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 Replies: 39 / Views: 4,240 |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
A co-worker stated that his mom left him some coins that he wanted me to look at. I told him sure. One thing I told him right off the bat, is under no circumstances clean your coins; just bring them to me, and I would be happy to look at them for you. He described a Morgan dollar, some Liberty nickels, and a few Barber dimes. After all the emphasis on DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS, what does he do, goes out to the garage and takes Mr. Metal to them, and tells me they look nice and clean now  I had to tell him what they are worth now. Thank goodness there were no keys. Oh boy, arggggh! swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
284 Posts |
Go figure. Some people just think they always know better.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
I would venture that the overwhelming majority of non-collectors not only see nothing wrong with cleaning coins, but also believe it improves them. It's not a hard position to understand. After all, you have something dirty, especially something you may want to sell, what do you do? You clean it. I'd say over half the random junk silver I have has been cleaned. There are many things I don't know about other activities, so I can't be too hard on coin cleaners.
Now when he comes back and says mom also left him a WWII grenade, RUN as you tell him not to pull the pin.
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
This guy is not the biggest and brightest.
What part of DO NOT CLEAN didn't he get!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1195 Posts |
Perhaps making it clear that numismatists WANT the dirt on the coins would have helped.
With some people, a simple "Dont do X," regardless of the "under no circumstances" clause, makes them think doing x will actually be beneficial or exciting
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
We should just hang signs everywhere for people to know:
Coin Collecting
We like 'em dirty
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
Perhaps a little more elaboration would have saved those coins.
Reminds me of an Antique Roadshow I was watching once where a lady brought in a copper Tiffany lamp that she said she wanted to "clean up".
She had no idea as to value so, away she goes with the Brasso.
$300,000 turned into $50,000 the appraiser explained.
If they (non-collectors) have never been educated prior, how are they supposed to know...I see your point absolutely.
He watched my head slam down on the table when he told me, then, dead silence...lol!
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
Yeah, about 3 weeks ago I looked over some coins for a family friend. I offered him $200 for 5 various circulated, Seated Liberty coins (not dollars). A legit offer on what he had. What does he do? Calls me up two days later bragging about how he got $28 an ounce for them at the gold and silver exchange. MORON. I told him to never waste my time and that I will never deal with him again. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
@Drsandman2 - common symptom of the person believing that the family friend is trying to take advantage of them- then realizing at the jewelry store that their coins aren't worth that much- taking the offer because they are already out and plan on spending the money they get for the coins. many people selling at that level really are that stupid. they didn't buy the coins to begin with, so they figure- what the heck...
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
What gets me is how unethical the gold and silver exchange is. They know what those coins are worth.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1554 Posts |
 That same scenario occurs quite often. Non-collectors are under the impression that a shiny coin is like a shiny car, the better the shine the greater it's value! P.S..............O.M.G. are they in for a shock! Glenn  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
You know, there is a related upside...if EVERYBODY knew not to clean coins, then everybody would have some coin collecting knowledge and almost nobody would find anything worthwhile in circulation and you roll searchers would be out an entertaining and sometimes profitable pastime.
And for those you who find it acceptable to call said subject dumb or stupid, well, you should be so very proud of yourselves for never, ever eating something too soon after mom/your SO/the wait person said, "watch it, it's hot."
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
Quote:
And for those you who find it acceptable to call said subject dumb or stupid, well, you should be so very proud of yourselves for never, ever eating something too soon after mom/your SO/the wait person said, "watch it, it's hot." Too true XD!  Just this afternoon, I burnt myself right after my dad said that it was hot. |
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Valued Member
United States
306 Posts |
Makes you cringe, like the sound of a shovel SCRAPING ashphalt.
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Replies: 39 / Views: 4,240 |
Posted 03/03/2012 6:25 pm
