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 Replies: 29 / Views: 3,062 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2373 Posts |
I would dip it lightly since it has to please no one but myself. No polishing though.
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
hello, I'm still fairly new to coin collecting and was wondering why dipping is better than polishing? is it because the coin could be scratch or something. thanks
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Rest in Peace
United States
1501 Posts |
I prefer coins that look like the have a history tied to them, so I didn't clean my War Nickels (silvers) but if the coins were black I would go the E-z-est route, I used it on a really badly tarnished and stained Peace dollar that you could barely make out the date, I wish that I had taken the time to do a before pic but here is the result;  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
jtang42, first of all,  Polishing a coin is NEVER a good thing no matter how much you may think it will "improve" a coin. Polishing is damaging as it creates fine scratches all over the surface of a coin and thoroughly removes the natural metal flow lines from the coin being struck. However, dipping is not completely benign either. It is kind of like playing with fire- if you do not know what you are doing, you will get burned. If you are experienced and well trained, the outcome will be much better. Over dipping an uncirculated coin will strip luster that can never be regained. A careful, dilute dipping can(in certain cases) improve the eye appeal of a coin by removing ugly toning/tarnish and uncover original luster. Dipping circulated coins is almost always a no-no since it produces an unnaturally white coin with obvious wear i.e. something that does not exist naturally. This applies only to silver and gold. Copper coins should never be dipped since copper is a much more chemically reactive metal. In the case of the original poster, she finds the black toned War Nickels to be ugly. Since they are minted of a billon alloy(less than 50% precious metal) they tend to tarnish a very ugly dark color that does not occur with 90% silver coins. In this case, a mild dip is preferable to dark and ugly. |
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New Member
United States
4 Posts |
thanks biokemist6. That's good to know now. I had one that was completely black and polished it with a q-tip and silver polish. The coin is worn, so I thought it would be fun to try.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
543 Posts |
Though thats simply the opinion of a majorityf collectors, though I also disagree with clean/dipping coins or any of that crap in an attempt to increase value.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
595 Posts |
Of course, Jeremy, but if you remember my original post, I said that the point was I'm going to keep the nickels for the rest of my life just because I like to own them. If my great-nephew's grandchildren decide I've devalued their inheritance by dipping some ugly black War Nickels, they'll just have to get over themselves.   Jan |
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Valued Member
United States
96 Posts |
You can will them to me Jan!, I would be very appreciative. Edited by fasteddie
04/14/2008 12:12 pm
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Valued Member
United States
144 Posts |
I'd like a good example of each, side by side (one natural black, one closer to how it was originally, but cheap).
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Valued Member
United States
392 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
595 Posts |
I've decided I will definitely do some before and after photos of this process -- and we'll see what we all think about it. Jan |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4870 Posts |
If I have a black War Nickel I won't clean them. I'll just get another. They are relatively cheap for circulated grades. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1116 Posts |
i chose nicer and readable because it will not be of much value if it was valuable I would never clean it
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Replies: 29 / Views: 3,062 |
First Page
Posted 04/10/2008 11:25 pm
