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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,953 |
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Valued Member
Canada
95 Posts |
I have a lot of coins that look to be scratch-free, with nice sharp details and smooth shiny fields, however, some of them have that dark "dirt" stuck in little crevices. I have done an acetone soak and used the pulled cotton tip of a q-tip, however, it is still there and I will not attempt to "clean" my coins. With this said, can you tell me how much of an impact that dirt plays in a certified grading?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4212 Posts |
Dont quote me on this, but just about every piece like you describe,
is given a detail. Hope that's not the case.
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Photos would help us answer more specifically.
I use a higher pressure pure water sink shower and air dry. If that doesn't work, pure acetone, pure water rinse, air dry.
If that doesn't work, it stays as is.
The value of a Coin is determined by the numerical grade with the eye appeal as an important factor.
Dirt in tiny crevices will never improve the eye appeal. It may not be so bad as to drop the eye appeal.
But all of this is dependent on the coin. An 1815 Half Dollar in 45 wouldn't be impacted at all by tiny crevice fills.
A Proof 1960 Half would suffer for that same thing.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7936 Posts |
Quote:
sharp details and smooth shiny fields, however, some of them have that dark "dirt" stuck in little crevices. Though not necessarily the case, this can be a description of a previously cleaned coin. Tarnish comes away easily from the fields and high points, but is more difficult to remove in crevices because the cleaning agent may not penetrate there. |
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Valued Member
 Canada
95 Posts |
These are the 1964 half dollars in question. #1    |
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Valued Member
Canada
95 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7936 Posts |
I believe three out of four have been cleaned. The remaining black gunk or tarnish is what the (botched) cleaning process could not remove.
Edited by tdziemia
10/02/2019 3:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1543 Posts |
Those coins all were toned and now are nor which means they are ruined, sorry. I don't think rubbing them with cue tips is a good idea but I suppose I could be wrong.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7936 Posts |
@squirmasaurus, you can look on the bright side: you do not need to worry about the cost or hassle of submitting these for certification.
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Valued Member
Canada
95 Posts |
Thank you everyone, for your input! I'm still learning. One thing I do not is NOT to clean your coins. I simply pulled the cotton loose, on the end of a q-tip and gently rolled it over the guck. I never rubbed at all. Does this mean that my father may have attempted to clean them? This is his collection. Well, it's good to know what is an isn't worth anything more than melt value. Thank you again. You guys are awesome!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7936 Posts |
Quote:
Does this mean that my father may have attempted to clean them? Somebody took coins that had a darker coating and tried to remove it. He may have received them in this condition, and gotten them at a bargain. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
One thing for sure is don't bother sending anywhere for grading. Waste of money.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,953 |
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Posted 10/02/2019 11:34 am
