Nickel 3 Cent Surfaces - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 2 / Views: 1,030
johnny676767 Pillar of the Community United States 521 Posts	Posted 03/18/2013 02:04 am As I get more into collecting, I am becoming more aware of coin surfaces. I am trying to learn to spot cleaning. One of the coins that seems to have been severely treated is the nickel Three Cents. I'm talking raw coins. Many of them seem to have a dull, lifeless, washed out look. At least in the lower grades. Is this due to cleaning or just the way these coins wear? I'd be happy to hear from anyone who has advice on evaluating the surfaces of this series in the mid-lower grades. Thanks Report this Post to the Staff

CoinsKelly Pillar of the Community United States 3453 Posts	Posted 03/18/2013 07:26 am I would say cleaning and/or environmental conditions are what cause this look. I collect them in the circulated grades and know exactly what you are talking about. I have one (purchased when I was very young) that looks very gray, dull and lifeless with XF details. There is no way that it was not cleaned. On ebay there are many that I believe that have been dipped / cleaned as well. In the unmolested state, these coins in the circulated grades do not have lifeless and flat surfaces. The metal wears in a similar manner as the other nickel coinage. I have many examples of lower grades that do look nice because they have been left alone. It sounds like you eye for spotting cleaning is developing . Report this Post to the Staff
Prethen Pillar of the Community United States 3234 Posts	Posted 03/18/2013 11:46 am If you take a look at enough 3CN you can get a pretty good idea as to whether or not the surfaces look original. If the surfaces look "white" but the coin has seen more than AU circulation, more than likely the coin has been cleaned, maybe soap and watered, maybe harsher. If the surfaces look gray with some dirt (or maybe no dirt) in the devices, it's probably original. Obviously pay attention to heavy hairlining of the surfaces since that indicates harsh cleaning or other mishandling; and it could have retoned to that "natural" gray look. Report this Post to the Staff
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