1st question from a new member....

lakeeffect

Hey folks,

Love this message board. Read it often. This is my first post and question to those out there more knowledgable than myself. I have been collecting coins for about seven years now and am finding myself getting more and more involved in the hobby every year. I specialize in nickels and silver dollars but collect everything in between. My question is about coin conservation or cleaning. I know that cleaning coins is the death blow to the value of a coin but have seen talk about "dipping" on this board and have seen NGC's conservation page. I recently purchased about 40 or so buffalo nickels that are uncirculated but are extremely crusted with grime. You can see the full details of the coins underneath but they are ugly! I would love to have them graded by PCGS but don't know if they would qualify in this condition. No damage...just dirt. Can anyone help me with some info? Would truly appreciate it.

best regards,

Erik

goose3

Hello Erik and welcome aboard.

are you able to post some pictures here so some of the people that have knowledge about NCS and such can see exactly what you are talking about?


I am going to take a wild guess and say you must live to the East of one of the Great Lakes judging by your username. No lake effect here in n. central ohio tonite but 10" possible.

coinguy1

Welcome Erik,

As Goose mentioned, images would help. I can tell you that generally speaking, nickel coins do not dip out well. And, if it is really just a bit of dirt or grime that you're speaking of, sight-unseen, at least, I'd leave them as they are.

If you can't show someone near by to get an opinion as to whether they are worth having graded, perhaps we can arrange it so that I can take a look for you. Please feel free to check me out, if you don't feel comfortable with that possibility.

mgoodm3

Welcome.

coachleonard

i could be wrong-- but i don't think PCGS would grade them if there was evident grime or evidence of cleaning

cosmicdebris

cohodk

Erik,

Which lake to you live downwind of?

lakeeffect

Will be able to post pics later...have to set up the camera. Soth bend, IN should be getting hit hard w/snow 2nite so they say. Thanks for the quick replies....the pics should explain it all. The coins are either very dark and grimy or "coated looking". all sharp details though...full horn, hair ribbon, date and rim fully intact

Wondo

Welcome!


Cleaning -- BAD!

Steve27

I would like to see pics too, but if it's just surface grime I would first try acetone (it's as mild as water for coins). However if this doesn't work, I would then try a week-long soak in olive oil.

ms70

Welcome Erik!

The "search" function above is like a virtual library. Search for dip, conservation, cleaning, acetone, ms70, etc, and you'll get tons of
info from previous threads that will cover more than what gets posted in any single thread alone.

wam98

LindeDad

Welcome aboard. That said forget about cleaning coins till you've been here for a couple of years. Yes I said years even the pro's ruin more coins that they help with dipping and or cleaning. You may have a key date coin that is mint set toned the you could make into a slug putting it in the wrong chemical. Enjoy the coins the way they are and learn the some of what looks to the newbe to be dirt can be toning. Many coins that are toned sell for a premiun.

goose3

Keep that snow over there! Unfortunately it's heading my way.

lakeeffect

How do you attach pictures to this message board from a desktop? I can't find it on this page.

DorkGirl

You can't attach the pictures from your computer, you have to upload them. Try this---Posting pictures ---it will show you how.

goose3

Lakeeffect

if you don't have any webspace to host them and cannot figure out how to upload them, I will be happy to host a couple for you if you email them to me.