How to tell if an old coin has been cleaned?

I am new to Coin collecting and have currently been buying graded slabs because I am nervous to buying raw coins online. I have read other threads on this site and have been trying to get a better idea for how to identify a polished/cleaned coin. Unfortunately I do not have a local dealer I can go to (at least within reasonable distance)and get some help. So at this time I am stuck to looking at pictures online and reading books. I am interested in acquiring a few seated liberty quarters and half dollars and would like to post a picture of a specimen as I am having a hard time distinguishing if coins from this area have been cleaned or not. Pictures of other cleaned coins and a description how to identify them would be very helpful as well!



Thanks for looking and I appreciate any help

 

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The best way to learn how to tell cleaned coins from original coins is to study coins that have been labeled as cleaned by any of the three major third-party grading services (PCGS, NGC, ANACS). By studying coins they've deemed cleaned, over time, you'll soon know all of the characteristics of a cleaned coin.

 

There's many different types of cleaning some like dipping will grade clean at a tpg. Others using abrasive methods that leave hairline scratches will grade cleaned. Sometimes it's the off color that gives it away early silver that's been dipped even if retoned often times has a bit of a unnatural glossy sheen. Any 19th c silver coin unless it's a Morgan has likely been dipped if it's blast white. There's a lot of studying and learning to tell whether a coin has been cleaned and it's often not visible in a picture or to the naked eye. As to your half from the pic it does not appear cleaned

 

As for now thats exactly what I plan on doing. I feel more comfortable buying them already graded, plus as ebay is my main source of buying (I notice at least at the coins I am interested in) the extra it cost to buy a certified vs raw is not that big where its a no brainer on my part to buy it graded. I was handed down a small collection and after looking at the coins and the history of them all I have become addicted. I think it would be a valuable trait to learn how to spot a damaged/cleaned raw coin if I am going to become a serious collector. Plus all the coins I was handed down are all raw so it would be nice to tell if any where cleaned or polished.

 

Appreciate the response Mainebill.

 

Better place to look then feebay check out ha and stacks. You'll be hooked.

 

Check out what?

 

Check out Heritage Auctions Auctions and Stacks-Bowers Galleries, they're respected major auction companies.

 

Many, many seated coins have been cleaned. If you buy them raw you will encounter cleaned coins. Using a point source light, like an LED penlight, held at an angle to the coin you will see parallel hairlines going across the devices on a cleaned coin. Unusually reflective surfaces under the toning is also a clue. Unless you want to be disappointed on a regular basis I suggest buying certified coins (PCGS or NGC) although some of those have been cleaned as well. The coin in the OP looks ok to me, based on the image.

 

Buy nothing based on pictures. Pictures can be manipulated and juiced to give the impression that he coin is quite acceptable. Coin in hand is another thing. If you have the opportunity to purchase as thus, be on the lookout for hairlines stretching in the same direction. Rub a dubs such as this......

 

I disagree. Strongly.

The best way to learn how to tell cleaned coins from original coins is to study ORIGINAL coins that have been graded by the top TPGs. By studying the characteristics of original, attractive surfaces, you will quickly realize when something doesn't look right. There are so many different ways to clean, polish, damage, or change a coin that there is absolutely no way you could ever hope to learn the intricacies of each one. If you study original, attractive specimens, you will quickly learn when something doesn't look right - even if you don't know why.

For example, I can't exactly tell you what was done to the coin in the original post - but I can tell you that the fields on the right side of the coin are not original and not attractive. The coin has been tampered with (and the photographs are not clear on exactly what's been done to it).

 

Same thing looks to be done on the left side between the arm and the stars correct? That is what stood out me and why I choose that picture because I am not sure if that is natural wear for how old the coin is or if it was altered by cleaning or some other tool. Either way for the time being I will be sticking the TPGs till I get a better eye.

 

Smart......my 'eye' ain't so good either. Unless it's in person though. I survive very well under those circumstances............

 

seated coinage stick to slab TPG's.

 

I've bought an awful lot of commoner date nice original circulated seated coins raw over the years actually big thing to stay away from raw is key dates and mintmarks. Trade dollars seated dollars and bust dollars

 

There is a dealer that I can say is my go to guy on Seated Coinage. Dick Osborn. He is the biggest collector and dealer of Seated Halves in the country. The man is amazing in his knowledge of Seated Coins.

 

Wow! They got some great stuff and one I'm dying to buy but im broke! And fairly local too I have Gerry Fortin the seated dime expert 20 min away he's a great guy I highly recommend as well!

 

Great advice and information guys!!! I suspect most early coins have been lightly or harshly cleaned in some way...and not all easily determined by scratch lines or lack of probable patina....so slabbed and certified seems the best way to go....the identifying 'cleaned' designation removes almost all doubt and generally reduces value by about half...so it may more easily fit into ones budget while acquiring a very fine or AU coin that is otherwise quite scarce and rare....Love this site and all the shared info!!!