| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,608 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Amongst other things bought while at the coin shop today.....I bought a 1958 Set that had never been opened (or I should say...."was sealed" anyway, since they didn't come from the Mint "sealed") But anyway, I told the guy that a couple "sealed" envelope Sets in the recent past that I bought from him, sounded like a great exciting idea, but much to my horror, when I got home to open them, I discovered a couple black spots on a Franklin....and some other coins had some "issues" too......so, I told myself that I wouldn't ever do that again without seeing what's in there "first". Well......today he offered me a couple "sealed" Sets again, and I told him my issue. He decided to open them and look at them. Sure enough, in the '58 Set, the Franklin had some evil looking black spots near the edges. He went and got some "Jewelers cleaner" (which he said you can get at any Walmart) and he "dipped" the Franklin in it and then carefully cleaned it off. He said that I didn't have to buy the Set if I didn't like it. The '58 Franklin looks good (the other coins in the set were very good) but you can see a problem where the spots were....the "darkness" is gone from the spots, but now the metal shows a "pit" where this was. And also...... Is this now a "cleaned" or "dipped" coin ? ....  Because I don't want to own any of those....... N.O.N.E. whatsoever ....but for some reason, I said it looked great and paid $40.00 for that Set and then paid for my others and left. But the more I got to thinking about it.....it just started bothering me on whether or not I just should've waited for a better one to come in. Did I make a good decision or just a rash one ? This is one of the more expensive old Sets that I've bought for "hole fillers" in my Dansco's....so that's another thing. It wasn't "discounted" or anything because of the problem laden Franklin in there either. And I assume that I got greysheet prices today too. Any thoughts here please ? Ahhhh.......and yes....Before anyone says it....I'll try to take a picture tonight and post it tomorrow. But my "abilities" with the camera and good pics of coins don't go "hand in hand" ! ....... So.....it may not help to see one of "my" pictures ! .....  Edited by eaglefoot
06/03/2010 4:50 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2120 Posts |
I've ran into similar situations. The one thing I try to always keep in my head is that;
There will always be another, Just be patient...
It's much better than the feeling you're having, that I've had a few times.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3294 Posts |
Yeah, I went to the shop over my lunch break to get a 1943D War Nickel for my 7070 and the guy behind the counter (new guy) goes off somewhere to get it and comes back wiping the nickel with a cloth (either way there was a pretty nasty scratch on the reverse, so in the end it would not have sold anyways). Needless to say I asked if there was another one, but alas there was not, so I passed. You would think that these guys might know better? Edited by nod2003
06/03/2010 4:30 pm
|
|
Moderator
 United States
187446 Posts |
Yes, that half dollar has been dipped.
I have always speculated that a large number of silver coins have probably been cleaned or dipped at some point. More than I like to think.
The problem with dipping is that it actually removes metal from the coin. Done too much and the luster will disappear leaving the lifeless blast white coins that make most of us cringe.
Here is a thought experiment for you. Can you tell it was dipped? If he had done this before you saw the coin (that is, you did not know he dipped it), would you have still bought it?
I know that I have coins in my collection that were dipped. I bought them a long time ago, before I knew what it was actually doing to the coin (therefore, I did not object to it). The coin dealer did it right in front of me (pulling coins from a collection he just bought and selling them to me). At that time, I honestly thought he was doing me a favour.
I look at them now and wonder if it is that I cannot tell they were dipped, or if it is that some or all of the other coins in my album were also dipped as well. It starts to blow my mind, so I try not think about it.
