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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;PyrotekNX, post: 128985, member: 3918&quot;]It usually depends on the coin.&nbsp; Silver is hard to detect correct dipping.&nbsp; If a silver coin is overdipped, it will have a rather dull and dead appearance.&nbsp; If a coin has wear on it, but no traces of toning or dirt on it then it is probably cleaned.&nbsp; Copper and bronze will have a pinkish color to it if it has been cleaned.&nbsp; Copper nickel Indian Cents will show more copper at the surface of the coin than an uncleaned specimen.</p><p><br /></p><p>Once you get used to looking at coins from various years, you will know what an uncleaned one will look like compared to a cleaned one.&nbsp; A circulated Indian Head cent will have a dark, almost chocolate brown color.&nbsp; One that is pinkish or bright red will be a dead giveaway.&nbsp; Silver is harder, but you can still tell if it has been cleaned and allowed to retone.&nbsp; The most important thing to check is for evidence of mint lustre in an uncirculated coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>You can&#039;t fake mint lustre, once it&#039;s gone it&#039;s gone.&nbsp; It is the metal flow lines caused by the forces of the die as well as the surfaces of the dies themselves which is transferred to the coin during the striking process.&nbsp; A proof coin will have a mirrorlike appearance that cannot be repaired during cleaning.&nbsp; A mint state coin will have a series of concentric rings that have a cartwheel like effect on the coin.&nbsp; Some dealers have tried to fake this by running a brass brush over it.&nbsp; This is called whizzing, you can easily tell under a microscope or loupe because there will be a series of scratches.&nbsp; Cleaning will also cause hairline scratches and is easily detectable.&nbsp; Some proof coins have a frosty effect on the high points which is caused by the mint sandblasting the die.&nbsp; The mirrorlike surfaces are from the die being polished.&nbsp; Neither one can be faked.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just because a coin is missing detail, doesn&#039;t mean that it&#039;s not a mint state coin.&nbsp; It may not be fully struck or struck on an old die.&nbsp; Toning may hide the coin&#039;s defects.&nbsp; It can cover up previous cleanings and mishandlings.&nbsp; Sometimes coins are artficially toned with chemical agents or with heat.&nbsp; Look at other coins in that set to see if the coin looks funny compared to them.&nbsp; Artificially toned coins will have unnatural colors and the toning will seem to be resting or floating on the surface of a coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many things to look for and consider when you are looking at coins.&nbsp; Advice cannot replace experience.&nbsp; Even some dealers are fooled from time to time when it comes to dipping and artificial toning.&nbsp; Grading companies have known to make these mistakes from time to time as well.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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