How to tell if gold coins have been cleaned? Large pictures What do I look for? Unnatural luster? Since its gold I think its not NEAR as easy to spot than for old silver. I have a coin that looks like its in uncirculated details but it just doesn't look right. It was made in 1897. It's a gold french angel. I ordered it from a reputable dealer (or so I thought). I also have a mexican peso 5 peso gold coin restrike from 1955 from which I don't think is cleaned. I've put them in photos for comparison. I also included a link to what my french angel was supposed to look like before the dealer sent it. This first photo was in bad lightning. The second photo is in direct sunlight. Notice you don't see the dark line through the 5 in 1895
