![]() Travers also wrote that the idea of enhancing a coin's value through cleaning is a misconception. Travers, author of the book The Insider's Guide to Coins Values states that a coin should never be cleaned as "many" collectors find them to be "repugnant". He goes on to recommend in all instances that experiments be done on cheap bronze Lincoln cents (minted 1962 to 1982) and not valuable older coins. Snow does not suggest that people try these remedies but gives an "indication" of what could be done. Amateurs, and some who are not so amateur, are forever trying to improve the condition or appearance of an old cent." Richard Snow, who specializes in the field of Flying Eagle and Indian Head cents, wrote that some cleaning techniques could improve the surface of a coin. Sheldon (creator of the Sheldon coin grading scale) wrote an opinion on cleaning old pennies stating: "Many a cent has been ruined in an attempt to improve it. Numerous known numismatists have given their opinions over the decades regarding coin cleaning. Poorly cleaned coins are now labeled "Improperly Cleaned", which negatively affects their market value depending on severity. When coins were finally viewed under the microscope and trained naked eye, the effects of treating coins were revealed to be less than ideal. The widespread practice of coin cleaning lasted until the invention of Third-party grading and sealed Coin slabs in the early 1980s. Coins that were cleaned also include the Indian Head cent, starting in the 1960s many now scarce dates were whizzed (see below) which later destroyed them of value. Bowers estimated in 1960 that 90 to 95% of the Lincoln cents sold in the marketplace dated 1910 through the late 1920s were brilliant as a result of dipping. David Bowers, collectors and coin dealers cleaned and dipped their coins then re-dipped them when the toning re-appeared as a result of these messages. The widespread practice of "improving" coins continued into the 1960s with advertisements on lotions and potions with the aim of making coins brilliant again. Penny boards were even made with instructions on how collectors should properly clean their coins by using a pencil eraser with a little bit of vinegar. Coins that were toned were considered tarnished which caused collectors to brighten up their coins with things like abrasives. īy the 1930s the motto "brilliant is best" was adopted by those in the coin collecting community. The cabinet today resides in the Smithsonian. An investigation found that the coins in the cabinet (displayed in the Philadelphia Mint since 1838) had at some point been cleaned by an attendant using purchased metal polish, as the coins were "tarnished". In 1903, many coins in the collection that had once been in proof condition were now partly covered in a white coating. Another early example involves the Philadelphia coin cabinet. Cleansers were used on the cents to try and make the coins mint red again. These coins soon became popular with collectors after they were discontinued in 1857 due to the rising costs of copper. The cleaning of coins though can be traced as far back as the mid 1800s in the United States when it came to Half cents and large cents. History Container of coin cleaner which is used for dipping coinsĬoin cleaning has no definitive start date as when any object looks dirty people are usually inclined to clean it. Commonly found coins are mentioned as ideal candidates for any attempted cleaning experiments. If a potentially valuable coin must be cleaned (for example if the coin is deformed) then professional work is recommended. Most coin experts have since come out against cleaning coins, as doing so can negatively affect them both in grade and value. ![]() When certified grading came into use in the mid 1980s though, the practice of cleaning coins diminished over time. Solutions from pencil erasers to wire brushes and potassium cyanide were all used as cleaning agents with the goal to make the coin look brilliant again. It was once common practice to clean coins as the method was recommended by experts in the field. Those that argue in favor of cleaning are also in dispute on which methods work best. The subject is disputed among the numismatic community whether cleaning coins is necessary. Note the wear present, as well as tarnished areas on the "brilliant red" surface.Ĭoin cleaning is the process of removing undesirable substances from a coin's surface in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers. An improperly cleaned Indian Head cent from 1900.
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