Preface

            Forty plus years of looking for treasure

Average Collectors are not chemists

The Unclean Game

1. Why do we collect coins?

Technical grading alive in the heart, but its gone with the wind

2. "Cleaned" is Not a Four Letter Word.

            Does "Cleaned" mean anything?

            Type of cleaning, good or bad

                        Good

                                    Washing

                                                Ultrasonic cleaning

                                                Acetone cleaning

                                    Dipping

                                    Electrolytic Cleaning 

                        Bad

                                    Polishing: Good for jewelry not coins

                                    Whizzing: There is no replacement for mint luster

                                    Artificially toning: A matter of opinion in most cases

3. To Clean or Not to Clean, that is the Question

Is it for resale or to put in your collection?

            Evaluating the coin

                        What type or grade is the coin?

Circulated

                                                Uncirculated

                                                Proof

                        What is the coin's problem?

                                                Dirty

                                                Tarnished

                                                Corrosion

                                                Toned

                                                Carbon spots

                                                Finger Prints

                         What is the coin's base metal?

                                                See chapter 6

                        What is the Risk?

                        What are the possible negative results?

Will it affect the value?

Can I afford it if it does?

                        What is the process that will get the best results?

4. The Metal Makes the Difference

Copper Coins, The Untouchables

                        Steel Pennies

Silver Coins, Allergic to Its Environment

Nickel Coins, Ruff and Tuff

Gold Coins, Eternally Bright, but not Tuff

                        Ware and abrasions are its biggest enemies

            Aluminum, Forget about it!     

5. Coin Stored Properly Never Need Cleaned

            Why storage is important?

            Types of storage

            Problems & Solutions

6. Step-by-Step cleaning Methods

            Washing (All types of based metals)

            Ultrasonic (All types of based metals)

Combo (Really dirty coins)

Dipping (Silver only)

            Equivalent of dipping for copper  (All types of based metals)

            Jewelry / coin cleaners

Acetone (All types of based metals to remove contamination that washing not remove.)

Electrolytic cleaning (silver coins only for tarnish removal)

Solvent cleaning (Misc. Contamination)

7. Can You Really Tell if a Coin Has Been Cleaned?

            What does it mean when a grading company designates a coin "cleaned".

            What to look for?

            To buy or not to buy a coin?

Conclusions

How to Use Cleaning Charts

Cleaning Chart by Problem

Cleaning Chart by Base Metals

Electrolytic Cleaning Picture