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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;kanga, post: 281942, member: 9270&quot;]If a coin isn&#039;t already damaged, don&#039;t clean it (I consider cleaning damaging.)</p><p>And now we get to the exceptions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>EXCEPTION #1:</p><p>If it is surface debris that is not part of the coin nor coin metal byproduct (oxidation), removal of the crud is acceptable (think conserving vs. cleaning.)</p><p>I&#039;m talking dirt, encrustations, etc.</p><p>I&#039;m NOT talking about altering the coin&#039;s surfaces beyond what&#039;s already occurred.</p><p>It&#039;s just that you better know what you&#039;re doing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>EXCEPTION #2:</p><p>Particularly valuable coins that are so oxidized/corroded that cleaning can only make it better.</p><p>Definitely get it cleaned and by a conservator.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Otherwise I know of no way of cleaning a coin that is not detectable.</p><p>It appears that a very old, very light cleaning with natural retoning is acceptable (and expected.)</p><p>Apparently many 19th century and older coins had been cleaned at one time.</p><p>If it wasn&#039;t harshly done, it is often ignored.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>When a coin is abraded or dipped, even lightly, the metal flow lines from the original strike are altered resulting in detectable changes.</p><p>Could I see the changes?</p><p>Nope. Not if well and lightly done.</p><p>But the pros can.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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