How to tell if coins have been cleaned.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks Paddy. Sorry for the initial troubles.

[blakeyboy]

Those HEIC files are a pain- and I only use a Mac!

People don't set phone pictures to formats other people like.

Size problems on posting pictures is an easy fix- email to to yourself, setting the image size you need, then drag out of the email you receive into your post.

That's all I've ever done- no extra programs needed either.

[Peckris 2]

4 hours ago, blakeyboy said:

Those HEIC files are a pain- and I only use a Mac!

People don't set phone pictures to formats other people like.

Size problems on posting pictures is an easy fix- email to to yourself, setting the image size you need, then drag out of the email you receive into your post.

That's all I've ever done- no extra programs needed either.

There's any number of online HEIC > JPEG converters.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks for the help everyone. Apologies for the delay in response.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

I have noticed that this Morgan Dollar in my collection has a few small scratches (hairlines) on it. Do we think it has been cleaned?

Edited January 6 by Coins Of the UK and US

[Rob]

I think people get a bit worked up over the question of cleaning as the topic is somewhat nuanced. Every coin in circulation showing signs of wear has effectively been cleaned because the act of circulation ensures that contact is made with other surfaces which rub against each other. i.e. nothing different to taking a the use of chemical cloth to a coin and rubbing. That just speeds up the process. The only thing that is offensive in the eyes of most collectors is a case of a polished coin, with or without the use of chemical substances. Personally I love toning for the fact it gives added confidence that the surfaces have not been messed about with, but even that has a few caveats because silver dip will leave a residue on the coin which over time will give the piece in question a typically pinkish hue. Any coin in someone's pocket will end up from friction with lots of faint parallel lines, because they were there. Without polishing chemically, I defy anyone to see the difference between pocket rub and a soft cloth, though clearly it would be possible in the case of demonetised coins to use your loaf and conclude that not being in circulation any more, the only option left is deliberate.

In the case of the Morgan above, if the surfaces aren't reflective, probably not other than 'cleaning' from circulation, because there is clearly wear to the high points.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks Rob. Your help is much appreciated.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

If a coin has straight lines across it, is that a good indicator that the coin has been cleaned?

[Rob]

2 hours ago, Coins Of the UK and US said:

If a coin has straight lines across it, is that a good indicator that the coin has been cleaned?

Maybe. It all has to be looked at in context, but is one of the things you would check. A band of parallel lines would likely be cleaning with a cloth, but you would only see that on a proof or a coin with otherwise good surfaces. Thankfully, the application of a Brillo pad is blindingly obvious. Interpretation is everything.

[Citizen H]

just chipping in.... I tend to wash mine, warm soapy water, ultra soft brush to remove all the hand grime, some of my circulated Maundy's have improve immensely ....I tend to leave tarnished one's alone and never used silver dip,..... as mention by others gentle sympathetic washing wont harm the coins, rinse with cool clean water and pat dry, it works for me👍     

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks everyone. The help is much appreciated. This is the coin in question. 
 

[Citizen H]

22 hours ago, Coins Of the UK and US said:

I have noticed that this Morgan Dollar in my collection has a few small scratches (hairlines) on it. Do we think it has been cleaned?

maybe its been washed, to remove grime it will tone down in time, its been circulated so expect scratches, wear, and dings.  👍I must dig out some of mine... 

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks Citizen H. Your help is much appreciated.

[Rob]

Colours seen aren't very helpful. Is it a bronze currency piece or a cupro-nickel proof? I assume the former, but the colours don't tell me. If the former, then it has seen so much circulation that cleaning wouldn't change its value by much. They are quite common in mint state.

[Coins Of the UK and US]

Thanks Rob. Apologies for the quality of the photo.

[Peckris 2]

On 1/7/2026 at 3:05 PM, Coins Of the UK and US said:

Thanks everyone. The help is much appreciated. This is the coin in question. 
 

I'm not seeing the images in any of your posts. All I get is a large black square with an X top right to close it, and a small broken square in the centre.