How Can I Tell If A Coin Has Been Cleaned?

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 2,235
Hidalgo Valued Member United States 216 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 09:40 am I recently sent several older coins that I bought years ago to NGC for certification. To my surprise and disappointment, several of them were returned as "Details" since they were improperly cleaned, had their color altered, etc. Is there a website I can check to see what I can look for to determine if a coin has been cleaned, color altered, etc.? That way I'll know if I bought an altered coin. Report this Post to the Staff

jgenn Pillar of the Community United States 1156 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 10:05 am This forum has several threads dealing with this topic but I don't know of a specific website. The easiest problem to spot are hairline scratches created by wiping a cleaning solution across the surface. Rotate the coin under a light and use a magnifying glass or loupe. ~jack Edited by jgenn 07/23/2014 10:07 am Report this Post to the Staff
Conder101 Bedrock of the Community United States 17884 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 10:58 am Unfortunately the only real way to learn to recognize a cleaned coin is through experience. Report this Post to the Staff
Matteproof Pillar of the Community Korea, Republic Of 1881 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 11:04 am with Conder. Look up "cleaned coins," "surface hairlines," "polished coin," etc. on CCF. Many many useful posts with pics of good examples of problem, cleaned coins. The more coins you look at, the more you will learn how to detect cleaned coins. A lot of experience is necessary. Report this Post to the Staff
westcoin Pillar of the Community United States 9796 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 11:43 am some of the cleaned and/or doctored coins are so well done they even fool us "experts" i.e.: the California Proofs on Morgan dollars had PCGS fooled for about a year before they were discovered. Puttied and and worked gold coins are even tougher sometimes. Experience is best, if you can I suggest taking a week at the ANA Summer Seminar and learning from some of the best in the world, I've taken 4 grading courses and 2 counterfeit and altered classes over the years, a fantastic experience. This is a subject that is pretty hard to learn from book reading or online help, one really needs a mentor/teacher and lots of examples in hand to study. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 Report this Post to the Staff
georok Valued Member Greece 152 Posts	Posted 07/23/2014 1:32 pm Searching at day light with magnifying glass for hairlines and also if you see uneven toning Report this Post to the Staff
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