Never rinse a coin over the kitchen disposal. Never tick off an auction company that is selling your coins. Never put a slab in your pocket along with a 2X2 with staples. Never offer to help someone sort a collection without knowing how large it is. Never buy a coin you do not understand. Walk away, learn and go back with a better understanding.
Been there, done that. Not to mention, you seldom get any gratitude, more often complaints because you told them the truth.
Sometimes that coin has the right look, even if it may be overpriced. Sounds like buying the slab to me.
Forget a nice coin in an acetone bath. Let's just say it's even worse looking if you let the acetone dry.
Never buy a coin you do not understand. Walk away, learn and go back with a better understanding.[/QUOTE] But I love doing this, as long as the coin is cheap. I love to go through dealer junk boxes and buy coins I have to take home, study, and identify. I have learned a lot doing this, and on rare occasions bought expensive coins for a dollar or less. Of course, I would not intentionally do this with higher priced coins! (I have sometimes paid too much for a coin I thought I understood.)