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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;houston_ray, post: 496609, member: 1943&quot;]Here&#039;s another thread I alluded to as part of an earlier post:</p><p><br /></p><p>I have listened, read, and wrung my hands over the current scourge of coin collecting: cleaned coins.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>While I recognize the need for sound grading/technical evaluation (particularly on high-end coins), I would like to voice my opinion for the majority of us &quot;regular Joe&quot; individual collectors.</p><p><br /></p><p>Of course, seeking feedback based upon your perspective.</p><p><br /></p><p>Coins that have been harshly cleaned are fairly easy to detect.&nbsp; Forgetting about value, they generally don&#039;t look good.&nbsp; They don&#039;t &quot;belong&quot; in the set when side-by-side with the others, even in circulated grades.</p><p><br /></p><p>However</p><p><br /></p><p>I think there is too much fussing over &quot;wiped&quot; coins.&nbsp; Not dipped, scoured, or whizzed...just likely been wiped over well with a cloth at some point in the past.&nbsp; They are a bit &quot;shinier&quot; than a coin that&#039;s been left in a box for 50 or 100 years.</p><p><br /></p><p>For relatively common dates, circulated grades, I think there&#039;s too much fretting over this.</p><p><br /></p><p>Many numismatic experts believe that up to three-quarters of &quot;old&quot; coins were &quot;cleaned&quot; at some point.&nbsp; Some retone to a degree.&nbsp; Some less so.</p><p><br /></p><p>I read about guys ponying up $30 fee to get a $50 coin graded, and I wonder about it.&nbsp; What do you think?&nbsp; Maybe the grading services are doing a good marketing job?&nbsp; I have never had anything graded unless I thought it was worth well over $200: 1909S VDB, 1914D or 1922P Lincolns, 1916D, 1921PD Mercury, not even my 1921PDS Walking halves.</p><p><br /></p><p>Do you think that what I&#039;m calling &quot;wiped&quot; coins (which arguably may be rare or a huge majority of the silver collectibles out there depending on who you ask), are being made too big a deal?</p><p><br /></p><p>Recognize this is a personal point of view questions of course, but just thought I&#039;d ask.&nbsp; If so inclined to respond, it might be nice to know your level and time at this great hobby.&nbsp; Perhaps some sagely advice will work its way in.....[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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