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This article from Numismatic News discusses the process of detecting evidence of cleaning on coins. The author explains that detecting cleaning is easier than one might think, and suggests using good eyesight, good light, magnification, and experience to identify cleaned coins. The article provides tips for learning what a 100 percent original coin looks like and advises focusing on untoned gem coins. It also discusses the detection of hairlines and the halo effect caused by cleaning. The author emphasizes the importance of proper examination techniques and highlights the challenges of detecting chemical cleaning. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on how the condition of coins is assessed based on their oxidation, which can vary in severity and impact their grading. Topics include the distinction between desirable and undesirable oxidation, how attractive toning can enhance a coin's value, and the debate over whether to remove natural toning to increase a coin's marketability.

The article explores the prevalence of replica and fake fractional gold coins and other deceptive items in the numismatic market. Topics discussed include distinguishing authentic California Fractional gold pieces from replicas, detecting counterfeit gold and silver bars, and identifying unique varieties of Morgan dollars, such as the Infrequent Reeded Edge.

The article discusses identifying weak strikes in coins using minimal tools like a hand lens and fluorescent light. Topics include recognizing weak strike luster, identifying original planchet surface imperfections (OPSI), and understanding how weakly struck circulated coins are graded lower due to missing design details despite minimal wear.

The article informs about the burnishing process, which smoothens out defects on a coin's surface using a metal tool, altering its original surface level. Topic include tool marks, common types, and their appearance on both counterfeit and genuine coins, highlighting their significance in detecting alterations. it explains the concept of "circulated" coins and the nuances between circulated and uncirculated conditions, emphasizing the importance of understanding these terms in numismatics.

The article focuses on the significance of style in coins, emphasizing its impact on desirability and authenticity. Topics discussed include the influence of design and execution on a coin's appeal, the variation in style among ancient coins, and the importance of recognizing authentic examples to identify counterfeits based on their poor style.

The article focuses on authenticating coins, highlighting the importance of examining genuine coins to spot counterfeits, exploring the evolution of counterfeits and advocating for the use of high-magnification equipment in coin authentication. Training the eye through close examination of genuine coins aids in developing expertise in spotting fake coins.

The article highlights the significance of inspecting coins under magnification, emphasizing the challenges of identifying coin characteristics without proper visual aid at high magnification levels. It explores the importance of discerning minute details on coin surfaces, especially in assessing coin edges, providing visual examples of various edge conditions like corrosion, mounting removal and counterfeit features.

The article discusses the spots or strains on the surface of different U.S. coins. Topics include copper spots on gold coin, which occurs due to the alloy's irregularity, round spot on silver Eagle coins which are not visible to naked eye as they are removed both mechanically and chemically, and spots on a Peace dollar which occurs due to chemicals used during their preparation.

The article focuses on the historical evolution of coin authentication services, highlighting the challenges faced by early collectors, merchants, and banks in detecting counterfeit coins. Topics discussed include the primitive methods of coin authentication in the 1950s and 1960s, the role of auction houses and professional dealers in the U.S., and the cat-and-mouse game of authentication involving deceptive alterations and unexpected methods.

The article discusses the advantages of specialized coin collectors who focus on particular coin groups and the importance of knowledge in numismatics. The author shares their experiences working at the American Numismatic Association's Certification Service, emphasizing the value of firsthand verification when authenticating coins.

The article focuses on explaining the concept of doubled dies in coins, specifically using a 1955 cent as an example. Topics discussed include the coin-making process and how it can lead to errors like doubled dies, the reliability of population reports from third-party certification services, and the collectible value of sample slabs in numismatics.

The article focuses on the complexities of grading Full Bell Lines (FBL) on Franklin half dollars, discussing the lack of consensus among collectors and dealers due to varying standards. Topics discussed include the influence of factors like planchet condition, die condition, and coin press condition on the details of an MS coin, as well as the divergence in criteria between serious Franklin collectors and professionals regarding the FBL designation, impacting the value of coins.

The article focuses on a "shorts" column covering various numismatic subjects, with a particular focus on granular surfaces of coins and improper coin cleaning traces. Topics include the identification of proof-like coins, the defects in coins of different grades, and the influence of small differences on coin prices.

The article offers information about a potential changes to current grading standards. It mentions the idea of grading both sides separately but disagrees with the notion of a net grade. It also mention that this approach was initially used by the first grading service, INSAB, and later by the American Numismatic Association (ANA) grading service. It notes that many 18th and 19th-century coins in the U.S. series can exhibit a significant grade difference between their sides.

