What % of Pre-1900 Gold coins have been cleaned?

Manorcourtman

I've been doing alot of looking on Heritage archives lately and have noticed "some" NGC and PCGS quarter and half eagles look hairlined. Especially some of the rare key dates! What have you seasoned experts seen over the years in reputable slabs? Maybe it's just bad pics and I am mistaken. Curious to here some stories of what is out there! I guess the sticker people will have a field day with old gold!

fcloud

over 100% because they have been cleaned more than once.

DaveG

I suppose that the more expensive the coin, the more likely the TPGs are to slab it, even if there are some "problems."

I haven't seen all that much gold in major TPG slabs that has actually been abrasively cleaned - a light wipe, perhaps, but nothing harsh.

Now, pre-Civil War gold, especially southern gold, is more likely than not to have been dipped or otherwise "processed", but not "abrasively cleaned."

roadrunner

I'd say anywhere from 40-60% of the gold coins on the market (slabbed or otherwise) have been cleaned. I don't see a ton of gold, but I don't think the number is 75%-100% as many seem to say. I'd bet the majority of gold coins still in existence have never come close to a TPG.

roadrunner

Manorcourtman

Anybody else? Thanks for the replies!

Thulnanth

Interesting thread - thanks to all who have shared!!

roadrunner - love your posts (esp. in gold/silver thread). I am curious why you say most gold has never seen a TPG; on what do you base this? I know very little about the gold coin market (other than I like half eagles - LOL) and would love to hear more of your thoughts on this topic

Take it easy,
Jared