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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4132 Posts |
That's what I do when I can, but the coins I'm going for (tough-but-not-key-date Mercury dimes in XF-AU) are not often available slabbed. Here's a direct quote from the seller that sent me the latest: "It has normal circulation hairlines that you can only see with a glass." I could see it was abrasively cleaned, without magnification, even before I got it in good light. Either the seller is blind, or they lied to me. Not that I'm not used to it. I'd describe how I feel right now, but I don't want the forum language filter to catch fire. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
Being particular is by no means a fault of anyone. It's your collection, you should be able to fill your way. I don't care for the "shady" dealings of some eBayers (bad pictures, photo-shopping, no returns, etc...) I feel for ya, been there myself and will probably go back for more (agony).
Patience is not a virtue of mine that is often spoken of in a positive manner.
Edited by oih82w8
04/16/2012 10:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5838 Posts |
I get the ones that are either dipped and hidden in tones coins, and all the raw ones that sells close to slabs, I might as well get the slab and crack it out or just leave them in there.
It is actually more difficult to find XF-AU coins than BU coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
I think you should try more coin stores/shows if you can. Of course, this might not be an option.
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Moderator
 United States
16680 Posts |
There are a couple scenarios. Either the seller has no idea what he's doing (in which case he/she should not be selling coins) or their using deceptive practices in which case their con artists. Make sure there is a clear return policy in place and only buy in the U.S.
Just my couple cents.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1796 Posts |
No not all coins are cleaned. Only about half. The other half are photoshopped. ;-) More seriously, about half the coins I've bought off of ebay were cleaned or dipped improperly; however, I was lucky as even cleaned the price was right. |
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Valued Member
United States
275 Posts |
I find that images that show that coins are obviously bead blasted are very commonplace. Either that or the photos are very poor. Being a machinist for 40+ years it is easy to pick things out like that.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
Quote:
It is actually more difficult to find XF-AU coins than BU coins. That's not hyperbole at all. Unfortunately, uncirculated is out of my price range. Quote:More seriously, about half the coins I've bought off of ebay were cleaned or dipped improperly I'd say that's about my running average. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Good photos are a must when buying online. You should be able to weed out most of the harshly cleaned pieces by examining the photos and buying from reputable sellers. In the last 5 years I've bought 500+ coins on ebay and returned 1 (it was harshly cleaned). I'd guess 300 of the 500 I bought were raw and of the 300 raw, maybe 30 were what I would call improperly cleaned. I define cleaning in 3 categories: 1. Light (market acceptable), 2. Improper (not market acceptable but retains some numismatic value), and 3. Harsh (destroyed numismatic value). Only #3 bothers me so much that I would return the coin. #2 is okay if the price was right. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2661 Posts |
Not all have been cleaned. I have been able to find more and more auctions (mostly silver halves) that have been polished to perfection.(sarcasm) I saw some by a seller last week that looked like F-12 proof Walkers they had been polished so much.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
"I think you should try more coin stores/shows if you can." I have a hard time finding silver coins at shows in an uncleaned state. Well, Canada and Australia at least.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
This is why I am now overpaying for slabbed coins on ebay. lol. At least I won't have to return. But also, CCF is another place I like buying coins. No deceptions here. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I do buy slabbed when I can, but a lot of these are $20-50 circulated coins, which are not often sold slabbed.
Patience eventually wins out... I stopped in the coin shop when dropping the return package at the post office, and he had some new stock and I filled a couple holes.
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Valued Member
United States
51 Posts |
Can you all post advice & examples (photos are very good to use) of cleaned coins at this link? https://goccf.com/t/116270@BH1964, how are coins "properly cleaned"? I've always thought we shouldn't clean coins at all? Besides maybe a little water if something adhering on the coin could damage it more. Quote:In the last 5 years I've bought 500+ coins on ebay and returned 1 (it was harshly cleaned). I'd guess 300 of the 500 I bought were raw and of the 300 raw, maybe 30 were what I would call improperly cleaned. I define cleaning in 3 categories: 1. Light (market acceptable), 2. Improper (not market acceptable but retains some numismatic value), and 3. Harsh (destroyed numismatic value). Only #3 bothers me so much that I would return the coin. #2 is okay if the price was right. Edited by andym
05/30/2012 10:30 am
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
Quote:
how are coins "properly cleaned"?
Ancients can be cleaned with due care and attention. Modern coins. No way  |
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Posted 04/16/2012 10:41 pm
