Should coins be cleaned?

Should you clean coins in a collection and how? I have heard that you can be it may depreciate their value. I have heard that people that do clean them, sometimes use vinegar. Any comments?

 

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The only time you should ever clean coins is if they are ancient. If they are not ancient, then they are better left untouched.


stainless

 

don't clean them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

they can only be cleaned in the pool of sacred tears :whistle:

 

Speaking from experience?

 

Do not clean coins. Ever.

 

PS - Ancient does not include any US coin. Only in certain circumstances should a professional clean the coins. And I do not qualify as a professional.

 

yeah yours

 

Though I agree with the general sentiment that you shouldn't clean your coins, there are always exceptions. If they contain environmental damage that will further damage the coins if left alone, such as pvc damage, then you really have nothing to lose by cleaning them....in a prescribed manner. If existing conditions will eventually destroy a coin, cleaning is the only option aside from letting it return to the earth.
Guy~

 

Though most say don't ever clean your coins , there are those that think it's ok , NGC cleans coins but only ones that really need it , in my life I've cleaned about six coins , 3 turned out nicer 3 were made worse and I consider myself somewhat knowledgable , lucky the coins I did clean were common coins . I'd say leave them alone and if they really bother you let a professional do it . Also if you only buy coins you like and take care of them properly you'll never have to worry about cleaning them .
rzage

 

I was wondering who cleaned all my Indian Heads after all these years.... not I know. :kewl:

 

To get grease, grime food, gunk off a coin it may be acceptable to soak it in distilled water and let it dry on its own. NO WIPING. For serious gunk try commercial grade acetone and let soak, then the distilled treatment. DON'T WIPE...EVER.

Try this on an inexpensive trial coin first before you trash your valuable coin.

Ask around a bit more here and you'll get a whole lot of varieties of DO'S & DONUTS.

BE CAREFUL with any coin of value or a coin close to your heart.

 

you didnt realize it when you were doing the deed

 

No they don't.

 

Ok the other 1/2 of their company , NCS , NGCs conservation arm .
rzage

 

even PCGS does. dont tell me you forgot the famous coin dips performed by both of them

 

The coin dips are one exception. They could probably make a dug up coin look like new.

 

FWIW, pal...

Should you clean paintings?

How would you clean a painting?

May cleaning a painting depreciate its value?

Yes, that's true. In fact, people use a lot of different things.

Just one more. Once you clean a coin (or, for that matter, a painting) you'll never be able to restore it to the condition it was in before you cleaned it...so, think hard on that, before you attempt to clean it.