Is it ever worth buying a cleaned coin?

silverdollarfitz · July 30, 2009 7:08AM

Just wondering... I know I can't afford it not cleaned right now, but may be able to at a much later date. So is it worth getting now... cleaned? Or should I wait to get the real thing?

the coin in this example is an 1887/6 Morgan.

ElKevvo · July 30, 2009 7:10AM

Wait....what will happen (and I know this from experieince!) is that every time you look at the coin it will be cleaned...that is not going to change and you will think about it. So it will continue to bug you until you get one that is not cleaned anyway.

K

InternetJunky · July 30, 2009 7:36AM

Some don't mind adding cleaned coins to their collection, but obviously it isn't for you or else you wouldn't be asking this question

. IMO, I'd wait it out just because like ElKevvo said it would bother me everytime I looked at the coin.

GrumpyEd · July 30, 2009 7:39AM

If you bought it someday you might see a better coin and think "if I had the money from the cleaned coin I could have gone for this better one"

Only buy a cleaned coin if you love it and don't expect to ever see another better example that you could spring for.

Cam40 · July 30, 2009 7:43AM

i guess it depends on the coin.
a cleaned chain cent at a bargain basement price would be one i`d personally jump on without even thinking of
the `cleaned` label on it

Aberlight · July 30, 2009 7:46AM

$359. How did I do?

anablep · July 30, 2009 7:52AM

Nice trade dollar.

As for the Morgan...

Put it in your pocket (raw) and let it wear a little.

Cleaning gone.

Submit to a TPG.

Problem solved.

silverdollarfitz · July 30, 2009 7:55AM

<< Put it in your pocket (raw) and let it wear a little. >>

would that really work?

FilthyBroke · July 30, 2009 7:59AM

How was it cleaned? Noticable hairlines, polished, or just dipping?

StubbyMcNumbthumbs · July 30, 2009 8:01AM

<< Or should I wait to get the real thing? >>

Cleaned does not equal fake. Personally, I don't care if a coin has been cleaned (and/or dipped) or not. It's the eye appeal, along with other factors, but mostly eye appeal that makes a coin acceptable to me, but then, I say buy what makes you happy. If a "cleaned" coin still looks ok and fits in with the rest of your collection, then buy it. That's something you will have to decide.

Just my opinion.

silverdollarfitz · July 30, 2009 8:04AM

dipped. No hairlines or anything like that noticable.

DorkGirl · July 30, 2009 8:08AM

It's just dipped? Make a run to Taco Bell.....

Aberlight · July 30, 2009 8:12AM

<< $359. How did I do?

>>

This has just a few light lines on the reverse under the eagle and only seen at the right angle. The dealer said it was over dipped and I dont see it. In fact the reverse is somewhat PL.

BillyKingsley · July 30, 2009 8:17AM

I expect this not to be popular, but I would have no problems accepting a dipped coin into my collection. I would have to see it beforehand, but I doubt I will have much of an issue. I would probably NOT accept a coin that has been wiped, whizzed or messed with physically, and/or displays lines on it from same.

Why would I have this position? Well for one to protect the coins from being melted, because a non-original coin is better then no coin, and the second reason is that I am not a very wealthy person...If I want to get some of the pricier coins, I am going to have to go with coins that are imperfect in some way. Since dipping is like the plague for so many people, it might just lower some of these coins into my pricerange

However, I would NOT dip any coins myself. I have some that would be likely candidates for it....it won't happen on my watch. Basically, my stance is that I would protect them from further harm, but not shun them either.

Tip · July 30, 2009 8:18AM

I agree with a few others here......if you have to 'think about' buying a cleaned coin then you already know that you don't want to have that coin. It will always be cleaned and if you ever get the chance to buy a good coin you will be stuck, or have to give away the cleaned one. Go with patience for the pristine one.
Tip

kaz · July 30, 2009 8:30AM

It's an individual decision. Some coins that have been cleaned lightly (hairlined) and retoned can still be quite attractive. For instance, I wanted a draped bust quarter with a little detail, and simply could not afford a 'pristine' example. So I bought this one:

I also have this 1938-d Walker, which was cleaned at some point:

I really like these coins, and find them more enjoyable to own than some of the bright white (but unmarked) ones that I have.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · July 30, 2009 8:42AM

I've never experienced the nagging feeling about cleaned coins that so many people here are so terrified of. If it's a coin you want and the price is right, go for it. If you are able to accept the fact that it's cleaned and still enjoy the coin for what it is, then there shouldn't be any problem.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · July 30, 2009 8:44AM

<< dipped. No hairlines or anything like that noticable. >>

No, it doesn't. Unless you're an absolute pro or are extremely lucky, the coin will come out looking like trash.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · July 30, 2009 8:45AM

<< 

<< $359. How did I do?

>>

This has just a few light lines on the reverse under the eagle and only seen at the right angle. The dealer said it was over dipped and I dont see it. In fact the reverse is somewhat PL. >>

Looks better than a lot of PCGS MS61's out there.

BillyKingsley · July 30, 2009 8:56AM

I am not quite sure what you are saying in your quote of me.

I know sometimes what I am thinking doesn't match what I post. What I meant to say was that I don't mind a dippped coin but I don't like a wiped coin. I don't feel that dipping overly detracts from the coin (in most cases) but wiping it, leaving hairlines does. Of cource, I may just not know what I am talking about and dipping might leave hairlines. It would not be the first time I have been clueless or otherwise wrongly informed.

lkenefic · July 30, 2009 9:22AM

I think it depends on the coin...

