First, let’s talk about what happens when you clean your collectible coins:
- Cleaning can damage or destroy the toning and patina that give collectible coins their value. ...
- Cleaning can also remove mint luster from your collectible coins—and again, this will reduce their market value because many collectors prefer to buy mint-condition items rather than ones with signs of wear or aging (which means “old”).
Should I clean old coins before selling?
While it is instinct make old things look shiny and new again, like many people do with their antique cars, in the coin industry it’s best to let a coin stay in its natural state. Surprising to some, a simple cleaning can wreak terrible damage to a coin and permanently alter its natural appearance.
How to clean old coins without any damage?
Clean old coins with water. To clean your coins without risking damage to the surface and a reduction of value, you should use only water. Grasp a coin by the edges, and hold it under a gentle stream of lukewarm distilled water. Flip the coin over so that the reverse side is also wet. Then, gently pat the coin dry with a soft cotton towel.
Can You Wash coins with soap and water?
Soap and Water: Most dirt and/or residue can be freed from the coin surface using soap and warm water. After soap and water is used, make sure the coin is completely rinsed off using warm water. If not, the residual soap may tarnish the coins luster. Also pat, not rub, the coin dry with a clean cotton clothe.
Should you clean old coins?
There are some situations where you may want to clean your old coins:
- Old Coins that Are in Good Condition but Look Dirty or Tarnished. ...
- Coins That Have Been Cleaned Before, But Still Look Dirty. If someone else has already cleaned your coin but still looks dirty, you might consider giving it another bath in ...
- Coins That Are Only Slightly Dirty. Even a slightly dirty coin should never be cleaned. ...
Can you clean a coin 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.
Is it OK to clean old coins?
There is no benefit to attempting to clean a collectible coin. Copper never re-tones to its original color and look anyway. Put down the polish before you destroy something historical and throw away a fortune.
Should you clean old 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.
Why does cleaning old coins devalue them?
This is because anything that touches a coin has the potential to damage it at the microscopic level. The more abrasive a cleaner is used to clean the coin, the more likely it is to remove the upper surface of the coin - damage that can never be undone.
How do professionals clean coins?
Ultrasonic Cleaners These coins are cleaned by using distilled water with a small amount of detergent in a special vibrating container. Acid based cleaners will eat away at a coin's surface diminishing its value.
Should I clean old silver coins?
Should you clean old coins? In almost all situations the answer is no, you should not clean old coins. When a coin is graded, the condition of the coin does not include its cleanliness. Collectors of old coins will fully expect a patina to have developed, and most will appreciate the appearance.
How much is a 1965 quarter worth?
1965 Washington Quarter Price ChartGradePrice (USD)MS63$5MS64$7.50MS65$10MS66$356 more rows•Apr 28, 2022
What years of pennies are worth money?
Watch for low mintage years like 1955-S, 1939-D, 1933-D, and 1931-S. Depending on condition, rarer pennies are worth more. Look for all-copper pennies. Old pennies made before 1982 are 95% copper, which gives them an inherent metal value. This translates to the pennies being worth more.
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.
How do you tell if a coin has been cleaned?
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.
What is the best way to clean old coins?
Place your coins in a bowl and pour enough white vinegar to cover the coins. Let the coins soak for at least 30 minutes but no longer than overnight. Remove the coins and gently scrub the residue with the toothbrush. Rinse the dirt off with water and dry with a cloth.
What is the best way to clean coins?
What is the Fastest Way to Clean Coins? The fastest and safest way to clean coins is to wash your coins with mild hand soap and water. However, if you'd like to remove tarnish quickly you can soak the coins in vinegar for 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
How do you clean silver coins without losing value?
More videos on YouTubeStep 1: Line Container With Aluminum Foil.Step 2: Sprinkle Baking Soda.Step 3: Add Tarnished Silver Coins.Step 4: Add More Baking Soda & Hot Water.Step 5: Rub Away the Tarnish & Grime.Step 6: Rinse Silver Coin With Cold Water.Step 7: Inspect Your Coins.
