Help In Determining If A Wheat Penny Has Been Cleaned

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,382
rking007 Pillar of the Community United States 784 Posts	Posted 02/16/2016 12:23 pm So I'm still working through these grease covered pennies I bought for a $1.00 a piece and I'm wondering if the copper experts can help me learn. I have a handful of decent dates in VF+ grades but I'm noticing that the high points on the devices have less brown on them if that makes sense. What I'm trying to figure out is if this is normal wear since it is the high points or should I be seeing an even chocolate brown everywhere for coins this age? Here are some pics as examples and, as always, I appreciate all the knowledge! Coin 1 - 1911-D - Looking at the high points only... (looks like some kind of planchet metal mix issue from 'Liberty' up through his head?) Coin 2 - 1916-S - This one is more obvious as most of the high points show a lighter color than the fields Coin 3 - 1916-D - Just the extreme high points here and a little on the rims - also, would the dig and hit on the reverse be considered details, scratched or damaged? Again, thanks for commenting, I am really trying to dig in a learn to train my eye to cleaning so I don't end up making mistakes down the road when good money is at stake. Also, comments on my pics? Any tips for improving? Russ Edited by rking007 02/16/2016 12:27 pm Report this Post to the Staff

ace_ftw Pillar of the Community Canada 1747 Posts	Posted 02/16/2016 12:27 pm I don't see anything obvious saying they have been cleaned, these all to me, look like they have been worn, if they were cleaned, it was many moons ago, and saw circulation to remove most of the signs. Report this Post to the Staff
John1 Moderator United States 56855 Posts	Posted 02/16/2016 12:47 pm John1 Report this Post to the Staff
mdrosophila Pillar of the Community United States 724 Posts	Posted 02/16/2016 12:51 pm The first one may or may not have some light cleaning a long time ago. The second and third coins are cleaned. My 2 cents. Report this Post to the Staff
moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 02/17/2016 12:32 pm There is absolutely nothing about any of these that would indicate cleaning of any kind. All have natural circulation toning. Those that exhibit lighter high points just indicates that they saw circulation after toning. It is often called circulation cameo. Report this Post to the Staff
rking007 Pillar of the Community United States 784 Posts	Posted 02/17/2016 1:17 pm Thanks for the answers so far! Where I live, it takes me too long to get to any decent coin shops so most of my knowledge comes from you guys. Moxking, thanks for giving this a name too! I wonder, is there a place to see several examples of cleaned coins online? Do we have a thread somewhere in the past for that? Would be interesting to see a kind of collection with good photos to have for reference. I search ebay all the time and more than half the pictures are either over exposed or tilted in a way where you have no idea if you are looking at the surfaces correctly or not. Report this Post to the Staff
BadThad Bedrock of the Community United States 19935 Posts	Posted 02/17/2016 1:56 pm None of the above coins have been cleaned IMO. Removal of the patina on the high points (and sometimes other places) happens during circulation. It's just due to get getting physically rubbed off. Lincoln Cent Lover! VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/ Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,382

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