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Cleaned Coins

In a previous thread I had asked people to help me identify cleaned coins. The advice was excellent and I appreciate all the advice given. I have a follow up question. If a coin is observed to have hairline scratches, does that always mean it has been cleaned? One last question....why do so many people on Ebay sell cleaned coins. I bought about 20 coins on Ebay before the learning set it, and half were cleaned. the sad thing is, these were nice coins besides the cleaning. Had they not been cleaned they all had a shot at MS+.

Comments

  • They clean them because they want them to have a shot at MS65+(more or less) and when they didn't make that grade ( or whatever) they sell them on EBAY. Sick isnt it?

    PURPLE!
  • Never buy raw coins on eBay. Ebay over the past few years has become the ultimate dumping ground for dealer's junk. You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. Buy the coin you want in a slab only but be prepared to pay the highest price. The hobby is out of control by greed my freind so beware. If you can't physically hold the coin in hand to inspect it don't buy it. Beware of other overgrading slabbers like NTC and PCI "the dealer's freind."
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i> You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. >>



    That's just not true. They may not be common but thay can be had.


  • << <i>If a coin is observed to have hairline scratches, does that always mean it has been cleaned? One last question....why do so many people on Ebay sell cleaned coins. >>



    I think hairlines can also be caused by circulation. If all the hairlines run in the
    same direction, that's probably cleaning. Something else to look out for are coins
    cleaned by polishing - no hairlines but definitely cleaned.

    These coins wind up on ebay because its a way for the seller to get rid of bad
    material. The buyer is usually inexperienced and perhaps looking for a bargain.
    Its often hard to tell from a blurry picture that a coin has been cleaned so an
    unscrupulous seller will take advantage of this. But, if you are patient and get to
    know your sellers you can still find a bargain. Never, ever, ever, buy a raw coin
    (or for that matter a slab) where the seller has a no-returns policy.
    image
    Please check out my eBay auctions!
    My WLH Short Set Registry Collection
  • I agree that Ebay has turned to junk. I've been trying to find something interesting for my type sets or to submit for my quarterly freebie and everything is just cleaned low-grade trash. I'm moved on to Teletrade and Heritage.
    to live outside the law, you must be honest ---- bd


  • << <i>

    << <i> You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. >>



    That's just not true. They may not be common but thay can be had. >>



    I know for sure a dozen or more of us fellows on this forum find great raw stuff on ebay! image
  • Russ , Marty and Ksteelheader find deals on SMS sets all the time......You have to know what to look for though.( I would call them ugly coins but I don't want them to thrash me, After all I do collect Franklins, so I'll shaddup here)

    I Buy slabbed Franklins off of ebay. I know what to look for in a MS64 or MS65 Franlkin but the images most peeps put up are not good enough to pick off the deals(if ya know what I mean)

    The Half-Dimes I buy from ebay are usually raw. I own enough half dimes to kinda figure out what is cleaned and what is not. Some throw me though, no doubt. But, they are half-dimes. Cleaning comes with territory.

    PURPLE!
  • tjkilliantjkillian Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Never buy raw coins on eBay. ... You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. Buy the coin you want in a slab only but be prepared to pay the highest price. ." >>



    This is not true. Sure, many of the coins have been cleaned and they don't tell you, but not everyone is out to get you You just have to be cautious.

    Tom
    Tom

  • All the purchases I made from ebay were reckless and before I learned from here, books ect. I guess I looked at people with high positve feedback and thought "well they must be legit". I've recouped about 80% of what I spent and in the end have kept four out of about 20 I bought. I feel a little bit bad about reselling them, but since I didnt over promote the coins as "gem BU" or "BU+" but rather gave them an honest "net grade" I dont feel too bad.....do I have bad karma coming my way?
  • stev32kstev32k Posts: 2,098 ✭✭✭
    << Never buy raw coins on eBay. Ebay over the past few years has become the ultimate dumping ground for dealer's junk. You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. Buy the coin you want in a slab only but be prepared to pay the highest price. The hobby is out of control by greed my friend so beware. If you can't physically hold the coin in hand to inspect it don't buy it.>>

