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Debate: Should you clean old coins you dig up or leave them dirty?
My buddy Mark told me to never clean any coin I find, says it ruins the value and patina. So I left a 1919 wheat penny I dug up at a park in Denver totally grimy and crusty. Then I saw another guy at the flea market selling the same coin cleaned up for triple what I'd get. Now I'm torn, does cleaning a common coin like that really matter if it's not rare? Or is Mark right that you should always keep the dirt for authenticity? What do you all do with your dug-up coins, clean them gentle or just leave them as-is?
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camerona799d ago
Did you try scrubbing one with a toothbrush and baking soda yet?
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skyler_white7d agoTop Commenter
Oh man, I really feel for you on this. I’ve been there, scrubbing like crazy and barely making a dent. It is honestly one of the most frustrating things, especially when you just want the kitchen to feel clean. Have you let the baking soda paste sit on there for like 10-15 minutes before scrubbing? That little extra time always seems to help me when I’m dealing with really stubborn spots.
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