Choice Gem
Written by Martin on February 7, 2010 – 6:18 am -Keeping your gem choice coins beautiful?
To the non-coin collector, a bright shiny coin can be a beautiful thing to see. And, indeed to the avid collector it can too - as long as that is the natural state of the coin. The problem is that one of the primary determinants in the value of the coin is its condition. You might think the condition is determined by how shiny it is. However, that would be a grave error. The condition is determined by the details still visible with a magnifying glass or microscope. Unfortunately, those details are many times completely removed in the process of cleaning a coin with polish or chemical dipping. Those processes 'clean' by removing the outer layer of metal.
There are two exceptions to this rule. The first is if a modern rare coin is actually dirty, not just tarnished. In that case, take the coin to a dealer and ask his opinion on the value of the coin and if it could be significantly enhanced by professional cleaning. A professional will be able to clean the coin without any significant alteration.
The second exception is with ancient copper coins. You may have seen these coins for sale on ebay or another online auction or coin dealer. They often show crusty, somewhat ugly coins that may sell for about a dollar each. These coins can be fun to get and actually much improved by cleaning methods you have at home.
The best way to clean those ancient coins is with olive oil. Yep, you heard right! Get a small jar or plastic airtight container. Put the coin(s) in and let them soak. The oil will dissolve all that crud on the outside. Then, several times a year take the coins out and gently rub them between your thumb and finger.
It may take as much as two years to get the coin into its best condition. However, it is quite exciting to see the change from the crusty mess to a finely detailed or worn coin.AAYN Episode 31: a Pair of 1855 Copper Half Cents, both Choice/Gem BU
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1883-O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1968 S UNCIRCULATED LINCOLN CENT 3 ROLL choice gems
$9.50 |
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1883 CC GSA MORGAN DOLLAR CHOICE TO GEM BU
$175.00 |
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1927 S PEACE DOLLAR VERY CHOICE TO GEM BUNC
$399.00 |
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1889-P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1884-O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1909 VDB LINCOLN CENT CHOICE TO GEM BU
$22.00 |
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1885 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1976 EISENHOWER CLAD DOLLAR TYPE 1 CHOICE/GEM BU
$4.50 |
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1938 D BUFFALO NICKEL - CHOICE UNC RAINBOW TONE A GEM
$22.25 |
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1885 O MORGAN DOLLAR CHOICE TO GEM BU
$28.00 |
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1881 S MORGAN DOLLAR CHOICE TO GEM BU
$35.00 |
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1928-S BUFFALO NICKEL NGC CHOICE BU+!! NEAR GEM
$250.00 |
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1954-S Choice/ Gem BU Washington Carver Half Dollar NR
$14.00 |
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1969 D Kennedy Silver Half Dollar Choice/Gem BU
$5.99 |
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1964 CHOICE+/GEM B.U ORIGINAL ROLL KENNEDY HALF DOLLARS
$159.05 |
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1905 GEM BU CHOICE INDIAN HEAD PENNY NICE
$6.99 |
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1885 O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$16.50 |
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1885 P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$25.09 |
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1884 O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$9.50 |
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1883 O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$8.50 |
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1882 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$19.51 |
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1881 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, GORGEOUS!
$9.50 |
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1878 S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR, CHOICE/GEM BU, PROOF LIKE!
$26.09 |
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DIE STRIKE ERROR GEM/CHOICE BU1941 S WALKER HALF
$44.95 |
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1931 D Lincoln Cent Penny CHOICE BU++/NEAR GEM BU
$22.55 |
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1944 S Walking Liberty Half Dollar CHOICE BU++/NEAR GEM
$17.50 |
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1884-CC Silver Morgan Dollar ~CHOICE GEM BU~TONED
$108.16 |
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1903-O Morgan Dollar~CHOICE GEM Brilliant Uncirculated
$292.57 |
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1953 S Lincoln Penny PCGS MS66 Red CHOICE GEM REGISTRY*
$40.00 |
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1941 Lincoln Penny PCGS MS66 Red CHOICE GEM REGISTRY
$37.00 |
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1958 Lincoln Penny NGC MS65 Red CHOICE GEM **REGISTRY*
$25.00 |
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1940 D Lincoln Penny PCGS MS66 Red CHOICE GEM REGISTRY
$34.00 |
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1954 Lincoln Penny NGC MS65 RB CHOICE GEM REGISTRY*
$23.00 |
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1960 & 1961 WASHINGTON QUARTERS - CHOICE GEM BU++
$0.99 |
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1938-S Boone Comem Commemorative ~~ CHOICE GEM BU~
$83.44 |
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1953-D & 1960-D WASHINGTON QUARTERS - CHOICE GEM BU++
$1.79 |
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1947 D Lincoln Penny NGC MS67 Red CHOICE GEM REGISTRY*
$245.00 |
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1936-D COLUMBIA S.C. COMM SILVER HALF~~CHOICE GEM BU ~~
$179.50 |
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1926-S Oregon Trail Commem Half Dollar~~CHOICE GEM BU~~
$98.01 |
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1846 Seated Liberty Half Dollar CHOICE BU++/NEAR GEM BU
$456.99 |
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1936-D San Diego NICE MULTICOLOR ~~CHOICE GEM BU ~~
$57.00 |
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1953 S Lincoln Penny NGC MS67 Red CHOICE GEM REGISTRY*
$195.00 |
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1917 Standing Liberty Quarter CHOICE BU++/NEAR GEM BU
$134.38 |
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1944-D Choice / Gem BU Lincoln Cent - Bright Red
$1.50 |
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1942 S Choice/Gem Mercury Dime
$18.95 |
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*CHOICE SILVER CAMEO PROOF* ~ 1968-S KENNEDY GEM HALF!!
$0.99 |
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1878-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$49.00 |
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1881-S MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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VERY CHOICE TO GEM PROOF AND UNC. SACAGAWEA DOLLAR SET
$149.95 |
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1883-O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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VERY CHOICE TO GEM UNC. & PROOF S.B.ANTHONY DOLLAR SET
$69.99 |
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VERY CHOICE TO GEM PROOF 1991 KOREAN WAR COMMEM DOLLAR
$18.95 |
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1885 MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1886-P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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1889-P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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VERY CHOICE TO GEM PROOF AND UNC. EISENHOWER DOLLAR SET
$179.95 |
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2010 SILVER EAGLE BU CHOICE GEM AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE
$22.95 |
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1896-P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.90 |
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1898-P MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR CHOICE UNCIRCULATED (A GEM)
$42.00 |
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