Poll Question: Have you ever cleaned a coin? Why and how?

I sure have, but they were in such really bad shape. These coins were coins I found and had next to no value. But like all good collectors, I have my good old white cotton gloves on and never think of cleaning my collection coins.

Roy E Robertson, Annapolis, Md.

I cleaned my coins when I didn't know better, but after reading and watching videos, I stopped doing that a long time ago. However, I sometimes clean a coin with only warm water or a little soap and rinse it if it's too dirty or nasty to see properly.

Name and Address withheld

Yes, I have cleaned coins and purchased cleaned coins. In some cases, I think mildly cleaning a coin, say in a mild dip, helps its eye appeal. But some coins have been ruined by the use of a wire brush—this is bad. I once dipped a VG U.S. half-cent that was so black that its features were unrecognizable. I put it away for two years, and upon retrieval, it had re-toned.

Name and Address withheld

No. Never take the risk of cleaning coins.

Elizabeth Griffin, Address withheld

I often cleaned coins with electrolysis. These coins were colonial, and I found them with a metal detector.

Name and Address withheld

I buy coins from around the world, and God knows what manipulation has occurred. So, yes, I clean my coins on occasion. Using a little acetone will go a long way toward getting rid of grease, fingerprints, or dirt and dust from the mint's manufacturing process.

A good friend numismatist even advised cleaning all coins coming from new rolls, particularly the MS65, 66, and 67, which we may find and send away for certification. The result is very surprising. The soft cotton swab gets very dirty. Often, eye appeal will even improve.

The beauty of acetone is that the luster is not affected. However, one has to be careful not to leave what looks like a cloud from the acetone evaporation, particularly on copper coins.

A 30-minute WD40 bath may also help an older circulated coin get rid of accumulated dirt in the various letters, like A's and O's. Using a very soft baby toothbrush, dirt will come out. The grade will not change, but the coin will look a little healthier.

François Rufiange, Quebec City, Canada

Yes, I have cleaned silver coins. I place a piece of tin foil on the bottom of a glass bowl, put down the coin, and add some baking soda and boiling water. The coin comes out without any tarnish or dirt!

Jerry, Bristol, Pa.

When I was young, I experimented with various cleaning solutions on common copper and silver coins; that said, I never cleaned a scarce or rare coin. Having subscribed to several numismatic publications, I knew better than to do that. Still, seeing the reaction to my various cleaning solutions/experiments was fun.

Lorne Lavertu, Herndon, Va.

Yes. I have used acetone on large batches of cents to remove the gunk from years of circulation and/or storage. I have used MS 70 on silver coins taken out of the old plastic sleeves used years ago that leaves the cloudiness on the coins, and I have used EZ Dipp when a coin has been artificially toned. 

I like clean coins, and if there is a really ugly tarnish, I will do my best to remove it without damaging the coin. I do not like whizzed coins, but I have no problem with a light dip.

Mike McG, Cocoa, Fla.

I collect Morgan silver dollars, and I have cleaned some. I use the recipe from the NGS.

Name and Address withheld.