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old skool trick to separate uncs from sliders
lasvegasteddy
Posts: 10,408 ✭✭✭
standing them on edge on a piece of paper
unc's would reflect unbroken whereas sliders a grey line would appear straight up due to a break in the reflection "due to rub"
was this only used for standing liberty quarters and walkers or...other coins too?
when did this come about?
unc's would reflect unbroken whereas sliders a grey line would appear straight up due to a break in the reflection "due to rub"
was this only used for standing liberty quarters and walkers or...other coins too?
when did this come about?
everything in life is but merely on loan to us by our appreciation....lose your appreciation and see
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I like the idea!
As a buyer: QualityCurrencycom, tychojoe, AurumMiner, Collectorcoins, perfectstrike, ModCrewman, LeeBone, nickel, REALGATOR, MICHAELDIXON, pointfivezero, Walkerguy21D
Trades: georgiacop50
This trick was taught to me by a coin dealer in the 1970's. I do not remember which one so I will not name any. He learned it from someone else. I know for a fact that several grading instructors illustrate this "trick" in basic Grading classes. I've even seen this method demonstrated at the table of one of the second tier TPGS and it has appeared in a grading column in Numismatic News. A guest speaker at the Tampa Bay coin club spoke of it last year. I should be shocked if it has not been published in many additional places. Who knows who or when it was first used.
Let me explain the method in detail. Best in a dark room with a single light source but not necessary.
1.Lay a sheet of white paper on the table.
2. To the right or left place a lamp with an incandescent (75 - 100W) bulb.
3. Hold the coin at an angle so that it is tipped toward the light source.
4. Move your head so that you can see the downward angled surface of the coin without blocking the light.
What happens is the light from the lamp bounces off the paper and up to the coin's surface. Any loss of luster "jumps out" as a darker area on the coin. Start with a WL 50c first so you get the idea.
WARNING The surface of a coin can be disturbed for many reasons. Many coins graded as high as MS-65 will have stacking rub and that will also show as a dark area on a perfectly acceptable gem coin! Nevertheless, it
is a neat and useful "trick."
I am sure there are other "tricks of the trade." Welcome any additions.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention Teddy!
@messydesk taught me this trick a while ago for Morgans. Everyone I've taught it to since thought it was some sort of magic
Good information.... These are methods often taught in grading seminars.... Tips such as this are great for forum members. Cheers, RickO
Taught to me by John Albanese in 1984.
Place a raw coin in 1" of water in a cereal bowl or whatever..
Incandescent bulb at an angle.
Rotate bowl
Based on changes in refraction, hairlines etc. previously hard to see are now quite visible.
WOW! Now that's a new one. I shall try it Monday. I guess the room should be dark also - right?
The light bulb trick works on circulated copper too (just small coins like Indian cents and dimes are harder to work with as you need to get your head down much lower below the tabletop). Have you used it or seen it used for any copper cents?
I imagine you or JA don't need to resort to "parlor tricks" to see rub and hairlines. I have found it more useful to teach kids where the first traces of rub occurs on coins of different types (now it is done in color in several grading guides). It also shows them on what part of the coin to start their examination.
I'll add one thing here that I bet most have not tried. I use two types of light on my desk. Incandescent and fluorescent. The fluorescent light is easier and faster at detecting "rub" than bouncing the light on to an angled coin.
Taught to me by Laura:
Immerse a coin in pancake batter. Cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Gently pull the coin out of the now fluffy pancake and set aside. Add butter and syrup to the pancake and enjoy. When finished, look at coin on counter quizzically.
That's probably a good way to poison yourself! Anyway, what did the coin look like?
I cook my pancakes at 350 degrees and I think it's only 8 minutes, 12 might be OK.
@shorecoll
What did the coin look like?
The coin looked "battered" up....................
Pete
Is that where "I had to eat it" came from?
TDN: I’ve always admired the beautiful toning on your coins. — Now I know how they got that way!!
@tradedollarnut said:
Taught to me by Laura:
Immerse a coin in pancake batter. Cook at 400 degrees for 12 minutes. Gently pull the coin out of the now fluffy pancake and set aside. Add butter and syrup to the pancake and enjoy. When finished, look at coin on counter quizzically.
Stuart
Collect 18th & 19th Century US Type Coins, Silver Dollars, $20 Gold Double Eagles and World Crowns & Talers with High Eye Appeal
"Luck is what happens when Preparation meets Opportunity"
Nice!
Great to see you back, Ted.
None of these methods are reliable with slabbed coins.
But, neither is the 'grading.'
Actually, this method is just a teaching guide. However, it will work at a coin show and it does work through a slab but what the heck, the coin is already graded as an AU.
Now, this is something to think about. Coins graded Uncirculated in slabs can be found with:
Only you can decide what to purchase.
RE: "Only you can decide what to purchase.
"
True - and "Only you can prevent forest fires." That way the brush builds up mass until when it finally burns it's very destructive. Anyone for roast bear?
All are nice original methods used by savvy dealers and auspicious buyers...I bought 10- 1940's Walkers one time, all unk, they all turned yellow (dipping residue) in 10 years. Bad dealer, dumb collector (me)
1
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
If uncertain, put it in your pocket for a month or more and now you can be confident it is AU. For quicker results, a rock tumbler may be used to taste.
Great info. Thanks
My War Nickels https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/nickels/jefferson-nickels-specialty-sets/jefferson-nickels-fs-basic-war-set-circulation-strikes-1942-1945/publishedset/94452
This is neat to hear you say this guys, I always checked my raw Lincoln and Buffalos by looking down the face from the most extreme angle I can get and it shows where the rub is usually as a darker color. I guess its about the same technique but with the paper as a reflector a little bit easier.
We old school people STILL know how to operate in this digital world.....................
Pete
This is an old post from a few years ago so I don't think Teddy is back. Odd though that there were no responses back then.
Thread is from 2015 and got bumped just today somehow.
I was taught the paper trick in the late 70s.
It's a helpful tool if you are unfamiliar with the nuances of rub, high points of the design etc.
If you look at enough coins and have good numismatic intuition you really won't need to use it though.
When I buy raw coins it comes down to price anyway; grade doesn't really matter..... it's either a good deal or not.
Jokes aside I carry a high power led torch in my pocket. Lighting up the coin at an angle shows multiple layers of age and processing.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Grade would be a major determinant in whether it's a good deal or not...unless you are just buying bullion.
I don't put coins in mine, Grandpa just likes making pancakes...sorry for any confusion.