When restoration/conservation or other dips are inadvisable

logger7

I was talking to a guy yesterday at a show who had a Bust half that he showed me with what he said was some surface grease, still graded AU50. He said it would be a big mistake to dip it in acetone, etc. because the coin would look irregular then. I have had a couple botched jobs recently with a small seated coin and a Barber dime that would not dip out right, I used acetone, and then a diluted silver dip. Low risk coins fortunately.

BryceM

Are you asking a question? Without seeing photos of the CBH, it would be impossible to give a useful opinion. When it comes to everything else, a really experienced person with the right coin can sometimes improve it some of the time with a dip. Really, all you're doing is uncovering what's underneath the toning layer. If the coin has progressed to the point that the surfaces & luster are affected, all the dip solution in the world won't help. You'll also be exposing raw metal surfaces to the environment that may or may not tone nicely the second time around. Also, if not dipped, neutralized, and rinsed perfectly, the dip residue may leave you with some nasty surprises down the road.

Almost always, coins should be left alone and preserved for future generations.

Elcontador

The only time I've seen a dip materially improve a coin - where one could not tell the coin was dipped - was a Walker which had a yellowish silver sulfide covering what you could tell was an eye-appealing uncirculated coin on both obverse and reverse. The dip was done properly, and the result was a wonder coin, which I still own.

logger7

There are many times that an acetone dip, or other helpful conservation/restoration action would improve a coin; do you really want a coin with residue or unwanted surface issues being frozen forever in a holder?

ricko

There are different types of dips.... Acetone removes organic residues, will not harm metal and will not remove tarnish....other dips (MS70, Tarn-X, Ezest) will actually remove tarnish and thus effect the surface of the metal. Much depends on the duration of the dip and strength of solution when it comes to the latter. Cheers, RickO

logger7

If a coin has grease on the surface you may not want to disturb that or even dirt when it is "good" dirt. And some toning covers up light scratches, etc..

KellenCoin

Personally, no matter how ugly the coin, I will not dip it for two reasons. 1) I like the originality, even if it is an ugly one. 2) I don't want to pay for acetone or whatever I might use.