This Morgan Been Cleaned? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,543
stumpy041486 Valued Member United States 139 Posts	Posted 03/04/2009 8:54 pm Does this coin appear cleaned. I am still trying to learn this stuff. It appears mighty shiny to me and the breast feathers aren't smooth, but they do appear to have more wear than the rest of the coin. Am I on the right track, or am I completely off? If not cleaned, what do you think it grades? Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 03/04/2009 9:30 pm It does look cleaned, I'd say EF-40 for a grade. Report this Post to the Staff
BH1964 Bedrock of the Community United States 10982 Posts	Posted 03/04/2009 10:21 pm My rule of thumb is that a coin with significant wear (below AU) should NOT look that blast white. That's an EF coin that has been throughly cleaned and/or dipped. ANA #R3154474 Report this Post to the Staff
Blue Diamond Gold Exchange Valued Member United States 97 Posts	Posted 03/16/2009 01:45 am It looks to me like it has indeed been cleaned. Report this Post to the Staff
Rojasp New Member United States 3 Posts	Posted 03/20/2009 02:31 am Methinks you need to learn a new word related to "cleaned;" that being: BUFFED. It would appear to me that the coin has been polished in some manner, which has the same effect and the same morality of the word "cleaned." If some of us who think this coin is suspect are correct, either "cleaned" or "buffed" should have been included in the seller's description, or that individual/company is either (a) stupid, or (II) slimy. If you live in civilization, you should be able to take this coin to a reputable dealer or experienced collector who can tell you in an eye-blink (at no expense) which side this coin (and its description) will land on. If you aren't a member of a local coin club (assuming you live in a non-rural area), get involved with experienced collectors for your own well-being. There are a lot of people out there who are heart-willing to help and give good counsel, for no other reason than the pitty-pat of love of the hobby, hate of charlatans, and some cameradery (and maybe some volunteer labor, such as working the annual coin show or being president of the club). You'll save yourself a lot of $$ and embarrassment over the long run, and learn faster than you ever will on your own. All true collectors wish one another only good will and any education they can provide from their own experience. Report this Post to the Staff
Rojasp New Member United States 3 Posts	Posted 03/20/2009 02:40 am One other thing (or maybe 2): There are a number of terms ("lingo" for those in the know) that you should be well familiar with: cleaned, dipped, buffed, polished, and * The bad word filter is in place for a reason. Deliberately circumventing it serves no purpose other than to anger the Staff . NUMBER TWO is that a coin that fits one of those categories (and there are other categories that fit this as well) is worth substantially LESS than the value of its actual grade (determined by wear and any physical flaws such as scratches from circulation) if it were NOT cleaned. Many, if not most, collectors, will not purchase cleaned coins unless it's rare and they really* need to fill a hole in their collection. Don't get stuck with the Old Maid (if you remember your childhood card games)! Report this Post to the Staff
zerozero Valued Member United States 75 Posts	Posted 03/20/2009 06:21 am Hi Stumpy. I agree with all of these comments but just wanted to add one: Look for the "cartwheel". A silver dollar with nice NATURAL luster will have a cartwheel effect as you tilt the coin back and forth. I'm not an expert on the exact physics of it but basically when the coin is struck, the metal is "stretched" in such a way as to create this nice effect. But when the coin is "dipped" or "buffed" or just generally has the surface manipulated it loses this natural luster. You can do a search on the topics of luster and cartwheels and when you see some good examples in real life you can spot the "cleaning" damage pretty easily. Good luck. Report this Post to the Staff
just carl Bedrock of the Community United States 20753 Posts	Posted 03/20/2009 7:52 pm Yes it's true that there are numerous terminologies used to explain a doctored coin. However, polishing is completely different than buffing, dipping, cleaning, etc. Polishing is usually done with a substance that makes a coin appear as almost a proof. This system seldom creates excessive metal loss. Buffing also creates a high gloss appearance but almost always is noticable by excessive wear. Many people actually use auto or Silver polishes on coins and are carefull to use extreamely soft cloths or cotton. This is so there is little wear yet a high gloss almost as if a proof coin. I've been purposely buying polished coins lately and attempting to undo the polishing. This is really a tuff one though due to not knowing what was used to make the effect. I'm presently working on undoing a Polished Buffalo nickel, Mercury dime and Walking Lib Half. And to even dipping is of a large variety of methods and substances. For example a light dip in Acetone usually is not at all visable. Dipping in Jewlery cleaners can make a coin really look cleaned. Great subject to study though and a lot of fun trying to undo what people have done to coins. Report this Post to the Staff
Brewzz Valued Member United States 199 Posts	Posted 03/21/2009 2:59 pm That looks just like my 1921 Morgan pocket piece...Kinda worn and nice and shiny on the high points Brewzz Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,543

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