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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;beef1020, post: 2297452, member: 24544&quot;]I agree with most of the sentiment here, and if I can read into the argument a little, I agree that originality is right up there in importance with wear when putting a value on a coin.&nbsp; Further, the decision to properly conserve a coin should take into consideration the market for the coin, and the reason for cleaning.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, I disagree with the overly broad statements, like &#039;just don&#039;t touch the coin&#039;, and cleaning dirt will &#039;result in a splotchy coin with plainly-altered surfaces&#039;.&nbsp; I disagree with these broad statements based on my admittedly narrow focus on late date large cents.</p><p><br /></p><p>For these coins, it&#039;s often necessary to remove dirt and grime because it builds up in the same area that often contain the attribution points for variety identification.&nbsp; If the grime is not removed, you can not attribute the coin.&nbsp; Further, in the majority of cases the slightly different tone found underneath the dirt/grime is of very little difference, and the newly cleaned portion of the surface will tone quickly into a uniform, natural patina.&nbsp; You are not altering the surface of these coins by using water and xylene, you are merely dissolving the organic compounds attached to the surface, but with the risk of scratching the coins and possible putting your health at risk with the exposure to xylene.&nbsp; Additionally, as copper is a very corrosive metal, leaving organic compounds on the surface of a coin will over time cause damage to the metal.&nbsp; So I consider removal to be an appropriate and often necessary conservation step, not done for aesthetic purposes but done for preservation and numismatic reasons.</p><p><br /></p><p>I know if I had to provide a blanket statement about cleaning coins I would give the standard &#039;Coins should not be cleaned&#039;.&nbsp; However, there is a more nuanced take on the subject that involves your skill with conservation, why it&#039;s being done, and how will the potential market for this coin view conservation techniques, etc.&nbsp; These are all things that beginners just do not understand, but those with more experience may come to the conclusion that the trade offs of leaving the coin as found versus properly conserving the coin side with cleaning.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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