I'd take a an OK to nice looking, expertly dipped example over a butt-ugly 'original' coin probably every time. As soon as I see splotchy or dull mottled toning, just makes me
Coin collecting is indeed a hobby....which, as in all hobbies, some make a business. As such, it is up to the individual what they do to or with their collections. The raging masses (such as this forum) may put forth their opinions ad infinitum, but in the long run, just as the grade on a slab, they are no more than an individual's opinion. Collect what you like, do with it as you please, and to hades with the naysayers..... Cheers, RickO
Thanks again everyone for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes experiments like this are necessary, even if they are controversial But maybe I'll think twice before posting a thread in the future...
Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist based in SoCal.
Kudos for being gutsy enough to post on such a potentially charged issue. Some people have very strong feelings about this. In the case of this particular coin, the dark spots on the pre-dip piece would have scared me away from trying. The post-dip look isn't terrible - not a look I prefer, but perfectly acceptable to many potential buyers. Overall, I think it's improved, but I would have left in in a bit longer.
Anyone who thinks they have an entire collection of silver coins without a single dipped example is fooling themselves.
Interesting that it came back at MS63. I've determined that graders are pretty good at looking around and through toning. Even the most heavily toned coins will reveal their luster if you get them under the right light.
The people who recommended selling it as it was and buying a dipped one have a point.
The people who say that you can do whatever you want with a coin in your posession have a point.
People who claim that old toning can never be regained once lost have a point.
People who refuse to buy from a self-admitted dipper have a point.
Thank goodness tastes vary among individuals. Were it no so, we'd all be chasing after exactly the same coins.
In this case, you've earned a tremendous amount of education - and not only about the coin in question. What you do with that knowledge from here is the most important.
I just found this thread and read up on it. First of all, this thread served some purpose, as I was initially unsure myself which coin I preferred- the "before" coin with quite possibly the ugliest toning I've ever seen, or the "after" coin, which looked a bit better, had more luster, but sadly, still had the black spots around the perimeter. In the end, I am still against dipping coins into solutions (other than solvents like acetone) 100.00% of the time- yes, even in this case.
I know why you bought the coin- you thought you were getting a good deal as this person sold the coin as a really circulated one. I would have done the same. Where we'd differ is what we'd do upon getting the coin: I'd give mine a week-long acetone bath (changing the acetone solution each day or so), and seeing what happens to the coin. If there was any improvement in the coin's luster, then that brown stuff probably wasn't some deep-engraved dirt. If there wasn't improvement, then that's the coin's natural toning- the result of oxidation, as you know. Scientifically, you can't reverse that process- well, not yet, anyway. I would have sold the coin as is. There are some pretty weird collectors out there, and I think someone's taste would have permitted it into their collection.
I don't think you committed a "crime" though, lol. The crime would be to knowingly and willingly sell such a coin without disclosing that it has been dipped. My advice is that if you ever want to sell it, remember to tell someone its story. They might still like the coin enough to buy it. Better yet, don't sell it at all-- that way, no one else can choose to compromise the hobby's integrity by selling something that isn't 100% original. You could keep it as a souvenir of that one time you got an MS63 grade out of PCGS for dipping a coin.
...which, by the way, took serious "cajones." Or a total disregard for submission fees...lol
It's really simple. The coin is what it is. It will never be what it was and originality doesn't matter. If you find it favorable it's good. You own it. If the next person finds it market acceptable, well and truly good. It is what it is. And people are bound and determined to change that based on their choice.
I just found this thread and read up on it. First of all, this thread served some purpose, as I was initially unsure myself which coin I preferred- the "before" coin with quite possibly the ugliest toning I've ever seen, or the "after" coin, which looked a bit better, had more luster, but sadly, still had the black spots around the perimeter. In the end, I am still against dipping coins into solutions (other than solvents like acetone) 100.00% of the time- yes, even in this case.
I know why you bought the coin- you thought you were getting a good deal as this person sold the coin as a really circulated one. I would have done the same. Where we'd differ is what we'd do upon getting the coin: I'd give mine a week-long acetone bath (changing the acetone solution each day or so), and seeing what happens to the coin. If there was any improvement in the coin's luster, then that brown stuff probably wasn't some deep-engraved dirt. If there wasn't improvement, then that's the coin's natural toning- the result of oxidation, as you know. Scientifically, you can't reverse that process- well, not yet, anyway. I would have sold the coin as is. There are some pretty weird collectors out there, and I think someone's taste would have permitted it into their collection.
I don't think you committed a "crime" though, lol. The crime would be to knowingly and willingly sell such a coin without disclosing that it has been dipped. My advice is that if you ever want to sell it, remember to tell someone its story. They might still like the coin enough to buy it. Better yet, don't sell it at all-- that way, no one else can choose to compromise the hobby's integrity by selling something that isn't 100% original. You could keep it as a souvenir of that one time you got an MS63 grade out of PCGS for dipping a coin.
...which, by the way, took serious "cajones." Or a total disregard for submission fees...lol >>
I have no plans on keep this coin. As others mentioned, I could sell this coin and buy a nicer MS63 with the money.
I'm not sure if that's what I'll do, but it's a thought.
Thanks for your input, Bassil.
Lurking and learning since 2010. Full-time professional numismatist based in SoCal.
what a funny post.. In hand, I wouldn't be able to see the difference between the dipped one and the "original" one, because it's a half dime....they're really, really small.
<< <i>what a funny post.. In hand, I wouldn't be able to see the difference between the dipped one and the "original" one, because it's a half dime....they're really, really small. >>
Even when I wear my contacts I need a loop to properly assess a half dime
Comments
10-4,
My Instagram picturesErik
My registry sets
<< <i>-----in short, the coin probably wasn't any more "original" before the dip than it is now, though many claim/believe that to be the fact. >>
Excelent Keets, sumed it up in one sentence.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
<< <i>Well it was originally blast white when it left the mint so you could say that it is more original after the work.
