Smoothing (Cleaning vs. Tooling)

Smoothing is a term sometimes found in the descriptions of coins, more often bronze coins and only rarely silver coins.  In most cases smoothing refers to a coin with a copper carbonate (green patina), which had copper oxide encrustations (sometimes red lumps).  The copper oxide encrustations were removed, "smoothed" down to field or detail level.  This type of smoothing, which is in effect cleaning, can enhance the appearance and value of a coin if the encrustations are located in the field and the smoothing is limited to removing protrusions.  

The term smoothing is also used to describe grinding down the metal surface of the fields to smooth pitted areas.  Smoothing which cuts beyond protruding encrustations and into the metal of the coin exceeds cleaning and can also be called tooling.  In the 19th century this type of smoothing/tooling was perceived as an improvement.  Today it is seen as destructive but is still done by unscrupulous "conservators" to deceptively "improve" coins.  

Smoothing to some extent can also be performed on areas other than the fields, however, the cleaner has to take great care not to modify the original form of the reliefs, and not to add extra detail.  Attempting to recreate letters or detail often delivers grotesque appearance and is considered tooling. 

When you read smoothing in the description of a coin you are considering, take a very good look at the image to attempt to determine if the smoothing described is, in fact, tooling.  Knowingly selling a tooled coin without noting it in the description is dishonest.  But as discussed above, sometimes smoothing means tooling.  Smoothing that is cleaning is not usually something to be concerned about.  Smoothing that is tooling is a greater concern.  Sometimes even some tooling can be tolerated.  Some collectors find tooled coins worth purchasing if they are particularly desireable or priced low.  Do not, however, pay more for tooling "improvements" but rather to reduce the value due to what is actually tooling damage.  How much tooling you find tolerable is a personal decision.  Many collectors will not tolerate any tooling whatsoever. 

Smoothing

Smoothing is the grinding down the metal surface of the fields on a coin (usually bronze) to smooth pitted, rough areas.  Smoothing can also be performed on areas other than the fields, however, if the work modifies the original form of the reliefs or attempts to recreate worn or corroded details, then it must be described as tooling, not smoothing.  Smoothing is a form of tooling but is less destructive.  In the 19th century smoothing was perceived as an improvement.  Today it is seen as destructive but it is still done by unscrupulous "conservators" to deceptively "improve" coins.  

Smoothing is sometimes used to describe a form of cleaning, where copper oxide encrustations (sometimes red lumps) are removed, "smoothed" down to field or detail level.  This type of smoothing, which is in effect cleaning, can enhance the appearance and value of a coin if the encrustations are located in the field and the smoothing is limited to removing protrusions.  To prevent confusion the term smoothing should not be used to describe this type of cleaning.  The term smoothing should be used only when the metal of the coin has been altered.  

Some well done light smoothing is acceptable to many collectors, particulary when it is found on an large bronze from an old collection.  Sometimes even some tooling can be tolerated.  A collectors may find a smoothed or tooled coin worth purchasing if the coin is a particularly desireable type or priced low.  Do not, however, pay more for a coin that has tooling or smoothing "improvements" than you would for a worn or pitted example.  Tooling and smoothing are damage and reduce rather than enhance the value.  How much smoothing or tooling you find tolerable is a personal decision.  Many collectors will not tolerate any smothing or tooling whatsoever.