New course in problem coin detection...ideas?

astrorat

Hi folks-

This summer I will be teaching a mini-seminar at the ANA Summer Seminar titles "An Introduction to Problem Coin Detection." So many questions about problem coins have arisen when teaching the grading course that I decided to put together a mini-seminar for the summer. If you were to take the course, what would you like to see covered?

Since the course is new, the content is an blank slate. What do you think would be most beneficial to new to intermediate collectors (or maybe even advanced collectors)? Think of this course as a companion course to the introductory grading course.

I just thought I would ask for opinions as I develop the content. Thanks!

Lane

AUandAG

Define problem coin. Counterfeits are problems. Love tokens are problems. etc.
What's to detect here?
Ahhhhh, how about AT verses NT. Certainly AT coins can be a problem (for some).
Hmmmmmmm, maybe altered surfaces such as dipping?

Wow, you can go on forever on this subject. Worn coins can be problems.

Oh my,
good luck
bob

julie43

Lane: No opinions just want to say thank you for doing such a great service

razzle

Lane,
Will that class be in Colorado Springs? I would love to take it, if the timing works. As a tenured hoarder, I would like to know more about which coins are most likely to be altered; AT/NT (as already mentioned); hairlines; response to cleaning of disparate metals; counterfeit slabs (if that's not OT); how to tell the difference between pre and post mint damage.
I'm guessing that more coins are purchased based on an internet picture than those bought "in-hand." If so, clues to recognize common photographic tricks may be helpful.
Having read the thread below on die polish, I think that may make a useful topic, too.
Thank you for asking.
Chuck

WaterSport

Problem coins to me means:

Rim damaged coins that were previously encased
Re colored cents
PVC residue/damage
Anything cleaned and how you tell the difference
Coins that will not get into plastic - dented, rim nicks, scratches
Minor vs major flaws

WS

UtahCoin

I think spotting PVC residue and AT coins would be worthwhile.

STONE

To add:

Coins that are whizzed well enough that it's tough to tell.

lcoopie

putty seems to be an issue

Walmann

<< <i>To add:

Coins that are whizzed well enough that it's tough to tell. >>



Perhaps have the course broken down devoting part to some of the easy telltale signs of doctoring and the more difficult to detect techniques.

Those coins manipulated by some of more more skilled techniques and the signs of such manipulation would be great, especially which series this is not only more likely to be seen, but which series are more prone to "hiding" such
doctoring.

shorecoll

Removed mint-mark detection.
Tooling in hair in large cents and busties.

STONE

<< <i>Removed mint-mark detection.
Tooling in hair in large cents and busties. >>


Kind of along those lines with re-engraved hair to make the coin look like a higher grade than what it should/would otherwise be.
(i.e. Morgan Dollars, Large Cents)

njcoincrank

Interesting...

njcc

astrorat

Thanks, everyone. Yes, the program will be in Colorado Springs. It will be a two-day evening mini-seminar that focuses on the more obvious problem coins and not the more tricky problem coins. That is left to the week-long Advanced Grading and Problem Coins course during week 2 at Summer Seminar.

Lane

rjsriv

ANYTHING FROM CHINA IS SUSPECT

zeebob

PVC is a big issue. Counterfeits are. AT is as well.

Will you be putting together any sort of photographic examples that could be posted in a pdf (say at ANA's website)?

Keep us posted on the class. I would like to attend.

TavernTreasures

Perhaps the course could be divided into divisions:

Problem Coins that Deceive: (altered, colored, whizzed, cleaned, AT'd, etc)

Problem Coins Au Natural: (milk spots, laminations, rim dents, stained, corroded, carbon spots, effects of PVC, etc)

RichieURich

Detecting coins which previously had problems and have now been skillfully repaired.

Pushkin

Have you considered a parallel course in problem slab detection?

astrorat

<< <i>Have you considered a parallel course in problem slab detection? >>



If you are referring to problem coins that have been slabbed or slabbed coins where the problem becomes apparent after residing in the slab for a while, then that is covered in the Advanced Grading and Problem Coins course during week 2 of Summer Seminar.

Lane

robkool

I would like to see the following things talked about...

Detecting recolored proof Indian & Lincoln cents, as well as recolored regular strike copper coinage...
Detecting plated vs. non-plated genuine steel Lincolns cents...
Detecting PVC damage, & its early stages...
Dipped uncirculated coins vs. natural uncirculated...
Detecting cleaned/dipped gold coins, as well as puttied gold...
Artifical toned vs. Natural toned coins...
Lamination flaws...
Coin conservation, & proper storage...

pheh

I'd like to suggest an end of the use of the term "problem coins" as a generic that encompasses: toned, dipped, tooled, counterfeit, restored, wiped, cleaned, defaced, recolored, conserved, overgraded, and all the other "problems".

astrorat

<< <i>I'd like to suggest an end of the use of the term "problem coins" as a generic that encompasses: toned, dipped, tooled, counterfeit, restored, wiped, cleaned, defaced, recolored, conserved, overgraded, and all the other "problems". >>



Okay...how about originality challenged?

Lane

BillyGoatsGruff

We can start with the reverse of this coin.... Problem? or Not?

BillyGoatsGruff

Foreman Grill, MS70 or Russet Potato... You decide:

njcoincrank

$20 is George Foreman grill, silver eagle is potato.

njcc

BillyGoatsGruff

<< <i>$20 is George Foreman grill, silver eagle is potato.

njcc >>




You're half correct sir, but you should take a closer look at the $20.