Advice for amateur dippers
veryfine
Posts: 1,763 ✭✭✭
I can only speak for myself when I say, "BE CAREFUL" when it comes to dipping.
I experimented with a common date mint state Washington quarter. The coin was a touch on the dull side with a few toning spots. I did everything by the book; immersed the coin for a few seconds, rinsed under running water for 15 seconds and even dipped it in a container of clean distilled water, then patted it dry)
While the procedure resulted in a bright white, lustrous, spot-free coin, some subtle surface details reared their ugly heads. I noticed some fine line scratches and distracting die polish areas that were more camouflaged prior to the dipping. The original cloak of soft mint frost was lost too.
Just for fun, I suggest that some of you try dipping a common silver coin, such as a mid range, mint state 1964 Washington quarter. Then compare it to what you believe to be an original quarter plucked from an original roll. You'll quickly notice that there is white and there is WHITE! Ouch. The look of a freshly dipped silver coin is too startling for my taste.
Dipping a toned silver doing is a lot like trying to predict the future. How many of us can do that?
I experimented with a common date mint state Washington quarter. The coin was a touch on the dull side with a few toning spots. I did everything by the book; immersed the coin for a few seconds, rinsed under running water for 15 seconds and even dipped it in a container of clean distilled water, then patted it dry)
While the procedure resulted in a bright white, lustrous, spot-free coin, some subtle surface details reared their ugly heads. I noticed some fine line scratches and distracting die polish areas that were more camouflaged prior to the dipping. The original cloak of soft mint frost was lost too.
Just for fun, I suggest that some of you try dipping a common silver coin, such as a mid range, mint state 1964 Washington quarter. Then compare it to what you believe to be an original quarter plucked from an original roll. You'll quickly notice that there is white and there is WHITE! Ouch. The look of a freshly dipped silver coin is too startling for my taste.
Dipping a toned silver doing is a lot like trying to predict the future. How many of us can do that?
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Comments
in my bath tub?
Camelot
<< <i>But, but, I never do all those things, when I take a dip
in my bath tub? >>
Bear, I think your technique is very safe.
dip the greyside stuff and leave US Silver alone
<< <i>what disrespect to show future rarities!!! Im sure colonial BBSs said to take out a common fugio and scrape it with a cheesegrater just to see what it does to the surface....
dip the greyside stuff and leave US Silver alone
OK, point well taken.
DON'T experiment with anything but damaged, original 1964 coins. Better yet, leave them alone.
Why dip anything. If a coin needs a dip, look for another coin that does not.
American Silver Eagles (bullion). Improper storage can screw them up. A light dip can bring them back.
Bronze spouse medals. Some come with ugly brown spots that can be converted, through dipping, into less obvious white spots.
The only other sort of coin I have subjected to dipping is an old, messed with Morgan. Now, that Morgan is really messed with.
When it comes to more expensive, rare coins...I strive to avoid the junk in the first place. If you don't buy it, you won't be tempted to dip it.
I give away money. I collect money.
I don’t love money . I do love the Lord God.