cleaning coins

[cherry grove]

What is the best way, or do you clean coins. I have heard cleaning them will decrease the value.

[Howey01]

Cleaning the silver and key date coins can devalue them but the clad lots put them in a tumbler with aqurium gravel and a drop or two of dish soap and tumble them to spend. Howard

[ct01r]

On old coins, the key word is GENTLE. You have to clean a little to see the date and mint marks, sometimes. If it's a common date, it be too bad to clean it gently by soaking, etc. to make it nicer. If it's a key date, by the time you shine it up it'll be too late. If it's caked in dirt, I usually try to clean it with plain water till I see the date before I do anything else. You're right, cleaning old coins can cut the value in half or more. Curt

[~Alan~]

All good advice.... If in doubt....DONT !

Unless it's for you private collection, and you have no intention of selling.

[Beefcake]

There are plenty of knowledgeable individuals on here that will point out really quick if your coin is a key date and whether or not to clean it... ask first, but as said before... when in doubt...Don't!