Should old coins be cleaned before selling?

Put down the scrubber. It's never bath time for coins. No matter how dirty, worn or tarnished they are, the filth is part of their charm (aka value). Over time, coins go through a natural process called 'toning'.

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Does cleaning old coins affect the value?

Cleaning or polishing rare coins devalues them. So, if you're planning on selling them, get an appraisal before attempting to clean your coins.

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Can you safely clean coins without losing value?

Before cleaning old coins, consider that appraisers and coin experts suggest not cleaning collectible coins yourself because the coins may lose their value. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins can leave behind scratches and marks, easily seen by a skilled coin appraiser.

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Should I clean my coins before I sell them?

Don't clean your coins! Not only does this cut their value by as much as half (or possibly even more), but it will be an immediate deal-breaker for many dealers who would've otherwise wanted to buy your coins if only they were left in their original condition.

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Why does cleaning a coin devalue it?

Since oil and dirt cannot be removed without cleaning, a small touch can cut a coin's value in half or even more because, again, numismatists would rather have an oxidized but untouched coin than a shiny but damaged one. The bottom line for anyone looking to sell coins from a coin collection: don't clean your coins.

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Should You Clean Your Coins? Coin Restoration Versus Coin Cleaning Facts

16 related questions found

How do professionals clean coins?

Distilled water is recommended as tap water contains chlorine. The coin is dipped into olive oil which according to Hudgeons, works best for common copper or bronze coins.

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Can you tell if a coin has been cleaned?

Judge the age and consistency of the color, its depth and evenness. The underlying luster should be undisturbed and in a perfect cartwheel pattern, this being especially visible about the obverse stars. Look for hairlines or other imperfections that may indicate the coin was cleaned at some time in its past.

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Is there a free app to scan coins for value?

CoinFacts (PCGS mobile app) Many coin collectors say the first place to start for any coin collector or enthusiast is with PCGS — offering a variety of different coin-collecting apps for both iOS and Android. PCGS claims they're the industry standard for grading and valuing coins.

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What to do with old coins?

How to recycle old and foreign coins
  1. Try taking old or foreign coins to your local charity shop as many charities accept them to help raise valuable funds.
  2. You can also often donate foreign coins on your return flight from holiday.

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Do coin machines take dirty coins?

Make sure your coins have been cleared of all dirt, debris and other objects prior to visiting the kiosk to ensure a successful transaction. Items like food, screws, dirty or sticky coins and other objects will jam the machine.

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Do coin collectors clean coins?

It was a common practice for coin collectors to "clean" their coins to keep them in mint condition. As time progressed, more and more metal was removed from the surface of the coin and thus destroying some of the finer details on the coin.

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What coins are worth money today?

Here is a list of a possible top 10 rarest coins from the U.S.:
  • 1849 Coronet $20 Double Eagle.
  • 1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar.
  • 1933 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle.
  • 1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar.
  • 1913 Liberty Head Nickel.
  • 1894-S Barber Dime.
  • 1804 Silver Dollar.
  • 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter.

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Is it OK to clean junk silver coins?

Even though it's counterintuitive, you should never clean a coin, as it can significantly reduce its value. Even coins that have substantial dirt, tarnishing, or toning should be kept in their original condition.

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What is the best cleaner for old coins?

Here's our surefire way to clean tarnished coins:
  • In a plastic container like those for storing your leftover foods or a small child sized bucket, add 1 cup of white vinegar and soak 4-5 coins in it. ...
  • Take the coins out and sprinkle some baking soda over them; then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush them clean.

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How do you clean coins in Australia?

Coins that are obviously dirty can be run under water (with a very mild detergent) and left to air dry. A short soak in olive oil may remove unwanted gunge. For cleaning corroded coins the damage is already done, they will forever show pitting into the coin surface. This is as far as anyone should go with cleaning.

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How do I sell my coins?

You can sell your coins by taking them to a local coin store, searching for a dealer online through reputable sources like The American Numismatic Association, taking them to a coin show, or submitting them to be sold at an auction.

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Can you clean coins with sanitizer?

Use Hand Sanitizer

This buildup causes the metal to tarnish and can increase the amount of wear and corrosion on the face of the coin. The more the face of the coin is handled, the more subdued the features will become. Hand sanitizer will remove the bulk of those troublesome oils.

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How do you clean coins after metal detecting?

Easily the best method to clean clad and other common finds. Place your coins into a rock tumbler with a small amount of fish gravel from a pet store. Add some vinegar, salt and lemon juice - and get to tumbling. This only takes about 30-60 minutes until you see a huge difference.

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How do you tell if a coin has been dipped?

If the coin has a flat luster but yet is dated it has probably been dipped, most coins will have a frosty, smooth or glossy lustre if they are untouched and you can easily see the difference. Wizzed or tooled coins can be detected by small abrasive marks on the surface of the coins, often the finish will be mirrored.

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