A newcomer to Coin Talk and a novice to coins! I've read through a lot of the threads re cleaning and still have a question. I was gifted quite a nice collection of coins back in the early '70's from a friend whose husband collected coins as a hobby. Off and on I've looked them over, studied them and put them all back. Recently I sent off a few to PCGS to be graded. The 1898 $10 Gold was returned in a holder with the notation "Cleaned." I'm attaching a picture of this coin (hopefully I'll get it on). Will this coin be devalued a great deal? If I listed it I would definitely identify it as cleaned, or is this something that is best to hang onto and give to one of the grandkids somewhere down the road? Your comments please. Thanks
It all depends on who you ask, IMO the coin doesn't look bad. I don't see any obvious abrasions, or signs of a harsh cleaning, and while it may not be worth 100% of retail value, it should be worth close. If it is as you say and it was cleaned right before it was given to you that is over 30 years ago. An old cleaning shouldn't affect the value.
This coin looks great , a little lack of luster from the cleaning but it doesnt look like its been cleaned by a brillow pad. It will most likely wont devalue it by much at all.
urgr8 First, welcome to the forum. Second: I don't think that the coin was harshly cleaned. Just be honest if you sell it. Good luck.
Welcome to the board ! No, it won't be devalued a great deal. 1898 is a common date. Grade wise... well, it's a little hard to tell, but that piece is probably somewhere between AU55 and maybe as high as MS62. There's not much swing in price in that range - $320 - $370. The gold alone is worth about $300, so no amount of cleaning can take you below that value. I wouldn't sell it, b/c it won't bring much more than melt value. I think it's kind of cool to sit around with the kids and use a piece like that to talk history - what life was like back in those days. The grandkids would be thrilled to have it someday. It's not just any old eagle - it's grandpa's !
