Is Most Silver On Ebay Cleaned?

Frustrating, isn't it? There are a few raw coins on ebay I'm considering, but due to sub-par seller pics.... I'm reluctant to pull the trigger. Due to the reasons you've mentioned, my recent purchases have all been slabbed PCGS or NGC.

I haven't purchased any classic coins in years, but I do like to window shop on ebay particularly in the winter months.

My take is if a coin is over $250, and it isn't in a slab, there's a reason. It could be someone didn't think it worth grading, but it could also be they knew it would come back details, or maybe it already did and it was busted out.

I personally assume ALL pre-1950 coinage as being cleaned at some point, and adjust their values accordingly. I mean, in the early days of the hobby, it was "the thing" to polish up your collection weekly. SO yes, I view all older coins to have been "scrubbed" once or twice.

As an example, a few weeks ago I brought in my collection of Walking Liberty halves to a dealer for an opinion of its value. I was told that around 20% of the set had been cleaned. In other words, my set was worth maybe half of what I paid for it. On the plus side, I didn't use all that cash I spent for coins on booze or smokes; at least I can get SOMETHING back.

If we assume that almost all pre-1950 silver coins have been cleaned, then where do people get mint state silver coins for grading? I ask that earnestly, btw. I imagine the quality of ebay photos makes the situation harder, but you could easily have over-graded or problem coins at a local shop or coin show.


I could agree with that in principle—most technical training is like that—but how would it be accomplished in practice? One would need a large supply of pre-graded coins to examine, and presumably an expert to guide you through the process.

It is certainly how I started and operated for my first ten years at least.

This is true for me today, with the exception of the second Ike set in PCGS holders and modern US Mint purchases still in OGP.

Disagree based on personal testimony. I learned how to grade almost entirely on the internet. This grading forum and looking at hundreds of coins daily online were my only sources. Probably 80% of my ability was founded through photos and the rest through grading games in person to hone the skill. In person definitely could quicken the process but is by no means necessary. People don't have the resources to be quizzed and taught through blind grading hundreds of coins.




This is an extremely broad question. I cherrypick and purchase Capped Bust half dollars all the time on ebay. I would not buy a common Peace dollar on ebay in circulated grades. To each their own!




Through constant practice, you can master grading through photos. I love awful ebay photos because it gives me an opportunity that other people would look over. Don't beat yourself over your lack of skill, instead take encouragement by it and keep practicing! You may even need to take some small risks to see if your initial assessment was correct.

Slider to low mint state gold (especially incuse indians) and Buffalo nickels were the most difficult for me in which formal training was an advantage. Everything else was online. Point being handling coins in quantity is a privilage and not necessary to learn how to grade. Persistence and passion are the only necessities.

I do the same - for some of holes I need to fill, I'll buy a details coin (so long as it don't look like crap) and crack them out for my albums especially the 7070.

I also have bought lots of silver from the Bay and they were not cleaned - of course, I'm very picky and if I had questions about a coin or the images - I ask the sell for better.
If I get no response or they tell me that is the best that they can do - then I message back and let them know I'll not ever buy from them and move on.