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Message:: [QUOTE="dougsmit, post: 1104710, member: 19463"]The OP specifically mentioned problems with Nazi coins and I suspect  that the coins in question are those zinc things that tend to look  beyond terrible.  I don't collect these things but have been asked by  more than one person over the years and would really like to know what  can be done to help them.  Coin cleaning is very much a matter of opinion.  If you ever expect to  sell the coins, it would be best to have the same opinion as most people  in the market for the type coin you have.  That means no cleaning in many cases and lighter  cleaning when the thing is caked with 3D dirt or is uneven to a point of being offensive.  Rules vary for high grade 20th century coins and for metal detector finds from 200 to 2000 years old.  We will differ on what is allowable and advisable depending on what we want to achieve.  I once saw a $1000+ encrusted ancient rarity being carried as a pocket piece by a dealer along with dozens of modern coins.  His theory was that the wear of the process would produce more natural looking effects than anything he could do directly.  In ancients, a high eye appeal VG coin can be worth more than a scabby VF with raw surfaces.  I always wondered what happened to that coin and if he stopped the process when it was looking good.[/QUOTE]