When you glass a coin, what's the first thing you look for to check for cleaning?

topstuf

Detailed explanations please.

Cladiator

Hairlines. If present.....what direction they go and if they all go in the same way.....also, are they only in the fields or also in the devices. Secondly, rub and wear that doesn't fit the "look" of the coin (this takes pretty good knowledge of the series in question). Small amounts of metal buildup at the walls of the devices.

DesertRat

differences in the fields vs immediately next to the devices. IE: are the fields noticeably brighter than the devices as well as the hairlines that Cladiator mentioned.

sliderider

Scratches in the fields. Definitely. If they are grouped together, and go in the same direction, then a brush or some abrasive agent probably caused them.

Also, patches of original luster near the rims where the brush couldn't reach.

Fairlaneman

Uncirculated a glass is not needed. Luster tells the whole story. Circulated a look at the fields is taken.

Ken

nwcs

Actually, I don't use the glass to check for cleaning. I can usually tell without it. But if I do use a glass, it is mainly to confirm whether what I see are hairlines or polish lines.

Dave99B

I closely examine the ACG holder.

Dave

sliderider

Dave,

You should buy your coins in SGS holders. Then they'd all be 70s and DCAMS.

Cladiator

You all are right. I usually can spot cleaning with the naked eye. Although...a buddy of mine had a nice Seated Dime that we both agreed would make into PCGS plastic and I had absolutely no reason to think it was cleaned (and I did look at this one with a loupe). It came back in a BB for cleaning lol

Boom

Hairlines and metal accumalation where the abrasive device couldn't reach...agreed wholeheartedly!

Be careful however, especially newer collectors, not to mistake die polish lines for hairlines...BIG difference!

Hairlines dig IN to the metal. Die polish lines are raised. I also agree with the member that said he can recognize a cleaned coin with the naked eye. In many cases you can but addressing hairlines once again.... Not all hairlines are from cleaning. Simple friction, for example scooping money off a wooden top such as your dresser or leaving money in a drawer unprotected will cause these lines sometimes referred to as cabinet marks, Everytime the drawer is opened or closed the coins scrape against the wooden surfaces! Half the change in our pockets has these lines and they certainly weren't all cleaned improperly.

A polished coin, having been cleaned by wiping, will be too shiny and devoid of all luster! Long time ago people cleaned their silver coins same as they did their silverware. They just weren't as educated back then compared to today with any and everything we could possibly want to know literally at our fingertips.

hamiltonjh

all of the above, hairlines, swirls etc. Also check the letters edges and inside the closed spaces of the letters for dirt that might notta been removed.