Can a knowledgeable collector or dealer say what actually constitutes a coin being described as, "has been cleaned"? Would a coin that's had dirt, unsightly superficial marks or toning etc. been carefully removed with lemon juice, 'Verdi-Care', acetone etc.; which might leave a silver coin a little bright at first but not damage or mark the surface of the coin, be called "has been cleaned", by a dealer or auction house selling the item? Thanks in advance for any information.
Yes, easily. But it's a bit more complicated than that and your question is a good example of why one needs to understand it. In simplest terms the problem is this, when somebody says a coin has been "cleaned", what they really mean is that the coin has been harshly cleaned. Harshly cleaned is the term that should be used, the correct term, but most just shorten it to "cleaned" in casual conversation. Then, you also have to realize that there are coins that have been cleaned and coins that have been harshly cleaned. Cleaned is a good thing. Harshly cleaned is a bad thing. Cleaning causes no harm to the coin. Harsh cleaning does cause harm to the coin. That is the distinction between the two. Harsh cleaning can easily be recognized by a knowledgeable person because he can see the traces of it, the harm caused by it. Cleaning, or proper cleaning if you prefer, cannot always be recognized, other times it can be. But not because there are traces on the coin, but because a knowledgeable person can use deductive reasoning and know that the coin has been properly cleaned. Example, all coins begin toning the moment they leave the coin press, that is a given. So if you see an older coin and it has no toning on it, and there are no traces of a harsh cleaning, it's a pretty safe bet that the coin has been properly cleaned. It is also a given that 80% or more of all older coins have been properly cleaned at some point in the life of the coin. And yes, that includes all slabbed coins.
Thanks a lot GDJMSP (Moderator) for your very clear and understandable explanation, of a coin being described as, "has been cleaned". This is what I'd thought was most probably meant but I've always had doubts. Thanks for your posting.
Just a little more on your last question, a mint state coin that has been cleaned properly, if one really cannot see evidence of cleaning on it, it is just untoned, it will be considered problem free to many buyers. (Though many do consider some toning to be evidence of originality.) If an uncirculated coin is described as cleaned, probably there are hairlines on it or the luster is stripped. If a circulated coin is, as you put it, "a little too bright," it will generally be less desirable to buyers.
That is as eloquently as I've ever heard it described, and will affect how I discuss it in the future.
