Dipping.. Does it REALLY Matter?

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I hear so many mixed reviews on dipping coins..

Some say it's bad ethic for coins, some say it enhances the luster and may even get it graded a few steps up.

My question is, what do YOU think of dipping? Is it the big sin of the coin industry?

Honestly, I don't have a big problem with it once in a while to get haze off a coin or something..

What I do not approve of, is cleaning.. Heavy cleaning.. Where hairlines are left..

Look forward to hearing some thoughts..

b

Marauderrt10

yes to me it does. A coin becomes unoriginal and worth far less dipped.

BillJones

Most of the time dipping is not a good idea. Most coins that have been dipped usually lose something.

HOWEVER there are instances where dipping can improve the look of a piece. Making this decision depends upon years of experience and "an eye" that will benefit from the procedure.

As a general rule, one should never consider dipping a coin that grades less than AU-58. Virtually all advanced collectors find circulated “white” silver coins to be very artificial looking and very unattractive. As for Mint State and Proof coins, some pieces take on a very unattractive form of tarnish that is best removed if it’s not gone too deep. But after the coin has been dipped all of the dip residue must be removed or the coin will turn back to a color that could be even more ugly the toning which prompted the work.

littlebear

Whether it is artificial toning or dipping, one is still altering the coin. Either one is a form of coin doctoring, whether we want to believe it or delude ourselves into thinking otherwise. But, hey, it's your coin - do with it what you want if it makes you happy.


Larry L.

JCMhouston

Unfortunately there are some coins that just need to be dipped due to stroage problems etc., when a coin gets so dark you can no longer see the design it's ready. Thinking that's the same as AT'ing or doctoring a coin is really delusional.

shorecoll

The first dip does no harm, the 10th destroys the coin...you need to be an expert (or have a really good microscope) to know how many times it's already been done. So do you feel lucky, punk? Well do ya?!!! [Bad Clint Eastwood]

DoubleEagle59

<< <i>The first dip does no harm, the 10th destroys the coin...you need to be an expert (or have a really good microscope) to know how many times it's already been done. So do you feel lucky, punk? Well do ya?!!! [Bad Clint Eastwood] >>

rld14

Any time you dip a coin you remove metal, end of story.

Anthony Swiatek, I am told, took microscopic pics of a coin both before and after a dip showing how the raised metal flow lines were just destroyed.

bluelobster

One thing I know for sure.. it removes luster, I don't think it enhances it.

kryptonitecomics

<< <i>Unfortunately there are some coins that just need to be dipped due to stroage problems etc., when a coin gets so dark you can no longer see the design it's ready. Thinking that's the same as AT'ing or doctoring a coin is really delusional. >>




Thinking that dipping a coin that is so dark that you can't see the design is a good idea is delusional??? Once a coin has gone that far you either won't be able to remove the toning or you will have to remove so much of the surface that what's left is dull and lifeless....and yes doctoring a coin is doctoring a coin contrary to popular opinion around here

One could easily state that they AT'd the coin to improve the overall appearence just as easy as one could say they dipped the coin to improve the appearence.....it's all the same thing and it in both cases you end up with a coin that is no longer original.

robkool

I don't like it... Unless it's used to remove pvc, or nasty hazing.

19Lyds

<< <i>Dipping.. Does it REALLY Matter? >>



To some it does, to some it does not.

For what I collect, it does not. (Moderns)

If I were to change what I collect, I'm sure it would.

It should be noted that regardless of what the coin is, a non-MS coin, should never be dipped in Jewel Luster, E-Z-Est, metal brightener, or what not.

Non evasive dips such as Acetone or alcohol are ok but it should also be noted that dirty acetone leaves a dirty residue and can actually create haze.

Just like anything else, you really need to know what you are doing otherwise you're just asking for trouble.

Fairlaneman

Just call me a Coin Doctor that destroyed the following coin.



"One thing I know for sure.. it removes luster, I don't think it enhances it."

Yep I find this to be true also. The Luster bit the big one on this Doctored and destroyed coin.



Basically I think some people should do some research before stateing die hard opinions about dipping and what it does to a coin.

Cheers.
Ken

PerryHall

Some coins have really ugly blotchy tarnish and if the dealer didn't dip it, he'd never sell it. Sorry, but that's just one of the facts of life.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

grip

If it was left in the state it was, it most likely would have deteriorated to the point
of damage...I think Ken saved this one.

shorecoll

I agree that Ken saved this one. But it is always a risk...if it's so bad you'd rather take the risk..it's your coin. The only coin I've ever dipped was a jet black Barber quarter.

