First of all before I start: 1) I am fairly new to collecting and searching. 2) I do not have anything REALLY worth much. 3) I understand not to and NEVER would clean a rare or expensive coin. Can someone explain why it is such a no no to clean coins. I am talking about circulated finds in rolls that are used by collectors on a tight budget to fill a Whitman folder. Lets say Jefferson nickels for example. What I am talking about is not using chemicals or anything. Why is it so wrong to rinse the loose dirt of of a 1948 Jefferson found in a roll? How does getting loose filth off of a coin make it lose value? I would NEVER clean the 1950-D or 1939-D or the 1938-S because they are the keys and all I have heard is not to clean coins. Also, I bought the 50-D and the 39-D BU so they didn't need dirt removed. I just want to know the basis behind a coin with finger dirt on it being rinsed, not chemically cleaned, automatically dropping the value. Thank all of you in advance for the insight.
Why? Because we's 'anal', that's why....... 'Knockin' the dirt off of a few oldies ain't all that bad. Ya just have to do it right, and since it's your collection, you can do what ever you see fit.