    That's a ludicrous statement if ever I heard one. I almost always buy raw coins on ebay. I've sent back a few, but I've gotten far more good ones than bad ones. To make a blanket statement like that is wrong. There are honest sellers and good coins on ebay - just as there are dishonest sellers and junk coins. You have to be careful who you buy from, and make sure you can return them if you don't like them, but I can't say I've ever been burned. I have over paid a time or two, but I've also overpaid in a dealers shop.

    You need to know something about the coins you are buying and how to grade them. If you don't agree with the sellers grade either don't buy them or bid what you think they are worth. Check the sellers feedback and if you have any doubts don't bid. If you receive a coin you don't like send it back.
    Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard drive?


  • << <i><< Never buy raw coins on eBay. Ebay over the past few years has become the ultimate dumping ground for dealer's junk. You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. Buy the coin you want in a slab only but be prepared to pay the highest price. The hobby is out of control by greed my friend so beware. If you can't physically hold the coin in hand to inspect it don't buy it.>>

    That's a ludicrous statement if ever I heard one. I almost always buy raw coins on ebay. I've sent back a few, but I've gotten far more good ones than bad ones. To make a blanket statement like that is wrong. There are honest sellers and good coins on ebay - just as there are dishonest sellers and junk coins. You have to be careful who you buy from, and make sure you can return them if you don't like them, but I can't say I've ever been burned. I have over paid a time or two, but I've also overpaid in a dealers shop.

    You need to know something about the coins you are buying and how to grade them. If you don't agree with the sellers grade either don't buy them or bid what you think they are worth. Check the sellers feedback and if you have any doubts don't bid. If you receive a coin you don't like send it back. >>



    I agree with you. I think the original statement should be changed to "Never buy raw coins on eBay in an attempt to make a large profit off of them". For that, I'll agree. If you are putting together a set and trying to get a specific raw coin for it, then eBay is fine. That's how I put together my Roosevelt Dime set. I've got it in my Dansco Album and didn't want to pay an extra premium for a coin just because it was slabbed. For me, the coin being slabbed is a major turn off so the only way to get the coin was through eBay. Not everybody who collects coins wants everything slabbed. I actually prefer "raw" coins because you can hold onto them. I think it would be boring to have a collection of coins in a slab that are locked away at some bank.
    I collect the elements on the periodic table, and some coins. I have a complete Roosevelt set, and am putting together a set of coins from 1880.
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Never buy raw coins on eBay. ... You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. >>



    Please convince about a dozen specific forum member to begin abiding by that admonition.

    Russ, NCNE


  • << <i>Never buy raw coins on eBay. Ebay over the past few years has become the ultimate dumping ground for dealer's junk. You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period >>



    What a crazy statement. You should read and learn some here on the boardsimage

    Cameron Kiefer
  • I have noticed many peoople on these boards have bought coins on Ebay, and generally most of the other "experienced" members often confirm that the purchase was a good one.

    In my own experience I would have done better if I had more knowledge of the "market" and known about sliders, cleaning etc. Seems to me many good deals can be had, but buyer beware!!!
  • FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,423 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Never buy raw coins on eBay. ... You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. >>

    >>



    Has anyone ever gave out a award for the dumbest post of the year ? This qualifies.

    Ken
  • DNADaveDNADave Posts: 7,271 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Never buy raw coins on eBay. ... You can no longer find any good deals on eBay period. >>




    Maybe thats not such bad advice. Yes, everybody please stop buying raw coins on ebay, there are no more good deals, take my word for it. Any coins I'm bidding on are terrible deals and you shouldn't even give the auction a second look. image
  • Just wanted to get this topic heated up a little. Looks like it worked. Gotta watch for the good deals. All have very strong competion. image

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