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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Cherd, post: 1465408, member: 24754&quot;]I hear what you&#039;re saying AJ, and in most cases I would agree. If by &quot;clean&quot; we are talking about some type of abrasive or polishing process, then your line of reasoning definitely applies. However, when talking about chemical treatment to remove tarnish, then it is not so cut and dry. Removal of tarnish does effect the present surface of the coin, but does it alter the &quot;original&quot; surface of the coin? The original surface of a tarnished coin is already lost. The metal that originally constituted the surface of the coin is either gone, or has been converted to an oxidated compound. Assuming that tarnish represents the original surface of a coin is analogous to believing that the rust on a car represents the original fender.</p><p><br /></p><p>The mints never issued tarnished coins. Therefore, removing tarnish from a coins surface actually increases originality in my opinion. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This, again, is the type of perception that I take issue with. Everyone is entitled to their opinions about coin cleaning, and I respect those opinions, but they are just that: opinions. It&#039;s not a matter of now &quot;knowing better&quot;. Knowing better implies that the knowledge is based on some type of logic, or cause an effect. Like, &quot;the kid decided to touch the hot stove, now he knows better&quot;.</p><p><br /></p><p>Coin cleaning was an acceptable practice among numismatists in the past. They cleaned their coins because human beings have a natural tendency to appreciate clean, shiny, un-mottled surfaces. They couldn&#039;t have known better because there was nothing better to know. And, we do not know better today, we simply know differently. Our perception of cleaned coins isn&#039;t based on any line of reasoning, it is simply based on the overriding opinion of modern numismatists. 100 years from now people may be yaking away in this forum and say, &quot;100 years ago coin collectors had an aversion to cleaned coins, but we know better now.&quot; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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