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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;EdwardJ, post: 753083, member: 20518&quot;]Let&#039;s stick to circulated coins here in this discussion because I see than coins in Mint State can not be improved upon and any processing to which the coin is subjected stands a good chance of hurting it.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That being said...How much cleaning can be done to a circulated coin before it becomes damaging to the grade and value?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For instance I&#039;ve seen copper coins in circulation which have a bit of grease or other soft dirt around the image. If I try to remove it with my finger nail then it comes off. Would a little soap and water hurt this coin? I think not. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Then there is the problem of verdigris. (did I spell that right) Although the damage has been done to the best of my knowledge at least, Would it help the coin if some process were applied to stop further degeneration of the coin with age? I know I have some pieces in my collection which have varying degrees of this problem. They are still the best I can find for the price and effort I am willing to invest. What can I do to stop the continued damage to the coin or should I just do nothing but keep it dry, cool and untouched? </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I am sure that I will come up with more possibilities but I hope you see the point I am making.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I know that in &quot;Proper Numismatic Company&quot; we never want to admit that we have cleaned a coin. It is something like questioning the existence of God in Church for coin collectors. As a Christian I know that all of us question our relationship with the Supreme Creator, and I also know that as collectors we have all considered cleaning a coin. I know that at one time I would put that acid on the dateless Buffalo Nickles and it would bring out a date. The coin was worth nothing before I treated it. It is still worth nothing but I did have a lot of fun looking at Buffalos when they were still in circulation using that method.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Just throwing this out because questioning minds want to know. Can we discuss this openly and with civility without fearing the ruination of our reputation in the hobby?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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