Ok, so I already posted 1 time, and mentioned that I am new to coin collecting. I really am enjoying it and finding alot of very good information on the site here. I have a question.I am starting my collection by trying to get 1 penny, 1 nickel, 1 dime, and 1 quarter for every year back as far as I can up to present. I have a penny from every year from 58 - 2012, and now I am working on Nickels. I got a 1954 nickel today and it it very clean and shiny. I know i have read that you should never ever clean a coin, and I was wondering, if someone did clean this up, is it worthless for putting in my collection? Should I just send it on it's way? I'm sure i sound ridiculous with my question, I am new to this and don't have any cool or rare coins yet, but I would greatly appreciate any insight on this. Thank you in advance. Kyle
If it's cleaned, just hold on to until you find an original non cleaned example. Maybe you'll want to post some pictures so we can evaluate it? It's not uncommon to find high grade nickels from the 50's or 60's because they still look the same as more recent issues.
I'll post some pictures when i get home, I am at work right now. Thank you for your quick responses, I am grateful for any information I can get.
Hey Kyle, welcome. This is a hot button issue, and it may get quite a few replies. People rightfully want to differentiate between what they call "harsh cleaning" and "conservation". Both of these might be called cleaning. The difference resides in the detection of said "cleaning". If you have a coin that is lifeless dull but spotless, that might be called harsh cleaning. If the coin shows polish marks, that is harsh cleaning. If it shows none of these tell-tale signs, we are in the area of speculation. An overly clean coin that shows signs of wear and no toning, corrosion, tarnish, or whatever word you want to use for environmental ageing, it will be suspect of being cleaned. If that same coin is left for awhile to pick up some environmental "character", it becomes harder to tell. The only 100% real way to tell if a coin has been cleaned is to see the polish marks, or that you cleaned it yourself. Post pictures when you can. Enjoy collecting, you are in an envyable (spelling) position, the whole world lies ahead.
Well, it's difficult to be be certain as some of the coloring and shading could be issues of lighting, but IMO it looks like plain old pocket wear. I'd hold on it until I found a better example. I actually keep all nickels from 1959 and before, but that's just one of weird things I like to hoard.
I agree. Highly unlikely that someone cleaned that coin. Either way, I'd keep it until you find a better one. Good luck with your progress!
