Would anyone dip an 1878 proof twenty cent piece? I mean, just why? Doesn't that greatly effect the value of the coin? So, why do it?
Because people don't know any better and they are terrorists! Seriously, that's what I consider those to be who clean coins, or dip a coin that does not need to be dipped, plain and simple, terrorists to coin collectors around the world and probly in many other planets....
You have to take into consideration that cleaning wasn't always a taboo. Many of the finest coins have had some form of cleaning over the life of the coin. It is harsh cleaning that makes the value significantly fall. In most of the other fine collectibles it is considered proper to restore or conserve the piece. If you take a look at the grading companies that now offer conservation services, you can see that the trend is making its way to coins. Of course the hard and fast rule is Never clean a coin. This only applies to those of us who do not know how to do it properly.
What is considered "harsh cleaning"? This particular coin that I am referring to looks brand new. DOesn't "appear" to have lost any of the high points and Liberty is plainly seen. Pennycase...too funny!!
I mean, I can understand some type of cleaning process, to keep a piece from corroding, when signs occur, or pvc damage, and stuff like that.... It's just these guys that find it oh so great to give their coins a bath in baking soda, and then make sure they rub their thumb around in circles real good untill it's nice and shiney.... Do they actually notice the scratch marks that the product leaves???
Any cleaning that removes the original luster of the coin. This is very easy to do. Wiping, rubbing, harsh chemicals such as soap, bleach, acetone, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, olive oil, jewelry cleaners, coin cleaners, and many, many more. It takes quite a lot of looking at many coins to be able to spot light cleanings. It is an art like any other. Just takes time and practice.
I agree with you 100% on that last remark, ND.... If my coin dealer wasn't such an honest guy, I would be had for lots of money.... Some of them really do look like nothing has been done to them, at least to an eye that hasn't been into the game that long...
Heads up to anyone who might be interested. I don't know how recent the publication is, but 'Coin Collecting for Dummies' (yes, modeled after the other manuals you see marketed for various subjects... for dummies) said that 'dipping' a coin is ok, and will not effect the value. Where the book had some useful information, I feel this was a dangerous stance on the hobby, and should be corrected.
You are correct. It is the little things like this that lead collectors into confusion. So many guides leave out good instructions and good information that could help instead of confuse. Just another area that could use a slight push into the right direction.
A surprisingly large number of the leading numismatists do think dipping a coin is OK as long as the right dip is used. But in all cases dipping one too many times is bad. You would be hard pressed to find an Unc Morgan dollar that has not been dipped at one time or another. The same is true for most of the older US silver coins. Most experts estimate 80 - 90% of older US silver coins have been dipped. It is also generally accepted that dipping any coin in pure acetone is harmless. Not saying that I agree that dipping a coin is a good idea though - in anything.