Should I polish silver coins before selling?
Tarnish on silver coins is called "toning," The coin is worth more with the toning intact. Removing it will damage the coin's surface and significantly reduce its value. In other words, you should never use dips, polish, or chemical solutions to clean your coins.
How do you tell if a coin has been cleaned?
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.
How do you clean old penny coins?
0:101:18Clean pennies with Vinegar and Salt - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlmost nothing so we add salt to the vinegar add. As much salt as you can with lots of mixing toMoreAlmost nothing so we add salt to the vinegar add. As much salt as you can with lots of mixing to make a saturated. Solution. Once again we get tarnished penny and dip it in and there.
Should I Clean My Old Coins?
It may be tempting to look up how to clean coins, grab that old 1888 Mor gan silver dollar and try to give it a good polish, clean the years off of it, and really see it shine.
What happens after you clean a coin?
After cleaning a coin, the surface and shine will look unnatural. There will be no metal flow lines, and the cartwheel effect (if you tilt your coin while rotating it you should see light reflected almost like a windmill around the coin) will also be gone.
What is patina on a coin?
Patina (The natural layers of toning a coin acquires over the years) is desired and appreciated on a coin. Numismatists will outright decline on purchasing an old coin that’s been obviously cleaned.
What are numismatic coins?
Merriam Webster defines numismatics as “the study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money.” 2 Numismatic coins are collectors’ items, and typically command a higher value than the face value of the coins. The value of numismatic coins is determined by four key factors: 1 Condition 2 Grade 3 Scarcity 4 Demand
What is the grading scale for coins?
These companies use a 70-point coin grading scale originally developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1949, which ranks coins from Poor or P-1 all the way up to Mint State Basal or MS-70.
What is the definition of numismatics?
Merriam Webster defines numismatics as “the study or collection of coins, tokens, and paper money.” 2 Numismatic coins are collectors’ items, and typically command a higher value than the face value of the coins. The value of numismatic coins is determined by four key factors: Condition. Grade. Scarcity.
Is cleaning a factor in coins not qualifying for grading?
Cleaning is a factor in coins not qualifying for grading. In this video by PCGS Director of Education Mike Sherman, he discusses how cleaning is one of the factors that often prevents a coin from qualifying for grading.
Can you clean old coins with cotton gloves?
In fact, with the highest grade coins, the experts recommended that you wear lint-free cotton gloves to handle them. 3 There are a few problems with cleaning old coins: Metal cleaners or coin cleaning solutions advertised on televisions damage coins.
Should you clean old coins?
Given these risks, you should absolutely not clean old coins. If they are old, have “toning” (numismatic term for tarnish), or look like they need a clean, they could be valuable and cleaning will destroy a substantial part of that value.
Why do you clean old coins?
Cleaning an old coin would remove the patina or toning that helps make it even more unique and visually appealing. Removing this effect can significantly reduce the value of the item.
Do bullion coins look dirty?
Even for newer bullion coins, the value is in the precious metal content, not the cleanliness of the coin. So, when you next see an old coin that looks a little dirty, save yourself the tedious job of cleaning it.
Can you clean old gold coins?
Whether it’s a build-up of dirt and grime on a gold coin, or the patina on a silver coin, it might seem harmless to clean these old coins. As we discuss below though, it is better to leave coins in the condition you find them whenever possible.
Is gold a noble metal?
Gold and silver have been the metal of choice for coins for millennia. As a noble metal, gold is nonreactive, and does not corrode as a result. This means in theory a gold coin even from 1,000 years ago will look largely the same as it did when freshly minted.
Does silver have a patina?
