I was thinking about starting a thread of my own on cleaned coins, but after reading this, I see there is no need. TypeCoin has written an excellent summary on identifying cleaned coins. This could be a chapter in a "handbook of practical numismatics," if such existed. Great job. So I will just add some coins that have been cleaned, when I have time, to further illustrate the points already made. This really nice looking, CircCam bust half, came from a collector who was selling off his Dansco 70/70 piecemeal. I really like this coin. But, under a bright light, the white high areas show parallel hairlines that resulted from removal of some tarnish. It was done skillfully and is not obvious under typical conditions. Just something to be aware of when purchasing coins with this "look."
Next is an 1836 that I bought on eBay when I first started collecting. It had very dark tone, but I missed the underlying glossiness (it was in an older Anacs holder as cleaned). Much later, when it was too late to return it, I realized that it was AT'd (I hear that chlorine bleach will cause a very dark, almost black tone). I decided to dip it to remove the AT. First photos are pre dip, then the post dip photos Now you can see the hairlines on what is clearly an otherwise pretty nice, AU CBH. I'm using it as a pocket piece to wear down the hairlines and lose the glossies hopefully before I retire.
Good thread, good article. I have learned a lot from Typecoin. I would like to say, regarding the in the story about the dealer who gave the "40 years of experience" answer - well he or she might have been tired, had a bad day, maybe had just gone through all of this unsatisfactorily with another customer, but that said: He or she would have lost my business with that response unless he or she had something to sell me that I just had to have. Sure, it might have taken some time to explain. I think that is what is called building relationships with customers. I was in a service business for many years - I never said to a client "because of my experience I know the answer to this question" without further detailed information. And I was never lacking for clients. Good luck to that man or woman - he or she will need it for that business to survive.