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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Coinchemistry 2012, post: 2051317, member: 28107&quot;]Although some may colloquially use the terms interchangeably, as the term is widely used and has been accepted in the numismatic community, the processes are distinct.&nbsp; Dipping refers to the use of an acidic solution to remove a thin layer of metal on the coin&#039;s surface.&nbsp; When done properly it, the luster should survive and in most cases, the results should be market acceptable.&nbsp; Improper dipping typically results either from improper rinsing (leaving a film or residue that typically turns a brownish color) or overdipping (also known as a coin having been &quot;dipped out&quot;) to the point that the coin is stripped of luster.&nbsp; In that context, typically the resulting impairment of luster is usually different between cleaning (often a dull, dark look) and dipping (often just stripped, completely lifeless, white looking), although in some cases I agree there could be ambiguity in a limited number of cases where there is no evidence of mechanical damage (i.e. wiping or other hairlines from the cleaning).</p><p><br /></p><p>With regards to your initial post, I may very well be misinterpreting what you wrote.&nbsp; I understood you to say that the lack of patina in the recesses/contact marks and the rest of the fields is dispositive of cleaning.&nbsp; I disagree.&nbsp; If a coin was never acquired a patina (less likely here but included for completeness) or if a coin was dipped so as to remove the silver oxide (i.e. toning) from the surface of the coin, then the marks would similarly be devoid of color.&nbsp; A properly dipped coin will appear blast white, as the coin you linked shows.&nbsp; I have no problem with calling it a properly dipped piece.&nbsp; My point is that it is the <u>luster</u> and not the coloration necessarily that is dispositive.&nbsp; A coin without a patina may very well have been cleaned, but it could have also been altered by other means.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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