Confessions of a first-time coin dipper ....

RGL

Well, I took the plunge, literally, fearing some of my submissions would be bagged for harsh cleaning. But, not a one among the eight coins were bagged despite being mixed among nickel and 90 and 40 percent sliver and even one clad. And, in fact, a few came back with better grades than they would have earned before their careful and loving bath to cleanse them of their unsightly haze, including a 1965 SMS JFK that came back MS-66 CAM. I feel guilty, but elated, about -- insert justification here -- to returning these coins to near their mint-issued state. Am I a bad person? Or, even worse, a bad numismatist? Pile on ... I can take it.

airplanenut

<< <i>1965 SMS JFK that came back MS-66 CAM >>


Where is Russ now?

Dipping is OK... lotsa people dip... just no harsh cleaning

Placid

What did you bathe them in?

Russ

airplanenut,

I already asked him if it was for sale.

RGL,

I've never had one body-bagged for cleaning either. Wood knocking.

Russ, NCNE

RGL

I experimented on some non-valuable coins and found a regional-brand jewelry cleaner than seemed best. A short dunk in about 50 percent cleaner, 50 percent distilled water; a bath in distilled water; a dunk in 91-percent alcohol and then another bath in distilled water, followed by drying from (forgive me, Russ), a hair dryer held at cool temp at a good distance. Place on a lint free cloth for a couple of weeks, turned regularly, and pack off to PCGS. (Detected a dime with a little brown on it after a week and redipped .. no problem, it cleared up fine to win a PR-67.) May I be forgiven ... On the same hand, I sent in nice proof 55, 56 and 58 Franklins recently in the mint cellophane which I did not think could be improved, with the grades still awaited. I have not become a dip-everything-type.

Bear

Russ - I have heard of Skinney dipping, double dipping, chocolate dipping, dipping on the dance floor, baptising dipping , dipping the waiter, dipping your hat, but whats a 1st time dipping? Is that better then a second dipping?

Russ

<< <i>but whats a 1st time dipping? >>



Well, when I was in the Army, we called it getting your cherry popped.

Russ, NCNE

RGL

And, I won't hazard a guess on what the Marines may have called a double dipper ...

Bear

Boy, people seem to have a lot of fun. Maybe we bears just hibernate too much during the year.

DHeath

RGL,

Welcome to the initiated. My only advice is to be judicious. The dime just didn't have enough rimse time. BTW - I sometimes use one or two drops of JetDry in the first rinse, it contains baking soda which is a good neutralizer, and it limits spotting. I also use the cool air hair dryer. Some of the guys prefer compressed air. Lastly, be sure to provide ample time (several weeks) to make sure the surfaces are stable before putting the coin in any kind of container.

Have you noticed in the PCGS guide to grading that they specifically mention dipping in the MS66 description ("A dipped coin must be fresh in appearance an never give the impression of having been cleaned"), and that they specifically say in the PR67 description "Darkly toned coins are almost always penalized at least one grade point at this level". I'd say they are aware of the reality of the market even if they stop short of endorsing the process.

Pushkin

RGL,



<< <i>found a regional-brand jewelry cleaner than seemed best >>



Come on, give us the name.

Catch22

The hobby really needs to communicate the whole cleaning controversy thing a little better. The simple rule of thumb is that if you can tell the coin has been cleaned, it's been cleaned. If you can't tell it's been cleaned, then it was cleaned properly and will not be remarked.

RGL

Connossieur Jewelry Cleaner, diluted of course, is what I used ...

Pushkin

Thanks RGL,

Inquiring minds always want to know the "good stuff" for strictly academic reasons - excuse me, gotta run down to my local jewelry store.

leothelyon

I don't dip too much anymore, it throws my back out.
Recently dipped a 56-D Jefferson nickel. Had it for over a year and was putting a together a group to send off for certification. But while I was examining this coin, some of it's toning had smeared off
onto my fingers. The toning was ugly and questionable from the beginning. The coin had a great strike and didn't have any apparant marks under the toning. Immediately after the dip, I was amazed at my new sudden find. It's now, definitely a part of my main collection. It would grade an easy MS65FS. Even the steps are more sharp and complete. I don't recommend dipping everything. Someone else with more experience can shed the right light in this area.

Leo