Will dipping an AT'd coin return it to being white..

mbbiker · February 9, 2011 2:46PM

I see coins like this and it just kills me to know someone is willing to ruin a piece of history to try and make a buck. I know its forever ruined but if purchased could it at least look halfway decent as just another cleaned peace dollar?

link e-bay

edited to add link

NewParadigm · February 9, 2011 3:16PM

...was a nice coin

morgandollar1878 · February 9, 2011 3:21PM

It could probably be removed and the coin turned back to white, but it would likely be very unapealing afterwards.

Frankcoins · February 9, 2011 3:37PM

I have always dipped off AT. An obviously dipped coin doesn't mislead what it is, and will show whatever the AT was trying to cover up (usually a prior cleaning or hairlines or rub)

ebaybuyer · February 9, 2011 3:59PM

without seeing that coin in hand, how can you possibly say with any degree of certainty that it is AT ?

Bochiman · February 9, 2011 4:12PM

It's at.
For one like this, the picture is all you need.

sinin1 · February 9, 2011 4:13PM

with that picture, how can you tell if it is authentic?

or if it is XF or BU?

to answer your question, dipping an AT'd coin may remove the color but it depends on how it was applied

heavy heat changes the coin metal composition and you will not make it look normal again ever

some sellers AT a coin with a torch - those can not be dipped back, although you may remove some color, you will always have an ugly coin

BillJones · February 9, 2011 10:37PM

The coin might become white again, but it's almost certain that it will be fairly dull and lifeless. The AT process oxidizes the silver to produce the color. The result, from the chemical standpoint, is no different from an NT situation where is coin is heavily toned. The medal has been modified, and in order to “restore” the white color, you need to use a weak acid solution to remove the discolored medal. The difference is the color from AT’d coins is different in many cases, and experienced numismatists can spot it.

The removal of the oxidized metal results in the loss of mint luster because the top layer of the coin is removed. The loss of the top layer medal results in lost mint luster.

Even if the AT was not done to hide scratches, hairlines or other problems, the luster is impaired. If the AT was hiding something, that problem will be more noticeable once again.

kurtdog · February 9, 2011 11:00PM

<< <i>Thread Title: Will dipping an AT'd coin return it to being white. >>

Duh, what do you think the people buying these are already doing?

ricko · February 9, 2011 11:37PM

To answer the title question.... Sometimes. As indicated by billjones, it may not remove all ....and it will not look 'as minted' afterwards. Depending on what was done (and something WAS done - likely heat) and the conditions, the surface will be altered permanently. Cheers, RickO

llafoe · February 9, 2011 11:43PM

A dipped AT coin becomes an AW coin (Artificially Whitened).

roadrunner · February 10, 2011 12:38AM

Good chance the coin will look even worse after the dipping. The better way out might just be to sell the more attractive AT coin as is. I found that out the hard way in 1988 when a colorful and pretty proof 65 seated quarter I had owned for years was called AT by NGC. I purchased that coin at a 1983 Bay State coin show from one of the experts you sometimes see on the Pawn stars TV show. I couldn't stand to have an AT coin in my collection and I immediately dipped it figuring it would still be a choice proof. Nope. The coin became a lifeless and hairlined PF62 and an 80% loss. Would have been best to leave as is and sell it....preferably back to the orig seller. Probably would have realized up to PF64 money.

In the "old" days you still lots of raw coin auctions to sell off mistakes like this. These days, anything raw for sale or at auction that has significant value is immediately looked upon as suspect, let alone if it's not slabbed by NGC/PCGS and additionally not stickered or plused.

roadrunner

Broadstruck · February 10, 2011 1:09AM

It looks heat treated to me and I doubt it would dip white.

You also don't know what the condition of the host coin was prior to colorization.

I'd save up a few more bucks for something issue free and pass on this example.

As it's always real easy getting into a problem coin, but a real problem to get out of.

mbbiker · February 10, 2011 3:28AM

I'd save up a few more bucks for something issue free and pass on this example.

As it's always real easy getting into a problem coin, but a real problem to get out of. >>

When I do get one its going to be a dirty and crusty au but I'm guessing that's going to be a long search.

Will dipping an AT'd coin return it to being white..

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