"It's sad, but many researchers, dealers and long-time collectors believe that about 80% of all 20th Century silver coins and 98% of 19th Century and earlier silver coins have been cleaned or at the very least, dipped by somebody." (The above statement came from a contest thread Doug created that links to a page showing artificially toned versus natural toned coins.) If true, I guess I never stopped to consider how bad the problem is and how depressing this is to collectors that love and seek to collect original coins. Another thought occured to me that perhaps we are too hard on people who own these (and I know my seated dollar was once lightly cleaned) in the sense that some communicate disdain for their purchase (as opposed to education of what they bought). What do you think?
I have to agree, many older pieces have been cleaned at sometime or another. In fact, it was acceptable at one time. However, there is a big difference between a light dip, to 'improve' the appearance and a heavy scrub. As for cleaning, if you can live with it, so be it.
It's just part of collecting we have to accept. Kind of like finding out that over 90% of all chocolate products contain insect remains. We either accept it and go on with out lives, or pretend we never heard such a thing. Guy~
I think those percentages might be a little high. But not much. I know the majority of old coins have been cleaned. But, as has been mentioned, it is a matter of how they were cleaned.
Really ? Must have been some time ago for I don't recall it. Got a link to that thread ? I'd like to read it again. For the most part it is true, and yes it can be depressing when looking for that one particular coin for years and yet finding only dipped out or harshly cleaned examples. But when you do find one - it's like being 5 years old and it's Christmas morning Too hard on them ? I guess that depends on what you mean by that. Is it too hard on them to bluntly state - sorry, that coin has been harshly cleaned and is only worth a fraction of what you paid for it. When there is bad news to give, there is no easy way to give it. I have always found it best to just spit it out. Beating around the bush and trying to be tactful just prolongs the agony. Now I will agree that berating someone or belittling them for buying a problem coin is not necessary and should be avoided. But you cannot expect people to learn from their mistakes unless you first tell them that they made a mistake.
What exactly is "lightly cleaned" as it relates to silver coins? Would a 3 hour soak in vinegar be light? How about 3 seconds in Tarn-X? I'm asking specifically about dipping, not scrubbing. Does the "lightly" part refer to the process (as described above) or to the results (still a little toning remaining)? If there's still a little luster remaining is that lightly cleaned?
I'm glad we are on this topic. Please don't clean your coins. now, which do you like better, Peace Dollars or Morgans. Lets take a poll. BTW - how do you feel about the CAC sticker thingie? Ruben
Morgans, and I like them with CAC stickers of course. Ruben, you up for the Clifton Show that's on in 29 hours?
Honestly, I could give a hoot. I mean.. let's say I'm a bust half collector... I've been collecting them for XX amount of years. I've never noticed a problem with them, no one ever thinks they've been cleaned, They look like nice original coins. Then some "expert" comes along and tells me they're all cleaned at some point... Who gives a hoot. I'm not gonna get my undies up in a bunch. So what, If I've never had a problem with it, and then all of a sudden the coin community tells me I should care about it... They can go fly a kite. If they're all cleaned.. well then... They're all cleaned, nothin we can do about it. This isn't directed at anybody, just directed at the general topic we're discussing.
er any links please i am going to give choclate up. nasty nasty. a rare 1/4 anna might be coming to you as well slow down doug i am going to lose the contest like that. what ever happened to taking a breather for a 2 weeks. but i am right you dont remember much ( admission in first part of the post)
I would think the statistics are fairly accurate but just twisted facts. There are Billions and Billions of coins produced. There would have to have been hugh vats somewhere for cleaning them all and that sure would take a lot of cleaning. And a lot of soap or whatever. If, in reality that many coins have been cleaned, it probably pertains to collectable coins or coins collected. I highly doubt that anyone cleans a 1944 Lincoln Cent for example. 1,435,400,000 produced so just who would clean 80to 90 % of those? I know when we were kids we all cleaned any coins that we put in our coin albums, but that sure couldn't dent the Billions and Billions of the others.
