The "Rub"

[limegoldconvertible68]

The "Rub"

It kills me to see so many silver coins on the "Today's Finds" page that have rubs. I know many of us of us are aware of the need to be very careful in the field with the coins we find but after looking over the list of finds its apparent that a friendly reminder is needed. When someone uses their finger to push the dirt off of the obverse or reverse of the coin the finger will leave a mark that is known as a rub. Its very easy yo see. You will notice a slight shine on the coin afterward where the finger brushed across the surface of the coin and probably many very fine lines which are the small abrasions made by the finger. If the newly found coin has any numismatic value a rub can cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. I know that in the excitement of finding silver its hard to resist the urge to know what you have found but please wait until you get home(or filling station bathroom)to gently wash the dirt off.

 

[MEinWV]

Re: The "Rub"

I have also noticed the many, otherwise good looking coins that have been devalued by careless rubbing. I have done this myself on a few occasions, and it really tics me off. I beat myself up over it and vow never to do that to another coin ever again. I think that is tough to not want to rub it to get a better look at it, but we must try not to do it. I finally learned my lesson when I rubbed a Barber quarter I had found some years back. It was definitely an AU before my thumb drew across it, you know, just to get the dust off.

All we can do is remind everybody once in a while.

Thanks for the reminder!

HH

 

[LI Tom]

Re: The "Rub"

The desire to rub a silver coin is very great when you don't know what type you have found and want to get at least enough dirt off to see what you have.It takes a LOT of willpower to resist that urge.