Is polishing silver coins bad for re-sale value?

[maury]

I noticed a few questions here about silver coins, so I hope there's someone who can answer a simple question. I have a bunch of US Silver coins that I would like to sell, probably on eBay. They have been in a draw since around forever; some are very tarnished, some so-so. Will it effect the re-sale value to polish them? I have seen some homebrew formulars using baking soda and salt: this mixture OK for coins?

Thanks!!

 

[skyhorse]

Oh yeah,don't polish them!

 

[RubiconSS]

Don't touch the finish! Collectors look for "patina". Clean them and you can't get that back.

 

[thatotherguy]

Don't polish them! If you are going for melt value it's not gonna hurt it, and collectors are out there that will pay an extra $20 for a good patina.

 

[hatchetjack]

Leave them. Don't you watch "Antiques Road Show"?

 

[Revenuer]

Some will go down to "face value" or less if you polish them.

Cleaning can also further wear away the raised parts of coin; horns,noses,crowns, dates etc.

 

[maury]

I should have mentioned that most of these are not all that old: 1950's through 60's, Jefferson and Kennedy half dollars, some Washington quaters and like that. Some have gotten brown stains on them - i suspect from being stored in a wood box.

The older ones will go up on eBay "as-is."

 

[Sword and Shield]

Don't touch them. Even "common dates" have some value above and beyond melt if left alone.

 

[Guyon]

Do not polish.

 

[Shotgun]

If you don't know exactly what you're doing, never try to polish up ANY antique if the intention is to re-sell them.

 

[billypilgrim]

I personally collect coins so I can give some insight. What kind of silver coins are you selling? If you want to sell them as scrap or melt, there's no harm, they'll still retain that value. However, if they have any numismatic value, polishing will reduce the value.

ex. a 1795 half dollar in F-12 is worth around 700-1200. If polished, it will be marked as [cleaned] and will then only be worth 450-500

 

[maury]

Didn't polish 'em....... sole on eBay! Now I can buy something else I don't need.............

 

[suttond]

I've collected for 30 years and you will ruin a coin by polishing it.

 

[thatotherguy]

Huh, not often that we get a unanimous decision here on the forums.

 

[Tberry010]

Plus another to the don't do it responses, and even though they may already be tarnished, try to handle them by the edges. Might not help but sure won't hurt them anymore.