Why shouldnt you clean coins?

Most coin cleaning products are abrasive, and could damage the coin. Non-abrasive chemicals can still react with the other metals found in some old coins. The physical act of scrubbing or polishing can also wear down the design, destroying one of the most important factors in deciding a coin's grade.

Why should you never clean a coin?

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.

Is it OK to clean coins?

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.

Can I clean a coin without damaging it?

Baking soda and vinegar have proven to be one of the most effective ways to clean tarnished coins. Submerge the coins in a shallow bath of vinegar and let them soak for at least an hour. If you don't have vinegar on hand, filtered tap or distilled water can be used as a substitute.

Why does cleaning a coin destroy its value?

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 Your Coins? Coin Restoration Versus Coin Cleaning Facts

Do professionals clean coins?

If a potentially valuable coin must be cleaned (for example if the coin is deformed) then professional work is recommended. Commonly found coins are mentioned as ideal candidates for any attempted cleaning experiments.

Are coins worth more clean or dirty?

Generally, it is better to leave your antique metal currency alone than it is to try and erase all the grime and grit off of those coins. Cleaning or polishing rare coins devalues them. So, if you're planning on selling them, get an appraisal before attempting to clean your coins.

How do professionals clean old coins?

Destructive cleaning uses abrasives or acids to clean (and alter) the coin surfaces. Non-destructive cleaning uses solvents that are harmless to the coin's metal, whether that coin be silver, gold, or modern clad composition. Destructive coin cleaning will reduce the collector value as much as 50 percent or even more.

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 is the safest way to clean a coin?

Place coins in a bowl and pour 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 cup of lemon juice to cover the coins. Let the coins soak for at least 5 minutes but not more than 15 minutes. Remove the coins and gently scrub the residue with the toothbrush. Rinse the dirt off with water and dry with a cloth.

Should you clean silver dollars?

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.

Should I clean my Morgan silver dollar?

Even though it's counterintuitive, you should never clean a coin, as it can significantly reduce its value. Even coins that have substantial dirt, tarnishing, or toning should be kept in their original condition.

Can vinegar damage coins?

First, if you think your coins might be of any value, do not clean them at all, since you can possibly damage them by soaking in cleaners like vinegar. If you want to clean the coin for some other reason, vinegar should work fine.

What is the science behind cleaning coins?

Here's what's happening: The oxygen in the air and the copper in the pennies form an oxide that coats the pennies and makes them look dirty. The acids (usually vinegar - acetic acid) break the copper oxide free from the penny.

How do you clean a coin without devaluing it?

In a plastic container or bowl, mix 1/2 - 1 cup of warm water and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Hold the coin between your thumb and index finger and rub it as you hold in under running water for about 10 seconds.

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.

Should you clean coins before selling?

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.

What are the rarest coins?

Are there rare pennies?

The U.S. made about 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 of them are known to have been made with this doubling error, James McCartney, director of numismatics at Stack's Bowers Galleries, tells CNBC Make It. The rarity of these misprinted pennies are what make them more valuable than ordinary pennies.

What do banks do with dirty coins?

Some stores and banks will take coins at face value if they're not too badly damaged, but it's totally at their discretion. Banks will then forward them to the Federal Reserve for deposit and replacement.

Does Coca Cola clean coins?

You can soak coins in Coca Cola to clean coins but it is not recommended. Many people claim doing this will make copper coins clean and shiny and restore the lustre.

Can WD 40 clean 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.

What is the easiest way to clean coins?

If you have a pile of old coins you'd like to clean, the best way is to use mild hand soap and distilled water. Allow the coins to soak in the soapy water for 10 minutes before pulling them out and gently scrubbing them with a soft brush. Rinse the coin and allow it to air dry.

Does baking soda ruin coins?

One of these is to clean certain valuable items in a safe, effective way. As for whether or not baking soda damages silver coins, the short answer is typically no.

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.