Do you like the coin? Does the cleaning detract from the appearance? Is the price reduced because of the cleaning (something to consider if the coin is a key). A cleaned coin remains cleaned when it comes time to sell. I have bought several "cleaned" graded coins and have no problem with continuing to own them.
cleaning will effect the value of the coin - and you can never unclean a coin... once done, it's done for good, and a lot of people won't even buy them at discounted prices. I think the answer to your question is 'not to clean', unless, of course, the coin will be damaged by whatever has attached itself to the surface... for instance, PVC goo will eat a coin over time, and leaving it there will only damage the coin more than the actual cleaning. What you choose to do with your coins is up to you, but if you ever intend to sell them on the market, you should keep in mind that cleaning will discount the value significantly.
That might have be me!!....Yes I have bought Cleaned coins but most of the time it wasn't on purpose ;--) If I were you I would try to stay away from as many cleaned coins as you can. I think you would be more happy in the end this way. Speedy
Does cleaning ruin the coin over time? Because I would think that cleaning would make them look more presentable.
That is what EVERY one thinks...let them try selling them...that will get them every time. If you sell to a non collector you might be able to pass off bad coins...but you would never feel right about it...th best thing to do...if you clean a coin DON'T mark it full price. Speedy
no, the damage is rather immediate. Most cleaning will leave hairlines all over the coins surface, when you see a bunch of hairline scratchs all running one direction, it's a dead giveaway that the coin has been cleaned. I've heard - and I will stress HEARD - that cleaned coins are more distastful to american collectors than many other national markets, much like high grade Mint State conditions... American collectors put a lot of stock in higher grades, so the prices spike dramatically as you get MS-67 and up - or so it seems. That's beside the point, I guess. Cleaned coins do not retain their natural appeal. Their appearance has been artificially changed. Toning is removed or ruined, etc.
