The more I understand it seems the less I understand... While cleaning coins is taboo, What about early coins such as the standing liberty quarters and other early coins? I understand the damage a harsh cleaning can do but it almost seems all early date coins have been cleaned at some point in time in their lives. I was viewing a coin over the weekend at a coin shop in Santa Rosa and noted the clean had obviously been cleaned. The owner then noted cleaning had nothing to do with the coins current value. So do I balk at a coin that has perhaps been cleaned at some point in time as determined by remaining crude in recesses around the mint mark and other tell-tale signs, or do I move forward simply noting to myself that 'Ya, all early coins have been cleaned at some point in time but the cleaning was not harsh enough to detract from eye appeal'? I appreciate your advice and insight!
It depends. If we are talking about a low-grade, common coin then its value may not be hurt tremendously if it is lightly cleaned. But if we are talking about a high-grade coin (or a rarity) then cleaning would certainly reduce its value. I don't consider a Standing Liberty quarter to be an "early date coin". To me "early coins" would be at least pre-Civil War and probably pre-1837 (before the steam press era). Many of the true "early coins", e.g., Capped Bust Half Dollars, have been cleaned and if the cleaning was not harsh and the coin has retoned nicely it does not diminish the value tremendously. But original, uncleaned "early coins" will certainly always bring a higher price than their cleaned counterparts.
Many, though certainly not all older coins have been cleaned by one means or another. However, not all cleaning is equal. For example, while dipping a coin is a form of cleaning, in many cases it is does not do the same type or amount of harm that some other forms of cleaning do. In fact, while there are certain signs to look for, if dipped and neutralized properly, it is often impossible to know if a given coin has been dipped or not. Due to the reactivity of the metal, nickel coins, and to an even greater degree, copper coins, often react differently/worse to cleaning than gold and silver coins do.
If that dealer told you that, I sure wouldn't be buying cons from him if I were you. Cleaning a coin, depending on the severity of the cleaning, can drop the value by 50% - 80%.
cleaning doesnt effect the value unless its a harsh one...there is nothing at all wrong with cleaning an old coin correctly...anyone can do it.
thanks all for the replies... and yes, not really an old coin, my inexperience showing through. and yes, even my wife noted she did not like the place (nor the person whom we were talking to who must have been the owners son and knew less than us) and we walked... I did buy one coin to patronize the business but will probably not return. I am having much better luck with the coin shop in Auburn... shares info, offers Coin Price or posted price and seems honest about what he is selling. thanks again!