The article focuses on the concept of "skin" on coins, which refers to reaction residues that develop on the surface of a coin over time or with artificial help. Topics include the preference for coins with retained skin as evidence of originality, the variation and characteristics of natural and artificial skin, and the identification of chemical alterations used as fraudulent makeup.

The article focuses on the challenges faced by coin authenticators in determining the authenticity of coins, with examples of genuine coins being mistaken as counterfeits and vice versa, highlighting the increasing difficulty in coin authentication and the divided opinions among experts.

The article discusses the subjectivity of grading coins due to the variability of post-mint defects and their impact on a coin's grade and value. The severity and location of defects determine a coin's eye appeal and grade. A diverse group of collectors and dealers have differing opinions on a coin's condition of preservation, leading to differences in value. The article highlights a real-life example of a beat-up Mint State coin that is graded differently.

The article states that in the coin conservation process, the crucial step is the pre-conservation phase, which holds the most significance. It mentions that preparing the coin for the final step involves eliminating any damaging or detracting elements from its surface through mechanical or chemical treatment as part of the pre-conservation process.

The article discusses the evolving focus within the field of collecting, particularly regarding the importance of different aspects of collectibles over time, using stamps and coins as examples, and highlights the changing priorities in coin collecting, including authentication, grading, market acceptability, cleaning, and conservation. It also addresses the chemical reactions and effects of coin dips on silver coins.

The article offers information on basic coin conservation and emphasizes the importance of understanding the subject thoroughly before attempting any work. It emphasizes the importance of examining the coin thoroughly and determining its originality, state of preservation, imperfections, composition, and hardness before attempting any conservation work.

The article discusses about the importance of knowing the skill of authentication, grading or conservation as a collector. Topics discussed include difference between a naturally toned surface and unoriginal corrosion, examining high grade coins already certified by a major coin grading service and detection of chemically altered coins.

The article offers information on scale of damage in the coins. Topics include information on how most collectors know damage when they see it and the assessment of it; how Third-party grading services (TPGS) have made assessment simpler; and how to grade the coin as it exists no net grades and list any problems it may have.

The article discusses the author's recommendation for collectors to join numismatic chat forums on the internet to enhance their numismatic education while reading books. Topics include the benefits and potential pitfalls of online forums, the diverse range of personalities and knowledge levels of participants, and recommends three specific forums such as Coin Talk Forum, Collectors Universe, and Coin Community Forum.

The article focuses on grading Mint State Morgan Dollars, discussing the ease of grading this series due to accessible grading instruction, the large size of the coins, and their common availability. It author also provides advice on evaluating contact marks and the importance of hands-on examination for learning the grading process.

The article focuses on use of Mint die polish lines by authenticators to authenticate coins. Topics discussed include verifying raised lines on coins from descriptions of large cent varieties for authenticity; "The Die Scratch Method of Coin Authentication" authentication method named by author showing Genuine mint die polish occurs in three basic patterns; and use of die polish in die struck counterfeits.

The article offers some few basic concepts for learning coin authentication. Topics include important tools for authentication which are a stereo microscope and a two-bulb florescent jeweler's desk lamp; small velvet jeweler's pad; and the U.S. Mint was the final authority for professional coin authentication before the third-party authentication services.

The article presents the discussion on coin conservation. Topics include cleaning and fraudulent surface alterations leading to an increased value of the piece working on; and running water, a vented room, fluorescent light, a stereo microscope, an ultrasonic cleaner and some chemicals providing an excellent set-up for an amateur.

The article reports that have some scabs – damaged, holed, etc. – that I would give up, but that's not really a fair answer. If I had to give up one coin I like, it would probably be one of the uncirculated coins in my collection, as 90 percent of my collection consists of circulated issues. So I would say one of my uncirculated Franklin half dollars. They are my least favorite coin. Sorry, Ben.

The article presents the author's views on how the designation and grading of a coin make it more difficult for collectors. It discusses bell lines found on the reverse of Franklin half dollars and the "Cameo" and "Deep Cameo" designations used to describe coins with contrasting surfaces between their field and their relief design.

The article informs about columns on basic coin conservation to help prepare an educational program on that subject to reveal all the proprietary secrets of a conservation lab. Topics include third-party grading service encapsulation and in spite of good intentions; and start conservation services at Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Independent Coin Graders (ICG).

The article presents the author's view on secret marks on coins. It mentions unusual characteristics found on the dies that were applied at the mint to serve a specific purpose another infamous mark put on a die on purpose by folks outside the mint was the Omega symbol is found on several counterfeit gold coins.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of being asked by collectors after examining their coin. Unfortunately, a large majority of raw coins I see both at shows and in the ICG grading room have obvious problems that any knowledgeable collector can see.