Coin restoration: New trend by TPGers?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Bart9349, Sep 27, 2013.

Page 2 of 2
  1. Coinman1974

    Coinman1974 Research, Research, Research

    I have to admit I am shocked to hear this. However PCGS being a business I guess I should not be. It is something I have been told never to do, and truly have mixed feelings about as well. If it does not damage the coin, which I was told a while ago that any cleaning does, then i guess I was mis informed and will have to keep an open mind about, though doubt it is something i would ever be able to do. Well unless it is a uncleaned roman coin, lol.
     
    Coinman1974, Sep 28, 2013
    #21 + Quote Reply
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    desertgem explained it quite well. But let me add something else here.

    When that reply was made on the other forum that the coin looked dipped, what that person should have said was that the coin looked over-dipped.

    It's a difference in terminology, but a very important one because the two terms mean entirely different things. Incorrect usage of numismatic terminology is common place, too much so. And it leads those trying to learn things to completely wrong and inaccurate conclusions. Just like that person saying the coin looked dipped did to you. That made you think that any dipping of a coin was harmful to the coin when that is simply not true.

    The same thing can be said of the term clean, cleaned, cleaning. Whenever someone says that a coin has been cleaned, that is supposed to be a bad thing meaning that coin is a problem coin. But it isn't true, they are not using the correct terminology. What they should say is that the coin has been harshly cleaned, or improperly cleaned. That is the bad thing, that is what makes a coin a problem coin.

    A cleaned coin, or cleaning a coin is perfectly acceptable - when it is done properly. And properly is defined as done in such a way as to not harm the coin.

    People need to be more careful in what they say and how they say it, use the correct terminology in other words, or it is all too easy for others to completely misunderstand and start believing things that are simply not true.
     
    GDJMSP, Sep 28, 2013
    #22 + Quote Reply
  4. WLH22

    WLH22 Well-Known Member

    That clears it up. Thanks.
     
    WLH22, Sep 28, 2013
    #23 + Quote Reply
  5. dwhiz

    dwhiz Collector Supporter

    Gee if I did it it would be called doctoring
     
    dwhiz, Sep 28, 2013
    #24 + Quote Reply
  6. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor Supporter

    Maybe, but it would be an incorrect definition according to many. Here is PNG's definition of 'doctoring'. Notice #2 which excepts the use of acids or solvents by someone who knows how. Doctoring is generally by physical alterations ( #1) or toning ( and that itself can have many different ideas). There are several searchable threads on the site about luster and dipping techniques.
     
    desertgem, Sep 28, 2013
    #25 + Quote Reply
  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Peripheral Member

    ALL of this is good to know and understand...I have advocated conservative cleansing, and practice it with growing skill. Beginning with common copper and silver coins having zero numismatic value, and without intent to fool anyone (they're bullion only, the silver ones) I have cleaned maybe two dozen coins successfully.

    Note: I did NOT say completely, nor thoroughly; simply, I was able to remove a portion of the soil, grime, or other obscuring material and return a measure of attractiveness to an otherwise ugly and undesirable item...for myself, not as a prelude to sale or trade.

    Practice may not, in this context, make perfect...but it can lead to recovery of appearance. After all, isn't that what we're all seeking: great appearance?
     
    wlwhittier, Sep 29, 2013
    #26 + Quote Reply
  8. mill rat41

    mill rat41 Member

    My only gripe about them offering this service is that they did away with the "spot review" service. In the past, if you had a PCGS coin with PVC or putty, ect they would "fix" it and regrade it for you with no charge except for shipping. Now, such coins have to be sent in for Restoration - requiring you to pay to have something fixed that they (arguably) should have caught while grading the coin in the first place.
     
    mill rat41, Sep 30, 2013
    #27 + Quote Reply
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    mill rat -

    A couple of things - PCGS is also known for having dipped, rinsed, cleaned, conserved - pick your term - coins without ever being asked by the owner of the coins to do so, and without ever asking the owner for permission to do so.

    Removing PVC, yes because all it takes is a quick dip in acetone to do it. But as for removing putty from coins, that's a new one. I don't even know if it is possible to remove putty from coins without harming the coins.

    But I will grant you that they have graded many puttied coins because they didn't see the putty was even there. Yes, they should have caught it. But it can be very difficult to do that when it has been freshly done. Only the best can see fresh putty on a coin. That's partly why they came up with up with that machine they use - so they couldn't screw up on expensive coins anymore.

    Of course you have to first pay them extra to use that machine, or they might still screw up.

    As for them now charging for their conservation service - I think that's a smart thing to do.
     
    GDJMSP, Sep 30, 2013
    #28 + Quote Reply
Page 2 of 2
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page