TexasCHLforum.com

bayouhazard wrote:All I know is don't run them hrough your brass tumbler.

RX8er wrote:The only coins I collect are the ones that pile up on the night stand before The_Busy_Mom finds them and uses them for kids lunches. I am not a collector or even hobbyist so YMMV with the below.

I have always been told that you should not try to clean or repair them in any way. Sometimes, the age and aged look increase the value. Also, if you can document any type of story, even if it pertains to your family, this can increase the vale.

Absolutely....DO NOT try to clean them up. On older coins, most collectors prefer they remain in their natural state without any alteration to the natural aged "toning" or patina.

If you think you have any "high grade" coins, and hope to sell them on a mass market venue (such as Ebay or other online sources), the only way to get top dollar for them is to have them graded and slabbed by one of the TOP grading services such as NGC, PGS, PCGS. Just putting it in a 2x2 cellophane holder and writing AU40 on it won't work. Knowledgable collectors will want to put their own eyes on it unless it's been slabbed. In recent years, there have been instances of counterfeiting almost every coin out there that has substantial value. In the last few years, there have been numerous Chinese knockoffs of US silver dollars and even the current era American Silver Eagles. There have also been counterfeited slabbed coins on the market. The top grading services are all use holographic imaging and special inks on their slabbed labeling to try and protect against it.