Silver coins can suffer from the same problems as noted above for gold coins, but silver can also develop a ‘patina’. A patina is also commonly referred to as tarnish, and is found on the majority of old silver items. Unlike gold, silver does react to sulphur found in the air, and develops a dark-toned outer layer. The silver beneath remains protected, and many people enjoy the contrast a patina adds to a silver coin, but it can look very different to new silver coins seen today, causing concern to those who don't know what it is.
Is pure gold good for coins?
As pure gold is soft, it would be unsuitable to use for any circulating coins, and traditionally 22 carat (91.67% pure) gold would have been used. This means copper or silver (or indeed another metal) could also be found in the coin. These will react over time, tarnishing or changing colour, which can also make them look like they might need cleaning.
Older And Rare Coins Are Best Left Alone, Or You Risk Ruining Their Value
Don’t clean rare and old coins. These coins usually have more value when they’re left as-is. Coin collectors look for originality, so consider leaving these vintage coins alone.
Discoloration May Indicate A Coin Is Counterfeit
The best way to determine if a coin is fake or counterfeit is by examining its color because the pigments and metals used in most counterfeit coins are different than those found in authentic coins.
Cleaning Using Abrasives Can Damage And Ruin A Coin
Another cleaning technique to avoid is the use of abrasives. An abrasive is any substance that can grind away the surface of a material through rubbing. For example, you should avoid using any abrasive when trying to clean coins.
There May Be Some Exceptions To The Rule Of Not Cleaning Older Coins
There may be some exceptions to the rule of not cleaning older coins. There are some situations where you may want to clean your old coins:
Takeaways: Should You Clean Old Coins?
I hope this helped you decide whether or not to clean old coins in your possession. Maybe I didn’t cover what you wanted to know, so I encourage you to leave a comment below, and I’ll try to get it to you as soon as I can.
What About Corroded Coins?
If your coin has suffered damage from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the coin will usually have green residue on its surfaces.
What does "old fine wine" mean in coin collecting?
However, in coin collecting, numismatists tend to take the “old, fine wine approach.” That means, they value and appreciate coins that show their age.
What happens when a coin is cleaned?
What also happens when a coin is cleaned is that it usually displays an unnatural color.
How to clean a coin that is encrusted in dirt?
Normally, coins that are encrusted in dirt can be safely cleaned with simple, clean water. It is usually okay for the coin to sit briefly in the water — so as to give the dirt time to gently dissolve. Pat, don’t rub, the coin dry with a soft towel.
How much is a coin worth if it has been lightly cleaned?
A coin that has been only lightly cleaned (and is not scratched and doesn’t have much evidence of impaired luster) may be reduced in value by as little as 10% or as much as 30%.
Why is it controversial to clean coins?
The controversy about cleaning coins usually comes into play when a person is attempting to remove the natural color or patina that a coin has taken on.
What do people want to know about coin collecting?
People entering the hobby of coin collecting (and those who’ve found a coin that might be valuable) usually want to know how they can clean their 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.
Collectors Like Coins with Eye Appeal
A 1952 Franklin Half with original toning in MS65 - uncirculated condition
What Are Collectible Coins?
If you’ve ever wondered about the collectible value of your coins, the first thing to know is that there are many different types of coins. Collectible coins are those whose value is not solely based on their face value or metal content; they’re often sold at auction and can be worth thousands of dollars.
Why Are Collectible Coins Valuable?
When thinking about whether or not to clean your collectible coins, you should first understand why they are valuable. Its value of it depends on several factors:
What Are Examples of Collectible Coins?
When you hear the term “collectible coin,” you may think of coins from the United States Mint, but it’s important to note that collectible coins can be found in nearly every era, country and mint. Here are some examples of collectible coins:
Should you Clean collectible coins or not?
If you’re still asking the question if you can clean collectible coins or not, the easy answer is there is no need to clean a collectible coin.
How To Take Care Of Collectible Coins?
I hope this article helped you answer questions whether is it okay to clean collectible coins or not. If you have a collection of coins and want to keep them in pristine condition, then it is important to know that cleaning them can be harmful.
