Need More Info Help.

[CoinCurious]

Well here am again looking for help. I am struggling with distinguishing whether a coin has been cleaned or not. Also I need more information about grading coins. I was hoping that some of you could point me in the right direction, as to what books to purchase with great information on these topics. I would love a book with detailed information on how to determine whether a coin has been cleaned and with lots of photos. (lots of photos). Also a book with detailed info about toning would be very helpful. So far the coin books that i have are the 2006 Red Book and 2006 Blackbook. Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Bruceswar]

This would not be a book but a few quick tips to look for.....

1. Hairlines, which usally means it was clean with some sorta pad or something abrasive.

2. Too Much shine - When I coin looks really smooth and shiny thats not a good sign. Heavily circulated pieces will not have shine to them. If they do stay away.

3. Unc / AU coins - Most all coins should display luster of some sort, Luster usally is a good sign that a coin is original, but not always. Whizzing which is simulated luster does by a machine can very decieving.

4. Look for pushed up metal along the devices. This is usally a tale tale sign that someone has gone across the suruface causing this. This one will be hard to see in some images.

 

I wish I could recommend a good book, but I have not seen any that point out original vs cleans and dipped coins. Check out TomB's Thread as well. Its a great read.

[TomB]

Thanks, Bruce, the check is in the mail. Actually, I think the Blackbook is useless, but the Redbook was a good buy. Try to get a hold of the following-

 

1) The Coin Collector's Survival Manual- I believe this is in its fifth edition and the author is Scott Travers.

2) The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins- edited by Kenneth Bressett and the sixth edition was just published.

3) Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection- by our friends at PCGS; get the first edition if you can as it was excellent but the second edition looks not quite up to par.

 

These three books will help you greatly and should put you back only about $70 total.

[Grumps]

Well here am again looking for help. I am struggling with distinguishing whether a coin has been cleaned or not. Also I need more information about grading coins. I was hoping that some of you could point me in the right direction, as to what books to purchase with great information on these topics. I would love a book with detailed information on how to determine whether a coin has been cleaned and with lots of photos. (lots of photos). Also a book with detailed info about toning would be very helpful. So far the coin books that i have are the 2006 Red Book and 2006 Blackbook. Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sometimes the best thing you can do is to experience it for yourself. Pick up some of the coin cleaning stuff, grab a brush and some polish, then sit down with some old coins that really don't matter and go to cleaning and polishing. You'll get a good idea real fast of what I cleaned coin looks like and at the same time you will begin to detest doing it. Experience is a good teacher, just don't use any of your good coins that you want to keep.

 

Greg

[Bruceswar]

Sometimes the best thing you can do is to experience it for yourself. Pick up some of the coin cleaning stuff, grab a brush and some polish, then sit down with some old coins that really don't matter and go to cleaning and polishing. You'll get a good idea real fast of what I cleaned coin looks like and at the same time you will begin to detest doing it. Experience is a good teacher, just don't use any of your good coins that you want to keep.

 

Greg

 

I totally disagree, there are many examples of cleaned coins already. Just need to be on the look out and ask dealers when you go in to look at some cleaned coins. All dealers have them, at least some. Look and learn, not the other way around if you ask me.

[paperchaser-migration]

I'm with Brucewar on this. Learn what REAL luster is by going and going and going and looking and looking and looking and asking and asking and asking. And don't be afraid to ask a dealer if a coin has been cleaned. Most I've dealt with are more than willing to share their own experience and knowledge with you. An educated collector is an asset to any dealer (honest ones anyway).

And remember the old saying, "...if it looks too good to be true, it probably isn't..."