To dip or not to dip

skerke

Well now that I've read that dipping isn't the worse thing in the world for a coin, my question is - to dip or not to dip? I would like some food for thought. My 2 cents worth - pun intended 1) never dip (clean) your coins 2) Dip that coin if you want a nice a shiny one. 3) Don't dip a toned coin, only a dirty one. 4)I like what one delaer told me if your going to clean it use a hacksaw.

Just curious on the thoughts of board members.

stev32k

Dipping, cleaning, or conserving (what ever you call it) only applies to proof and uncirculated coins. The minute you dip a circulated coin it's value is going down by a lot.

Cam40

it depends on the coin.
and depends on personal preference.
some coins are helped with the proper curating methods.
the thing is, to me anyway, if the coin is cleaned and looks like it was cleaned,,not good.
the best cleaning job is transparent and shows not a hint of the coin being tampered with.
jm2c

Korona

On all other days you dip once, but starting tomorrow, you can dip twice.

pharmer

Dipping is the original AT process, changing a coin's natural appearance "back" to something else, that something else being merely an expression of what the owner would like to see rather than a definitive representation of how it came out of the mint, which is impossible to determine

DAM

Without getting into a debate of NT versus AT, I say leave them alone. That's my personal preference. Unless a coin is genuinely butt ugly, leave the natural look alone. Beauty is in the eye... . Of course everyone is free to clean their coins if they chose, but some get carried away with it.

IMO, every time a coin is dipped, cleaned, curated, etc (unnecessarily)... you increase the value of a like "undisturbed" coin.

dorkkarl

do you mean most people mean, ie. dipping in acid or some solution that changes the surface of the coin? yes, i thought so. well here goes:

dipping a coin is DOCTORING, therefore it's bad, therefore don't do it.







yes, it really is that simple.

K S

PutTogether

<< <i>do you mean most people mean, ie. dipping in acid or some solution that changes the surface of the coin? yes, i thought so. well here goes:

dipping a coin is DOCTORING, therefore it's bad, therefore don't do it.







yes, it really is that simple.

K S >>



I agree with this 99.99 percent.

Then again, there is always a case to the idea that its your coin, do what you want. If you want to melt, scratch, throw away, or spend it at face, it belongs to you, and is well within your rights. I may disagree (and i do) but what ultimately matters it what you want to do.

Russ

<< <i>Dipping is the original AT process, changing a coin's natural appearance >>



Yes, you should never dip off that "natural" haze, or that "natural" spot that was "naturally" on the coin when it was first minted.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

They look so much better like this:



Then they do like this:



Russ, NCNE

coinguy1

<< <i>The minute you dip a circulated coin it's value is going down by a lot. >>

I'd have to disagree with such a broad statement. I think it depends on the particular coin and its condition. I have seen many circulated coins that have been dipped and a good number of them wood look fine to most.

Edited to add: I said what I did above, despite the fact that in most cases, I am opposed to dipping.

coinkat

For the most part, just say no to dipping. With certain coins such as Proofs (especially Modern), I will not disagree with Russ because there are truly conservation issues there.

mr1931S

do you mean most people mean, ie. dipping in acid or some solution that changes the surface of the coin? yes, i thought so. well here goes: dipping a coin is DOCTORING, therefore it's bad, therefore don't do it. yes, it really is that simple.


I fundamentally agree with dorkkarl on this one. The real problem is that most dippers are dips who don't know what they are doing. Many a coin has been irreparably harmed by its being "bright" dipped by a dip.

I won't go so far as to say bright dipping is never appropriate, but unless one knows what they are doing, the coin should be left alone.

dorkkarl

note that russ's example of dipping is for CURATING purposes. the hazy crap on those coins, allowed to set there, will damage the surfaces, cause milkspots, whatever. the purpose isn't to IMprove the COIN, it is to REmove a potentially damaging contaminant.

such is not the same as dipping for the sole purpose of IMproving, which is doctoring.

(btw, legend will disagree)

K S

Myqqy

The reasons that Russ will dip a coin are ok- the coin is improved and contaminants are removed. To dip a coin because you have a perverted fear of toning is just wrong. Wrong I say!!

stev32k

<<I'd have to disagree with such a broad statement. I think it depends on the particular coin and its condition. I have seen many circulated coins that have been dipped and a good number of them wood look fine to most. >>

I guess that is a matter of personal opinion. I have also seen a good number of circulated coins that have been dipped, scrubbed, and cleaned. However, I've never seen one that increased in value after cleaning except when the buyer was a novice and didn't know what to look or the dealer told him it was an excellent coin.

stman

<< <i>note that russ's example of dipping is for CURATING purposes. the hazy crap on those coins, allowed to set there, will damage the surfaces, cause milkspots, whatever. the purpose isn't to IMprove the COIN >>



No the purpose isn't to improve the coin, it's to line his pockets with profit.

coinguy1

<< <i>I guess that is a matter of personal opinion. I have also seen a good number of circulated coins that have been dipped, scrubbed, and cleaned. However, I've never seen one that increased in value after cleaning except when the buyer was a novice and didn't know what to look or the dealer told him it was an excellent coin. >>

Steve32k, I wasn't speaking on the subject of dipped coins increasing in value - I was simply disagreeing with your:

<< <i>The minute you dip a circulated coin it's value is going down by a lot. >>

Russ

<< <i>No the purpose isn't to improve the coin, it's to line his pockets with profit. >>



That assertion might have merit but for the fact that I still own the coin and have no intention of selling it.

Russ, NCNE

skerke

Awesome insights. Once again I'm amazed at the reponses. I would not risk damaging a potentially nice coin, but wanted to get a feeling from y'all about the subject. Thanks for all the great responses.

Skerke

mjhoffpauir

I talked to an coin dealer/coin collector of over 30 years today and he said that you NEVER dip MS coins, but it is o.k. for AU coins and only if you know what you are doing. He uses MS-70. He also stated dip copper coins. Just MHO.

mjhoffpauir

sry..I mean NEVER dip copper coins...

LanLord

Personally, don't dip.
I have bought coins that had been dipped, and in each case, wish they hadn't, I don't know that I have one that was dipped that I'm glad it was.

But it needs to be up to you as the owner/conservator. What do you think will be best for the coin and for it's future?

carl

Many, many years ago I dipped a 09S Lincoln in some jewel cleaner and have been sorry ever since. Don't dip nothing in nothing.

mr1931S

I admit to once being a dip as has Carl with his '09 S Lincoln. I bright dipped an NT rainbow, what would be today considered "drop-dead gorgeous", 1880 dollar back in the 1980's. This coin had the kind of toning that Morgan collectors of today would consider trading their wife for.

Poof! What nature took decades to do was gone in a few seconds. Yes, I was a dip. I think about that coin from time-to-time.

Newbie, listen up, don't be a dip.

magikbilly

NO!!!


Billy

ClausUrch

<< <i>

<< <i>No the purpose isn't to improve the coin, it's to line his pockets with profit. >>



That assertion might have merit but for the fact that I still own the coin and have no intention of selling it.

Russ, NCNE >>



That's only because you haven't been offered the right amount of loot for it...CA-Ching!

Shamika

Don't do it!