Has that backside been wiped?

berylcoin

I often read about how an early circulated coin may have been "wiped" or have a "light old cleaning", but I never hear a good description of how to distinguish between these and an untampered-with example.

Most collectors can recognize a relatively harshly cleaned coin either by color, abrasions, or general appearance, but what are the telltale signs of of a wipe or light, subtle cleaning?

BC

nwcs

From my experience, a light wipe is usually in an isolated area and shows up as hairlines. It's pretty obvious once you've seen some examples. However, it's best to take out a 5x loupe and make sure it isn't die polish. The light old cleaning is also a color issue. The best way to learn that is by seeing many of them.

Neil

MrEureka

Has that backside been wiped?

Oh. Thanks for the reminder.

berylcoin

How did I know that title would elicit a response from Andy?

BC

stman

Sometimes on a toned coin just like a print can have a smeared effect in the toning, a light wipe can have this effect also.

MrEureka

TTB!

Sometimes, you can't help yourself.

Dog97

To me a wiped coin is not as severely hairlined & noticable as a harshly cleaned model.

berylcoin

TTT

Thanks for the info so far. Any other tips?

BC