Early commems

spy88

Does anybody out there know how to tell if a coin or coins (early commems to be specific) has been dipped? Are there tell-tale signs to look for besides the lack of tone?

Any help appreciated!

David

BillJones

I'd say that anything that is from the 1930s and earlier that is pure bright white or pure dull white for sure, has been dipped. Most silver coins tone to an extent over time. Very few items stay bright white forever unless they are carefully stored out of the atmosphere and away from light, OR they are a true freak of nature.

Beyond that you need to learn how to spot mint luster and you need to learn which old commemorative issues come bright with strong luster, and which ones tend to be dull. That takes many observations and much study. The Bowers book on commemoratives could help you along.

Having said this, not a dipping is bad. If white coins are you thing, buy them, BUT look for OLD holders. Many recently dipped coins in new holders tone quickly and are often not very attractive when they tarnish. A coin in an old holder (PCGS "rattler" or green label, NGC with the old hollogram or better still the old embossed gold logo) that has not turned is much more stable and will hold its color much better.

spy88

Thanks for your response Bill. Forgot to include that I was referring to raw commems. As for the luster/patina, I can spot that easy enough w/wo dipping, its just a matter of the reason for the dip in the first place.

If the coin was dipped, but still has remarkable strike/detail, should I assume it was done to remove the original toning (whether fugly or attractive) to simply give the observer a better view of the surfaces and strike? And am I correct in assuming they will again tone over time, but with a dip background, it may not come out very pretty?

KlectorKid

coinguy1

David, people dip coins for all sorts of reasons - to remove toning (whether it be ugly or pretty), original haze or film, PVC, fingerprints, stains, streaks, etc.

If a coin is dipped AND rinsed/neutralized properly afterwards, it should not (though, depending upon storage variables, still might) re-tone.

As opposed to a number of other, older coin types, many silver commemoratives can be found color-free, without having been dipped.

spy88

Mark, you are absolutely correct about the reasons for dipping and I didn't consider the others you mention (topic tunnel vision!).

Here is a pic of one that I think has been dipped. Any others think so?


Thank you for your input!

Trooper

Spy
That's a great looking coin!!!! I don't know if yours has been dipped, but I'm hoping the this one han't been either.

Steve27

Does anybody out there know how to tell if a coin or coins (early commems to be specific) has been dipped?
No, not with certainty.

Are there tell-tale signs to look for besides the lack of tone?
No, unless the coin was very heavily toned before dipping, in which case the coin will have a paste-white apperance.

If the coin was dipped, but still has remarkable strike/detail, should I assume it was done to remove the original toning (whether fugly or attractive) to simply give the observer a better view of the surfaces and strike?
Yes.

And am I correct in assuming they will again tone over time, but with a dip background, it may not come out very pretty?
If properly stored it should not tone again; however, with enough time and the right (wrong?) conditions it will tone again, and it may or may not be "pretty." Just remember ALL toning is damage to the coin.

291fifth

As a dealer told me, quite bluntly, when I was selling my classic commems, the "market" wants 'em white (or with exceptional toning). The great majority of raw classic commems that don't have exceptional toning are rather bland looking. The temptation to "make them white" is very, very strong.