Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;TypeCoin971793, post: 2469936, member: 78244&quot;]There are two aspects to &quot;cleaning.&quot; One is the technical definition of &quot;cleaning&quot; where an object (cloth, brush, etc.) is used to scrape away (albeit in microscopic proportions) the top layer of metal of a coin to reveal virgin metal underneath. This was usually done to get rid of oxidation. This method leaves hairlines as it is abrasive</p><p><br /></p><p>There is a distant cousin called &quot;dipping.&quot; It should not be confused with &quot;dipping,&quot; but it gets grouped into the same overarching terminology. Dipping can either chemically strip the top layer of metal off of a coin, or it can chemically alter the atoms of metal so that the contaminating particles (sulfur for example) are removed without touching the metal. This method does not leave hairlines, but the first chemical damages the coin while the second chemical can be used to genuinely improve a coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the case of this nickel, its surfaces don&#039;t react as readily to the environment as silver, so it is reasonable to say that it can still be blast-white without being cleaned.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was decided about 30-50 years ago that the abrasive and metal-stripping methods of cleaning a coin actually harmed the surfaces of the coin by producing irreversable damage that reduced the eye appeal of the coin. As a result, they were considered damaged and sold at a lesser price to pristine coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Oh, and [USER=19250]@Paddy54[/USER] , I gave a presentation on detecting cleaned coins a couple weeks ago to my coin club. Bill Fivaz was present, and he agreed with and backed all of my points with his experience. I would hope I know a cleaned coin when I see one. Albeit it was about silver and copper coins as that is my specialty. I do not have much experience with nickel coins that have had an old cleaning.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in