The grille cleaner that I use to clean gunk off of coins

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Is there, or would it be possible to/feasible to, make a sticky thread or something of the like that says in other words "New coin collectors - don't clean your coins (details inside)!" somewhere very visible on the site?

It seems like this is the most common "newb" mistake and given the actual damage they can do it seems it might be appropriate. Or maybe it already exists, not sure.

 

I would have thought that with most members being adults they are able to make their own minds up and see that any cleaning method has its dangers and should not be tried by the inexperienced. This thread in the ancients section would have a very different set of comments, because most ancients have been cleaned because they generally have 1000 years plus of deposits on them. With that said, I wouldnt recommend people clean their own coins in any case, but allow an expert to do it if it is required. I have been cleaning ancient coins for many many years and most if not all sit in collectors cabinets worldwide. Surely we should assume most people have a modicum of common sense and if not they probably wont take our advise anyway.

 

Ancients are basically a separate hobby where the issue of cleaning comes in.

As for common sense, it makes perfect sense for someone who doesn't know better to want to clean a coin they found, inherited, etc. They google "Coin cleaning" and hit this thread, read the OP, and are like "Off to Walmart!". Is it safe to assume that wouldn't happen?

 

Yes, if they have any common sense. They will read the thread and listen to what everyone has had to say and make their own minds up. If they have a coin which is a worthless piece of junk then they may try a method, if its a $2000 coin they won't. Thats why we have had a discussion on the matter, because not everyone shares the same opinion and thats the beauty of a free society.

 

That depends on the opinion. If the opinion is something like:

"No, it doesnt (show). If you didnt know what he had used you wouldnt say anything."

that is something that can be proven or disproven. And in this case, I and most of the people on this board feel that a knowledgeable person would be able to spot a coin cleaned with a degreaser. If we are correct, then your opinion is wrong and should be discarded.

 

It's also all the collateral damage they do by promoting this, it's like second hand smoke. It's not the OP's coins I'm worried about, it's the ones YN's may buy before they get their education. Perhaps another analogy would be: You stop a fire before it spreads.

 

If you are all correct then why not ask that the thread be removed and censored by the staff? That would save any more 'I am right' 'you are wrong' tit for tat...
As far as everyone else being right and my being wrong.........try lining up coins cleaned with a variety of methods, dipping in each and every type of cleaner and see how many of the coins cleaned specifically with a degreaser get correctly identified by 'experts'.
Its easy to say a coin has been cleaned with a degreaser when you have been told it has been cleaned with a degreaser.
As far as this thread is concerned, I am done. If the OP exists members will pass comment, and they have. The guy cleaned his coin, he was happy with it and thats his choice.

 

Well, I believe everything I read on the internet, so I'm off to Walmart.

 

Freedom of speech doesn't require correctness. But something which could mislead or be misinterpreted should.

 

How many experienced coin collectors are going to be purchasing 1953 nickels in well-circulated condition?

 

I think there may be more sellers than buyers... this '53-S looks like it may have been "degreased"...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-S-San-...89?pt=Coins_US_Individual&hash=item19dcd8b665

 

Not a bad offer. If you buy 81 of them, you get free shipping! :>)

 

What I worry about is some novice that finds a nice early large cent or early silver coin or the like and decides to make it shiny and new looking if it's worth more than face or scrap value DONT CLEAN IT!!!

 

That's what's did with my first coin store purchase at 10 or 11. Fine Walking Liberty 50c that I scrubbed clean with a toothbrush and my mom's jewelry cleaner. I was so proud of myself and the way it almost looked (ahem) "new". The next week I took it back to the shop to show it off and I can still remember the look on his face and hearing the words, "NEVER clean your coins. They'll lose all their value." Thankful for that dealer...

 

I've seen them cleaned with toothpaste a pencil eraser a polishing wheel even a wire brush!! All were positively awful!!

 

I'll admit I cleaned a few years ago too especially copper coins with enviromental damage and I dipped silver that was almost black before but I found I liked coins with patina (not corrosion tho) early on have always since I was a kid had a weakness for circulated silver coins with a dark background and the worn high spots a lighter color like this one

 

Ah yes. Circulated cameo. Nice.

 

That's a great way of putting it I have quite a few "circulated cameos" as I like the look thank god nobody put grill cleaner on them

 

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