An Ez-Est Experiment

I have made that distinction in both threads the entire time. AND I specify elsewhere. If a new hobbyist doesn't make that distinction, their inability to read and comprehend is not anything I can control.

smokeriderdon: Do all coin collectors a favor and quit posting on this topic. Every post you've made in this thread is bad advice for any collector and could mislead people into believing you know what you're talking about.

The fact is no one should ever use E-Z-est or any other acid dip. Experts can perform dips for 1-2 seconds without damaging their coins IF they handle the coins carefully, use proper rinsing techniques, and know how to dry them safely. Idiotic comments about for 10 to 30 seconds are just plain crazy.

No "grey" area here....it IS cleaning

I dip toned or discolered silver coins for 6 to 10 seconds depends on the coin.
They always come out looking better than they did before the dip.
I like silver coins to look as they did when minted. Not toned or brown or black.
I have never dipped a proof coin as none in my collection need it.
I also have a small jewelry cleaning kit under 5 bucks 2 years ago
it works as well as the dip does.

I think I can safely say that anytime you put acid on the surface of a coin you remove a bit of that surface. That is why it looks "clean". Soak it too much and it looks unnatural.

Cleaning is obviously the wrong term here. There are some products that do not affect the actual surface metal but acceptably "clean" the coin.

...MS70 acts as a mild soap to "clean" the grime away...metal not affected. It will not remove toning/tarnish

...Acetone removes grease/some fingerprints/goobers. It does not affect the metal surface of the coin and will not remove tarnish. There are quite a few knowledgeable coin experts that dip ALL their ASE's and 5 oz. pucks in acetone before submitting to prevent milk spots.

...EZ-est is an acid that removes a bit of the coin surface. Soak one for an hour and see what happens. It's excessive use is detectable by TPG's and will get a coin body bagged. It may look "cleaned" but it is really an altered surface.

If you want nice shiny coins then go for it...or use Brillo. A true numismatist will do nothing that changes even the appearance of the coin.




Cleaning a coin is when you do something to a coin that makes it "cleaner" than it was originally. It does not have to be aggressive or damaging. That is how I and most collectors use the word...

I am with smokeriderdon on this one.

There are a few people on here that are insulting with their responses.

When you write for someone to quit posting because what you are saying is wrong or incorrect .. that is insulting.

Post how you disagree, do not insult the person.

One wrote that true numismatic person would never clean a coin .. that to is a insulting statement.

Most coin shops sell products to improve a problem coins appearance... EZ-Est .. MS-70 ..etc.. many collectors use them.

NGC has their processes they use, to fix problem coins.

Clean .. cleaning is just a general term that most use.

If you have never cleaned a problem coin, then you will never learn how to do it. I have seen many coins sit in a dealers inventory for months .. years, because of a problem. Problems like finger prints, glue or tape residue, paint, dark toning etc. If the coin is cleaned right and the problem removed the coins sell quickly.

I am not saying a coin that has been cleaned should sell at the same price as a original coin of the same grade.
If done right a cleaned coin will sell better then it would with the problem.

I am not sure why some members need to reply to posts in negative ways. Some here will read something they disagree with, and they attack. Not just on this subject. I guess some people think if you are not doing things just the same way they do it .. then it is wrong.

Foxwoods, I do not appreciate you saying I am not a true numismatist. Again, you may not agree with me, and thats fine. I full well realize there are many people in this hobby who completely disagree with me. Thats how it goes in any hobby. So thanks for being civil, appreciate that there bub.

GR thank you sir.

harthag, a good discussion/argument almost always results in lots of info and ideas being put out there, regardless of some peoples lack of respect for others. Just let me re-stress one point I made. Do NOT try the EZ est on your coins until you have practiced on some scrappers like the ones Amida and I used. It IS something that could damage the coin if you screw it up. I said it in my original response and want to make sure you didnt miss that.