Do you Consider a Dipped Coin to Be Cleaned?

Laser treating and dipping are in no where shape or form the same. And no the TPGs could watch you dip the coin like they do themselves and if you do it right will straight grade it

 

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I think what gets lost here is that dipping coins can save coins. Toning will destroy a coin if it’s not removed. Some toning is beautiful and not advanced enough to do harm. If you have a coin in that state and you store it properly it should not worsen. But advanced will ruin a coin if it’s not removed. That will get you that dreaded details slab.

 

I think you mistook my original message and that is if the industry changed its standards then there will be big problems. It does change from time to time. We don’t store coins in envelops for the most part and no one lacquers coins anymore, that kind of stuff. You are correct dipping an ugly train wreck of a coin to make it pretty is good but over dipping is bad. Dip if you want it’s your collection so I’m sure you want them pretty not dirty looking and gray it’s only natural.
Reed and Sparkles the Unicorn.

 

I think you missed my point. Toning damages coins. It toning that has reached that state is not removed it will destroy the coin.

Yes, over dipping is bad. Everybody knows that. It mutes the luster.

 

@desertgem

Is there any change you still have the photos from the below thread?

http://www.cointalk.com/threads/microscopic-comparison-of-luster.126215/

Unfortunately, the link isn't working.

 

Im not against you on this, your battling against the wind. I just hope for silver coin collectors the standard “market acceptable” doesn’t change. I collect copper and alloyed copper coins and most of my collection is brown as I prefer them that way. I feel for the dilemma silver coin collectors are in.
Reed and Sparkles the Unicorn

 

This is true...but why change.

All kidding aside...it is what it is. I will believe what I believe and others will believe what they believe. No amount of stating the different views will change that.

 

Please, someone, anyone, post a coin damaged by toning. It can be an Ancient 2000 year old coin if you want, or a Modern nickel, I would like to see just one coin that natural toning has destroyed it. There is a difference in corrosion and toning, there is no way a coin will disappear in thin air, even if you're Houdini himself.

 

I don't have any in my collection...or I would post a photo of one. I can try and find a photo though.

But, there is no difference between toning and corrosion just like there is no difference in conservation and cleaning. One word just makes us feel better verses the other.

Toning is corrosion. It's oxidation of the metal surface.

 

This is a coin that I bought when I was very young and foolish. I got it at my first coin show - the price was crazy cheap, and there was so much detail! But, when I got it home under the light, something felt wrong. The luster was dull and muted, not bright and flashy like it was supposed to. I sold it off in a bulk lot of silver a long time ago, but I still have the pictures - and I can still remember the dull, ugly surfaces.

 

But it's not terminal.

 

What do you mean "terminal?" There was no luster left - the coin was a flat, dull, matte surface. I don't know how much more terminal you can get.

 

A better way to say it is that toning isn't erosion. Toning is a very thin layer, of which will protect the underlying metal from further oxidation, if you dip that coin and strip the protective layer off you are eroding the surface and you have exposed it to further oxidation. Please tell me how stripping this protective layer from the surface is in any way conserving it. I believe that is a term used for self justification.

 

So dipping this coin would be considered conserving it? If it had been dipped in it's previous life, it wouldn't be a misfit now?

 

I think that is the whole point - dipping will remove that layer, and is thus not conservation. That's the difference between conserving and cleaning a coin. Very few people would claim that dipping is conserving.

 

You misunderstand me: dipping it has damaged it. It has no luster left, because it was dipped in its past (before I bought it).