Question about Cleaned coins?

duxbutt

I just purchased a 1882 O/S on the board here. It is slabbed by PCGS. Genuine Strong. I am new and looking at the coin and can't tell how they know it was cleaned. What do you look for on the coins to tell it has been cleaned. I know experience plays alot in this. But any tricks for a noob? Thanks all.

sspat

Well, I'm relatively new to collecting, and I know there are a number of strings on this board on how to identify cleaned coins, but I'll take a quick stab anyway. I trust some far more experienced poster will jump in and gently highlight any erroneous points in the following, which would be great! That's how I learn.

1. A large number of fine parallel lines on the surface - should be easily visible especially in the field using a 5x/10x loupe - usually indicates a cleaned coin.
2. Any 150+ year old coin that is bright white on surfaces and the edge is a cleaned coin. Even a coin kept in a climate controlled environment by collectors since minting should show some toning from handling.
3. Oddly raised edges around lettering or devices on a bright white coin could indicate a whizzed coin.
4. Blotchy, dull, or lifeless surfaces may indicate a cleaned coin.
5. And the best way to identify a cleaned coin? Show it to an experienced collector you trust and ask their opinion.

Type2

Post a pic.

sspat

I would but, unfortunately, my point and shoot camera can't really capture the detail required for this pupose.


Duh, you were talking to duxbutt, not me.

notwilight

What makes you think it was cleaned? the PCGS code? I don't know what you mean by "Genuine Strong". Since you can't post a photo you can post the serial number which will help us know what PCGS said about it. --Jerry

notwilight

<< <i>Well, I'm relatively new to collecting, and I know there are a number of strings on this board on how to identify cleaned coins, but I'll take a quick stab anyway. I trust some far more experienced poster will jump in and gently highlight any erroneous points in the following, which would be great! That's how I learn.

1. A large number of fine parallel lines on the surface - should be easily visible especially in the field using a 5x/10x loupe - usually indicates a cleaned coin.
2. Any 150+ year old coin that is bright white on surfaces and the edge is a cleaned coin. Even a coin kept in a climate controlled environment by collectors since minting should show some toning from handling.
3. Oddly raised edges around lettering or devices on a bright white coin could indicate a whizzed coin.
4. Blotchy, dull, or lifeless surfaces may indicate a cleaned coin.
5. And the best way to identify a cleaned coin? Show it to an experienced collector you trust and ask their opinion. >>



1. This will get a coin put in a genuine holder. Also called "harshly cleaned", this is the classic definition of "cleaned."
2. This is dipped and isn't generally considered "cleaned". It is unoriginal but will slab.
3. Whizzed is a different designator than cleaned. It would be "altered surfaces".
4. Same as 2 usually.
5. This works.

--Jerry

sspat

Thanks for the clarification, Notwilight. Good, helpful stuff!

You know what else you might try, Duxbutt? I found it useful to visit my local dealer and ask to buy some inexpensive examples of cleaned coins for reference. I think most dealers would have a few examples laying around they'd be willing to dump off on the cheap.

duxbutt

I took a few pics and am wondering the best way to post? Photobucket? Is there a test area on the board somewhere? thanks all.

duxbutt

1882 O/S

duxbutt

InternetJunky

I agree with the dull surfaces. One of the easiest ways to tell a cleaned coin is if the coin doesn't have the "cartwheel" effect.

jmski52

As Yogi Berra once said to this effect: "You can see alot just by looking at something."

The coin you show doesn't appear to have any original luster on it. So, one way to know if a coin has been cleaned is to look for some luster, even on circulated coins. If the coin is "shiny" (like this one) but has no luster (like this one), then it's definitely been cleaned.

A corollary would be, if the coin is worn (like this one) but looks shiny (line this one) - then it's been cleaned.

As previous posters have mentioned, the surface of this coin is lifeless, compared to a coin that is truly uncirculated which has its original luster. The best way to know the difference is to get a coin that has its original luster and compare the two.

This coin has quite possibly been cleaned in multiple ways - by some type of polishing (or whizzing) and possibly by a chemical agent as well. There is one thing to say about it - it is clean, as opposed to "dirty" and tarnished.

The best thing that could happen to this coin now is to be cracked out of its slab, put into a storage envelope with a soft felt liner and then left alone for at least the next 7 decades.

duxbutt

Thanks All for the help,

relicsncoins

What is the "Strong" designation?

BillJones

<< <i>What is the "Strong" designation? >>



It means that the O over CC mint mark is easy to see.