Should I clean the dirty ones?

[Novapax]

Just starting out and have found 4 40%ers. They are really gunked up. I have used the aluminum foil and baking soda method for silver bullion before but not sure if I should use it for the halves.


Any ideas are welcome!


Novapax

 

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[Generic_Lad]

40%ers are only worth scrap value so it shouldn't hurt the value really. But personally, I wouldn't clean /any/ coin unless I literally dug it out of the ground.

 

[Bigheed]

if they're just junk silver it doesn't matter to the refiners but if you don't like all that crud go ahead and clean them!

 

[That Canadian Guy]

If you insist upon cleaning your silver coins then I must insist upon you using baking soda and water. It works the best for me and me coin dealer occasionally uses this method.

 

[coinfinder]

I don't recommend cleaning any coins, no matter how tempting. Just my opinion!

 

[Novapax]

Thanks. With the baking soda/aluminum foil method, all you do is put the coin on the foil, add baking soda then pour hot water over it. Give it a few minutes and then rinse. No rubbing needed.


I did it with no ill effects. I would never do it to a 90%er unless it was found in the ground like someone else said.


Thanks again. Getting my first 2 boxes of halves Wednesday. Wish me luck!



Novapax

 

[usandthem]

40%ers are only worth scrap value so it shouldn't hurt the value really. But personally, I wouldn't clean /any/ coin unless I literally dug it out of the ground.

The 1970 D is the key coin of the Kennedy series and has a pretty good premium. I wouldn't clean one of those if I found one. Just sayin'.

 

[usernameerror]

I just love how the silver coins look when cleaned. They do shine up very nicely. I don't have any rare or important silvers in my collection so I'm thinking about cleaning them. They are worth more in silver anyway. I'll probably not clean all my Walkers however since they look really nice with black tarnish outlining the obverse and reverse.

 

[fistfulladirt]

They minted millions. Clean away. I have used a jewelers's dip, I save baking soda for the dug ones, as it's abrasive.