How to Clean Coins

Coin cleaning can negatively affect the value of old coins, which is the last thing you want to do if you have a coin that is potentially very valuable. As the economy worsens, more people are pulling out their coin collections and selling them off. Old coins can look like they need to be cleaned, but that is rarely true. It's important to know how to clean coins safely without affecting the value of your coin.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• soft cloth
• coins

1. Many of the coins we have are dirty, tarnished or discolored. Your first inclination might be to grab a bottle of cleaning solution or silver polish and scrub your coins till they are clean and shiny again! DON’T DO IT!!! Coins that are cleaned lose much of their value the minute they are cleaned. How to clean coins safely is to rinse them with water and dry them gently with a soft cloth.

2. 
    
   how to clean coins with just water

   Professionals in the coin world are very adept at spotting coins that have been cleaned. Don’t mistakenly think that the coin will still be in better shape when you clean it. Cleaning leaves clues on the surface of the coin and may affect the value from 25-75%.

3. Another thing that I want to mention is regarding the tarnishing that occurs to silver coins. This tarnishing sometimes occurs over the entire surface of the coin, sometimes just occurs at the edges and many times occurs in random places on the coin’s surface. In the coin world, this is referred to as “toning”. This “toning” can actually increase the value of the coin! This toning presents itself in many shapes and colors and coins in this condition can actually be worth up to 50% more to collectors.

4. 
    
   how to clean coins

   The bottom line to all of this is to never clean your coins with anything except water and a soft cloth! How to clean coins is just by rubbing them with a soft cloth and then leaving them alone.

5. Be cautious of coin cleaning servicesthat may claim they know how to clean coins safely or without detection. They can negatively affect your valuable coins and/or rip you off.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let anyone handle your coin collection, just handling coins can reduce your coin in valuable. Keep them protected in protective cases

Resources

• for more information on coins

[vallain]

on 2/4/2009 I didn't know that one shouldn't clean coins. Thanks.