I made a purchase of a huge bag of wheaties & coin rolls long time ago when I first started out. Anxiouse as all heck to get some to go through...only to relize that some ( in the folders or coin holders ) had to be messed with. They appeared very shiny and the features didn't stand out . So thier's my dilema.....I have several coins that look uncirculated in the toned department but, not a lot of strike features to them. Have they any value at all ?? I have many 1909 VDB's , lots of teens and I think a 14 D ?? I know people buy or sell copys...I'm not in the market to sell altered coins..just would like to get something back from the shister who new I was a newbi...Much wiser at purcheses now...Thank you kindly....
I am understanding that you have several early Lincoln cents that are well worn but have a color ( probably orange somewhat). Buying a bulk bag of coins often brings this situation. The wear is a key factor for all coins, so well worn goes towards the bottom of the price column. There still can be significant value in certain coins such as the 1914-D, you mention if it is a real one. But, it was very common for many uninformed collectors decades ago or more, and even today, to try and shine or brighten their copper cents with acids or chemicals of all sorts acclaimed as safe cleaners, which really are not. These cleaned coins are worth less, to much less, of the value. Some collectors were told to us a pencil eraser on the coins before pushing them into a folder! Bad, very BAD! ( Photos would help. Jim
Erasing coins "Some collectors were told to us a pencil eraser on the coins before pushing them into a folder! Bad, very BAD!" Isn't that the truth! However, one of my first coin mentors (in 1967, or thereabouts) cautioned me not to use a pencil eraser-- if I had to use an eraser, it should be a stand-alone eraser, because the metal of the pencil eraser "might scratch the coin." I was also advised by someone else to use Wright's Silver Cream for cleaning my nascent Franklin Half collection. Needless to say, the coins looked instantly shiny and new to my 9-year-old eyes, but the local coin dealer could instantly tell that they were polished. I was also told to use olive oil to preserve shiny pennies. I don't think it worked too well, but at least it probably didn't damage my pennies.
Since olive oil is an acid and contains organic materials - I can assure you it did damage them. As to the original question, as always it depends. Based on your description the coins have been polished and as such would only have a fraction of the value of a problem free example. How big that fraction is depends entirely on each individual coin. But a range might be from 20-80% of a problem free example. With most falling in the lower part of that range. It is however important to note that dipping a coin does not necessarily harm the coin. Fully 80% or more of all older coins have been dipped at one time or another. And they are bought and sold daily at full price.
I never realized that olive oil was an acid. At any rate, I quickly gave up on treating my penny collection with olive oil since the most valuable piece in my collection at that time was a 1968-S, and the olive oil cost more than the pennies were worth. I ended up spending most of them because they turned brown.
The information is priceless...thank you all. Most of these are greatly bright goldish brown. I will get back and post a pic of a few for examples. So as to the selling part?? Would I hurt my reputation in selling fine coins if I tried selling these ? I ALWAYS want to be 100% trusted and I've done a pretty good job so far as to describe my coins to what I know . If I mis- describe...it's not intentional...always like to be authentic on description...I'm sure they would stick out like a sore thumb to any collector....as I know now what to look for . Basically...does it downgrade your reputation to sell these items ? It's not worth it to me if it does.... Thank you all for the insight...greatly apprecietive..
Toned coin pics 1909 VDB Here are some pics of just one of the toned coins I have. 1909 VDB w/damage on obverse. Lil late on getting pics done...busy day and lil rest.. Sometimes I wonder if ITALLMAKESCENTS ??Thanks to all for the info....good day...
