Hi all, Is there a quick way to look at a coin and tell if it has ever been cleaned or dipped? Cheers
Well yes and no. There are certain tell tale signs for cleaning and dipping, but if a coin is dipped correctly - nobody could ever tell. If it is done incorrectly - anybody can tell. But it would require a whole lot more space than I have here to explain all of it. But a couple of general rules - if a coin has Unc or XF details and no, or very poor luster, it's been over-dipped. If the surface of the coin looks bright white but the spaces inside the letters of the legends are dark or off color - it's probably been cleaned. If there are fine hairline scratches all over - it's probably been cleaned and possibly even whizzed. If the surface is bright and shiny but no luster - it's probably been polished. If a coin is toned but certain areas look smeared - it's probably been wiped. The list goes on and on - and most likely don't understand the descriptions without being shown an example either in person or with good pics. Which is what I meant by my comments above. Learning to correctly identify cleaned or dipped coins is something that takes a good bit of experience - it's kind of like grading in that regard. You know it when you see it - but it's pretty hard to explain it with words.
How about this coin? I noticed on the obverse there is a different color in the center than on the rims...
That one kind of resembles a pencil eraser job. But sometimes that look could also be just normal wear. In this case I don't think it is though because that coin would have been pulled from circulation long ago.
It looks like it could have been rubbed with soft cloth or it could be normal wear. But look for tiny shiny scratches when you turn it in the light. Any of those hairline scratches would turn me away.
I was browsing ebay and ran into this coin. Its a good price but I noticed the hairline scratches on it. Do you think it was wiped with a cloth or something?
I’d say it probably is but can’t tell for sure. The pic is too grainy. See how the field is brighter that the areas around the details? That’s the first clue. If a coin is taken out of circulation and sits in a box for 100years the toning will be more uniform. Pull out some pocket change and look at the older coins. How do they look? Most will be one flat color in the fields. Some will look brighter on the high spots and that’s ok. Usually only the really worn coins will have that change in the fields. The larger coins will be more likely to have a difference in field color too. Sorry I don’t own any uncleaned setting liberty coins that I can show you. It should look more like this Philippine coin but not necessarily the same color.
