cleaning coins?
rmorgan
Posts: 249 ✭✭✭✭
I just joined this group so as a way to deepen my understanding of coin collecting. So I'm going to have some questions that may sound ignorant or "newbie." (As a kid I used to collect coins from circulation, now I'm trying to get back into it.)
I just read a discussion about ways to clean a coin (acetone, toothpick). I also know that that there is a negative connotation to coins that have been cleaned. So it seems there are some cleanings that are acceptable and others that cross a line. What types of cleaning are acceptable and where does cleaning cross the line?
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
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Do not clean your coins, period.
Your coins will be worth less money if you clean them.
agreed - do not clean.
Leave conservation to the professionals
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Welcome to the Forum rmorgan. As a general rule, you should not "mess" with coins. There are things that can be done, though, but only by experienced collectors.
I don't "play" with cleaning coins, the phrase "original surface" means a whole lot in this place.
Pete
Well, I came to accept that cleaning is a no-no. Then I read this post https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1005314/ and it seems there is some consensus that certain types of cleaning are OK. So the message I think I'm reading here is that some cleaning conducted carefully by professionals is acceptable, otherwise don't do it.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
What do you want to clean and why? Post pics here before you do anything and we'll let you know the proper method if it is necessary.
bob
PS: welcome
I believe that discussion was for a particular coin with a particular 'problem'.
Also, if I recall it was mentioned more than once that the 'cleaning' would more than likely reveal a greater problem beneath the removed crud
Welcome to the forum, keep asking questions.
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Welcome to the board!
Don't clean coins...EVER. Once ruined, they're ruined forever.
Have fun - Dave
Welcome to the Family.
Please post the picture so expert can see what kind of cleaning is properly needed
For a new collector, the right time to clean a coin is NEVER. For an experienced collector, the right time is ALMOST NEVER.
You can't undo damage that you might do, so don't even try.
I am not trying to sound nasty about it, but am trying to stress that unless and until you are a true expert (and there are very few of those), you should never clean a coin in any way.
I 'get it' and accept the guidelines stated here on cleaning coins. I just wanted feedback as I didn't expect to read a post about ways to clean a particular coin. Thanks for all the feedback. I feel more educated about that now.
I don't have a particular coin in mind, at this time. But when I do focus on a coin that seems like it would benefit from some light cleaning, I'll post a photo and ask.
My strategy is about collecting what I intend to keep, not investing in what I plan to sell.
Cleaning coins is like Punch's (the humor magazine) advice on marriage - "DON'T DO IT!!!".
I'd never clean a coin (unless it was toned)
NO SUCH THING AS A LIGHT CLEANING! CLEANING IS CLEANING.....DON'T DO IT.
bob
Agree with the don't clean them.
But if needed a dip in Acetone to get PCV gunk off ones stored in old PCV flips is about all that can be done, outside of Professional concervation by the Pros.
Old circulated coins that are bright and shiney don't sell well.
welcome to the forums. never clean the coin.
Welcome rmorgan! Coin cleaning removes more than dirt. Takes away your luster and adds scratches. Touching your coins adds destructive oils and leaves fingerprints. Coin storage is important avoiding moisture at all costs. Good luck and have fun!!!!!!
@rmorgan....Welcome aboard....No need for me to repeat the cautions offered above. Keep asking questions and keep reading here...you will learn a lot. Cheers, RickO
When I was a very young collector I always cleaned my coins. I would coat my coins with a thick layer of Comet cleanser or Ajax or Bon Ami, or Bar Tenders Cleaner, or whatever mom and granny had under the kitchen sink. I used a little water, a toothbrush, and my thumb, and a lot of scrubbing. After that I went to phase two. Ivory soap. It was 99 and 44/100's pure. What could go wrong? Rub, rub, rub. Shiny! Pennys, nickels, dimes, even a Capped Bust Half. I still have those beauties. They're as clean as the day I cleaned them. I love them. I look back on it and laugh. That's what it's all about. Coin collecting is fun.
Welcome! You'll get lots of good advice here.
I cleaned a coin and almost joined gambler's anonymous because of that. Got junk price for it when I sold it.
Probably because that's what I turned it into.
