So what does undipped gold look like

ad4400

In a prior post I asked folks for thoughts on a gold piece I was considering as first gold piece for type set . One of the comments was “I like it better than the dipped piece”. So now my next question / request, what does dipped vs original gold look like?

4Redisin

Go online, type in the date and type of your coin (ex; 1901 $5 Liberty) and press enter. Look for NGC Coin Explorer and type enter. You will be able to see magnified images of auction coins. That is not as good as going to a large coin show, and finding a MAJOR coin dealer with lots of gold coins to show you actual coins when he is not busy.

coinbuf

A very good question, perhaps @BillJones can elaborate on this some. I have always thought/heard that a green/gold coloration is a sign of originality. But this can be different depending on several factors including where the gold was sourced from and the age of the coin.

oldabeintx

Our host is a good source if you want to look at lots of coins and auction results. Great Collections, CACG, and NGC are also good places to noodle around. I’m sure there are many others, such as dealer websites.

However, to answer your question. As an amateur, I simply look for darker surfaces, bearing in mind that the copper component tones. I’m probably in the minority, but I even like some signs of copper toning, like spotting. Circulated coins should look a bit “dirty”, for lack of a better term. The CAC sticker may help, but is no guarantee as they accept dipped coins.

Hopefully some pros or specialists will step in with some advice.

earlyAurum

This article might help.

https://raregoldcoins.com/blog/market-blog/originality?rq=Original

HillbillyCollector

Here’s you an un-dipped example from the red headed stepchild Fairmont.😉🤣
>

Eldorado9

HillbillyCollector

@coinbuf said:
A very good question, perhaps @BillJones can elaborate on this some. I have always thought/heard that a green/gold coloration is a sign of originality. But this can be different depending on several factors including where the gold was sourced from and the age of the coin.

>
True, but as for Double Eagles, green-gold is much more prominently seen in original NOLAs, not so much in San Fran’s, or Carson’s

MFeld

Looking at on-line images or in person - even at high grade mint state and Proof examples - won’t necessarily tell you whether a gold coin has been dipped. At least, not until you’ve been shown what to look for. By far, the best way to learn is to find a highly knowledgeable and trustworthy collector or dealer to sit down with you, show you dipped and undipped examples and review them with you.

coastaljerseyguy

Not the best pics but my Dad got this abiout 60 years ago, it was his year of birth. Circulated down to XF. Know we never dipped it. Obviously the luster has greatly diminished but not really any crust.

Boosibri

fathom

I assume the OP is referring to mint state gold.

So sit down with a collector or dealer is good advice. But eventually you will have to form your own opinion as to what is acceptable to you. There is a ton of straight graded mint state gold that has been dipped.

For some, there has to be grainy mint frost. For others, a bright shiny coin with no abrasions is acceptable. Go to auction lot viewing, its eye opening.

ad4400

Thanks for the responses so far. I am interested is MS pieces. Working assumption is that slabbed does not equal undipped. Have found many helpful mentors here on boards to particular series or types of coins so concur that is very valid suggestion, maybe I’ll revisit in my network here is there are serious gold collectors too.0

PeakRarities

Dipped-

Undipped-

PeakRarities

Probably easier to show in a video, but here’s side by side -

TomB

There are some folks on here who know the difference and some who don’t. In my opinion, the Bank of Canada hoard will give you a terrific visual for one niche of undipped gold.

These were MS pieces saved in original mint bags for over a century before they were offered to the general public. The pieces were then placed in individual plastic shells and had a holographic sticker placed along the edge. If you wanted to have them certified as being from the hoard then they had to be submitted to the TPGs in the sealed plastic shell.

These coins were off the market for a century in bank bags and weren’t messed with. I had the good fortune to closely examine nearly 500 pieces and purchased more than $150k worth of them directly from the RCM. In short, the pieces in hand look a little different, on average, than what you generally see in MS gold. That have a different appearance with some honey or red highlights and a little crust.

You can sometimes still find these in TPG holders with the designation and it would help to show a particular original look. I owned more than 150-pieces and offered them here on the boards when the RCM sold the coins back in 2012-2013, but only have about two dozen left.

ad4400

@PeakRarities , what a wonderful comparison ! Seeing them side by side gives me a good idea of the differences

zer0man

Another plug for DW's site with this resource showing a lot of good examples:
https://raregoldcoins.com/coinapedia

ad4400

What a great resource @zer0man , I’ve book marked the site!

Cougar1978

It can be Dullish for the most part. Many badly tarnished / green PVC. Then spots, yuck!

MFeld

@Cougar1978 said:
It can be Dullish for the most part. Many badly tarnished / green PVC. Then spots, yuck!

The vast majority of gold coins aren’t badly tarnished or exhibiting PVC.

Walkerlover

Any tips of what undipped silver coins looks like. I have some opinions of my own but would like to hear what the experts think.

FlyingAl

@Walkerlover said:
Any tips of what undipped silver coins looks like. I have some opinions of my own but would like to hear what the experts think.

Good idea for a new thread so you don't hijack this one.

Walkerlover

@FlyingAl said:

@Walkerlover said:
Any tips of what undipped silver coins looks like. I have some opinions of my own but would like to hear what the experts think.

Good idea for a new thread so you don't hijack this one.

You think it’s worth starting? I have some opinions on this subject

jacrispies

I would encourage you to check out the Fairmont sales, the coins all have the similar undipped appearance of a large hoard collection. Regarding the color, early dated Fairmont issues have a green hue while the later dates have a light pink hue.

FlyingAl

@Walkerlover said:

@FlyingAl said:

@Walkerlover said:
Any tips of what undipped silver coins looks like. I have some opinions of my own but would like to hear what the experts think.

Good idea for a new thread so you don't hijack this one.

You think it’s worth starting? I have some opinions on this subject

Can't hurt.

PeakRarities

@Walkerlover said:

@FlyingAl said:

@Walkerlover said:
Any tips of what undipped silver coins looks like. I have some opinions of my own but would like to hear what the experts think.

Good idea for a new thread so you don't hijack this one.

You think it’s worth starting? I have some opinions on this subject

If youn do, I think it would be better to try to identify what dipped silver looks like, because undipped coins have such a broad range of appearance. Time is also a huge factor, coins dipped long ago can be "original" now.

Crypto

Age is applied in layers inconstantly, if there is only one most uniform layer, the other have been taken off