Define a “cleaned” coin

I read your post wrong. Ignore me. In my defense I was a bit inebriated.

 

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Hey, that's my defense! A good scotch defense!!!!!!

 

In that case your terms may need changing to reflect the common mentality brought about by the ambiguity in the TPG’s designations. If a novice collector stumbles across a post that says “cleaned coins are good,” then he/she might be inspired to clean his/her coins without regard to the potential damage it may cause. But if the qualifier “properly” is used, there is no ambiguity. Same thing with “harshly cleaned.” A novice collector may see that “harsh cleanings are the bad cleanings,” and think that a gentle wipe with a soft cloth is permissible where a scrubbing with a brush is not. Again, if the term “improperly” is used, there is no ambiguity.

Another term I use for what you call “harshly cleaned” coins is “abrasively cleaned.” Again, no ambiguity.

 

My point is that the novice will see improper and/or proper and will realize that there is a right and wrong way to clean a coin. This will raise questions and spur research.

I guess we will agree to disagree

 

IMO, a properly cleaned/conserved coin should not be labeled as "cleaned". Cleaning coins improperly is still bad.

 

Yes, but how many angels can dance on the head of a pin...

 

What shall we say shall we call it by a name?

 

Fred

 

...Where is Insider? This thread is extremely lacking in the smiley and colorful text. This isn't really a thread on cleaning coins until the excessive smileys and colorful text are abundant.

 

Terminology is always tricky in most every field. A friend of mine who teaches high school physics can go on for hours about the misuse of "power" and "energy".

 

Amen! I bought a couple of Morgans that were cleaned (and not mentioned in the sales ad) and one encapsulated by PCGS that was not gradable. But you know what? I like them and will keep them in my collection. They're beautiful.

 

That's a big reason why I just simplify it to conservation and cleaned where cleaned means something that wouldn't straight grade.

Conservation may technically be cleaning, but an outsider reading it will have no idea about that