Dirty Coins?
Published by Larry on Tagged Cleaning Coins, Coin Collecting Basics, Instuctional, Metal Detecting Tips, Relic Finds, Selling Detector Finds
It is amazing how times are changing. In the recent past, coins with dirt on them were not a prized possession and most individuals would not reach down and pick them up from the ground. In the last few months that seems to have changed dramatically.
In a November issue of Coin World, there was a heading that grabbed my attention. It simply said “dirty coins”. A leading coin newspaper publication featuring an article related to dirty coins, WOW! Many ebay sellers are now offering their uncleaned or partially cleaned coins, relics and jewelry items found with metal detectors. The prices obtained sometimes astound me. Just today a seller listed an 1899 Indian Head penny in beautiful, but dirty, condition with a reserve starting price of $9.99 and about $3.00 shipping and handling. One seller last week offered a pile of wheat cents in dirty condition that he had dug up and obtained nearly $13.00 plus shipping charges for about 90 coins of unspecified dates or condition. A 14.5 cents per coin price for more likely than not, common date coins. Not bad for dirty pennies! Dirty Buffalos have been offered on ebay too. A seller last week got almost $25.00 for a roll of dug up buffs with most of the dates in the 1930’s. Another seller got $45.00 for about 66 of these five cent coins from the ground. Evidently dirty nickles are now very good.
The upswing in silver and gold metal prices makes dirty money very appealing now. The number one selling newspaper in the state of Florida had a one page ad (today) offering to buy pre 1965 silver US coins regardless of condition at ten times face value. Again dirty is good!
I would not jump the gun and say that we are living in dirty times. However, I do not feel predisposed to go to the time and expense of cleaning up those common date coins that I have dug up by the thousands with my metal detector. As long as dirty is now popular, dirty comes and dirty goes. Here’s to “diggin it”! Larry
January 29th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Interesting article. Sounds like a great opportunity for MD’ers to make some money off of some of their finds!
DB
May 5th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Larry, great article about trends re: dirty coins being popular now. What is the safest way to clean coins? I know that using chemicals is not the right way, but water and scrubbing my coins that I have found here in Kansas is not working. Thanks for the articles and keep them coming!
May 6th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Skylar,
Please check out posts:
Cleaning Coins Found With Metal Detectors
Electrolysis To Clean Metal Detector Finds