Help needed....

JamieB

I have just joined the PCGS gold level collectors club.

Now, can one of you modern experts PM me and give me some pointers as far as strategy and pointers on picking the right moderns, when to crack proof sets, or mint sets, etc. I have only been collecting for a handfull of months-- but as all of you have mentioned, the addition is in full swing.

I would really like to start putting together some modern PCGS registry sets. I want to try to get them graded myself, in stead of only buying from dealers and ebay, etc.

Just looking for some friendly advice before I start blowing my free grading credits

Thanks a million - In advance.
Sincerely,
JAMIE B

BSqr

hey Jamie,

First thing is you need to get a magnification device for inspecting coins. I have a cheap loupe that offers 5x, 7x, and 9x mag which offer a maximum of 20x magnification which has been plenty for me. You may think you can inspect a coin well with the eye but you'd be surprised what a little magnification can do.

Now I haven't broken out any of my proof sets for grading but I have submitted many modern gold and silver commems. You might also want to learn how to dip coins for cleaning. I posted a short thread on my first experiences dipping coins You can read a thread I posted on the subject HERE. Dipping can be very good at removing haze and fingerprints.

It can also be helpful to assemble a couple of slabbed coins are varying grades and closely inspect them. This will give you a general idea of the quality differences from grade to grade. Some are subtle and some are not.

That's about all I can think of now so good luck.

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DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS STATED IN THIS MESSAGE ARE MY OWN AND APPLY ONLY TO MODERN ISSUE COINS. CLEANING COINS CAN RESULT IN DAMAGED OR DEGRADED COINS. PLEASE RESEARCH BEFORE ATTEMPTING. CLEAN COINS AT YOUR OWN RISK. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT NOTICE. NO WARRANTY INCLUDED OR IMPLIED. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

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stman

I think also the downfalls of dipping and cleaning should be mentioned to this new person. Sorry but I do not think it is good advice to right off the bat to tell someone new in the hobby one of the first things you need to learn is how to dip or clean a coin.

I'm not slamming this, but had to post my feelings on this.

Edited to add: I think the rest of the advice you gave was good.

Stman

BSqr

Stman,

Nothing wrong with disagreement. Although typically when disagreeing one states why they disagree. I'm new to slabbing coins so I'd like to hear your thoughts on why not clean them. I'm always interested in learning new stuff too.

I collect moderns and I find very few raw coins that are haze and fingerprint free, save coins straight from the US Mint. While a fingerprint might not hurt a grade I don't like sending coins in that don't look their best.

I did forget to say that cleaning CLAD coins is not a good idea. Silver and Gold, in my expereience, are no problem.

stman

Well, I really don't want to debate the issue as it is done here all the time. And I usually stay out of it. I just don't think it's a good idea to advise a new person in the hobby that one of the first things you need to learn is how to dip and clean up a coin.

I'm not saying I'm all the way against it either. But I have a question.

Do you feel those fingerprints that you dip off are gone forever?

Stman

BSqr

As to your first statement, I'mm not looking for a debate but am always interested in learning. If you can keep me from screwing up then I'm all ears.

As to your question about fingerprints. I do believe that after dipping they are gone. All I can say for sure is that I have not seem them return yet. Either in the slabs or in the still raw coins. Have you seen them reappear after cleaning in an acidic solution?

stman

Here is a thread that came up. Maybe nothing to do with a fingerprint. But maybe what dipping can cause. But yes the oils from a print can come back and look worse than it did to begin with. I only want some people to think a little thats all.

StmanLink to a recent thread

BSqr

Yea, I saw that thread, and picture, earlier. That coin does not look good. The only thing I would like to point out is that Jamie specifically asked about moderns and my response was geared towards moderns. I don't know squat about older or 'classic' coins but I know moderns. Well at least I think I do.

stman

Hey no problem here. I understood you did moderns and yes I'm into classics and original toned ones. But I just wanted you to think a little that even these moderns that you dip and if not done right will turn in the slab later on. So can you understand why I am concerned. Look at it this way. Someone just starts off with coins, The first thing they learn is dipping is the way to go.

So way down the road thats all they know and the next thing they ruin an expensive coin.

Just trying to help.

Stman

BSqr

Oh I understand your point completely. I think we are just coming from different places. I only started collecting a few years ago. About 5 or 6 months ago I decided to invest in some precious metal bullion. Once I started looking at US gold bullion I thought if I'm going to buy bullion then I may as well buy collectable coins (modern commems). After buying a few gold and silver commens I learned about grading services, PCGS, and registry sets. Since then I've almost completed my modern gold proof registry set and am well into a silver proof reigstry set. Jamie said he wanted to start a registry set but wanted to 'make' the slabs rather than buy coins already slabbed. If one wants to do that then one should know how to clean a raw coin. I was just trying to cut through the chase but I will go back and put a disclaimer on my first post.

Edited for gender. lol.

stman

Great, we can agree to disagree.

Stman

JamieB

For the record, I am a Male I am reading away guys. Thanks for the info / debate

stman

Hey, but we did it in a civil manner. Thats hard to do on this issue. I will stop now.

Stman

BSqr

I'm too tired to be uncivil. Not to mention that for me an issue like this is hardly something to be uncivil about. Now get me talking about politics and things might get uncivil but not talking about coins. I enjoy hearing what people have to say. I know that I don't know it all so I'm always open.

Jamie, not sure how much help we were but this is a good place to get help. However, I must admit sometimes it can be difficult to get an answer out of someone. Modern collectors are a minority around here and some collectors have a real superiority complex but overall I found this forum helpful and sometimes even entertaining.

Have a good one.

Cam40

I,d like to say a few things on dipping.
It has its place in the hobby.But ,Not EVERY place,if you know what I mean.Not all coins are dip-worthy.
The idea would be to dip only 90% silvers and only if they,re high grade,and a light cleaning would be next to impossible to detect.Modern copper clad coins never dip well as the amount of copper in the coins has an advierse affect on the look of the coin.Maybe not at first,but over a short enough time you,ll see discolorations appear on areas of the coin.
So,only certain types of coins should be dipped,if there isneed or desire to.Also what materials and procedures
are used.There are a few different solutions on the market for coin cleaning;eZest(formerly Jeweluster),and MS70 Coin Brighter are the main two out there right now.Then you,d need some neutralizer like acetone to do it right and plenty of water for extra rinsing.

Downside;Lots of otherwise problem-free coins are damaged from (excess) dipping.

Let the newbies start learning about dipping coins.Let em ruin some coins so they know what a ruined coin looks like.
Thats how ya learn.
Makes the all the good(untampered with) stuff all the more vaulable in the long run.

stman

Cam40, Very well put.

Stman

Cam40

Thanks,I had to add / edit my post too.
I could go on about the subject.
..so ..I will...heheh..........

There is an addictive quality to this activity some seldom mention too.
what can I say,Its fun to do.But NOT on the valuable stuff,unless it falls in the dip-worthy catagory of course.