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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;jeankay, post: 374357, member: 12159&quot;]Hi Harry,</p><p><br /></p><p>I do not believe the coin community is wrong about its philosophy concerning restoring old coins. Most of what I have read and learned about coin cleaning tells me that dipping and cleaning a coin can remove a layer of the actual metal, therefore removing its original surface. If you were to pay a premium price for a coin would you not want it as original as possible? Cleaning everyday dirt from a coin can cause unwanted scratches that could turn the coin into just another piece of metal. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After seeing so many Antiques Roadshows I tend to agree with the &#039;do not touch the finish on an item&#039;, be it paint, patina and sometimes even rust. The experts always tell the owner of the collectibles/antiques to take the item to a professional restorer, but only if it will increase the value of the item.</p><p><br /></p><p>I understand &#039;patina&#039; to be just what an expert expects to find on antique bronze and other metal objects, not to mention wood furniture finishes. </p><p><br /></p><p>Patina on copper is quite important and helps to tell us whether or not the coin is genuine. If it were a copper cooking pot used for everyday cooking then clean away. Cleaning a copper coin can ruin its intrinsic value. Just think about what a Lincoln 1909 svdb would be worth if someone has taken copper cleaner to it. </p><p><br /></p><p>I know I prefer a nice shiny copper cent like most of us. But I would not clean a very nicely aged coin to achieve the &#039;like new&#039; finish. Besides, in some cases trying to remove coin diseases isn&#039;t even possible because the disease is part of the metal and not just surface dirt.</p><p><br /></p><p>Preservation is a method used to stop the deterioration of a valuable object such as the Declaration of Independence and other important works, and not to make it look like new again. Restoring the document to look new would virtually take away the history of the piece. </p><p><br /></p><p>Yes on some restoration, but no to most.</p><p><br /></p><p>Again, just my humble opinion.</p><p>jeankay[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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