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How many folks here regularly dip coins?

I am just wondering- i'm not looking for an anti-dip thread- i'm just wondering who here has regular experience with dipping coins, and any strategy they want to share.... image
My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !

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    I dip coins pretty often.

    Submerge the coin for a few seconds then rinse thoroughly in warm water. If you want, you can give it a quick acetone bath afterwards to ensure all the coin dip is off the coin.
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    And as a follow up question... does anybody find that they have to dip a coin multiple times, or is once always enough?? image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    Are you calling me a coin dip?

    Ron

    imageimageimage

    To answer your question, no I have never dipped a coin.
    Collect for the love of the hobby, the beauty of the coins, and enjoy the ride.
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777


    << <i>Are you calling me a coin dip? >>



    Never, fine sir! Or, maybe we are all coin dips?? image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    I've dipped a coin or two!
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Collecting for 36 years and have never dipped a coin or even done an acetone treatment.
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    123cents123cents Posts: 7,178 ✭✭✭
    I've dipped a few but very few.
    image
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>And as a follow up question... does anybody find that they have to dip a coin multiple times, or is once always enough?? image >>



    This is what happens when a coin is dipped multiple times...

    It's a killer ultimate FH AU58 24-D but the surfaces are impaired from over dipping.
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777


    << <i>It's a killer ultimate FH AU58 24-D but the surfaces are impaired from over dipping >>



    Do you know who did the over-dipping, or why?
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Do you know who did the over-dipping, or why? >>



    No but I would assume it re-toned from a previous dip and was re-dipped again prior to TPG grading.

    I'm not apposed to dipped coins at the AU58 level as long as they still posses skin and natural cartwheel luster.

    This example is a bit lack luster.
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    If I find a good coin metal detecting, I'll bring it to my dealer for dipping.
    Here's a recent example.
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    BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here's an example that was dipped multiple times and wasn't rinsed properly on it's last trip to the dipping jar.

    All the obverse spots and reverse staining is actually dip residue.

    I was offered 30% more if the spots could be removed and asked NCS at a show, then opted to sell it as is as I didn't feel it could handle another dip.

    image
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
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    MyqqyMyqqy Posts: 9,777
    Roughly, how many dips might be too many? 3? 5? Any idea from anybody? Broadstruck- Thanks for the pics and backstory! image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dipping is a broad subject. Acetone wash is NOT dipping. What constitutes too long or too often in a real dip depends on the coin material, the surface condition, the skill of the dipper and the solution used. No simple answer. I do not regularly dip coins, however, I have dipped many coins (junk box variety) to learn about dipping and it's many variables - mainly so I could speak about dipping here, backed by experience and knowledge, and not be simply expounding emotion or repeating the shrill cries of the ignorant. Cheers, RickO
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    stevebensteveben Posts: 4,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i don't regularly dip coins. i have only done a couple. one example is in this thread: scroll down to the second morgan

    here's a few of my opinions about it (notice, i said opinions):

    1. don't dip an expensive/rare coin...leave that to a conservation expert. i dipped to learn on a common coin that is worth melt regardless.
    2. don't dip a coin that would look obviously dipped. for example, an XF coin that looks all nice and shiny dead give away compared to a mint state coin. does that make any sense?
    3. dip only a coin that desperately needs to benefit from it. see the link i provided. i think it's a good example. most people would not want to coin before the dip because the toning took away from its appeal. now, i think it could be sold easily because it has fantastic luster and eye appeal (compared to what it used to have, not compared to a true mint state version).
    4. don't dip a coin and then keep it a secret. if you dip it and sell it, admit that it has been dipped.

    i am not an expert, but these are some things i think i have learned about it.
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    IrishMikeyIrishMikey Posts: 1,561 ✭✭✭
    I regularly dip coins that need it. My main tip is to have a plastic bowl with baking soda and water in
    it, to rinse the coin afterwards. You let the baking soda settle to the bottom, to prevent any
    of it from ending up on the coin. The clear water at the top will be well below the "base"
    line (in pH terms) to neutralize the acid from the coin dip. I generally use about a cup of baking
    soda in about a pint of water, mix it up well, then let it settle overnight.

    You can then rinse the coin in tap water (unless your tap water has a lot of iron or other minerals
    in it) and pat it dry with a soft towel. Do not rub the coin dry, as you may hairline it.

