Coins Treasure World: 05 To clean or not to clean

Mint Luster

The shine that new coins have is technically called mint luster by numismatists. The shine of mint luster is created during the actual coin striking process, when the coin dies come into contact with the planchet under extreme pressure. This process causes changes to the metal of the planchet at the molecular level. The metal of the planchet is forced, by the great striking pressure, to flow into the coin dies (and also against the flat surfaces of the dies and against the edges of the collar, which produce the reeded edge we see on certain coins like dimes, quarters, etc.)

1. A Shiny, Never Cleaned Coin Can Do Cartwheels!

As a result of all of this flowing metal, which is happening under extremely high pressure, a unique event occurs. When the metal is done flowing, it has acquired a beautiful, lustrous shine that is a by-product of the coin manufacturing process. The precise cause of the coin's shiny surface, or mint luster, is what we call flow lines; these are microscopic patterns in the metal where the molecules have been forced to line up in certain ways. These flow lines are easier to see on larger coins than on smaller ones. In fact, Morgan Dollars were quickly nicknamed cartwheels when they first came out, partly because the flow lines caused the appearance of a turning windmill when the coin was tilted at angles to the light. (The other reason Morgans were called cartwheels was a derogatory term for their large size and heaviness. Morgan Dollars were quite unpopular when they first came out. In fact, people disliked them so much that you could still get them in mint condition with dates in the 1800s right from banks until the early 1960s! The story of the History of the Morgan Dollar is truly fascinating and at times incredible!)

To see the amazing cartwheel effect, take any newly minted coin which is still uncirculated (you probably have a few in your pocket change right now) and tilt the coin to the light, watching for the band of the "cartwheel" to rotate around. It is much easier to see this effect on the obverse (head's side of the coin) than the reverse side, because there is usually more flat space, called the field, on the side with the portrait. Also, the larger the coin, the easier it is to see the cartwheel effect, and the better it rotates.

2. Why is Not Cleaning the Coin So Important?

The reason I spent so much time explaining how the cartwheel effect is created, and how you can see if for yourself, is because the cartwheel effect gives us a good indication of what condition the surface of the coin is in, specifically whether the coin has been cleaned or not. In today's coin collecting market, the state of preservation of the surface of the coin has become a critically important element in judging what the value of the coin is. If a coin has been cleaned, its value is significantly reduced. If the coin bears a common date in the twentieth century (1900 to 1999) and it has been cleaned, most dealers throw them on a scale and pay you a small premium.

What I am trying so hard to stress to you is that cleaning your coins is a surefire way to destroy the surface of a coin, along with a good portion of the coin's value. In all fairness, grading services do make occasional exceptions regarding the cleaning rule, especially for coins that are so rare that people are glad to acquire one despite the damaged surface. On coins of the nineteenth century and earlier (dates in the 1800s and before,) the grading services are also more lenient about cleaned coins, but generally only if the coin was cleaned many, many years ago.

3. If I Clean My Coins Which Are Dirty and Ugly, How Can This Possibly Hurt Them?

Once again, we're back to our cartwheels, which is our demonstration of the state of preservation of the surface of the coin. For example, let's take a silver coin (although nearly all coins can suffer toning, which is technically surface damage.) Silver coins will tone, or tarnish, as a result of the silver molecules interacting with elements in the environment. As you will see with a tarnished silver coin, you have lost your cartwheel effect, and the surface of the coin itself will have suffered some damage (which is why your cartwheel effect is gone.) However, despite these changes, the surface of your coin is usually still intact, which can be easily verified under magnification. The coin hasn't yet lost much value, because the surface is still intact, the way it left the mint. In fact, some toning is considered to be very beautiful, and an enhancement to the value of the coin!

Another good way to damage the surface of your coin is to use an abrasive cleaner. These come with names like Wright's Silver Polish and generally consist of a paste or cream that you rub into the coin's surface until you have removed all the toning (and flow lines, cartwheel effect, a great number of molecular layers of the coin's surface itself, and a good portion of the coin's value to boot.)

But one thing is nearly certain: if you clean a coin to remove tarnish or toning, you will damage the surface of the coin. Some methods of cleaning metal use a "dip" type of cleaning, where you dip the coin in a solution for a brief time and than wash it off. This method is one of the least damaging, since it usually just strips a layer or two off the surface of the coin (including the fragile flow lines which give the cartwheel effect.) Dipping also leaves the surface dull and ugly.

If you are convinced that the coins are to be cleaned with least disturbance , here is an alternate method, which I have been following. You may notice the condition of the metal spikes due to constant usage .Follow steps 1 to 4

Step 1. Metal Spikes Holder :

You can get this in Flower Arrangement Outlets. Square shape with 20 x 20 spikes will be good enough. The width between spikes should be able to accommodate the thick coins to be cleaned.

Step 2. Organizing coins for cleaning.

Organize the Coins vertically without touching each other and with clear gaps between them. Make sure that all the coins are arranged properly.

Step 3. Retaining Bowl

Place the metal spike with the coins inside a bowl as shown.

Step 4. Soaking coins:

Pour a diluted hand washing solution inside the bowl till water level is 2 or 3 millimeters above the top of the coins. By this method , both sides and the edges of the coins will be in contact with the solution for the same duration and avoiding differential exposure to the solution. After 4 to 5 hours , remove the coins slowly. Clean the coins with fresh water and then wipe off with a lint free soft cloth like “used dhoti”. This method had been followed by me for the encapsulation of the coins to be detailed in the succeeding write-ups.