If a coin needs to be conserved, dipped, or any of the other acceptable doctoring...

stinkinlincoln

Is that coin worth collecting at all?

Are there not enough examples to find one that doesnt need to be messed with?



edited to add: Not talking about rarities or even key dates for that matter.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>Is that coin worth collecting at all?. >>


To some...yes. Some collectors don't mind that a coin has been "conserved"...in fact, some prefer the higher grade that can often be obtained thru such methods.

I say more power to 'em! Collect what you like and like what you collect...it's all good.

Besides, the more of these "conserved" coins that are taken off the market by some collector...the less I have to worry about getting one by mistake.

LeeG

In my mind, conservation and doctoring are two different things. Here is an example of conservation:


How I purchased the coin:



Look after I cracked it out:



Finished view:



Doctoring a coin is not acceptable to me. It's important to be able to differentiate the two terms.


This example has value.

ricko

Collect what you like, like what you collect. Perfectionists need coins too..... Keep driving the prices up... I will enjoy my hobby.
Fortunately I got a lot of high grades before the 'fever' hit. Cheers, RickO

tjkillian

<< <i>In my mind, conservation and doctoring are two different things. Here is an example of conservation: How I purchased the coin: Look after I cracked it out: Finished view: Doctoring a coin is not acceptable to me. It's important to be able to differentiate the two terms. This example has value. >>



Wow, that is a nice coin, it looks like an MS-65BN now. Did you get it slabbed?

Congratulations!

RedTiger

Yes, absolutely yes. A good many coins have messed with, and almost all of them can find happy homes. A good many of those collectors that plant the flag for originality, wouldn't know original if it bit them in the foot. They often buy what I term "faux original," messed with coins, that have been retoned enough to suspend disbelief. Plenty of those around, and they often go for strong money. In some series, in some grades, many coins have been messed with, many more that are questionable.

TwoSides2aCoin

A coin has no needs... Eye appeal is the name of the game.
Doctoring , conserving, preserving, etc... these are part of what's necessary to satisfy a collector's need. (my humble opinion)

ricko

Well said TwoSides..... your wisdom is only exceeded by the bon mots from Bear... Cheers, RickO

Steve27

In other words, if you see a coin with green PVC plasticizer film on it, you would just let it get damaged rather than rinse it in some acetone and have a perfectly good coin?

GoldenEyeNumismatics

If doctored coins aren't worth collecting, then 90% of coins valued at $100k+ might as well be thrown into the garbage.

Connecticoin

There is considerable "gray area" between conservation and doctoring, however, certain instances have NO gray area, such as using acetone to remove PVC from an otherwise original coin. And unfortunely, there are numerous original coins with PVC, as those stupid "soft flips" are still widely used and sold.

7Jaguars

Hey was that just acetone to remove the lacqeur (sp?) on that large cent?

Walkerguy21D

<< <i>In other words, if you see a coin with green PVC plasticizer film on it, you would just let it get damaged rather than rinse it in some acetone and have a perfectly good coin? >>


Pretty much my exact thoughts when I read the OP's intro line. I believe this is the same fellow who took issue with the advice we presented to Kaz re: the hazy, spotted quarter he had, that cleaned up rather nicely with an acetone dip.
I acquired a very large collection once, a good portion of which had been stored in old style albums with PVC slides for many years. With a lot of effort, I was able to conserve many of these pieces to a presentable and collectable state. Given more time, many of these probably would have been ruined forever. And thank goodness many of the old large cent collectors carefully conserved their treasures with mineral spirits and a gentle brushing, or there would be far fewer decent large cents around today.

stinkinlincoln

<< In other words, if you see a coin with green PVC plasticizer film on it, you would just let it get damaged rather than rinse it in some acetone and have a perfectly good coin?


Pretty much my exact thoughts when I read the OP's intro line. I believe this is the same fellow who took issue with the advice we presented to Kaz re: the hazy, spotted quarter he had, that cleaned up rather nicely with an acetone dip.
I acquired a very large collection once, a good portion of which had been stored in old style albums with PVC slides for many years. With a lot of effort, I was able to conserve many of these pieces to a presentable and collectable state. Given more time, many of these probably would have been ruined forever. And thank goodness many of the old large cent collectors carefully conserved their treasures with mineral spirits and a gentle brushing, or there would be far fewer decent large cents around today.>>


I dont recall the thread or coin off the top of my head, but if it had to do with dipping, I might have not had the same views as others about it. IS that a bad thing?
I personally have no issue with anyone doing anything they like to their coins. Personal choice allows them that and I stand behind that right. I personallyhave never dipped or stripped a coin, so I dont really no what all is done to do this, nor the effects first hand. Also, I dont think dipping is a bad thing really, but I dont think that coin is original then. It might be better preserved and of better quality, but its not original.
Just because someone dips a coin, doesnt mean I dont like them, or think all of these coins are bad looking. I realize most classic coins have atleast seen a dip now and then through the early days, but those coins that show this very clearly do not appeal to me as a collector.
I have seen PVC first hand, but Ive never owned a coin with any. I wouldnt really know what all is done to remove it myself. Is this a must to preserve the coins condition? Yes. Should this be done to save a coin? I think thats a personal question, and mine would be no. Yours might be different, does that make either of us wrong? I dont think so. Would I consider this coin to be original? No. It might be conserved, but its not original.


If some collectors like them coins, thats great. Everyone has different tastes.

Coinosaurus

<< <i>Is that coin worth collecting at all? >>



The dreck has to go SOMEWHERE. Where do you propose it should go? Are you willing to personally buy it all up and melt it?

What should happen, is that it should freely trade, at discounted prices, and with full disclosure.

stinkinlincoln

<<What should happen, is that it should freely trade, at discounted prices, and with full disclosure. >>