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 Replies: 18 / Views: 2,520 |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
I just sold some cleaned coins at our swap meet. The young man that bought them didn't ask any questions but all the coins he bought were cleaned. He didn't question the prices and said these are nice coins, best I've seen here.I told him they were cleaned but before I could say much his wife called and he said see you later. Some of my buddies said I took advantage of his aggressive buying tactics. Others said take the money and don't look back. My question is since cleaned coins are not objectionable to all people what does the group feel our responsibility is to new collectors. What are your thoughts?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
759 Posts |
If you know they are cleaned, mention it. From there, it's the buyers decision and you have nothing to second guess.
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Valued Member
 United States
307 Posts |
Thanks, I needed that. It was a cold and windy day with not much going on and all attention was on those that were selling. Some nasty comments resulted.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
I agree Caveat Emptor. If you told him what he was buying the decision was on him.
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Valued Member
United States
361 Posts |
You told him and he made his decision. When I first read the post and you said "the young man" I thought maybe 15 or 16 but when you mentioned his wife called him and he ran-well, if he is able to make a major decision like marriage I would say he is capable of deciding to buy coins that have been cleaned or not. I think your buddies are being a bit harsh on you.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
As long as you disclose it, there is nothing wrong with selling problem coins. Everybody has different tastes and budgets.
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
I also buy cleaned coins, as long as they look good. Yes final decision to buy rests on the buyer, for me a cleaned coin is surface treatment that went bad, if it turned out good, we can call it restoration  |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
Well said Nic. You always hear the dread word cleaned but nothing is said about artificial toning. I feel the coin speaks for itself.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I too buy cleaned coins if they really look good, regardless of the cleaning. However, not if harshly cleaned with a brush or some solution that does more damage than good. Many times I will bring it up to a dealer in hopes of a reduced price and it usually works. Many people buy cleaned coins due to them looking new or just shinny.
For me and many others that do buy them, we usually have no or little plans on reselling them. They are for our own collections so it is only us with them that cares at all.
As long as the cleaning is mild, it is a great way to get coins cheaper.
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
I never intended to sell these coins but times changed and their value allowed me to go in a new direction that would reduce the number of coins in my collection and make it more manageable. Abused coins are a no no. That would include harsh dips or scratches on coin surface from bag rub or cleaning. The beauty of the coin is in the eye of the (buyer)owner. Thanks for all the replies.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
I think you have an obligation to tell him they are cleaned. Even that is arguable.
What did your buddies expect you to do, talk him out of buying them?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
737 Posts |
As Amida said, Caveat Emptor. We don't know his intentions for buying, and you told them the coins were cleaned. I don't mind buying cleaned coins if it's for my own personal collection, it allows me to budget more for the coins I want in great condition. |
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Valued Member
United States
341 Posts |
I see nothing wrong with cleaned coins. He obviuously liked them. There are bigger things to worry about.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
My question is since cleaned coins are not objectionable to all people what does the group feel our responsibility is to new collectors. What are your thoughts?
And since that is the real question. Yes, it sort of is an obligation to tell new collectors a coin has been changed. Sort of, since this is only if you feel a need to have more people continue in this hobby. If not, buyer beware. Selling coins is in a way like selling a used car. The buyer really does not know what they are buying, the seller usually doesn't care either. If all goes well, great. If not, OH well. |
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Valued Member
United States
307 Posts |
Carl, I think all of us would agree that we want to add to our number. The average age in our group is 64 including 8 members in there 20'S and 4 members 30-50. Some of us get together once or twice a week. Our monthly meetings are not well attended. 12 members went to the Tampa Fun show and at the show many coins were bought by our group. Most raw coins looked like they had been cleaned. Bright and shiny and they look good when shown. It seems that the rule that a cleaned coin should not be in a collection has been stripped of its meaning. The beauty shop look is all that matters,superficial.
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Valued Member
United States
327 Posts |
The question is: are they cleaned to the point of damage, or have they simply had surface deposits of dirt and grime removed?
I've got no problem with having a clean coin that is simply the original finish, but cleaned, as in "material of surface altered/damaged" is bad news and I will avoid unless it is really cheap.
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Replies: 18 / Views: 2,520 |
Posted 03/12/2011 9:59 pm