WinPitcher

Depends.


Steve

Connecticoin

<< <i>Just call me a Coin Doctor that destroyed the following coin.



"One thing I know for sure.. it removes luster, I don't think it enhances it."

Yep I find this to be true also. The Luster bit the big one on this Doctored and destroyed coin.



Basically I think some people should do some research before stateing die hard opinions about dipping and what it does to a coin.

Cheers.
Ken >>



Ken, what kind of dipping did you do on that coin -- a quick dip in EZest, or a light swab of MS70, or something else?

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>Dipping.. Does it REALLY Matter? >>


Yes. It matters to me.

If I know a coin has been dipped I won't buy it.

In fact, I once turned down an opportunity to buy a significant colonial rarity because an expert told me they thought it had been dipped. That was enough for me. I was certain that I would grow to hate the coin and regret the purchase.

Wolf359

MS70 doesn't remove luster and is not considered dipping.

DoubleEagle59

<< <i>

<< <i>Dipping.. Does it REALLY Matter? >>


Yes. It matters to me.

If I know a coin has been dipped I won't buy it.

In fact, I once turned down an opportunity to buy a significant colonial rarity because an expert told me they thought it had been dipped. That was enough for me. I was certain that I would grow to hate the coin and regret the purchase. >>



then you won't be buying 90% of white coins dated prior to 1930 , with the exception of Morgan dollars (and even a good percentage of these have been dipped).

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Dipping.. Does it REALLY Matter? >>


Yes. It matters to me.

If I know a coin has been dipped I won't buy it.

In fact, I once turned down an opportunity to buy a significant colonial rarity because an expert told me they thought it had been dipped. That was enough for me. I was certain that I would grow to hate the coin and regret the purchase. >>



then you won't be buying 90% of white coins dated prior to 1930 , with the exception of Morgan dollars (and even a good percentage of these have been dipped). >>


You're probably right. And I won't be buying many Morgan Dollars either.

keets

"One thing I know for sure.. it removes luster, I don't think it enhances it."
Yep I find this to be true also. The Luster bit the big one on this Doctored and destroyed coin.

dipping can be good and it can be bad, it can enhance a coin's appearance or it can irreversibly harm the coin. despite what Fairlaneman said and showed with the pictures, there is one thing which is undeniable about "dipping"-----it removes something from the coin surface, it doesn't add something to it. in the case of the Mercury Dime he showed, something was removed from the coin surface to allow light to reflect back and "show" the luster.

nothing was added to the coin by DIPPING it and to insinuate as much is irresponsible.

ricko

The term 'dipping' covers a multitude of possibilities, even as the term 'car' covers thousands of brands and models. What metal is dipped into what solution is the answer. There are dips that will remove only haze (some types of haze) and there are dips that affect the metal surface. Those who do not understand the material or the solution risk damaging or altering the coin. Depending on what is on the surface, it may or may not have damaged the metal. Also, what is on the surface will dictate (to the knowledgeable individual) what solution will remove the offending material. Removing tarnish will affect the surface, since tarnish IS THE DEGRADATION OF THE SURFACE METAL. Removal of the tarnish takes the chemical (such as sulfur) and the metal that has reacted with it, from the coin. The more advanced the tarnish, the more the process affects the surface. So, even as our host (PCGS) recognizes that minor dipping is ACCEPTABLE, others should recognize that there is a vast difference between removal of offending residues and surface degradation. Cheers, RickO

PTVETTER

Some coins just need a bath

Knowing when and when not to give the bath is the key

Nysoto

For classic coins, dipping in an acid solution permanently ruins the coin. Some series, such as classic head gold, have been mostly ruined by dipping to try for a higher grade. Probably more than 75% of CHG coins have been dipped and look bright as the sun, with impaired luster.

Acetone is often needed, I have no problem with that. For modern coins to remove haze, I think dipping is OK. Just stay away from the classics, enough of them have been permanently ruined by dipping. Secondary toning is not a substitute for originality. Don't believe the dealers who claim dipping is not doctoring, they are only protecting their own financial interests without regard to stewardship of original coins.

Butterbean

<< <i>I hear so many mixed reviews on dipping coins..

Some say it's bad ethic for coins, some say it enhances the luster and may even get it graded a few steps up.
>>



Some say cracking out an AU58 coin and trying to sell it on eBay as a "GEM BU" is bad ethics.

relicsncoins

I'm guessing he significantly diluted the dip as to more control the outcome. In this case he mearly lightened the coin. Full strength dip would've taken that coin to bright white in about 5 seconds or less.