Dipped coins
VampirEla
Posts: 1 ✭
So I am familiar with the process of dipping coins to restore them to a blast white state. After browsing through this website and quite a few others I have seen people use the phrase "dipped out" as in, "yes that coin is well struck but it looks dipped out."
Can anybody tell me what exactly that means? Is it just a coin that has been dipped to long or by an unskilled person? I am also assuming a dipped out coin would be less desirable to many than a coin that is either original or has been conserved (dipped?) by someone who is skilled.
These questions precede my last question and that is: how do I determine if a coin has been overdipped or harmed by an unskilled collector/dealer? Is there a way to do so from photos (like trueviews)? I personally prefer coins with gentle toning and a more original look but at present have my eye on a blast white walker that has an above average strike.
Thanks!
Comments
"Dip" is essentially an acid, as far as I know, that strips off the top layer of the metal. You can only do that so many times (or maybe once, if you do it wrong) before all lustre and surfaces are destroyed.
Harder to tell from photos with photoshop and other photo enhancers. If UNC or high AU, the luster becomes subdued and the cartwheel effect becomes diminished. Easier to tell in hand. But need to become educated on the different dates and luster characteristics. As an example, a Morgan 81-S generally has superior luster. An original, undipped 1901 P Morgan has poor luster to begin with. If you see a dull 81-S its been over-dipped, the 1901 would need further review.
For circulated coins, it's easier to tell, esp when the coin has a white dull color and many times shadows of the old toning or circulation dirt. Silver turns grey when exposed to air. When you see a silver coin in a VF or lower grade that is all white, its been over-dipped. Here's photos of coins I sold. Better dates bought early in my collecting, was looking to fill an album, sold them at a big discount. Really need to expose yourself to many coins, esp graded coins as they will be a good guide to what is acceptable. Hope this helps a little.