cleaning and retoning

Collector
Classic
Conservation
Don't know about The toners vs dippers though...

 

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IMO of a new collector I don't like cleaning I actually like the natural darker color that a coin gains as it ages, so why one would want to remove that beats me, and if a coin is so destroyed why would you even want it in your collection? as to toners I am staying away from toned coins in general because i cannot tell the difference between NT and AT, you mention art, and furniture but those pieces are much more complex and parts of them can be replaced for example rotted wood on an antique couch, however if you start replacing parts of coins that become worn down, how does one differentiate from the "restored coin" or "counterfeit grade"

 

IMO of a new collector I don't like cleaning I actually like the natural darker color that a coin gains as it ages, so why one would want to remove that beats me, and if a coin is so destroyed why would you even want it in your collection? as to toners I am staying away from toned coins in general because >>i cannot tell the difference between NT and
AT,<<

There's this thing called "eye appeal" that factors into a coin's grade and as is said, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Take that out of the equation, and one might have a case when advising to never attempt "cleaning" a coin.

 

Doug said "Re-coloring" not retoning.
I think this is a great thread. I believe in conservation when indicated. Still up in the air on the best way to do this but I am learning. I have coins soaking in mineral oil in plastic cups that look better everytime I check them. Verdigone for stubborn verdigris on AU or lower copper coins. Rose thorns for dirt, grime removal. Not a fan of dipping unless the coins is practically black. Acetone for PVC which I personally have never owned a coin with such damage. Albums and paper flips or Taco Bell napkins to retone scratched coins- I use these methods and have no problem whatsoever- accelerated nature. MS 70- have done but not on any valueable coin. I will turn RB coins Blue, violet colors. I consider it AT, but still very pretty at times. I won't use on any valueable coin. Heating a coin- totally lame and damaging to the integrity. Never alter flow lines- a very important principle IMHO. I am the most in favor of mineral oil on non-PL copper coins. Silver coins would only use acetone if I suspected fingerprint issues.

 

This is not that simple or correct.

First of all I understand that this is a "controversial" subject with all coin collectors; as I have my own beliefs on this matter.

1. The person who restores an antique painting is commended.

2. The person who restores a piece of antique funiture is also commended.

3. The person who preserves or restores an old comic book is commended.

4. The person who preserves or restores an old document is commended.

Why is the person who retones, cleans or restores a coin not given the same consideration?


This is not that simple and/or correct and I do conserve and clean coins often.
This subject is never simple or cut and dried with any type of item especially old and rare paintings, furniture, and coins.
The fact is there is "cleaning and then there is cleaning". There are a few people who are experts in cleaning and restoring and then there is a lot of folks who could and do damage old artifacts - thats where the "don't clean coins" comes in. There is also items that should never be cleaned at all but just have their condition arrested and halted from now on. The fact is more items are ruined by cleaning than are preserved and that has, and will always be the case by people thinking they are doing something good.
Now I have been very successful at making dirty copper coins look better and be somewhat preserved, but not BU copper, I don't have the skills needed. I also do not have the skill to clean encrusted ocean scum off gold or silver - but there are people who do know how to. There are also people who can clean and restore fabulous paintings but they are few and far between. Some furniture should never be cleaned, same with coins or documents.
I think you were over-simplifying this issue and it's never a simple answer to apply to all things at all times.

The real problem with cleaning and restoring is at some point there is no turning back - and it's at that point where you need the most knowlegable person on earth sitting there with you and how many of us are going to have that luxury!

 

Leave it to the professional

I see nothing wrong with preservation.....when done properly....I seen coins done so perfect the so called professional graders where clueless....just my thoughts...sorry if that offends...

 

Please vote this thread

This thread deserves a vote...Please

 

Tom , I feel the same way ( 95% of the time ) But there are some coins with toning so ugly only its mother could love it , so in those cases dipping might be preferred . The only problem with dipping is knowing which coins will actually look better and not worse after doing so , and knowing how to do it . OK Gem I'm ready for my flaming .
rzage:hatch::hammer:

 

Circulated or unc that is the question. Any circulated coin has been wiped off, cleaned rubbed in a pocket, washed, laundered - name the catastrophy. Some of mine were burried and burned. burned and burried? oh well, they came out of the indonesian earthquake ruins. the red and black surface is part of them, they will stay that way.

now as for cleaning them,, I had a dug nickel I cleaned the lime off of it, it was 1887. if I had paid to have it cleaned it would have been worth $50-$80. it also with my luck would have been 1987. Now it is a cleaned coin - still worth multiples of face value.

I would not touch an au or unc, xf, maybe. AG or f, well. if it junk silver, it may get dipped. it may not.

Just keep the wire wheel and sandblaster away.

Copper, well, brown is nice. Bronze desease is not. Green from a sewer backed up, a soaked collection, water damage. dug coins. Clean if you must.

I like old original surfaces. No dipping if you want top dollar from me. Dipped coin? I'll net grade it, discount a bit, or a lot. rarity, price, do I need it?

 

At some point, we're going to have to start calling you Doctor Boss. I think your efforts are worthwhile and on the right track. It is obvious that you have learned a tremendous amount about conserving coins.

 

Thanks Cloudsweeper. I will take that as a complement, unless it was sarcastic which I don't think. Doug tells this great story of a mysterious guy who could replicate any coin you gave him. Give him one nicely toned coin and another of the same coin non-toned and he would make the two identical. Now that is pretty amazing. If I could make a boring coin pretty or fix a screwed up coin and get it graded than that is awesome in my opinion. I am not doing the story justice- Doug could find it and repost it. He was eloquent about it. Like a coin cowboy with sercret handshakes and in hiding. Can't find the guy unless you know the right people, the password, etc... I will find this man and become his apprentice. If your out there MR Coin Cowboy, my name is DOCTOR BOSS.