I feel sure there are thousands of threads on this. Being a novice, coins sure look better if they are not dirty, discolored and such. Everyone says no, but i am into walkers, frankies etc at a lower scale and cleaned a couple and they "look" better. Many of you are dealers, and you know the answer, I do not. But doesn't many "ordinary joes" buy this coin quicker or will they take uncleaned. I have only been shopping at flea markets or e bay but they also shine. Am I commiting a cardinal sin?
Ethics As long as you inform potential buyers that it has been cleaned but any attempt to hide this fact by playing dumb or other means speaks of only one thing, DISHONESTY.
I would NEVER clean a coin...I have in the past but would never would again. In one way you're hurting yourself by buying a coin for $3 and then cleaning it and making it worth only $1.50. (I'm just making up the prices.) Yes, some guys would buy cleaned coin because they don't know any better but that is not a good excuse for us to clean all of our coins...we ought to try and help them not try to rip them off. When I see a dealer selling a coin that I want to buy and see it's been cleaned the first thing I do is look at the flip...if it doesn't say cleaned I just come right out and ask if it has been cleaned... So I leave you with this...do you want to hurt yourself in the end?? If you do..clean your coins. Speedy
Actually baileyl, most folks here are not dealers. They are collectors just like you - and me. Now believe when I tell you, I do understand what you are saying about cleaning the coins. I know - I once felt the same way. 'Course that was a long time ago, 1960 in fact. And even then my grandfather told me of the dangers of cleaning coins - that was a no no. Bottom line - they are your coins. Do with them as you please. But at the same time please understand - even plain Joes will not want the coins for their collections in the vast majority of cases. And if you ever clean one that has any appreciable value - that value will disappear right along with the dirt. Even if they do "look" better. I'm just tellin ya like it is - no bull.
Baileyl: Sometimes clean coins especially dipped coins are AU's that were dipped to remove the discolor at the rub points so they can be passed off as BU's. Whenever you remove dirt or green crud you also expose the area under it and it may well have a different color than the surrounding area--making it obvious that it was cleaned. This is the pandora's box that pops open when you clean coins. One problem may be mitigated only cause a new problem. I think your probably right that bright coins attract more buyers. But I never understood why. Old coins are suppose to look old.
It's a pretty safe bet that when everyone started collecting, they considered cleaning coins. Not to deceive anyone but just because they thought they looked better thus would be worth more. Experience teaches everyone what and what not to do. The beauty in coins is the way they develop that wonderful patina as they age, each one developing its own unique "golden age". To alter or stop that natural occurance is deemed "criminal" with the majority of coin collectors. You will find this applies to almost any metal collectible or antique. Sort of like quitting smoking.... ignore the temptation long enough and eventually it will go away!
