Does soap and water constitute "cleaned?"

Say in regards to circulated currency, like silver American and Canadian money.

 

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Er.. What?

 

I think technically yes its going to damage or remove the platina

 

Coming from a currency collecting back round, i would say no, a gentle "non chemical cleaning" is fine as long as your not trying to increase the value or
Represent the bill being cleaned in a better light, my two cents

 

Does soap + water + hands (no cloth or brush) constitute cleaning?
And does this jeopardize value or collectibility of bullion-level circulated silver currency?

 

can you tell afterwards that it's been done?

 

It's not "cleaning" per se that damages a coin, but improper cleaning.

If you clean a coin by rubbing it, you'll likely leave scuffs or scratches. Damage.

If you clean a coin by over-dipping it in an acid, you'll remove some of the surface metal, muting or destroying the coin's luster. Damage.

If you rub with soapy water and fingers, any grit that's on your fingers or the coin can cause scratches. Damage.

If you rinse with soapy water, but the soap contains fragrances or other additives that react chemically with the coin, it can leave the coin with altered color or appearance. Damage.

Using the right kind of detergent, and the right kind of agitation, and plenty of rinsing, can clean a coin without damaging it, I guess. But given all the wrong ways to do it, I'm hesitant to suggest that you'll get it right the first time. If you're going to try it, practice a lot on coins that don't matter, and study them very carefully before and after to see exactly what you've done.

 

For bonus points, can anyone else tell afterwards that it's been done? There are surely plenty of cleaned coins that I can't identify at a glance, but others can.

 

I think people confuse cleaning with damage from cleaning

Cleaning is fine, as long as you can't tell it's been done. That goes for notes, coins, paintings, and tons of other valuables.

 

I buy circulated 90% silver coins by the bag - most are grimy, grey, dull and slightly greasy - I pour them into a large glass bowl of hot, soapy (dish washing liquid) water and let them soak for a while - next, I give each one a gentle rub between my thumb and forefinger, rinse in clean water, blot on paper towels and let dry on a cotton towel. The soaking water is always a dark, murky grey color after the fact.
Any damage done is minimal, doesn't affect value and makes handling the coins 100% more pleasant.

 

although it may not be obvious for circulated silver coins, if you did this with uncirculated coins, you'd be sorry.

 

This is the bullion investing subforum. Why would you bother to clean bullion?

 

Simply put, it shines more...

 

So? It does not increase its value. Bullion is bullion. If its value increasing when it is nice and shiny then it has moved into the realm of collectibles.

 

Good Point ! there is no reason other then your own vanity to clean or other wise
Make bright and shiny your bullion, still bullion in hand or in the mud..LOL

 

I am so very new and so very old as this coin collected job, hobby, pastime which ever I want to call it and I hope someone can get me some good advice for I really love collected but I am so very discouraged do I clean do I not clean how and with do I clean do I get them graded is it expensive to get grated is the coin worthy of getting graded should I just give up all together it is a job regardless of what n e 1 says otherwise lol

 

cleaning can make an almost good Morgan a cull Morgan

 

Yes it does.

 

Any cleaning agent whether it be soap and water, JEWEL LUSTER
or lightly wiping with a cloth is cleaning. Leave conservation of coins
to the experts or don't buy the coin.

 

Flowerbomb47 generally no, you do not clean, as you will only ruin the coin
and lower the value. Original patina is important, even if the coin looks dirty.
A dirty coin is better than a shiny coin which has been scrubbed and ruined.
For some coins you can let them sit in an acetone bath (glass jar with a lid)
and then gently rinse them off and this will free the coin of organic crud without
damaging the surface. But it's always better to let an expert do it until you are
ready to try it.