As I have said before about many things, if I cannot see it, then it does not affect me. But that is just me. So, I am not advocating the practice, nor am I saying that you should buy the dipped coin. I am just giving you a point of view to consider. If the coin still looks good, then there is no reason not to buy it, if the price is right.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
I wouldn't have purchased it. As soon as it goes near a dip/cleaner/rag I'm outta there!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
920 Posts |
$40 is a good price for the set. Unfortunately lots of those early proof sets have spots. You're not putting a proof in the 58 P slot are you? That's like putting a satin finish coin in. I need to find a local coin store. I pretty much buy everything online or over the phone. |
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Coin Dip, aka Jeweluster or E-Z-Est is a dilute solution of urea and sulfuric acid. In skilled hands, a coin can be dipped with no traces left of said dipping. In less-than-skilled hands, dipping will result in a ruined coin with dull lifeless surfaces. You have to know when a coin can be helped with a dip and when a coin can be harmed by a dip, the former is much less common than the latter. Dipping a coin with concentrated toning spots or heavy overall toning can result in a rough pitted area where the toning was due to excess metal being removed. Dipping is best for coins with light but unattractive hazing or toning and it sometimes works well for removing old fingerprints that acetone will not touch. Dipping is NEVER advised for copper coins, unless you like them to be shades of pink or orange  I admit that I have dipped a few coins in my time but I take a large measure of precautions when doing it. A coin is only dipped for a few seconds and sometimes the dip is even diluted. Once removed from the dip, the coin gets a good swishing in a buffered solution to neutralize the low pH of the dip and then it goes into Milli-Q purified water(distilled is also fine) to rinse off the buffer. The coin then gets a final rinsing with pure acetone to remove all traces of water. Edited by biokemist6
06/03/2010 4:52 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
6326 Posts |
Well, the "spots" were near the rim. And " I " can't tell that it was dipped. He did it only on the affected area there near the rim, not the whole coin, and only for a couple of seconds...and then washed it off and carefully blotted it dry. There was no "toning" at all on the coin.......just the dark spots that I mentioned. If I didn't know it had been dipped.....I am not expert enough to tell the difference. And the coin does look good, except for the pitted area(s) near the rim now. Quote:
You're not putting a proof in the 58 P slot are you? That's like putting a satin finish coin in There IS no "P" slot for 1958 in my Franklin Dansco......just a plain '58 and a '58 D ! .....  Bio..... ...... JB....... I will put up some pics of this.....just "price-wise" I will have to live with this coin (& set) regardless of how I feel about it. But I hope, at least on aesthetic appeal.....the majority opinion will be a good one !I never stop "learning" ......that's for sure ! .....  Edited by eaglefoot
06/03/2010 5:02 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
442 Posts |
Do some research to find out if this is a common problem on that year of franklins if so keep it if not ask for store credit or your cash back I'm sure he wont mind if your a regular customer good luck
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
920 Posts |
Sorry Eaglefoot. I couldn't resist since you're such a purest about the business strike vs the satin finish.  |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
 ..... ..... Yeah that Satin Finish vs. Biz. Strike thing will be/is just MADDENING when you think about it ! ....  I don't know how folks can just "block out of their minds" this issue, and continue on with sticking in Mint Set coins with that special finish in the holes where Business Strikes are supposed to go ! .... One just cannot "pretend" that, since 2005, it's the same coin in there ! It doesn't look like they're going to get rid of the Satins anytime soon now either....with these new biz. strike Sets coming out for the Parks Qtrs. ........  ......Lord help us ! ...    Edited by eaglefoot
06/03/2010 5:35 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
ACK !! ....... I can't find my camera to take the pics....thought it was here at home ! When I get back to the office in the morning....I'll look again for the camera there....
|
|
Moderator
United States
187446 Posts |
Excuses, excuses! |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
I would look askance at that shop's offerings in the future, if I went in there at all.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1934 Posts |
eaglefoot...my experience is this:
when I trust my gut instinct, sometimes I have genuine success; sometimes I make genuine mistakes....but I get genuine (and meaningful) lessons...and, so far, no one's died because of it !
:)
When I second guess myself or dont go with my gut instinct or dont listen to the answers I initially heard, things seem to get distractingly complicated.
Two general (not black and white) wisdoms I try and remember:
1. If I have to ask, the answer is "no."
2. If I'm having the conversation with myself, at some point, it's time to have it with someone else.
Edited by j_h_s
06/05/2010 07:30 am
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Yep ! ......I'm always learning.....some "good" lessons....some "bad" lessons. Everyone goes through this process I think.....you just hope that when you come out on the other side years later, that you've become a seasoned veteran "old-schooler" with a lot of wisdom and make "fewer" mistakes and bad purchases ! ... My Dad took our "company" camera home !! He told me he would bring it back to the office ! Seriously ! ...... |
| |
Replies: 17 / Views: 3,608 |
Posted 06/03/2010 4:30 pm
