People entering the hobby of coin collecting (and those who’ve found a coin that might be valuable) usually want to know how they can clean their coins.
Questions like “Which way is the best way to clean my old penny?” or “How do I brighten up my tarnished silver dollar?” normally lead to one, impassioned answer: “Don’t clean your coins!”
It seems logical to some people that a bright and shiny coin would be favored by coin collectors. While that may be true to a certain extent, what is also true is that coin collectors prefer coins that display normal, natural color.
If a coin is bright and shiny because it was well preserved or just came from the Mint, that is a good thing. However, if a coin is bright and shiny because it was just dipped in vinegar and baking soda or was scrubbed with an abrasive like toothpaste, then coin collectors will shy away.
Why? Again, most coin collectors prefer coins that possess natural color and also when a coin is cleaned the cloth creates unatural scratches on the coins surface, when viewed under an of the self magnifier these scratches that run the lendth of the coin or mostly on the flat surface are apparent and quite visible, these new marking are permanent and simply say the coin has been cleaned and badly at that.
It is true that, in many hobbies, a “cleaned” or “restored” item usually fetches higher prices than unkempt versions.
Yes, it is often the case that a cleaned and newly restored 1957 Chevy may get a higher price than a junked version of the same car.
Many times, you will hear of old paintings and linens on “The Antiques Roadshow” that appraisers say would fetch a higher price if holes were repaired and grime was washed away.
However, in coin collecting, numismatists tend to take the “old, fine wine approach.” That means, they value and appreciate coins that show their age.
A true coin collector would rather have a deep, chocolate brown-colored penny that is 100 years old than a penny of the same age that has been cleaned to look new. What also happens when a coin is cleaned is that it usually displays an unnatural color.
Some examples:
So you’re probably wondering… what are cleaned coins worth, compared to uncleaned coins?
Like many aspects of coin collecting, there is little science in valuing cleaned coins versus uncleaned coins. Many aspects of judging a cleaned coin’s value are based on eye appeal. That is, how “nice” does the coin look?
However, there is no “rule” for such values. Pricing of cleaned coins is often done on a case-per-case standard. Percentages mentioned above are the more common price discounts I have seen over the years for cleaned coins being offered from dealers.
However, there is no “rule” for such values. Pricing of cleaned coins is often done on a case-per-case standard. Percentages mentioned above are the more common price discounts I have seen over the years for cleaned coins being offered from dealers.
There are relatively few occasions when it is considered recommendable to clean a coin.
Normally, coins that are encrusted in dirt can be safely cleaned with simple, clean water. It is usually okay for the coin to sit briefly in the water — so as to give the dirt time to gently dissolve. Pat, don’t rub, the coin dry with a soft towel.
Removing loose debris is acceptable in coin collecting. The controversy about cleaning coins usually comes into play when a person is attempting to remove the natural color or patina that a coin has taken on.
If your coin has suffered damage from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the coin will usually have green residue on its surfaces.
The green residue is a sign that the metal in the coin has begun reacting to the plastic. This reaction is usually dangerous for the coin and progressively can get worse. In time, the coin can become irreparably damaged.
Professionals can safely handle the removal of most PVC damage. There are also ways you can remove PVC on your own. I do stress, however, that trying to remove PVC damage can be inherently dangerous for 2 reasons: