Options
dip or not to dip
jdimmick
Posts: 9,944 ✭✭✭✭✭
If you had a group of nicer better date Morgans in say 63+ to possibly 65, but they have a little haze in spots, partial print from handling etc, would you consider dipping them before submitting to make them look better or not. They will all holder like they are, but would look much better with a light dip before submitting, but does that create a potential issue of them not holdering because they have been dipped, and risk a no grade. I wouldnt dip them expecting a higher grade as technical grade would obviously be the same, but eye-appeal would improve greatly. Thoughts
0
Comments
Dip away, fingerprints, spots, and haze are a major turnoff to many collectors.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
What will you dip them in?? Cheers, RickO
Dipped coins get graded all the time. If a light dip causes a no grade, I'd think you're doing it wrong.
If the market wants them "white" then dip away.
I have had great success with a simple rolling of a Q-Tip with MS70 on MS Morgans. Haze, prints, etc, vanish and the crispness of a freshly-struck Morgan remain. I have not had any remorse. Rinse well . . . . . be careful on the rolling of the Q-Tip, and fire them off for grading. The MS70 (ex-driving range golf ball cleaner) just takes away that haze . . .and pops the luster. Same for WarNicks . . . . . . .
---It passes my 'smell' test on cleaning. Metal is not disturbed at all. Haze, dust, and oils are not mint products.
---NEVER use it on circ. silver
---NEVER use it on copper
Drunner
Now . . . . a full-blown dip (EZ-Est???) ????????
Take your chances . . . . metal is moved, luster is 'adjusted' (better? worse?) and I have had some success and some failures in trying to save some conservatory-type coins.
All up to you. Like any scientific or engineering type problem . . . start minimally invasive . .then go up the scale.
Drunner
If your really going to dip Practice with junk first it’s very easy to mess up got a few lack luster Morgan’s and tried it one time wasn’t impressed
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/publishedset/209923
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/quarters/washington-quarters-major-sets/washington-quarters-date-set-circulation-strikes-1932-present/album/209923
Coins aren't body bagged for cleaning, they're body bagged for "improper cleaning." Silver dollars and Walkers get dipped a lot. Grades aside, the market wants its Morgans either rainbow colored or blast white. I don't agree with it, and I think the cumulative damage to our coins will be significant. If you're selling, that's unfortunately the best way to get top dollar for your dollars.
Scuzzy haze stuff will sit in the case or at auction for a very long time.
Oh, and they'll probably grade higher too.
I would like to know as well.
Has anyone tried a ultrasonic jewelry cleaner? Distilled water with a drop of dish soap or diluted gold/silver ring cleaner?
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Acetone in an ultrasonic cleaner, on low, for only a couple of minutes....Too long, or too high can cause damage...Cheers, RickO
My bottle of MS70 has paid for itself many times over, and I can still reach the liquid in it with a q-tip.
Collector, occasional seller
I have cleaned up slight problems like PVC haze and eyesore spots on untoned Morgans more than a few times. Never had one bodybag and several grade-bumped.
It would be wise to go slowly and practice, if possible, on some junk silver. Lots of good advice above.
Lance.
BryceM has a good point. We met once and I still remain impressed at his knowledge and long-term view of critical aspects of our hobby. I realize my personal mania for "seeing what I can do to this Morgan" interferes with my desire for originality . . . but I just can't stop myself.
He was very correct in my overall learning curve of Classic Commems. I did a quick MS70 on many of the hazy ones in my 50-Pc. Set . . . and have to admit, I didn't really get any grade bumps. My hazy ones stayed original and when sold (ex-PCGS Grader bought most . . . undoubtedly to turn them at a higher grade) . . . brought the higher amounts.
I should probably stick to WarNicks . . . .
Drunner
On the way to a Baltimore show 1 time I had several 100 Morgans I was going to bulk submit. Stayed up late with a production line in my hotel bathroom giving them a quick dip and tossing them in the sink full of warm water spilling out the over flow. Got to the show to find out they wouldn't accept a bulk submission from the show so I mailed them from the show. They all came out nice and graded fine!
I agree - no, I disagree! There is some great conservation information in this post and then there is, well, nevermind. I'll just remind all of you not to believe everything you read. Do some experimentation for yourself.
PS "Never" is a word I've learned to avoid.
If its got any of the nasty tone dip away. You can't do it fast enough. Nothing worse than tone to ruin a pretty blast white silver coin.
The whole worlds off its rocker, buy Gold™.
BOOMIN!™
Wooooha! Did someone just say it's officially "TACO™" Tuesday????
Retiring at 55, what day is today?
I've dipped many coins in acetone over the years. Long term they have toned a bit but the crud I rid them of has been long gone. Many people don't like cleaned coins, despite dark spots, stains, whatever. Me? I like what lurks beneath. As long as it's not over done, which I must admit I have a time or two, in my mind it's the same "conservation" third party graders do. Maybe not exactly the same, but the end result is. And it saves me money.
Remember, dip. Don't rub.
A quick dip in acetone works cause I find the surface debris in the glass jar after the acetone evaporates. It's slimy dirt and goo that falls off the coin. I did the evaporation as a test to discover if anything was removed. IMO Peace Roy
BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW
I've seen coins cracked out dipped and upgrade. Acetone and Conserv Safe Coin Solvent are my favorite solvents.
This post contains some EXCELLENT information; however, whenever someone says "NEVER" about anything, I have learned to ignore it much of the time because in many cases they are wrong.
Oops! I already posted about this.
PS Some things need repeating!
Most likely, there are very few AU & Mint State Morgans that have never been cleaned. I have seen some solvents used that definitely remove problems and enhance the general beauty of coins. With that being said, it is important to remember that luster is created by metal flow when the coin is being minted. Solvents attack luster and once luster is lost, it will never return.
Try acetone and MS70 before going the dip route.
phooey
I am in the original skin camp.
100% Positive BST transactions
Dipping away money, smart move.