Poll Question: Do you buy cleaned coins? Why or why not?

Thank you. I would never knowingly buy a cleaned coin. Such a coin may appear cheap, but if I were to try to resell it, I know I would have a hard time selling it, and it would still be at a discounted price compared to an uncleaned coin. Today I buy mostly certified coins, and hopefully, that would eliminate or reduce the chances of buying a cleaned coin.

Louis Iudiciani, Cumberland, R.I.

Never. It's pretty clear from the numismatic literature that those coins are frowned upon and don't do well in the resale market.

Jim, Colorado

Yes, I have. All collectors have. Only doubters are thieving dealers. 

Name and Address withheld

Generally speaking, 'No, I do not.'  But, in a long collecting career, I would say many, many of any coin sold as a single today have been cleaned in some way.  Exceptions are most likely from original BU rolls or bags, modern proof sets, and the very fortunate coin to be stored in acid-free albums with non-PVC slides.  

That said, some are enhanced by cleaning (conservation, if you wish); many are not. Hairlines, more serious scratches and washed-out luster are often so obvious and unappealing to me.

Yet at one time, collectors did not mind; they wanted to fill the hole or have the denomination or date or mint mark. I recently handled a nearly complete set of Seated Liberty dollars that had been assembled in the 1960s to mid-1970s, and virtually every one had been cleaned, including the 1851 and 1852, but they were bright. The now-deceased collector liked them that way.

Gary Burhop, Address withheld

No, I do not buy cleaned coins unless they are for junk silver to add to the stack.

Name and Address withheld

Yes, depending on cost and condition. 

Name and Address withheld

As a general rule, I try to avoid buying any coins with problems, cleaning, over-dipped, burnished, tooled, etc.

God knows I bought enough problem coins as I was learning.

Where I sometimes make a difference and will buy a cleaned coin is if it's a rare coin or die variety, or coins from the early days of the U.S. Mint from 1793-approx. 1820s, if the coin looks attractive.

I recently bought a really nicely toned 1806 half that was encapsulated, XF details 

I thought the coin might have been cleaned many years ago, but it had re-toned beautifully and looked almost original

That coin I am glad to own in my collection, as it’s an extremely attractive coin.

Roy, Address withheld