How can I tell if a coin has been cleaned? If it has how much does this affect its value and is there any way to restore it to its original condition? thanks
Experience is how you can tell if its cleaned.... Value.....you would have to determine that each coin individually, there is no magic number. The only way to restore it naturally is with time and proper storage.
Was at one of my dealers the other day and he said a lady came in with a bunch of Morgans recently and told him she spent about two hours cleaning and polishing them before she brought them to him to sell him. No key dates, but demoralizing nonetheless. Once it's cleaned, it's cleaned. My recommendation is, if you like the coin, sell it and use the money you get to purchase one that isn't cleaned
A cleaned coin will not recover on its own. You may be able to wear it down to a lower grade, but it won't recover its previous level of condition.
Try wrapping them in foil and bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes. Turn at least once. You should get a nice golden brown color as a result, make ya forget those were ever cleaned.
Maybe you could bury it, wrapped in newsprint , in the compost heap for a few months. The only way I can tell if a coin has been cleaned, is if it looks too good to be a 1921 Peace dollar, all shiny and no slab or grade, then it likely has been cleaned. Coins don't hang around uncared for throughout the years without oxidizing to get that patina.... I have bought some cleaned coins for a song, only to plan on spending them if and when the economy tanks and the dollar collapses. I am still looking for ways to get that old patina back but once the train leaves that station, it is gone for another 100 years.
Look for an older coin that is suspiciously bright and free of tone, but one that looks kind of lifeless and without any luster. That is generally a dead giveaway.
a clean coin is a worthless coin. never clean coins! im sure you can get some money for a coin that has a value to it but again a clean coin it worthless well to me it is.
