Does this constitute cleaning?

I'm new to the coin world, and had a question in regards to "cleaning."

I've been told that cleaning is a no-go, however, I find myself wipping down each coin I add to my collection with a tissue. Does this fall under the "do not clean" part of coin collecting?

(The past coins I've cleaned have been with either soap & water or with a jewelry cleaner...how much damage has been done...on average?)


2LT Robert Ramirez
U.S. Army

 

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YES! when you wipe down a coin even with a tissue it will leave very fine hair lines in the coin
Jewlery cleaner will strip away a fine layer of the coins surface and take away the luster of a coin and leave a lifeless shine to the coin.

 

Wow. that sucks. So by using the tissue to "wipe" down my coins I have just ruined them?

 

You may have. Soap and water have been used for a long time to clean coins. As have tissues. They both have downfalls.

Look for hairlines on the coin that will only show under magnification -- and only at a certain angle (i.e. rotate the coin under the light to look for them). If they are present, you've just reduced the value of the coin.

Hopefully nothing has happened, but I would be exceedingly careful with any valuable coins, and not do it any more (unless you first perfect the art on cheaper coins, and are comfortable with the risk of possibly ruining your coins).

All of the above IMO & respectfully submitted...Mike

p.s. Sorry to be the bearer of (possibly) bad news.

 

A lot depends on whether the coin is circulated ( and how much) or uncirculated/proof.

A well circulated coin will probably already have wear lines, so the coins you cleaned could be put into your pocket alone and carried around a while to even out any lines. Most likely no lasting damage.

Uncirculated or proof coins would need a careful check to see if there are lines visible on the surface. However, the lines if there should be incluse ( go inward like a scratch) rather than outward ( raised). Many uncirculated coins and a few proofs have die polishing lines which can be confusing to a beginner as the latter would not be considered cleaning as they are raised and on the coin originally. Hope this makes sense.

Welcome to the forum

 

I've always tried telling people to watch that TV show called The Antique Road show. On that show they always stress that old objects should not be cleaned. On one of thoes shows someone explained some of the reasons why.
For one thing when you clean almost any older item, you possibly remove some of the original material. Coins for example may have accumulated a layer of Oxydation and removing this, removes some of the metal.
For some older items the paint used way, way back actually tells how old something is and improper cleaning couuld remove that.
With coins the use of the wrong solution may remove excessive material and leave a coating of something that could end up really damaging coins.
Although many say Soap and water are OK, the really big problem there is Soaps and waters are different everywhere. Some soaps contain a pummis or abrasive material for the removal of some difficult substances. Some soaps contain mild acidic properties to remove items that require that. Waters too are and can be a disaster. For example water from your tap if gone through a water softener contains Salt. Which is why so many people end up killing thier house plants using this water. In large cities most of the water has been treated with Fluorine and/or Chlorine. Well water contains almost anything possible on Earth and some alive.

 

Wow...a lot of information that I have never considered.

The problem I have, is that I have an OCD condition when it comes to "germs." While this issue doesn't affect my militay work (as I am to block it from my mind), my home life is tainted. I see everything in my room (not the whole house) as a "safe and clean" zone. I don't enter unless I shower first and cannot go in there with shoes or dirty clothes on.

So, when it comes to my collections (rifles and coins), I find myself making sure these items are perfectly clean (by perfect I mean in such a way that my mind is at rest). I've been collecting World War II rifles since I was 18, and I've always cleaned every aspect of the rifle (more then the norm). I guess I'm just doing the same with my coins. I do understand that I have to be gentle, but its hard on my mind. But, I was thinking that maybe a can of compressed air would be just an effective method of cleaning as the tissue; and, I don't have to harm the coin.

Most coins are circulated, however, I have a a small batch that are uncirculated. I will look for these marks when I get off duty, and I am hoping there are not there.

As for the value...I don't care. In a sense I do, but I don't sell anything from my collections. I collect for the sole purpose of collecting and not for value. I've purchased coins that are high in value to just to have them with no plans on selling them. But, I've always wanted to send them to be graded on the coins that I think should be. I take it if they were cleaned by an idot like myself smile), the coin will come back in a body bag, correct?


Thank you for all of your help! I guess there is a lot more I need to learn before getting carried away with my cleaning like I usually do.


2LT Robert Ramirez
U.S. Army
Military Police

 

If you do anykind of cleaning, dipping in warm water, then pat dry with a lint free cotton cloth is less apt to leave behind fibers, and scratches or wear marks from wipping dry as opposed to pat dry..

 

I feel a lot better after hearing that. LoL

I never thought items so small were not meant to be cleaned.

 

Cleaning coins is not something that should be done, because you risk damaging the coin, but you also have to look at re-sale, you could de-value the coin too.

Natural patina, and toning should be left on the coin if at all possible, stuck on gunk is hard to remove without scratching the surfaces, unless it's something that a soak in warm water can remove.

 

Since I've heard two users mention warm water...I take it that is by far the safest method to use?

(Other the then not using any method of cleaning)

 

I should have clarified that.

Doug is correct, distilled water is better than tap water.

 

Others have already let you know that wiping down your coins can cause significant damage to the pieces, regardless if they are circulated, uncirculated or proof. I would suggest that in light of your self-proclaimed OCD that you look into buying proof and mint sets in their original government packaging. These coins won't be harmed if you wipe the holders with tissue and you can collect all types of wonderful US coins in this way.

 

Hey Lt. Ultraviolet light is a proven means of sterilization. I was thinking that laying out your coins and hitting them with a UV lamp may meet your cleanliness requirements without the need to risk damaging the surface of your coins. Just google UV sterilization. If you do go that route, heed all the precautions. Used incorrectly UV can cause real damage to a person.

 

In my opinion, it took a bit of guts to admit your OCD.

As was recommended by the group, don't use tap water as a rinse - use only distilled water. Also canned air may be okay, but as advised, be very careful not to get the liquid propellant onto the coin surfaces.

Perhaps if you wore white cloth gloves while handling your coins [by their rims], mounting and stapling them into cardboard mylar holders, and then placing the holders into album pages, this may assist. Each time you are done mounting, you can toss the white gloves into the washer, and then wash your hands.

Here are a few links pursuant to the items I suggest:

Mylar Holders
Mini Stapler (crimps staples safely)
Mini Staples
Lint-Free Cloth Gloves
Album Pages
Album

*Please note that these links are not endorsements of the retailers.

Good luck!

 

You could also just rinse your coins with acetone. It's safe for all metal surfaces and will instantly kill any bacteria on the surfaces. Acetone will also remove any fresh fingerprints, surface debris and water preparing the coins for storage.

 

That's a good idea...

That's kind of the reason why I want to submit my coins for grading, so they can be slabbed...so that I no longer have to worry about the coin and germs.

 

will this take off some of the surface though?