So, with my activities as a collector [described below] have I doctored coins?
SanctionII
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Since I started collecting as a kid (1963 through mid 1970's) and since I got back into the hobby as an adult (1998 forward) I have done the following with coins in my collection:
1. placed coins in Whitman albums for over 40+ years;
2. placed coins in non PVC flips;
3. place coins in paper envelopes;
4. placed coins in capital holders [and other "captial" style holders];
5. cracked open OGP packaging to get to specific coins and then replaced them in the same holders;
6. placed coins in LOC and Dansco albums;
7. placed coins in Wayte Raymond albums;
8. placed coins in SDB's for decades [my childhood collection] and placed coins [already in holders] in cardboard boxes and in plastic storage containers and in metal storage boxes [and stored the storage boxes in dark, dry places that get cold [30's-40's] in the winter and blazing hot [100+] in the summer; and
9. dipped, neutralized, rinsed and dried silver, nickel and clad coins (proof, SMS and circulation strikes) to remove light haze and/or unattractive toning, thereafter placing these "conserved"
coins in various holders (see 1-7 above).
Some of the coins in my collection have developed toning. Most have not. Some of the toning is very beautiful and adds significantly to the eye appeal of the coins. Sometimes the toning is neutral or negative. Sometimes the light haze I removed reappears.
I have not sold any of the coins that have toned and have not had them submitted for grading.
So, with the above in mind, have I doctored coins?
1. placed coins in Whitman albums for over 40+ years;
2. placed coins in non PVC flips;
3. place coins in paper envelopes;
4. placed coins in capital holders [and other "captial" style holders];
5. cracked open OGP packaging to get to specific coins and then replaced them in the same holders;
6. placed coins in LOC and Dansco albums;
7. placed coins in Wayte Raymond albums;
8. placed coins in SDB's for decades [my childhood collection] and placed coins [already in holders] in cardboard boxes and in plastic storage containers and in metal storage boxes [and stored the storage boxes in dark, dry places that get cold [30's-40's] in the winter and blazing hot [100+] in the summer; and
9. dipped, neutralized, rinsed and dried silver, nickel and clad coins (proof, SMS and circulation strikes) to remove light haze and/or unattractive toning, thereafter placing these "conserved"
coins in various holders (see 1-7 above).Some of the coins in my collection have developed toning. Most have not. Some of the toning is very beautiful and adds significantly to the eye appeal of the coins. Sometimes the toning is neutral or negative. Sometimes the light haze I removed reappears.
I have not sold any of the coins that have toned and have not had them submitted for grading.
So, with the above in mind, have I doctored coins?
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Comments
You will only get labeled with a judgemental term like "doctor" if you sell, represent, or otherwise communicate about the coins dishonestly, or in ways that violate someone's terms of agreement with you, or their definition of proper ethics.
Also, according to some, it depends on what your intents were when you did the actions.... If you wanted the attractive toning to form, you're a doctor. If it was an accident, then you're both innocent and fortunate.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I'm definitely a CoinRX
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
I "intended" to improve the appearance of my coins [though I failed to do so and ruined them while making them purty]. Thus even at a young age I was a coin doctor
As far as dipping coins to remove light haze [and thus improve the appearance of the coin] goes, if "intent to improve the appearance of a coin" is the test to determine if I have doctored a coin, then I am guilty.
What is my sentence?
Some dealers I dealt with years ago were very open about their doctoring endeavors. They even showed me their work product and explained some of their methods. Very interesting that they would be so candid with me.
<< <i>I take my coin's blood pressure and temperature regularly >>
<< <i> I went through this stage when I was about 10 when I would take copper cleaner from underneath the kitchen sink, and shine up Lincoln cents. Then I would wrap them up in plastic wrap so they would not get "dirty" again. >>
Oh jeez, I did the same thing. TarnX or something... nasty stuff.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
Strange as it may be, I have also done this when I was a young lad and my fathers head almost exploded....
I would say "no" you are not a coin Doctor. If you are , then so am I....
<< <i>Nobody else used a pencil eraser on them old wheat cents when they were a kid?
I can tell stories about myself and one other I know.
At the FUN show a few years back I had lunch with a friend and discovered that we both cleaned our mercury dimes with an eraser.
I LOL I just could not believe what I heard will remember that for a long time..
I have also done the eraser thingy. Someone once told me that it didn't damage a coin. Say that to my erasered 1943-S Washington!!! (I'm still mad about it. And it's been 15 years or so, I keep it as a reminder not to be stupid or gullible!)
Can a person actually be sued for Numismatic MalPractice?
The name is LEE!
Have you doctored coins? Yes.
U.S. Type Set
there are good doctors
and bad doctors
you sound like a good doctor