Smoothing Coins? How to?

What device do I need to smooth coins? I have a coin made of silver I'm considering smoothing to get it ready for resale.

Besides practicing on junk coins, does anybody have techniques they would share?

Thanks..

 

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So what kind of coin is it and what are you trying to remove, or smooth?

 

A rock tumbler?

I'm only kidding!

Why would you need to 'smooth' a coin for resale, anyway?
And what is smoothing?

 

Good question, I am assuming that its kinda like sanding down rough surfaces. I could be wrong

 

Altering the surface of any coin to make it look better to sell is not an acceptable practice and is highly frowned upon.

 

I would like to remove graffiti or scratch on a coin. not sure if it could be done

 

what if I make it worse, is that ok?

 

So, first a thread asking how to AT, and now this. Are we starting a grassroots campaign for a "Coin Doctors" subforum?

 

PCGS seems to like to use the "smoothing" term as with this coin: http://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/171542/1891-Liberty-Gold-Double-Eagle-PCGS-Genuine-AU-Details

You could always try Stockton and his "coin restoration service".

 

So you would just let a coin suffer through its existence? I have more compassion then that.

 

Sarcasm.

 

I am serious about this thread, can scratches be smoothed out of a coin?

 

The coin will almost certainly look worse if done by anyone other than an expert. So assuming that it is not valuable enough to warrant expert 'restoration', it is not a good idea, in my opinion. Unless disclosed, as Ed Sims said, it is frowned upon and you will not find much support or assistance at this forum.

 

I do remember reading about someone using a laser to reduce the appearance of scratches. But why don't you post a pic of the coin in question? Maybe its worth pursuing, maybe not.

 

Yes, they can. Easiest way to accomplish this is place the offending coins on an active railroad track (preferably while a train is not passing by), wait for a train to pass over it, then behold your scratch-free prized coins. They'll sell like hotcakes at a bear jamboree.

 

this works good for me , I have a railroad within 300 feet of my home where the train hauls coal all day and night. If you like flat smooth coins this will do the trick.

 

its been done and they are still doing some of the big guys get away with it all the time...my advise to you is if the coin is worth a lot don't touch it leave it as is,if its worth a few bucks go head and make it shine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

You have two options: Hit it really hard, or rub it with something rough. That said, 'modifying' coins in order to improve their appearance or maybe grade is generally unaccented in the market. There are exceptions, such as dipping or conservation with things like Verdicare. To my knowledge, there really aren't any methods of 'removing' or reducing scratches that are market acceptable. If you want to make scratches, I recommend the Blentech Total Blender (will it blend?)

 

I not trying to make it market acceptable. I wanted to know if its possible to remove ugly graffiti on a coin.

 

graffiti is tuff,leaving it in olive for a while might help some of the graffiti to come undone but again not sure what type of metal you have