Expert: PAPAJACK - 6/15/2009

Question
I have a large penny dated 1840 with a few scratches but otherwise seems in decent condition. There is some wear and dirt.  Can / or should it be cleaned and how? Is it worth much?

Answer
Let me first state as a Coin Collector that coins are worth much less to coin collectors after having been cleaned. There is usually no reason to clean a coin. Unless the substance on the surface is destroying the coin (like acid, PVC damage etc.) don’t clean it.

Any coin that has ever been cleaned will sell for much less.
True coin collectors don't recommend cleaning coins at all.
When a coin is cleaned the original surface is removed thus removing the luster that the purest collectors want to see.
The cleaned surface allows other contaminates to attack the surface. Also the cleaning may deposit other particles on the surface.

Also note that coins that are naturally toned (specially silver coins) bring higher prices than cleaned coins. Usually double the amount. Also if the coins have an unusual blue, olive, or rainbow colored toning they sometimes can be sold for many times their usual price.

Cleaning of Bronze, Copper, Silver or any coin renders it virtually valueless! Collectors would rather have a dark deep chocolate brown specimen or spotty brown than a cleaned coin. Even rubbing a coin with a very soft cloth can leave minute scratches on the surface that will adversely affect collector value.

To improve a coin's appearance it sometimes in the past was acceptable--on a very limited basis to gently swish it in a diluted solution of pure soap, rinse with distilled water and allow to air dry.  (or pat dry lightly with a very soft cloth) Never use any type of commercial jewelry polish on coins. These compounds contain abrasive grit that will mar their surface, and if used often will eventually wear away the metal. The same advice goes for "home remedies" such as vinegar, lemon juice, tomato juice, etc. All will do more harm than good.

Below is an excerpt from a professional society (authorized by the US Congress) in reference to cleaning coins.:

"Rule number one of coin collecting is "DON'T CLEAN YOUR COINS." Improper cleaning will reduce the collector value of your coins by 50 percent or more, so don't clean your coins.

To give you a value for this piece you must know the coins grade. The value factors are its state of preservation and how rare the coin is.

The Coin grading scale runs from 1 to 70.  If it was circulated the coin cannot grade higher than 59. They are in demand in high grade by collectors and the value increases accordingly.

To be properly valued it will have to be graded by an experienced person. And for the highest value it must have never been cleaned and be free of nicks and dents.
Features (to grade the coin) to look at are how clear the word LIBERTY is and the cords holding the hair.
If the features I describe are not visible the coins grades less than 8 of the possible 70 points.

Here's a quick wear/Grading guideline from the Redbook:

GOOD or Grade 4 :
Considerably worn but LIBERTY readable.

VERY GOOD or Grade 8:
Hairlines worn but visible, outline of ear clearly defined.

FINE or Grade 12:
Hairlines at top of head and behind ear worn but visible. Braid over brow plain, ear clear.

VERY FINE or Grade 20:   
All details more sharp. Hair over brow shows only slight wear.

EXTREMELY FINE or Grade 40:  
Hair over ear detailed but slightly worn.


I can only give you a range of prices for a 1848 Cent.

Good (Grade 4) = $8 - $10

Very Good (Grade-8) = $12 - $22

Fine (grade-12) = $28  - $40

Very Fine (grade-20) = $40  - $50

Extremely Fine (grade-40) = $50  - $75

These values are estimates depending on condition yours may be more or less valuable.

Please write me again if you need grading your coin, just let me know.

Good Luck

PapaJack