Do Cleaned Coins Bother You?

Ooooh, this is a real tough one. I have been conditioned by my time here no this forum to accept the fact that cleaning destroys the value of a coin and, all things considered, I would much prefer an uncleaned coin in pristine and shiny condition than one that is only shiny because it has been cleaned. But I can't afford too many uncleaned coins that are in pristine and shiny condition, and I have to admit that some uncleaned coins don't have that much eye appeal. But cleaning them destroys the value!

For coins that are rare and valuable, I grudgingly go with uncleaned examples even if they are very dark and could really use a good cleaning, since I know that cleaning them would really kill their value. As a result, I have a small number of coins like the following which I really wish looked better:



This coin cost me thousands of dollars, but it would have cost many thousands more if it were still bright and shiny (and uncleaned).

On the other hand, I have a few coins that have no doubt been cleaned but they aren't investment-grade coins to begin with and I just love the way they look. These are coins I bought specifically for my 7070 type album and eye appeal and amount of detail is much more important than the actual value. For example:

Well, I'd say that if you like it so much you can have it, but...

I actually do like it and would never ever consider cleaning it, but I just wish I could have afforded an even better example that wasn't so dark. Sadly, in uncleaned condition, that would run me, what, $10K? More? Waaaaaaaay too rich for my blood.

Usually I stay away from cleaned coins but I do have a few classic commemorative coins that have been certified (PCGS and NGC) improperly cleaned but were very expensive MS 66 or better. They are MS 60 -62 but I'm happy with them.

If its only to remove surface grime so you can see details without scratching or removing metal, I'm all for it.

Cleaned coins don't bother me so much if the price is low. The lower the price, the less it bothers me.

I don't mind a cleaned coin if it has good eye appeal and is priced accordingly.

Depending on the cleaning, I would sometimes prefer an original coin with a hole drilled in it.

Here is an article on coin "laundering", Coin washer keeps Westin St. Francis' change shiny;

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/artic...p#item-39786