How do you tell if a coin has been cleaned or dipped?

If a coin has a lot of wear and looks white, or the surface is too shiny or clean, then it may have been dipped or chemically altered. Most coins, altered in this method, will have a distinct “flat” luster due to the chemical causing microscopic etchings in the metal surface.

How do you tell if a coin has been dipped?

If the coin has a flat luster but yet is dated it has probably been dipped, most coins will have a frosty, smooth or glossy lustre if they are untouched and you can easily see the difference. Wizzed or tooled coins can be detected by small abrasive marks on the surface of the coins, often the finish will be mirrored.

How do you know if a coin was cleaned?

Judge the age and consistency of the color, its depth and evenness. The underlying luster should be undisturbed and in a perfect cartwheel pattern, this being especially visible about the obverse stars. Look for hairlines or other imperfections that may indicate the coin was cleaned at some time in its past.

Is a dipped coin considered cleaned?

For most, the term “dipping” refers to dipping a coin into a rather mild silver cleaner.

Can you clean coins without losing value?

According to coin experts, cleaning any potentially collectible coins might cause them to lose value. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins could leave scratches and marks that will be easy for a skilled appraiser to pick up on.

3 WAYS TO TELL A COIN WAS CLEANED OR POLISHED

Are cleaned coins worth more?

Generally, it is better to leave your antique metal currency alone than it is to try and erase all the grime and grit off of those coins. Cleaning or polishing rare coins devalues them. So, if you're planning on selling them, get an appraisal before attempting to clean your coins.

Does cleaning coins with vinegar devalue them?

Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value. According to research professor Vinod Patel, washing coins with natural white vinegar and iodized salt in distilled water is a non destructive way of cleaning coins.

What is considered cleaning a coin?

Cleaned Coin: I added this to cover any methods that I might have missed so far in this article. A cleaned coin, is any coin that has had any of its original surface (normal circulation grime or tarnish) metal removed, all or in part, to reveal the unnatural lustrous surface underneath.

What is improperly cleaned coin?

When a coin is improperly cleaned, surface metal has been forcibly removed from the surface by either mechanical or chemical means. Once this metal has been removed, sadly this cannot be replaced.

Does toning hurt coin value?

It is considered perfectly normal, but extreme cases of toning can either help or hurt a coin's value. Vibrant and color toning is considered tremendously desirable, but unattractive toning will almost always diminish a coin's value.

Does PCGS grade cleaned coins?

PCGS Restoration will not remove original toning simply to make a coin white. PCGS Restoration will never add toning to a coin. In cases where PCGS determines that removing toning is necessary and desirable and will not detract from the coin, it may be done.

How do you tell if a coin has a satin finish?

At times, the U.S. Mint has produced and sold "Satin Finish" coins that are different to the normal circulated examples. The main difference is the finish applied after the coins are struck. They appear matte, unlike their proof counterparts, which have reflective fields.

Does hydrogen peroxide clean coins?

Hydrogen peroxide will dissolve the years of dirt on the coins and sterilize them. Materials needed: One bowl. Hydrogen peroxide.

What liquid cleans coins the best?

Vinegar and Salt

Make a solution of vinegar and salt and let the pennies soak. The acid in vinegar, like in citrus, is what really takes the tarnish away.

Why do coin collectors not like cleaned coins?

Most Cleaning is Destructive: It Can Literally Change the Surface of a Coin. Any cleaning that requires rubbing leaves microscopic scratches. They are not apparent to the naked eye, but a collector will see them. A collector will look for them.

Why does cleaning coins devalue them?

They can remove some of the original finish or tone and even cause scratching, so they are viewed as a major negative in the world of numismatics. Polishing or rubbing coins can cause unnatural shine or other damage, also reducing the value of your coins. Cleaning is a factor in coins not qualifying for grading.

How much does cleaning devalue a coin?

Since oil and dirt cannot be removed without cleaning, a small touch can cut a coin's value in half or even more because, again, numismatists would rather have an oxidized but untouched coin than a shiny but damaged one. The bottom line for anyone looking to sell coins from a coin collection: don't clean your coins.

Can coins be cleaned before selling?

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

Does Coca Cola clean coins?

Yes, that refreshing can of Coke that you like to drink by the pool can also clean coins. Coke's phosphoric acid can clean the oxides that cause tarnish and corrosion.