Pro's and Con's of "Cleaning Coins"

Many people do not know the difference between "Cleaning" and "Polishing" Coins

Coins can be "cleaned" successfully. What would you rather have in your collection, a high grade coin covered in grease and dirt or a very nice looking coin. The majority of professional dealers do clean a number of coins, not all. I was taught many years ago the difference and how to perform this operation

Polishing destroys the value of coins as this actually removes a fine layer of the metal. To the untrained it may appear to enhance the value of a coin by improving its "Shine". This shine will remain forever. If the coin had a patina polishing will remove this. I have seen time and time again many valuable coins totally destroyed.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE WIRE WOOL - This too I have seen recently on what would have been some beautiful early GB QV Pennies. Now totally destroyed so much so I scrapped them.

Cleaning on the other hand - Should only be done with extreme care. This is done only to remove surface dirt and or grease.

Use only ISOPROPYL ALCHOL (IPA). This leave zero trace of the chemical but should only be used after reading the data sheet for product. This chemical can be hazardous to the body and must always be used in a well ventilated place as it gives off fumes that can be toxic. Also use a "Soft Brush" with plastic bristles ie an old toothbrush with bristles cut to 50% length. Use also a soft "Lint Free" cloth to extremely gently remove dirt or grease released by IPA. Do not rub coin as this will give effect of polishing.

See photo for examples of badly "Cleaned coins"

The top 2 have been polished to a "Shiny finish". These I have scrapped.

The bottom coin has has some adhesion removed that had been on the coin for a long period of time, therefore exposing bright metal underneath as against the toned surround. This coin I am placing on sale with a note to the above effect as one side is still collectable - a space filler.

Luckily in these cases these were of nominal value

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What I am trying to establish is the difference of peoples assumption of cleaning and polishing.

POLISHING DESTROYS COIN VALUES end of story. POLISHING REMOVES METAL.

What many people assume wrong that cleaning is polishing. This is not the case.

Cleaning will just remove soil and grease on the surface and NOT REMOVE ANY OF THE COIN METAL.

I was trained back in early 1980s by a professional coin dealer. I to had assumed to "CLEAN" a coin would destroy its value. Yes if done badly that is true. The professional trade will argue to following.

If you were a collector / dealer and found a coin with a metal detector - would you display it exactly in the condition it was found or "clean it". Most will wash it under a tap to remove the soil - This to is cleaning.

Or as a dealer you had a lot of coins in covered in a greasy sticky substance would you leave it - No you wouldn't.

The same applies to many other types of antiques not just coins. Most antiques at some time will have been cleaned / washed with some kind of chemical.

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