<< <i>So, how did she grade??? >>
Beats me. Results aren't in yet.
I said I'd post here when I receive word, which should be any day now...
<< <i>EagleEye Wednesday April 03, 2013 12:35 PM
Before: Dull MS63
After: Bright AU58 >>
Close...
Thanks again everyone for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes experiments like this are necessary, even if they are controversial
Kudos for being gutsy enough to post on such a potentially charged issue. Some people have very strong feelings about this. In the case of this particular coin, the dark spots on the pre-dip piece would have scared me away from trying. The post-dip look isn't terrible - not a look I prefer, but perfectly acceptable to many potential buyers. Overall, I think it's improved, but I would have left in in a bit longer.
Anyone who thinks they have an entire collection of silver coins without a single dipped example is fooling themselves.
Interesting that it came back at MS63. I've determined that graders are pretty good at looking around and through toning. Even the most heavily toned coins will reveal their luster if you get them under the right light.
The people who recommended selling it as it was and buying a dipped one have a point.
The people who say that you can do whatever you want with a coin in your posession have a point.
People who claim that old toning can never be regained once lost have a point.
People who refuse to buy from a self-admitted dipper have a point.
Thank goodness tastes vary among individuals. Were it no so, we'd all be chasing after exactly the same coins.
In this case, you've earned a tremendous amount of education - and not only about the coin in question. What you do with that knowledge from here is the most important.
I just found this thread and read up on it. First of all, this thread served some purpose, as I was initially unsure myself which coin I preferred- the "before" coin with quite possibly the ugliest toning I've ever seen, or the "after" coin, which looked a bit better, had more luster, but sadly, still had the black spots around the perimeter.
In the end, I am still against dipping coins into solutions (other than solvents like acetone) 100.00% of the time- yes, even in this case.
I know why you bought the coin- you thought you were getting a good deal as this person sold the coin as a really circulated one. I would have done the same. Where we'd differ is what we'd do upon getting the coin: I'd give mine a week-long acetone bath (changing the acetone solution each day or so), and seeing what happens to the coin. If there was any improvement in the coin's luster, then that brown stuff probably wasn't some deep-engraved dirt. If there wasn't improvement, then that's the coin's natural toning- the result of oxidation, as you know. Scientifically, you can't reverse that process- well, not yet, anyway. I would have sold the coin as is. There are some pretty weird collectors out there, and I think someone's taste would have permitted it into their collection.
I don't think you committed a "crime" though, lol. The crime would be to knowingly and willingly sell such a coin without disclosing that it has been dipped. My advice is that if you ever want to sell it, remember to tell someone its story. They might still like the coin enough to buy it. Better yet, don't sell it at all-- that way, no one else can choose to compromise the hobby's integrity by selling something that isn't 100% original. You could keep it as a souvenir of that one time you got an MS63 grade out of PCGS for dipping a coin.
...which, by the way, took serious "cajones." Or a total disregard for submission fees...lol
Interests:
Pre-Jump Grade Project
Toned Commemoratives
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Brian,
I just found this thread and read up on it. First of all, this thread served some purpose, as I was initially unsure myself which coin I preferred- the "before" coin with quite possibly the ugliest toning I've ever seen, or the "after" coin, which looked a bit better, had more luster, but sadly, still had the black spots around the perimeter.
In the end, I am still against dipping coins into solutions (other than solvents like acetone) 100.00% of the time- yes, even in this case.
I know why you bought the coin- you thought you were getting a good deal as this person sold the coin as a really circulated one. I would have done the same. Where we'd differ is what we'd do upon getting the coin: I'd give mine a week-long acetone bath (changing the acetone solution each day or so), and seeing what happens to the coin. If there was any improvement in the coin's luster, then that brown stuff probably wasn't some deep-engraved dirt. If there wasn't improvement, then that's the coin's natural toning- the result of oxidation, as you know. Scientifically, you can't reverse that process- well, not yet, anyway. I would have sold the coin as is. There are some pretty weird collectors out there, and I think someone's taste would have permitted it into their collection.
I don't think you committed a "crime" though, lol. The crime would be to knowingly and willingly sell such a coin without disclosing that it has been dipped. My advice is that if you ever want to sell it, remember to tell someone its story. They might still like the coin enough to buy it. Better yet, don't sell it at all-- that way, no one else can choose to compromise the hobby's integrity by selling something that isn't 100% original. You could keep it as a souvenir of that one time you got an MS63 grade out of PCGS for dipping a coin.
...which, by the way, took serious "cajones." Or a total disregard for submission fees...lol >>
I have no plans on keep this coin. As others mentioned, I could sell this coin and buy a nicer MS63 with the money.
I'm not sure if that's what I'll do, but it's a thought.
Thanks for your input, Bassil.
In hand, I wouldn't be able to see the difference between the dipped one and the "original" one, because it's a half dime....they're really, really small.
<< <i>what a funny post..
In hand, I wouldn't be able to see the difference between the dipped one and the "original" one, because it's a half dime....they're really, really small. >>
Even when I wear my contacts I need a loop to properly assess a half dime
Hoard the keys.
<< <i>I have no plans on keep this coin. As others mentioned, I could sell this coin and buy a nicer MS63 with the money.
I'm not sure if that's what I'll do, but it's a thought.
Thanks for your input, Bassil. >>
Not a problem. After looking at it again in the holder, I gotta admit, it does look a good deal nicer than before.
Interests:
Pre-Jump Grade Project
Toned Commemoratives