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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Insider, post: 2786296, member: 24314&quot;]Would you be at liberty to say that &quot;cleaning&quot; by those methods removes any of the original surface of the coin or it strictly removes foreign materials and possibly leaves a residue behind?</p><p><br /></p><p>LOL.&nbsp; I&#039;m still learning and presently concentrating on my weakest subject - artificial toning.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the short and sweet:&nbsp; All anyone needs to do is to l<b><i><span style="color: #ff0000">earn what a natural coin&#039;s surface looks like.</span></i></b>&nbsp; Then you will know if it is not natural.&nbsp; I cheat.&nbsp; I was taught to look at coins using a stereo microscope.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Now the question.&nbsp; In the fullest sense, something is removed from a coin&#039;s surface (even dust <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie11" alt=":rolleyes:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />) when we clean a coin that needs it. So if hold a coin under running water by its edge and dry it with compressed air, I have just cleaned the coin w/o leaving a trace!&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Most collectors get caught up with is &quot;cleaning thing.&quot;&nbsp; Learn what I <span style="color: #ff0000">posted above</span> as any method of proper cleaning is virtually undetectable even with my microscope.&nbsp; Lots of things used to clean coins leave a residue.&nbsp; That can be removed and usually is.&nbsp; Copper may be an exception as some residues help impede corrosion. </p><p><br /></p><p>My advice is to clean some of your Mint State pocket change and see what its surface looks like.&nbsp; Rubbing a brand new nickel using soap and water on your fingers may look great to you while I may detect hairlines.</p><p><br /></p><p>After you learn what a natural surface looks like, you&#039;ll need to learn how &quot;unnatural&quot; a coin can be and still be &quot;market acceptable&quot; to the TPGS&#039;s and other collectors.&nbsp; Yours and my personal belief may differ from theirs.&nbsp; <b><span style="color: #5900b3">MINE CERTAINLY DOES!</span></b> <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Doesn&#039;t <span style="color: #006600">green</span> and <span style="color: #330066">purple</span> go together nicely? <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie7" alt=":p" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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