Dirty Coins - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,107
Stephen420 Valued Member United States 411 Posts	Posted 09/06/2005 12:53 pm Hi everyone. I was looking at my (way incomplete) set of Walkers to practice some principles of grading that I'm learning. What I was trying to do was to see if I could determine whether it was a good or bad or medium strike. So I was looking at two coins, roughly the same condition (Fine, maybe low extra). Anyway, the strike on both coins looked similar, but one coin was much dirtier than the other. Ironically (?) the grime on the dirty coin gave the coin more eye appeal because it collected in such a way as to emphasize the contours of the devices on the coin, like shading if it were a drawing. Since it was such a contrast with the relief, the relief stood out that much more. The other coin was not as interesting. Maybe, thought I, the dirtier coin was more fully struck than the other. Anyway, is this a common phenomenon everybody knows about, and/or does anyone have any opinions on the subject? Stephen Report this Post to the Staff

ageka Pillar of the Community Belgium 2078 Posts	Posted 09/06/2005 1:58 pm I can only answer for gold coins but It is nearly common for circulated gold coins to look nicer then uncirculated MS 60 with many bagmarks and mini scratshes Grease and dirt will cover up hairline cracks and other faults and the bagmarks will smooth away with light wear Report this Post to the Staff
bulldawg Valued Member United States 72 Posts	Posted 09/07/2005 12:12 pm I belive that the shading brings out the details that would blend in with out it making the coin look better. Report this Post to the Staff
catman Rest in Peace United States 954 Posts	Posted 09/13/2005 6:22 pm You just hit on the reason most people don't want a "cleaned" coin. The process of cleaning removes a lot of the fine lines that add to the appearence of a circulated coin. It starts to look phony and is a hard sell. catman Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 3 / Views: 1,107

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