Hello All, I just don't get it!!! Why is it OK for the major grading services to offer restoration (cleaning) services when they have no problem slapping a cleaned designation on a coin??? It seems like a bunch of BS to me. It's OK for them to clean, oops I mean restore a coin (for a price of course) but not anyone else???? Also, before all the haters out there jump on me. I do understand that they are much better at cleaning, I mean restoring a coin than many. I am also sure that there are members here who can do just as good as PCGS or NGC. I also understand that one must submit the coin first to see if it's a candidate for restoration. I am curious how many coins that are submitted for restoration are actually denied. With money in hand I think it would be hard for PCGS or NGC not to clean, ooops again, I mean restore.
i've seen a few TPG restoration horror stories on CT. They say that there's just one guy who does them all, and that he's the foremost expert or something. I personally think it's a bit expensive and probably wouldn't do it myself unless I had an uber expensive coin that was too nasty to sell
"Cleaning" and "restoration" are two entirely different terms, separated by whether or not you can see the work was done afterward without before/after pics.
Yes what SuperDave said! Don't get caught up in definitions. Did it alter the surface of the coin? Yes - cleaned No - not cleaned or you're being lied too.
Personally, I would not use the term "restoration" when it comes to coins. It implies the coin has been altered or repaired. The proper terminology is "conservation".
Yeah, like that. There are things which require conservation to save the coin, like PVC, and other things (opinion) which if removed will make the coin more original and valuable to society. Nothing which leaves visible trace of its' use - aside the aforementioned before/after pics - is desirable.
The confusion between "cleaning" and "restoring" a coin is often confused. Cleaning generally implies something harsh which may damage the the surface of the coin. Obviously "cleaned" coins would be bright shiney coins that are obviously circulated with obvious wear. "Restoring", on the other hand, amounts to the removal of harsh "toning" which may or may not affect the value of the coin. Some toning is NOT good and actually devalues the piece. A casual dip in an agent which does not damage the surface (beyond the molecular levels) is an acceptable form of restoration or "cleaning" if you will. Is it ok? It depends upon the coin and what is being removed or changed on the coin. It also depends upon the real rarity of the coin.
Yeah, at one time there were two 93s morgans in ms67 the Norweb & Vermeule specimens. The Norweb was sent through conservation that went bad leaving the Vermeule as the now singular top-pop 93s. Imagine getting that phone call.
I agree "conservation" is a better term. That said, I just got a spam from PCGS offering "restoration" for my coins. They showed an example of removing ugly toning from a walker. Cal
