Do you know if PCGS will grade cleaned/dipped coins ? I have some old raw coins that I suspect may be cleaned, but I can't tell for sure. I bought the coins from a national dealer (red flag ?) for a price that equates to XF on pcgs.com today, even though such coins were listed as Gem BU at the time. There doesn't appear to be any wear on the high spots, but the "new" luster isn't quite there. If such aren't truly Gem BU (MS-63 or above), but are more like AU58 to MS 60, will PCGS still grade these ?
ritz: PCGS (and NGC) will net grade for truly scarce or rare coins, for common stuff they just body bag the piece and return it. ignore the PCGS.com prices, they are values that will not be realized until the year 3007.
Do you have any trustable dealers in your area? I'm sure they could tell you something about them... How about posting some decent pics of the Obverses Reverses?? <heh, Are Obverses and Reverses, actually words?> If there is something wrong (or right) someone here will find it...
However, on rare coins they will slab them and net grade them, even with marks and scratches, altho they do NOT not the problem on the slab.
That's not entirely true. PCGS and all other tpg's will grade cleaned coins, provided they aren't harshly cleaned. In fact, I would estimate that roughly 30-40% of circulated coins (pre-1900 especially) get into holders despite having been cleaned at one time or another.
I have read the grading criteria of various tpgs many times. None of them that I have read make any statement that a detected cleaning will result in a body bagged return. Companies such as NGC and PCGS discuss various types and severities of cleanings, but only indicate that the harshly or improperly cleaned ones will not be graded (body bagged). I recommend that you go to their sites and check them out firsthand. NGC has a "no grade booklet" that goes into more detail and includes pictures. None of the companies mention any criteria for any exemptions to their rules, but it is easy to find examples of harshly/improperly cleaned, as well as damaged coins in any of their slabs. Seems they have no problems with breaking their own rules as they choose. True, the examples to be found on the web are of generally of rarities, but that may be because those are the coins with the pedigrees and detailed descriptions from other parties. That doesn't seem to be done much for commons. If anyone purchases slabs because they believe slabbed coins have never been cleaned, I feel they are very much mistaken and are believing something that the tpgs themselves do not claim.
PCGS grading reply Thanks for all the info. The coins in question are Bust Halfs from 1809 to 1839. They are obviously old, but not sure if they fall under the definition of "rare" that you mention. I suspected that the more reputable grading services (PCGS first, NGC second, maybe ANACS third) had higher standards, but I'm sure there are exceptions. Thanks again.
