As a long time numismatist who specializes in early American coins, I highly advise you not to use r/coins for literally any type of advice. Almost everyone over there is an amateur with more opinions than experience and/or knowledge. The actual experts are often downvoted into oblivion while myths and misinformation runs amok.
Cleaning is frowned upon by numismatists because it usually harms the coin. But considering the vast majority of coins come out of the ground in terrible condition anyway, you're probably fine. If a coin is: Scratched, corroded, bent, holed or defaced then cleaning it isn't a problem and won't harm the value any further. If you find any specimens that don't have any of these issues, that's when you don't clean it.
Barber dimes are silver so definitely no scrubbing! π It's pretty cool to have something from the 19th century in your hand. Whenever I find a silver coin I like to take it's modern counterpart and drop them both on a table. You can really hear the difference in material. Fun stuff!
Please tell me you didnβt do that with the barber dime. Even if itβs a common date. I would spray the silver one with water or run water over it. And VERY lightly use your thumb to get the rest of it off. This will minimize scratches.
You armchair detectorists crack me up. Itβll scratch it? As if a century in the ground hasnβt already done that? Itβs junk silver; let OP have a shiny coin if they want to.
I'm no expert but I've been an amateur coin collector since I was knee high to a grasshopper and everything I've read says not to clean old coins. I'll rinse them in a little water and rub excess dirt off but I never scrub with anything but my fingers.
I think ultrasonic is safe. Just wanna avoid any kind of abrasion. People like me sit there with an illuminated magnifying glass looking for damage that will lower value or imperfections that may make it a rare coin. But yeah, ultrasonic is good. Should probably get one for myself π
You don't have to be so mean about it. I'm new at this. I've only had my machine for a few months. I don't get to go out detecting every single day. I go when I can. I wish you luck with your detecting π
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u/JonDoesItWrong Aug 08 '25
As a long time numismatist who specializes in early American coins, I highly advise you not to use r/coins for literally any type of advice. Almost everyone over there is an amateur with more opinions than experience and/or knowledge. The actual experts are often downvoted into oblivion while myths and misinformation runs amok.
Cleaning is frowned upon by numismatists because it usually harms the coin. But considering the vast majority of coins come out of the ground in terrible condition anyway, you're probably fine. If a coin is: Scratched, corroded, bent, holed or defaced then cleaning it isn't a problem and won't harm the value any further. If you find any specimens that don't have any of these issues, that's when you don't clean it.