Question on TPG grading cleaned coins

Pretty much yea. ANACS will sometimes put more than one but once you have the worst one on there it doesn't make a ton of difference at that point

 

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Here's a 1923-s quarter I purchased for my SLQ set that is labeled cleaned and corroded by ICG. I am trying to learn how to identify coins that are cleaned / corroded but still not very good at it. BTW ICG charges $5 to "conserve" coins (on top of the $10 for economy grading / slabbing) which I think is a pretty good deal if you're just a collector and it's not super high end.

 

The surfaces look pretty rough. It probably had some terminal toning that etched into the metal and was later dipped or scrubbed off.

 

If a coin is dirty, you can clean it with soap and water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after. Be careful not to rub too hard, if at all, as the dirt can scratch the coin.

 

Yeah, I know! You could write a book! All you'd have to do is cut and paste what you write here! Easy peasy!

 

That book sounds complicated - lots of words and helpful information and such, I like the perdy picture books! [sharpens crayon stubs]

 

Back in the days when cleaning coins was the accepted norm, there were no TPG services, so no slabs. Back in the days of the ANACS certificate they would certify cleaned coins and did mark them as such. When PCGS came along they pledged to NEVER allow cleaned or problem coins to be put in a PCGS slab. But many cleaned early coins did get straight graded. In 2007 they caved and did allow cleaned or problem coins to be slabbed, but only as GENUINE with no grades assigned. That lasted less than a year before they started giving them details grades.

 

Yeah - from some of the other responses, I gathered that much. So the premise underlying my questions was wrong. Now I know that the days when cleaning coins was acceptable preceded the TPGs.

Out of curiosity, why did they call it by that term: "Details"? What if the coin submitted was cleaned and is also quite worn and has practically no visible details? Does it still get a "details" grade?

Thanks.

 

Details grades not only cover cleaning. It also includes scratches, graffiti, and environmental damage among other things and yes theoretically you could get a G details grade.

 

I like to think it's because the devil is in the details!

 

I've been considering cracking out a "Details" coin from its holder, and putting it in my pocket for a couple years to see if normal wear will eliminate the signs of whatever hairlines, wipes, corrosion etc. caused the coin to get called "Details." I'm wondering what would be the best candidate for such a test; a large cent, a Morgan dollar, or maybe a seated half dollar? There would not be much downside to what happens to the coin since I'd likely use a coin with a fairly low market value. Any thoughts? Has anyone tried doing this?

 

Do that with a large cent, but there's usually no need to let it "circulate" in your pocket for a couple of years. There are MANY early copper coins that are in details slabs that are very nice coins. Specialists recognize that "details" slabs are an opportunity to cherrypick coins that are worth more than they sell for in the slab.

Not always, but often enough.

Buy the coin and not the slab.

 

This is my details coin. That's the best pic I could get.

 

Drat! It copied here but not after I posted it.