How much does cleaning a coin devalue it?

Since oil and dirt cannot be removed without cleaning, a small touch can cut a coin's value in half or even more because, again, numismatists would rather have an oxidized but untouched coin than a shiny but damaged one. The bottom line for anyone looking to sell coins from a coin collection: don't clean your coins.

Can you clean coins without losing value?

According to coin experts, cleaning any potentially collectible coins might cause them to lose value. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins could leave scratches and marks that will be easy for a skilled appraiser to pick up on.

Do cleaned coins have any value?

Most coin experts have since come out against cleaning coins, as doing so can negatively affect them both in grade and value. If a potentially valuable coin must be cleaned (for example if the coin is deformed) then professional work is recommended.

Why does cleaning a coin devalue it?

They can remove some of the original finish or tone and even cause scratching, so they are viewed as a major negative in the world of numismatics. Polishing or rubbing coins can cause unnatural shine or other damage, also reducing the value of your coins. Cleaning is a factor in coins not qualifying for grading.

Should you clean coins before selling them?

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

3 WAYS TO TELL A COIN WAS CLEANED OR POLISHED

How do you tell if a coin has been cleaned?

Judge the age and consistency of the color, its depth and evenness. The underlying luster should be undisturbed and in a perfect cartwheel pattern, this being especially visible about the obverse stars. Look for hairlines or other imperfections that may indicate the coin was cleaned at some time in its past.

What do professionals use to clean coins?

Use distilled water, and rinse with distilled water. Acetone is another commonly used solvent, but there is a fire hazard that you should be aware of when using it as a coin cleaning material.

Are dirty coins worth more?

Doing so will remove luster and patina from the coin's surface and will reduce the value. Just because a coin looks dirty doesn't make it any less valuable.

Does NGC grade cleaned coins?

Many coins have surface conditions that preclude numeric grading from NGC. Coins that have been improperly cleaned, are holed, have scratches or certain other issues cannot be assigned a numeric grade from 1 to 70. These coins, however, are eligible for NGC Details grading.

Is a cleaned coin considered damaged?

When the coin leaves the mint after just being struck, it has a shine or luster. The original mint luster is gradually destroyed as a coin circulates through commerce. Cleaning a coin will also remove the luster thereby destroying the original surface characteristics.

Why shouldn't I clean my coins?

Most Cleaning is Destructive: It Can Literally Change the Surface of a Coin. Any cleaning that requires rubbing leaves microscopic scratches. They are not apparent to the naked eye, but a collector will see them. A collector will look for them.

What does PCGS use to clean coins?

Our experts use a non-abrasive cleaning method and cleaners, designed specifically for PCGS, which will not diminish the coin's aesthetic value. More importantly, each coin is treated separately. The conservation required for one coin may differ from that which is needed on the next.

Is it worth it to grade coins?

In nearly all situations, key date coins in uncirculated condition are worth having professionally graded. This is especially the case if you have multiple coins to submit, as this will help reduce your overall expense per coin when factoring in shipping and insurance expenses.

How do you clean silver coins without losing value?

Can NGC be faked?

Although the vast majority of NGC holders in the marketplace are genuine, there are occasionally reports of counterfeit or tampered NGC holders. Likewise, there are some scams that involve soliciting coin sales.

Should old silver coins be cleaned?

It's largely a matter of personal preference. The tarnish or toning that naturally forms on coins over time isn't harmful and won't negatively impact the value of your piece, if its value is in the precious metals only. However, do not clean numismatic coins.

What year coins are worth keeping?

All quarters minted before 1965 are worth their silver value. All Standing Liberty quarters have a premium above that value, except for well-worn coins. Among Washington quarters, only the 1932-D and 1932-S have a significant premium over the silver value. The 1955-D also carries a premium.

How much does it cost to get coins graded?

Coin Grading Costs

Grading prices vary according to the maximum value per coin. For instance, modern coins that are worth a maximum of $300 will cost from $17 to $22, depending on the company of your choosing. Coins with a maximum value of $10,000 can be graded for $65 to $80 dollars.

Does vinegar damage coins?

Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value. According to research professor Vinod Patel, washing coins with natural white vinegar and iodized salt in distilled water is a non destructive way of cleaning coins.

Is wd40 good for cleaning coins?

After some scratching at it with hard tools I decided to let it soak in some WD-40 oil for a few hours and then work at it with a cotton Q-tip. The combination of light scraping, soaking in oil and rubbing with fabric basically removed this sludgey coating.

Does toning hurt coin value?

It is considered perfectly normal, but extreme cases of toning can either help or hurt a coin's value. Vibrant and color toning is considered tremendously desirable, but unattractive toning will almost always diminish a coin's value.

Which liquid cleans a coin the best?

Vinegar and Salt

Make a solution of vinegar and salt and let the pennies soak. The acid in vinegar, like in citrus, is what really takes the tarnish away.

Are wheat pennies worth anything?

“There are millions and millions of wheat pennies and most commonly they trade for three-to-five cents a piece. If you're looking for a particular date, it can be much, much more than that. The rarest is the 1909 VDB. Those can be worth anywhere from $700 to $1,500 depending on the coin's grade.