So I know cleaning coins is a big no-no but what about notes? Does cleaning them and pressing them affect the value? I used to collect star notes and some of the odder fancy serials and a friend of mine was telling me today how he "restores" notes. I saw some of his before and after pics and they look day and night. Stains and creases are completely gone. I was wondering if doing something like that affected the value?
IMO, anything that is done to a note or coin that cannot be detected and restores its original APPEARANCE (its originality cannot be restored) is OK by me. So, depending on what and how it is done - the results will either increase or lower its value.
Cleaning and pressing negatively affects the value. Third Party graders do a good job of detecting all kinds of alterations. Originality is King.
I second @SteveInTampa's sentiment as well, but I hate to break it to you, but your friend is a fool. With that being said, I hope he's never in the position to "restore" something of value.
Hmm. Seems like 75% of the people that responded think cleaning notes is bad. The reason I was asking is because I had mentioned several notes that had fancy serials that I didn't keep because of stains and fold creases. He explained his method of cleaning and removing creases and it sounded innocent and easy enough but I just wanted to get everyone's opinions here first. Thanks all for your answers, I think I'll go with the majority and stay unrestored.
If the note is stained, has a fold or a crease, I’d keep it if it had a good number. Yes the value would be lower but when 1 out of every 25,000 or 30,000 notes is fancy, I figure just keep it.
