To wash or NOT to wash?

For somebody who just inherited a collection, there are about a million better things they could be doing with their time than cleaning the coins. .. Cataloging, learning about coins, learning about proper techniques for coin conservation...

The best advice in these situations should always be : Leave it alone until you know what you have and have a better understanding of what you are doing!

What if she picks up a common mercury dime in average condition to clean, only to later learn it's a 1942/1? That mistake could cause some serious heartache. (just a hypothetical situation for example)

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

That makes the best sense!

 

@mynamespat :
Ouch.
Umm... I think it's rather unfair to assume that I *haven't been* spending time learning about "cataloging, learning about coins, learning about proper techniques for conservation.." etc.
Because I have.
My uncle passed away in August and I inherited the collection then.
In October, I began researching/learning. (that makes 6 months now)
And yep....due to research, I didn't clean a single coin...
And posted to ask HERE...because I thought perhaps some of you with years of experience would share thoughts about cleaning (which has happened).
And now, I know....
I will NOT clean a single coin. Period.
But, thanks for your input.

 

Thank you, Miss Sherry.... I am just happy you didn’t throw in the towel after all this. Please... Don’t be afraid to enjoy your collection. What a wonderful gift it was!

 

My angst is not directed at you, moreover towards those in this thread offering less-than-sound advice. You asked a question and are taking the information in, nothing wrong there.

If you spend more time reading this forum, you will learn that many of those who have stated, "do not clean." are not against coin conservation. IN fact, I would say that coin conservation is a passion of @Insider. If you truly want to learn more about when and how a coin should be cleaned, read some of his backposts on the topic. (Once you get past the smilies and colorful text) He has shared a plethora of knowledge collected thru experience. Unfortunately many, many, many inherited collections are harshly cleaned and polished in an attempt to increase value for potential sale. It's just human nature to want to make things bright and shiny.

 

TheFinn, posted: "Washing with soap and water (and I like to follow it with an IPA rinse) is not considered "Cleaning". It will not change the look of the coin, just remove any loose dirt and grunge**."

** Which changes the look of the coin!

I've been cleaning coins professionally for over 40 years. I am much better at it than when I started. When I work on a coin, you cannot tell. Much of what I do is done using a microscope. There are probably hundreds of folks who can clean coins successfully. I've learned a few things from them. If you are not one of them, Good Luck!

PS The only time anyone I know uses SOAP & WATER is to wash their hands.

 

Not some fancy shmancy gel alcohol?

 

The same goes for long term ownership of silver plated items. They HAVE to be cleaned every so often but eventually this will wear the silver plate, especially at high points. So, I would never recommend silver paste cleaner but instead, dipping them. But this can be very expensive with a quality silver cleaning solution, especially with large items that need to be submerged, like coffee/tea pots, trays, large lighting fixtures, etc.

 

I'm going to take myself to the woodshed.

Insider, posted: TheFinn, posted: "Washing with soap and water (and I like to follow it with an IPA rinse) is not considered "Cleaning". It will not change the look of the coin, just remove any loose dirt and grunge**."

** Which changes the look of the coin!

I've been cleaning coins professionally for over 40 years. I am much better at it than when I started. When I work on a coin, you cannot tell. Much of what I do is done using a microscope. There are probably hundreds of folks who can clean coins successfully. I've learned a few things from them. If you are not one of them, Good Luck!

Then I added this for humor:
The only time anyone I know uses SOAP & WATER is to wash their hands.

But I forgot something very important :

Some use a hot water and soap solution in an ultrasonic cleaner to remove MS-70 from coins. The surface of the coin is not touched.

 

That's right. It may affect the grime, but will not affect the metallic surface, just reveal it.

 

TheFinn, posted: "That's right. It may affect the grime, but will not affect the metallic surface, just reveal it."

...and probably leave hairlines that I will see when the coin comes in for grading. Don't clean your coins w/soap and water.

Besides, removing TO MUCH dirt and grime from an original circulated coin usually leaves a coin with low eye appeal.