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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Cleaning Coins

Cleaning coins is generally a bad idea.  Collectors like the natural look, so if a coin has wear, it should have a certain amount of dirt in the recesses, such as small areas within letters.  Cleaned coins can quickly lose value.


The exceptions are ancient coins and shipwreck coins that are so encrusted that they cannot be identified.  And, should a rare coin become so dirty that cleaning is considered a must, have a professional do it.

But, new collectors seem to just have to try cleaning a coin, from a juvenile collector shining a penny with a pencil eraser (Never!) to a new collector trying for a better looking coin.  So, if you must, limit yourself to inexpensive coins and try a not so bad technique.

The Dirty Little Secrets About ?Cleaned? Coins: A Common Sense Handbook on Coin Cleaning


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