In mainstream numismatics "cleaning" has a specific connotation beyond the general definition of the word. A "cleaned" coin tends to display incorrect luster, hairlines, light scratches, unnaturally bright surfaces and other negative characteristics. A word that matches more closely to the traditional definition of cleaning would be conservation. There are a wide array or ways professionals can conserve a coin that are not harmful to a coin. There are ways of removing PVC contamination, tape residue, oil or other organic residue that you just don't want to know about that do no alter the underlying coin in any way that a vast majority of collectors or American coins and all collectors of ancient coins accept. There are then other types of conservation like removing toning, using certain detergents are controversial and if you ask the question here you will get 1000 answers whether it is ok or not and why.
As a former shop dealer who dealt with many people coming back to the hobby I will leave you with a piece of advice. When you are ready to start in earnest again, go buy a Red Book. flip through it, figure out what you want to collect then buy another book or 2. Then buy some coins.
So glad to have found this thread! I have a barrel of coins and just stuff from my great grandpa. Only a few graded coins the rest are wrapped in paper or in bags. Many are dirty and even a “light rub with a cloth” would make it much easier to identify details…. But now I’m not going to touch them. Thank you!
This "DO NOT CLEAN COINS" campaign is like a religion 😂😂 I've never understood this... There are ways to clean/conserve coins that are simple and effective. If people were open about these processes, than you wouldn't have to pay the Grading companies to conserve your coins. Every coin is different, so you'd have to find the right tactic for the coin your cleaning... But I use MS70 every day to conserve Proof Franklin's and it works wonderfully. Never had a problem with NGC or PCGS on getting them straight graded.
It’s cause so many coins have been unnecessarily damaged in a misguided attempt to improve them that makes it better not to clean coins. It’s rough on new inexperienced coin collectors when they buy coins that someone else accidently damaged. Like if a newbie buys a coin that was improperly dipped and a few months later the coins appearance gets ruined by discolorations, they get turned off and leave the hobby. That sort of thing
Mr_Spud
If you are going to get it graded, don't even think about it. But lots of coins look bad, but might grade highly if they are a "Key Date". If its just another coin that probably got cleaned 100 times before, go right ahead. I recommend Jeweluster, the coin dealers friend. or MS70. Fellow Numismatists - don't 86 me yet. I'm talking about cleaning a junk coin. If it is a rare coin - do not clean. Q: WHAT COIN ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
@rooksmith op said he didn't have a specific coin in mind.
With that said welcome. I am no longer the newest newbie here... Thanks for that 😂😂😂
But have fun and ask questions. There is a great depth of knowledge here. I've learned a lot in the short time I've been here.
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Very risky. I would recommend not cleaning any coins, unless you have a complete understanding of what you are doing.
Even seasoned and highly experienced dealers make the mistake of ruinous dips; I was at a shop where "Pete" dipped an 1884s Morgan and made it permanently yucky. I have submitted coins to a major conservation company and they turned an Unc into an AU looking coin, same grade though. Acetone will not cause problems usually, though it could remove surface matter that exposes problems. Products like "Conserv" that are some type of petro derivative are harmless usually. Silver dips will remove metal in a dip, as it has acid plus another chemical. MS70 is also risky. Always get lots of input before taking and irreversible action with a coin.
Cleaning coins is like fixing a transmission. If you have the skills, knowledge, and experience it shouldn't be difficult. If you are new to the subject, trying to fix it on your own is just asking for trouble.
When it comes to cleaning coins, it helps to have a background in chemistry. Knowing a little metallurgy helps too. And above all, experience rules. You need to determine what you want to remove and how is it adhered to the surface. If it's toning, how is it chemically bound to the surface. What type of dip should you use? Do you know the chemical differences between EZ est and MS70? Do you know the chemical reactions of each?
When your finished, what's the new surface condition like? Will the newly exposed surfaces be more reactive to environmental conditions? Did you fully neutralize the dip?
Those are just some things to consider when doing conservation.
Do anything wrong and you've potentially damaged your coin.
Even those who have the skill, knowledge, and experience screw up. So that's why its best to tell new and intermediate collectors, don't clean your coins.