I know some cleaned coins have gone in the 5 digits, like the 1854o 20 Dollar, and a cleaned rare gilt Stella. Not sure what the most valuable is. Check sold HA listings.
Since nearly ancient coin has been cleaned, anyone think about them? There are quite a few that regularly sell in the millions.
Hypothetical question really. The most valuable coins sold at auction have all been American coins. American coins in world terms are some of the most modern on the planet. Many ancient and medievil coins are scarcer and most have been cleaned at some time. At auction houses throughout the world bidders don`t pay the inflated and exorbitant prices paid in the US.
Even If he polished some of his coins gold doesn't tone too much (compared to say silver) and over the course of the 25 or so years between when it was minted and when he had it I doubt it would have needed cleaned. I'm pretty sure all specimens of the 33 we know of are unmolested including the farouk specimen.
But I guess pcgs didn't have genuine holders when they graded it so I suppose it's not impossible. I'm just saying for that example to have been cleaned I believe it is highly unlikely.
http://www.govmint.com/pages/thoughts-on-coin-conservation As I recall, at least some of the extreme rarities on display at the Smithsonian show blatant signs of cleaning, signs that would surely earn a Details grade for a lesser coin. I think most people agree that TPGs often overlook cleaning or damage on extreme rarities, or silently net-grade them.
It's kinda mute to say that if all known specimens were cleaned that they all would still be the most valuable.
That's could be true. I guess grading companies assign "improper cleaning" grades to coins so if a coin were to be cleaned "properly" it wouldn't be identified as cleaned on a holder anyways. I guess you are right, although I'm sure when cleaning they used the utmost care to clean the really rare stuff so there are probably little or no signs of cleaning on some of those coins. Nonetheless, they have still been "cleaned" I suppose. I'm sure some of them were cleaned in a bad way though and show it. I couldn't tell you anything about the coins on display at the Smithsonian as that exhibit was closed when I went there. I was highly disappointed. It will worth going back to see though I think!
