Antique Coins Value

18 September 2011

antique coins value

Cleaning Coins – Should you Do It?

Allow me to guide through the aspects of Cleaning Coins.

As a coin collector you have in all probability come across coins that look like they were filthy. You probably decided that the coins needed to be cleaned to give them back their full value but did you know that cleaning your coins can truly damage certain valuable characteristics that are required for coin valuing?

You see your coins contain a certain patina about them, like antiques, the patina should never be removed. The patina is a chemical process caused by oxygen in the air.

For this reason you may want to leave the coins more or less in the condition that you have found them in. Once you have found a good place to store them you will need to find a reputed coin dealer. This individual should be able to inform you of the price that these coins you have are worth. Once you have gotten at least several coin appraisals carried out you can ask the coin expert how you should go about cleaning coins without causing any damage.

This is very important to find out as these people will have the knowledge and the experience in handling coins for various collection purposes. With all of this information they can tell you the best methods for cleaning coins without losing the diverse characterizing marks. When the process of cleaning coins has been finished you should look to making sure that you have a protective coin folder handy so that you can place the coins inside quickly.

Holding your coins inside of a coin folder will ensure that they are in good condition. Since cleaning coins can hurt the coins’ value you should find out from the coin shops what the various items are, that you can use to keep your coins in mint condition. You must remember that many cleaning solutions will be harmful to the coins. Thus you should truly see what are the simplest ways of cleaning coins that do not involve any cleaning solutions.

There is no real need for you to clean your coins as this will in all probability reduce the value. Therefore you will be better off if you keep these coins in a safe place and leave cleaning coins for the professionals, and only when you really need it cleaned.

Cleaning coins is not necessary for every coin you come across, but if you’ve been treasure hunting and have only recently dug up your coins, you might want to look into cleaning coins with mud and grit on them. Even then, the best recommended course of action would be for you to give your coins cleaned professionally.

But if you are cleaning coins on your own, then you’re probably better off starting with a coin that isn’t of value first. This way you can see the effect that your cleaning methods will have on them. After that you can graduate to cleaning coins that aren’t worth a fortune, but which might conceivably fetch a handsome sum for you. Or you could just leave cleaning coins to the experts and hand it all over to a trusted professional service.

Small tip: Never wrap your coins in paper. Paper contains trace amounts of sulphuric acid, which can damage your coins. Also never use a brush of a mild abrasive cleaner when cleaning you coins.

Finally, I’d like to thank you for reading this article and I hope it was helpful information.

About the Author

The coin-collecting-tips.com Website is the best place to learn more about various aspects of coin collecting . Learn more about Cleaning Coins . Read our guide for Beginners: “How to become a coin collecting expert”

Hubble 3D The Collection


Walt Disney Treasures - The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942 - 1946)


Walt Disney Treasures – The Chronological Donald, Volume Two (1942 – 1946)


$32.99


CHRONOLOGICAL DONALD, THE-VOLUME 2: 1942…

The Beatles Fab 4 Commemorative Coin 1964 Visit to USA


The Beatles Fab 4 Commemorative Coin 1964 Visit to USA



1 1/4 ” ROUND

HALF DOLLAR SIZE

FRONT HAS PIC OF ALL 4

REVERSE COMMEMORATING 1964 BEATLES VISIT TO UNITED STATES

NOT SURE OF AGE

NEAT OLD WAREHOUSE FIND…


Roy Rogers Riders Good Luck Forever Token Coin Medal


Roy Rogers Riders Good Luck Forever Token Coin Medal



1 ” ROUND

REVERSE GOOD LUCK FOREVER

WAREHOUSE FIND- NOT SURE OF ORIGINAL AGE

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY ROY ROGERS OR OLD WEST FAN!

WOULD ALSO MAKE A GREAT GIFT…


Hand Painted UNCLE SAM Cast Iron Mechanical Bank Money


Hand Painted UNCLE SAM Cast Iron Mechanical Bank Money


$19.95


Made of cast iron, this retro look mechanical coin bank features Uncle Sam, the personification of the United States government. Put a coin in Uncle Sam’s right hand, press the button behind his feet, and Uncle Sam drops the coin into his red satchel. The bank measures 11 inches tall, 4 1/2 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide. It is hand-painted, then artificially aged to make it look like a mechani…

Three Centuries Of U.S. Silver Dollars Coins by The Bradford Exchange


Three Centuries Of U.S. Silver Dollars Coins by The Bradford Exchange



Collectible Silver Dollar Coin Set with Wood Display Case! Includes 1878 Morgan, 1935 Peace and 2009 American Eagle Coins! – While silver has been closely tied to the history of man for thousands of years, it didn’t become a part of our American history until 1792 when Congress based our young nation’s currency on the silver dollar. Now The Bradford Exchange Mint has put together a collectible set…


A Guide Book of United States Coins 2011: The Official Red Book (Guide Book of U.S. Coins: The Official Redbook)


A Guide Book of United States Coins 2011: The Official Red Book (Guide Book of U.S. Coins: The Official Redbook)


$7.94


This book includes everything you’ve ever wanted to know about US coins! (ISBN 0794831494)…

2012 Guide Book of United States Coins: Red Book


2012 Guide Book of United States Coins: Red Book


$8.96


The Official Red Book A Guide Book of United States Coins is 65 years young and going strong. Collectors around the country love the convenience of the spiralbound edition. It opens up and lies flat on the table while you study your coin collection. And of course it includes all the historical background, detailed specifications, high-resolution photographs, and accurate mintage data that turn a n…

State Series Quarters Collector Map


State Series Quarters Collector Map


$6.44


This is the State Series Quarters Collector Map by Whitman®. / / FEATURES: A beautiful, 4-color, oversized 3-fold folder with snap latch. / Color-coded map of the United States will showcase one of each / state quarter design. / Each coin opening located on the map has the state’s logo. / Educational details of each state including their statehood / date, capital, state bird, flower, etc. / INCL…

2012 Handbook of U.s. Coins: Blue Book (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper))


2012 Handbook of U.s. Coins: Blue Book (Handbook of United States Coins (Paper))


$5.64


The Official Blue Book of United States Coins 2012, Paperback. This guide features grading and collecting tips, mintage records, historical information, and data compiled by more than 50 coin-elite contributors. Lists dealer buy prices, how much dealers will pay for your coins, not retail prices. R.S. Yeoman, Edited by Kenneth Bressett, 256 pages….


Subscribe to our Newsletter