why does polishing a coin reduce its value?

Answer 1

Most coin collectors see cleaning a coin as the equivalent of stripping down antique furniture and refinishing it.

When cleaning the surface metal of the coin is often stripped. Anything used to scrub the coin will leave scratches (even 100% pure silk will leave hairline scratches). Most cleaning products will have some type of reaction with the coin's metal and the surface metal can also be removed in this manner.

Your best bet is to leave the coin alone. Cleaning the coin will leave traces - which can be found by the knowledgeable collector - who in turn will not buy the cleaned coin.

Answer 2

The main problem with cleaning coins is more damage is done than if the coin was left alone. Collectors seem to be divided into 2 groups, ones that think that a coin that is toned (tarnish) is damaged. They look for original coins with original luster. They also buy a lot of cleaned or dipped coins and don't know it. The second group that I belong too, feels that over time mother nature does her thing and coins tone. We see it as beauty, I have some nickels that have turned cobalt blue and are just fantastic. We like the natural coin. No coin that has wear should be shiny and bright. Now some coins are cleaned at least a little. Most ancient coins dug from the ground have been cleaned but done by people that know their stuff. A very rare coin can be sent to the pros, they know what they can do and what not to do. This sometimes saves that coin from being lost to us from continued damage due to an acid soil it was found in. Hope this helps, don't clean the coins.

Answer 3

As a coin dealer I will advise you - never clean a coin. Collectors want them as they are...if they seem wore and discolored so be it, true collectors will not buy cleaned coins. In fact some discoloring (toning) enhances the value of the coin to many collectors.

Answer 4

here is what someone told me. If you have anything of value its history make it valuable. however, when we refinish it or clean it you are taking part of that history away and some things are only valuable because of its history.

for example (can't remember who told me this) Say you have a cabinet 100+ years old with gunshots holes from a historical gunfight. The main thing that makes it worth money is the bullet holes and if you were to take those out and refinish it you just took the main value away.

Answer 5

Collecters want the "patina" almost anything that is old is worth more in good orginal condition than after being restored.

Answer 6

When you polish metal, you take away some of its surface.
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Answer 7

Because of the oils in the product!