Is It Really Such a Bad Thing to Clean Your Coins?

baldeagleluv — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:16:27 +0000

Question by lathom01@yahoo.com: Is it really such a bad thing to clean your coins?
I recently inhereted my deceased Father's coin collection, so I'm very new to the hobby. All his coins are American coins, and many are almost pure silver or copper. Many of the other coins are either clad with silver, or made up of other types of metal. I plan to finish his collection and either keep it until I'm old and need money, or I'll pass it all down to another generation. My point is, I dont plan on selling any of the coins any time soon, if at all. I was unable to stop myself from cleaning all his Walking Liberty silver 1/2 dollars, but (so far) have resisted the urge to clean his Mercury dimes, Buffalo nickles, Franklin 1/2 dollars, Flying Eagle pennies, and Indian Head pennies. Some are very very old---AND very very dirty. Some of his nickels are even growing hard blue-green knots on them. To me, they are not at all pretty to look at but I've been told that cleaning your coins will reduce their value. How can that be? Why does it hurt the coins value to make it clean and shiney? It's still the same coin---with the same amount of silver (and whatnot). I also collect 99.99% pure gold and silver bullions and coins so I tend to look at this coin collection's value in terms more of the silver content than the numismatic value. I use a cream silver cleaner and soft cotton rag. I take my time and dont rub too hard. Am I putting tiny little abrasive scratches on the coins? If so, they are pretty latent because I cant see them! I would really love to clean up his entire collection, but first want to hear from other coin collectors with an opinion.
Why is it, Mr. Curious, that some people feel like they have to insult and offend the person who is asking an honest question? I'm not a "clean freak" that should give up my collection because I cant take care of it. It isnt a puppy, ya know. I couldnt care less if someone famous touched my money....you think they give a damn about whether or not I've touched THEIR money? Just by process of statistics, it's pretty much a certainty that many famous people have touched my coins. Their grease is no better than anyone else's. You must be one of those people who wouldnt wash your hand ever again if the President shook it. I asked a question so I can learn---not so I could be belittled by someone who is giddy about knowing something that someone else doesnt. I personally dont see any beauty in coins that are covered in dirt and finger grease, but I will resist the urge to clean them. I'll never understand how dirt makes something more valuable but if that's the way it is, so be it.

Best answer:

Answer by Mr. Curious Rides Again
It's all a mystique type thing. Old coins should look old. Besides, by cleaning all the "dirt" off them, you're erasing the coins long history. I mean, any one of those coins could have been touched by a great man or woman, and cleaning them, would eliminate that history. We don't know, but that's the mystique about it. You must have cleaning freak issues, and you should give up the collection to someone who would preserve the coins complete history.
Oh! By cleaning them, you are no only removing any history of those that have touched them in the past, you are erasing any proof that your Dad touched them.
I may not make any sense to you, but you will cut the value in half if not more by cleaning those coins.
Good luck with whipping the history away.
Happy Holidays!

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Originally posted 2010-07-07 00:17:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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