I turned it off when he started polishing a Proof coin with an abrasive cloth. That behavior is unacceptable in numismatics, and the fact that a video camera can't pick up the scratches in that lighting doesn't mean he didn't just ruin the coin.
1) Is it really that easy to crack out of a PCGS slab? 2) can you then after cracking the slab take the coin out and put it back in? 3) do ATB's have a premium over spot? (I suppose this is the most important question.. b/c if they don't get any premium over spot.. who cares... it's just a hunk of silver....
Quote: he started polishing a Proof coin with an abrasive cloth
out of curiosity is this a proof coin? I was under the impression proofs were highly reflective in the foreground with the object being frosted due to treated with acid. this coin is solid reflective so I wasnt sure if it was still considered proof or not.
either way that coin isn't really worth much above melt so no real harm here. that not to say id recommend doing such for a limited mint proof
It's people like this guy that have made so many rare coins worthless just out of ignorance. This shouldn't be allowed, but it is his coin to ruin if he so chooses.
I guess all we can do is to continue educating people about cleaning, and why doing so brings the value down considerably. You should never, EVER, try to make a coin look more "shiny" by cleaning or polishing it. That's coin collecting 101.
Quote: 1) Is it really that easy to crack out of a PCGS slab? 2) can you then after cracking the slab take the coin out and put it back in?
You didn't see what he had to do to actually crack open the slab. He had already broken the holder open (Sometime they WILL split nicely along the seam often they don't.) If they do split nicely along the seam sure you can put them back in, but they won't be sealed and if you don't handle them carefully will tend to open back up dropping your coin on the ground, case, pavement etc.
And I would bet that if you looked at that coin in hand now you would see hairlines all over it.
I watched this yesterday. Had to force myself. What bothered me was the carefree attitude of narrator. He made it sound as if one could do no damage at all. During the 'cleaning' process he spoke, and as he did his breath could reach the surface of the coin. What affect that could have over time is an open question. To clean a coin is a gamble, and the odds are not favorable. I do not like 'milk spots' either, but I am not about to break open a 1964 Proof Set to remove the spot from a dime. Still, we must bear witness to unpleasantness and educate one and all to the pros and CONS on such a procedure.
Keep in mind, the sharpest knives in the numismatic drawer have been trying to solve these milk spots for years, and the only way we know to this day is to grind them off the surface of the coin. This video is proof of that.
I think I've seen similar videos from the same guy and all I can say without being rude is "GOOFY".
On the plus side, this time he's not cleaning a coin; just some bullion. However, he's already lowered the value by cracking open the slab, then (I belief) also de-graded the item with the cleaning. Yes, it's not as bad as using steel wool or 'dipping' it, but some marks were left. Also, as stated before, the milk spots will come back in time.
You can actually see the hairlines in the video (particularly in the fields to the left of the bust), which is remarkable given the blurriness of the footage. If he can't see them, his eyesight must be pretty bad.
The jewelers cloth is not abrasive and the milk spots are gone. He says his eyes are better and there are no scratches. Dipping it will not remove the milk spots, right? Is it so bad to improve this bullion style proof coin? It has little if any numismatic value so why not remove the milk spots if the result is not any polishing lines? He also said he removed the "other little stuff" and there is no evidence of it. So you can have a bullion piece with milk spots or do something about it. Is the jewelers cloth treated with anything?
I certainly understand all the commotion trying this with something proof of numismatic value like an older proof set. That's not the question here. That's beside the point.
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Posted 03/18/2015 01:39 am
