Expert: Joe Hylas - 7/29/2004

Question
After a 40 year hiatus, I recently resurrected my boyhood coin collection (circulated American coins culled out in the early 1960s).  Several of my cents and silver coins have black spots on them that don't readily come off with light "scratching" or rubbing.  I fear that I have tarnish build up that can only be removed with harsh, damaging chemicals, thereby affecting the value of the coins.  It appears that the spots are etching the coins and/or pitting them.  Is there any advice you can give regarding how to remove the spots without performing radical surgery?  

Answer
Hi Rob,
Unfortunately, once you scratch or rub a coin, it leaves marks and the coin loses value.  Coin certification companies will not certify coins that have been cleaned or tampered with.  Chances are that the spotting/pitting is the result of storage in a damp area.
Unless there are key dates, I suggest starting anew but make sure you use high quality albums or coin holders, or better yet, acquire only PCGS and NGC coins.

Regards,
Joe Hylas