To dip...or not to dip....that is the question

[Wyatt Earp]

....and while I know what the correct answer should be.....The money seems to be in coins that have been dipped white. I bought this 1917 type 1 standing liberty quarter on eBay as an AU-55......and I feel after looking at it and taking better pictures....that it's mint state. Original mint luster is fully intact and the wire edge of the coin is crisp. The reeded edge is still sharp.

Coins with "original skin" are deemed more valuable by only the most dscerning collectors....and odds are that those guys all have a type 1 SLQ minted in 1917. More likely the market is somebody wanting to assemble a high grade type set...or someone who is bananas about standing liberty quarters.

I bought it to re-sell it......had no intention of keeping it.....now that I have it in hand....I'm more befuddled as to what to do than I was before. In my heart I know original is best....but the fact is.....it's probably worth more dipped out blazing white.

What would you do?

I've been working on better pictures....here's another couple shots that pretty accurately depict the color of the original toning.

Wyatt

I have never dipped anything, but I do use Mothers Mag & Aluminum polish. It is NONE abrasive and will not remove any of the patina. All it does is shine up silver very nicely, without any damage to the coin.

[Wyatt Earp]

Mother's is indeed abrasive, and will quickly strip the mint luster from a coin, Boobie. Even dipping removes a microscopic layer of metal, but doesn't leave hairlines. I have decided to run it on eBay once, raw...and unmolested....with a big, fat price on it's head...and if it doesn't sell, I'll submit it to PCGS. This kind of coin is getting to be rarer than hen's teeth.

I think that's the right decision.

Wyatt

I sent them a email and they told me that it would not be abrasive to a coin. But then again they want to sell their products.
Since you know coins much better than I do I will take your word for it.
Thanks for letting me know.

[Coin Hunter]

Can't help you with your decision but sure is a nice looking coin.

[Wyatt Earp]

Actually, Boobie....just rubbing a silver coin with your fingers will impair the original mint luster in very short order. I agree....Mother's wants to sell their product, but for them to say it isn't abrasive is a stretch,....and while it might not be too abrasive for motorcycle parts...it's a big time No No for coins.

Thanks Coin Hunter......It is a beaut. It's very well struck...and look at that kneecap....not a hint of rub.

Wyatt