Magic Year When Tarnish is Good?

[JohnA]

What is that special decade when tarnish is a plus? 1950's, 40's, definitely by 30's. I remember I sold a 1945 Mercury Dime MS 64 that was very shiny with no tarnish and it sold fast. But I have an 1887 sixpence with no tarnish and I have to sell it as cleaned. 

I guess the difference is if it has been cleaned. Not sure if anyone could tell on my dime, since it was shiny as new bullion. A shiny dime from 1910 would definitely be suspect. And what if an 1800's coin was kept in a sealed container? How would we tell if cleaned very carefully with no hairline scratches or if original but shiny perfect. 

Also maybe in the 1800's and early 1900's it was customary for coin collectors to shine up their wares before taking them to sale or show their friends at a club or something. Was there a certain time that coin collectors decided that tarnish is good, we want them as is?

 

 

So this topic was today 

And I posted this comment also in a different post unrelated.

 

[metallica73]

I have no problem with numismatic coins having toning at all.... I think the problem being referred to on the other thread is on modern collectable bullion that commands a premium.

I wouldn't immediately rule out non-tarnished coins of the 1800's as suspicious. It all depends on lustre

Here's one of my sixpences which has original lustre....

 

 

And here's one of my USA collection... now I suspect this has probably been cleaned even with tarnish, which is why I have been hesitant to send it for grading