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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,084 |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
I was hoping you could help me with a couple of coins. Sorry, no pictures available. I bought an 1801 large cent in VG8 condition, but it is so shiny I have to suspect it's been cleaned. Am I probably correct? If so, how many points should I deduct? Also, I have an 1869 Indian Head cent that I am almost sure has been cleaned--shiny with a rough surface, with a small spot on the reverse. However, it is in F12 condition ("liberty" shows in its entirety). How many points should I deduct? Thanks. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
The term "shiny" should never, ever be associated with coins in Good to Fine condition. You may assume they've been cleaned. It's always been my practice, when grading cleaned coins, to "Details" grade them - grade based on the actual details of the coin, ignoring the cleaning, and mention the cleaning as a separate detail. This is the normal practice among numismatists, although there are some who reduce the grade as a penalty for the cleaning. The Third-Party Graders use Details grading, and list it as such on the slab.
Of course, there's a drastic effect on price. Unless it's a very rare coin (or rare in the grade), one can assume that obvious cleaning will devalue the coin to the tune of at least half its' "normal" value in that grade.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
Much depends on how the tarnish removal was done. If a silver coin has simply been dipped (very common), impact on price is minimal. If the coin was rubbed with a harsh fiber or wire brushed, price impact can be from 30% to 50% or more. Take a look at it under magnification - if you see tons of fine lines and swirl patterns you can assume it will come back from a TPG as cleaned. If the coin is simply white and has no markings other than normal wear, you should be OK. |
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Valued Member
United States
455 Posts |
My comments go right along with those of SuperDave!
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
Thanks for the help, everybody.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
From your description it sounds more like they have been polished, not just cleaned. If they are reallly shinny, like a proof or mirror effect, they could have been polished. This is done for many reasons. I've seen many demonstrations where people use coins as an example of how great their auto polishes work. And the older the original coin, the better for an example. Then too some jewlers polish coins to show customers how a watch, ring, nectlace, etc. will look if they polish them. Kids too use all sorts of auto, household, furniture polishes to make coins shine. Naturally there are those coin dealers that also polish coins with almost anything to make them appear as if new.
As to how many points you loose with any coin from such methods, it really depends on the coin. If an excessively rare coin, not to many people would care but would really wish they had left them alone.
For normal, everyday coins for collecting, it again depends on a few things. The most important being if you're planning on reselling those coins. If not and you plan on just keeping them, who cares what they look like? They are yours so no ones buisness.
The main thing is that if your happy with those coins, that is what is important.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4989 Posts |
I do love natural toning. I bought a VF 1889-CC Morgan dollar and it has clearly never been dipped. Very much preferable to a "white" coin in that grade. In MS, however, it becomes debatable. Not too many folks want a black MS-64 so the once dipped coin, slabbed, can actually carry a price premium. A beautifully toned natural Morgan in MS is something to behold, however. Love the rainbow ones if natural. |
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Posted 11/25/2010 12:55 am