    Normally, more than one or two dips with full strength coin dip will begin to eat into the coin
    itself, not the residue you are trying to remove. For stains that are in the crevices of the coin, you
    can soak a Q-tip in coin dip for a few seconds, then work out the stain with the Q-tip.
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have used MS70 several times. I bought a jar 5 years ago and immediately diluted it in half.

    Used to get some haze that developed on modern proofs. Dip for a few seconds and rinse
    very well and pat dry. Did a great job and coins have stayed bright and haze free.
    I did use a blow dryer on the bigger coins like halves and Ikes so as not to impart hairlines
    from any patting! Did not do the acetone thing on them.
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    53BKid53BKid Posts: 2,182 ✭✭✭
    I'm with you Realone
    HAPPY COLLECTING!!!
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    johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 32,605 ✭✭✭✭✭
    once or twice
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    DieClashDieClash Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭
    I've used E-Z-est on modern proofs that have devleoped an unappealing haze from being in a Whitman Album for 20+ years.

    1. Using coin tongs to hold the coin, dip and swirl gently, fully covering the coin in the E-Z-est solution
    2. Expose coin for no longer than 15 seconds in the dip - I find 5 - 10 secs works very well against the ugly haze
    3. rinse thoroughly with water
    4. Quick dip in Koinsolv to remove any water-dip residue
    5. pat dry
    6. Store in Interceptshield album

    Cheers!

    image

    Kirk
    "Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,036 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Hey Alan,

    "Tells me who definitely does the dipping (especially since it appears the deifinition of what constitues a dip varies) here and who I need to avoid when it comes to buying coins from."

    If you like your moderns all hazy then go for it. Mine are in my albums and my kids will have to deal with them. They are raw,
    and look quite nice in their little homes.


    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    I appreciate the replies- normally, i don't want dipped coins, but i have a few that need some help from the fugly fairy. I just bought a coin for my international birth year set (1970)- a beautiful costa rica proof that is 99% silver and has about 1.71 ounces of silver- it's freakin' huge, and has some FUGLY rusty colored toning in the fields. I have a couple of morgans that need some help too. I gave up on modern silver proofs because they would haze up so bad in the mint packaging- at least half of everything would haze up terribly, after i had picked through the sets to initially find the haze-free examples...
    image
    My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable !
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    I've never dipped a coin...I'm interested in giving it a try though.

    -Keith
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    DieClashDieClash Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I've never dipped a coin...I'm interested in giving it a try though.

    -Keith >>



    Just follow my six "easy steps" and you will be wll on your way to improving your fugly coins to the max!!

    Cheers!

    image

    Kirk

    P.S. Warning! MY six "easy steps" are NOT intended for coins worth more than melt value. Just sayin'
    "Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,053 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Excellent thread!
    Tells me who definitely does the dipping (especially since it appears the deifinition of what constitues a dip varies) here and who I need to avoid when it comes to buying coins from. I want undipped material and of course I don't know what happened to the coins prior to these dippings but avoiding any dips is preferable to me. Thanks for the public servie announcement.image

    What can I say, I want my coins untouched, unmessed with and left alone, just I like my women.image >>



    ...The last woman I left untouched , unmessed with and alone, left me that way too. image
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    silverpopsilverpop Posts: 6,937 ✭✭✭✭✭
    yeah i dip coins that need it

    7-27-75

    8/11/97

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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,549 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, but only when it will improve the coin.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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    nutmegnutmeg Posts: 345 ✭✭
    I have dipped a few inexpensive coins in e-z-est. Mostly proofs that had a milky haze. One was a 1982 Washington half dollar proof and another was a 1978-S Ike. Both resulted in a better looking coin.
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    SanctionIISanctionII Posts: 13,021 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I dip proof and SMS silver, nickel and clad coins to remove milky haze that has developed on the coins.

    Most times it works very well, resulting in a coin that looks much better. However, there are times when the results of the dip turns out to be neutral or bad. Usually this is when the haze hides surface conditions of the coin which are negatives (i.e. hairlines, carbon spots, streaks, planchet flaws, contact marks (on SMS coins), etc.). With practice I have been able to develop a good eye for spotting which coins would look worse with a dip and which would look better. For those that would look worse, I leave them alone.

    On occassion I have dipped circulation strike silver, nickel and clad coins, both MS and circulated. Most of the time the coins do not look better after the dip.

