Cleaned coins vs Uncleaned coins

Once, just for my own curiousity, I got two different ordinary cents and rubbed one with a pink eraser and one with a non-abrasive high polymer white eraser. I wanted to see what would happen. Later, with the naked eye, I can see fine scratches on the one that I used the pink eraser on. But I couldn't see scratches (under 7X magnification) on the one rubbed with the high polymer eraser. Then I forgot what my point was and that was that.

 

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OK I tested again with pink eraser. I don't mean to condone cleaning coins, especially with a pencil eraser but I see no obvious damage. I'm surprised yet again with the eraser.

 

LOL it looks good! hahaha

 

I really can't believe how well a stupid eraser works.
I'm not buying anything on eBay anymore. Is just too damn easy to make a coin look good.

 

I looked so please do not say I didn't. I do not profess that everything I saybis accurate but I do try. Since I'm human I do make mistakes and they still look like cleaning marks. Maybe it's a combination of both cleaning and Die polish lines.

 

Really good and interesting thread.

 

I think it is a combination also. It's a little easier for me to see. But I've never cleaned the coin and I don't understand the scratches. Is it possible for a die to have a positive polish mark on it? Like a burr? That would cause a negative imprint?

 

That is a hard truth. I have only two trusted sources that I will buy coins from on the web for exactly this reason. One is a CT member. I would be lost without my local dealer.

 

If you are a new collector, DO NOT clean your coins using any type of eraser!! Even if @bruthajoe can't see the difference, if you rub a coin with something abrasive (yes erasers are abrasive, that's how they work) you will remove metal from the surface. No ifs, ands, buts, or doubts.

On uncirculated coins, you will damage the microscopic flow lines that impart luster. On toned coins, including brown cents, you are removing the surface layer of metal on the coin.


In reality, it probably doesn't make a difference if you clean a common wheat cent or damaged coin, but new collectors need to be aware that cleaning, especially abrasive cleaning will be detectable and will diminish the value of your coin. It is possible to properly clean a coin so that it isn't noticeable, but that is usually done by experts with lots of experience and knowledge of chemistry/metallurgy as well as the minting process.

I have no problem with @bruthajoe experimenting. That's a good way to learn. I just want to make it clear to new collectors that running and abrasive cleaning will be detectable in your coins

 

Ha!

 

I have a few details coins in my type set. I know they were cleaned, I like the way they look, and I like the price I paid for them. Not a problem.

 

This thread is allot more civil than my thread on deoxidation. I was accused of trolling and being anti-intellectual. Lol It's all fun.

 

What are die "scratches"?? How do they happen?

 

http://www.error-ref.com/?s=Die+scratch

 

I can not answer these questions as I've never spent time researching them. My apologies.

 

I found this in the forum...

 

Would a CGS consider "die scratches" distractions? Would they call the coin "cleaned"?

 

Can a die have positive marks that would create negative impressions that resemble scratches?