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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;kaparthy, post: 2396867, member: 57463&quot;]Cleaning is another topic. When I referred to baking soda, I did not mean to scrub it harshly. But the point is taken. Early Boy Scout Merit Badge advice was to clean Lincoln Cents with a pencil eraser.&nbsp; We know better now.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I was hoping that other people would add their own special insights and experiences on how to tone coins.&nbsp; I am still reading through the thread…</p><p><br /></p><p>In a previous edition of the an ANA home study on grading coins today, they actually recommended cleaning and retoning coins in order to learn how to detect it.&nbsp; I objected to that back then.&nbsp; I passed with high honors, but I still objected.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Ideally, perhaps, every coin you collect would be MS-70 or PR-70: perfect. In reality, we are collecting artifacts and artifacts were used by people. A coin in circulation is being cleaned by wear.&nbsp; As soon as it stops circulating, as when you drop it in your change dish on your dresser, it begins to retone.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>See above on circulation. I have seen XF/AU coins, especially copper, where a little bit of mint luster is still there close to the devices. I would never attempt to improve a coin like that because I do not know enough. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The only &quot;original&quot; coins are Mint State or Proof. If you want low grade 60s, because they are cheaper, I suppose that is your choice, but what you are saying is that only PR-70 is worth owning. Of course, for many coins, even proofs, from previous centuries, such perfection does not exist, so you might have to settle for a PR-64 or MS-63 as the finest known.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>But that is not what you are advocating, is it? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks for the support. It is also significant that envelopes, dresser drawers, and other natural environments cause different kinds of toning.&nbsp; Some people like the toning from paper rolls. They consider it &quot;natural&quot; if it was in a bank vault for 60 years.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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