    I have dipped copper coins (memorial cents on non value) as an experiment. They always turn out looking worse. I have wanted to dip copper proof and SMS cents to try to remove haze, but have not done so because I do not want to risk having the coins turn out worse (i.e. pink in color). I have not tried acetone or MS70 or Goo Gone on copper proof and SMS coins yet. Have you had much luck doing so to remove haze from copper?
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    DieClashDieClash Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I dip proof and SMS silver, nickel and clad coins to remove milky haze that has developed on the coins.

    Most times it works very well, resulting in a coin that looks much better. However, there are times when the results of the dip turns out to be neutral or bad. Usually this is when the haze hides surface conditions of the coin which are negatives (i.e. hairlines, carbon spots, streaks, planchet flaws, contact marks (on SMS coins), etc.). With practice I have been able to develop a good eye for spotting which coins would look worse with a dip and which would look better. For those that would look worse, I leave them alone.

    On occassion I have dipped circulation strike silver, nickel and clad coins, both MS and circulated. Most of the time the coins do not look better after the dip.

    I have dipped copper coins (memorial cents on non value) as an experiment. They always turn out looking worse. I have wanted to dip copper proof and SMS cents to try to remove haze, but have not done so because I do not want to risk having the coins turn out worse (i.e. pink in color). I have not tried acetone or MS70 or Goo Gone on copper proof and SMS coins yet. Have you had much luck doing so to remove haze from copper? >>




    I've not experimented with MS70 on copper, but I use acetone regularly. I mistakenly put a silver coin along with a clad coin in the acetone bath and left it over night. Big mistake! The silver coin reacted badly and developed a color that made it look like a clad coin. The lesson I learned is to put one coin at a time in the bath or only like coins.

    Cheers!

    image

    Kirk
    "Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
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    keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Nothing on the stuff I "collect". I mainly use MS70 on the SILVER Kennedy Half Dollars that I find while roll searching....oh on the Clad-Proof Kennedy Half Dollars I have found as well. I like them "clean and shiny" when I play with them. image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
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    Ahh what a subject,

    I dont dip coins, never have, never will. I also dont purchase dipped coins. One thing on this forum that you will notice is that several of the people who dip coins think its fantastic until an expensive coin shows up at auction that was dipped then the same dippers will say how terrible it was. There was a recent morgan up for sale that was dipped, everyone in that thread said how terrible it was to dip a coin but a week or so later there was another dip thread and several of those same people said dipping was fine. Dipping is like taking the original finish off of a piece of furniture, it destroys the original surface period rendering what is left unoriginal.
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    coastaljerseyguycoastaljerseyguy Posts: 2,084 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I dipped a few Morgans when I first started collecting, last time > 5 years ago. Now wont buy a coin if it needs dipping. I only dipped for 1, maybe 2 seconds, in diluted EZest, and had the water running to immediately rinse for about a minute, then blow-dried. Anything longer to remove whatever shouldn't be dipped. Never dip fluorescent blue or black toning on silver, a short dip will not remove and a longer dip will forever change the surface IMHO.
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    DieClashDieClash Posts: 3,688 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Ahh what a subject,

    I dont dip coins, never have, never will. I also dont purchase dipped coins. One thing on this forum that you will notice is that several of the people who dip coins think its fantastic until an expensive coin shows up at auction that was dipped then the same dippers will say how terrible it was. There was a recent morgan up for sale that was dipped, everyone in that thread said how terrible it was to dip a coin but a week or so later there was another dip thread and several of those same people said dipping was fine. Dipping is like taking the original finish off of a piece of furniture, it destroys the original surface period rendering what is left unoriginal. >>



    I would argue that the formation of tarnish on a coin is unoriginal and destroys the coin's surface. Dipping removes some surface atoms along with the destructive tranish, but beneath those surface atoms is nothing but the Original coin. If you prefer tarnished coins, then so be it. I think the fascination with toned coins is a fad that will end and folks will be buying original bright silver coins again. Yes, coins that are over dipped lose their luster, but I still find bright silver coins with brilliant luster very eye appealing. I also like a little touch of natural toning too, as long as it's not mottled, ugly or just plain black.

    Cheers!

    image

    Kirk
    "Please help us keep these boards professional and informative…. And fun." - DW
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
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    TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,053 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I don't condone or condemn a practice that's been here longer than any of us. Dipping is what it is. I don't like it, but understand the concept of marketing.

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