I bought this one and I'm certain it's been cleaned at some point in the last ~175 years...

I paid a fraction of what a nice XF coin would have been. I bought a dipped Barber Dime some time ago (AU55 details)... $15

ambro51 · July 30, 2009 9:35AM

The coin the OP referred to has a PCGS pop of about 1500. Double that, and add 50%, and you get what NGC and ANACS have in the mix (approx), so youre up to nearly 3500-4000 certified examples. And no doubt maybe another 50% that are out there uncertified.

Id say.........wait.

On the other hand, if youre ready to pounce on something old and rare (R5+) that has been cleaned, and is seldom offered for sale....then maybe go for it, providing the price is about 20% of book.

All the above though is personal opinion.

ziggy29 · July 30, 2009 9:36AM

<< Only buy a cleaned coin if you love it and don't expect to ever see another better example that you could spring for. >>

That pretty much says what needs to be said.

One corollary is that there's little reason to buy dirt-common coins with problems.

fcloud · July 30, 2009 9:40AM

Yes! How about the only PCGS graded 1942 d/d (coin number 145548). I sent it in for grading, maybe someday I'll find another.

ambro51 put a dark background on it for me.

thanks Ray!

TwoSides2aCoin · July 30, 2009 9:45AM

'saw the darndest sign in my travels recently.

It simply read: "Clean dirt wanted", and of course, there was a phone number.
How does one find clean dirt ?

Okay, back to coins. Sorry if OT, but I didn't know who else to tell.

When filling a coin hole, sometimes cleaned coins have to do.

howards · July 30, 2009 10:40AM

Some coins are quite rare, and should be jumped on cleaned as long they are still pleasing.

No coin should be bought if it doesn't please your eye.

I have a number of cleaned coins in my collection. On most of them, I know they are cleaned because they simply have surfaces that are far too clean for their age and condition. But they aren't hairlined or scratched, and I find them pleasing.

The only coin deals I truly regret are the ones I didn't make. The mistakes I bought I just got rid off.

yellowkid · July 30, 2009 10:46AM

Entirely up to the individual.

silverdollarfitz · July 30, 2009 10:54AM

well the coin i was looking at went for a price in the more uncleaned range... so not worth it in my opinion.

kaz · July 30, 2009 11:21AM

<< 'saw the darndest sign in my travels recently.

It simply read: "Clean dirt wanted", and of course, there was a phone number.
How does one find clean dirt ?

Okay, back to coins. Sorry if OT, but I didn't know who else to tell.

When filling a coin hole, sometimes cleaned coins have to do. >>

I think they are looking for fill dirt that isn't full of stumps, garbage, old appliances, oil, etc..

seatedcollector · July 30, 2009 12:18PM

eventually everyojne must decide for THEMSELVES what to include in thier collection, the more you ask others, the more reasons you will have to just ask yourself. if i was to ask "how many people on this website would like to send me money so i can buy some coins" the number i end up with is the same number of outside opinions i rely on when im buying my coins. i buy what I like, not what anyone else approves of. may sound harsh, but i have no need for someone else to even suggest what i should spend my money on.

lkeigwin · July 30, 2009 1:39PM

<< Is it ever worth buying a cleaned coin> >>

Yes.

Most circulated 150+ year old coins, and many uncirculated, have been cleaned. We all know this. But we look the other way...as do the TPG's, when it comes to early US coins.

Then there's CLEANING. The more recent kind. The more deliberate, harsher type. I can live with an old cleaning on a CBH, but not on an S-VDB.

So yes, if it isn't your first thought when you pick up the coin for another look-see, buy the coin. But if you have to make excuses to yourself or friends then pass on it. You will never enjoy the coin enough.
Lance.

GFourDriver · July 30, 2009 2:04PM

I have a 1795 flowing hair half that was dipped and harshly cleaned. It's like a handicapped child, how can you love it any less. In the end it is an individual decision.

soty27 · July 30, 2009 2:25PM

<< Just wondering... I know I can't afford it not cleaned right now, but may be able to at a much later date. So is it worth getting now... cleaned? Or should I wait to get the real thing?

the coin in this example is an 1887/6 Morgan. >>

Pm me and let me know your budget as I can get you a slabbed one not cleaned pretty cheap

BlindedByEgo · July 30, 2009 3:07PM

Dipped isn't cleaned, according to many.

stinkinlincoln · July 30, 2009 3:08PM

Not unless its a rare coin. I personally would think of its ruined surfaces everytime I looked at it. Id rather wait for an original piece.

And I think dipping is doctoring. Even if its accepted.

AskRaq · July 30, 2009 4:17PM

Sorry to burst anyone's numismatic bubble (those with the big bucks, that is)..... but - if there's a particular (obviously seen with the naked eye) variety/error that I don't have, and really want, I don't really care if it's been cleaned/AT/whatever (as long as the price is RIGHT!!) - sorry all.......................

shorecoll · July 30, 2009 11:17PM

I agree, if someone wants to send me one of the hairlined 1804 $, I'm sure I can bring myself to overlook the flaws.

shorecoll · July 30, 2009 11:18PM

I'll even accept it if the hairlines have been whizzed or polished off!!!

PerryHall · July 30, 2009 11:43PM

I would buy a cleaned coin only if it were very rare, lightly cleaned with good eye appeal, and priced cheap. Otherwise, I'd pass on it.

Is it ever worth buying a cleaned coin?

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