Cleaned Coin Or Not?

depends on the amount of damage.

Sometimes "cleaned" is about all you can find for a specific coin. Matte proof Lincolns 1909-1916 are an example. I think a good 50% of what I see are cleaned. I would buy a lightly cleaned one for about 2/3 - 3/4 of what I would have to offer for an uncleaned. I would venture that more 1850s coins exist cleaned than original. If it is a special type of coin, cleaning will not keep it from appreciating, just that resale will probably still be at about the same ratio ( unless standards on cleaning change again ).

Jim

WELCOME TO THE FORUM.
You didn't explain some things. For example what type of coin is it? Half Dollar, Siver Dollar, cent, dime, etc. You didn't say how much? Nor did you explain what you intended to do with that coin.
The reason I mention this is I am a collector, never want to be a dealer, never sell any coins. Therefore I really don't care if a coin is cleaned or not. If I like it, need it, want it and it has been cleaned, I really don't care. Of course there are limits to that statement. For example if a coin has been cleaned and now shines and has scratches from a brush or something, I will avoid that for sure. I've seen many people use coins for demonstrating how well a polish works. The resulting coins appear as if they were coated with a laquer spray so I would avoid those also.
I've purchased many cleaned coins and attempted to make them look a little more presentable by allowing them to tone down a little. I usually place such coins on a kitchen window sill for a few months.