coins that have been cleaned

dagoirish1

can a dealer tell if a coin has been cleaned simply by looking at a picture? how does your average collector know what to look for...when purchasing a coin on ebay etc? thank you

doh

If the coin is too bright or has odd toning...it's been cleaned (and possibly retoned). Also look for evidence of hairlines, etc, but sometimes those are difficult to see in pictures. Cleaned coins have a certain "look" that becomes obvious over time when you've seen thousands of uncleaned coins.

Steve27

"can a dealer tell if a coin has been cleaned simply by looking at a picture?"

Sometimes but not always.

" how does your average collector know what to look for...when purchasing a coin on ebay etc?"

The coins in ANACS, NGC, and PCGS slabs usually aren't cleaned. As for raw coins, all I can say is don't buy high-priced raw coins based on a pic.

curly

This is why I stay away from places like e-bay. Too many boogers out there. Personally, I'd rather go with a dealer that has return privileges.

Swampboy

This is the place to come and get your answers dagoirish1 .
When I found this forum my most expensive coin was a whizzed $20 gold liberty.
That won't happen again.

BTW

adamlaneus

<< <i>The coins in ANACS, NGC, and PCGS slabs usually aren't cleaned. >>



Hmmm.

I would make an exact opposite statement.

More than half of the coins I see in ANACS, NGC and PCGS holders look like they have been cleaned at one time. Perhaps it is because of my focus on gold?

VAMSKY

I look for the "halos" around the devices and evidence of scratches (circular or same direction) in the fields. Heavily toned (or I should say retoned) coins present a challenge, so I don't buy them from pictures. And if there is no viable return policy, I pass.

GrumpyEd

When you know a serries you can probably (but not always) tell.

Until you feel confident stick with slabbed coins or cheap ones for learning, there's a lot of junk out there and you don't want to learn by buying it.

Swampboy

<< <i>

<< <i>The coins in ANACS, NGC, and PCGS slabs usually aren't cleaned. >>



Hmmm.

I would make an exact opposite statement.

More than half of the coins I see in ANACS, NGC and PCGS holders look like they have been cleaned at one time. Perhaps it is because of my focus on gold? >>



Could be . I would submit your post is probably no more helpful than mine for the new member.

tahoe98

<< <i>This is why I stay away from places like e-bay. Too many boogers out there. Personally, I'd rather go with a dealer that has return privileges. >>




...........good savvy!!