That's probably why they asked.
its fine to dip.. dip away,, clean everything . just make sure you do it right. theres nothing wrong with a shinny clean coin. lol
Car: read the posting on Seated half's, you will see some of the debate as to whether or not a particular coin is cleaned, and this is from a group of experienced serious collectors. Other postings recently are just as confusing. Good Luck
Thats not really fair because if those arguing if it was dipped or not don't thave coins in their hands. If they did I think we would all agree that it was not dipped. And even those that think it was think it was mildly dipped over 50 years ago or more (like in the 1930's) A great number of coins were dipped at those times and it is therefore begrudgingly accepted as part of the terrian. However, dipping is bad and coins not dipped are rated better almost always (the one exception being when the coin is coroded and will be lost unless cleaned). Ruben
If a coin is dipped correctly, even an expert can't tell it was done. But if a coin is dipped incorrectly, even a novice can see it. So there's a lot of wiggle room in the answer to that question. Now then, most experts estimate that up to 90% of all older silver coins have dipped at some point in the life of the coin. But you'd never know just by looking at them. But if you stop and think for a minute, reason will tell you that the coin has been dipped. That's because every coin ever struck begins to tone from the moment it is struck - it is the nature of metal to do so. So when you see a coin that is say 120 yrs old and it is blast white just like the day it was struck - then the odds are about 9 to 1 that the coin has been dipped.
There are so many old dipped silver dollars around, and dealers [the honest ones] even label them as dipped or cleaned, that I'm often tempted to just go ahead and buy it as if it's just another circulated coin. So far I've successfully resisted based largely on the good input I've received here. One coin dealer near me openly admits that he dips them, and he is very good at it. Are there any morgan or peace dollar collectors out there who knowingly collect cleaned/dipped coins anyway just to get the date/mintmark?
I'll buy a cleaned Morgan if it has good eye appeal. Generally, I don't care much for blast white, so if it was dipped it has to be an old cleaning that has had a chance to retone a bit. I do stay away from the coins that were obviously harshly cleaned.
I would definitely knowingly buy a dipped coin, provided it was done correctly. I also admit that I frequently dip coins, and see absolutely no harm in it, if the person doing the dip knows what they are doing.
