# 1883-1885 New Orleans Morgan Silver Dollar Set (3-coins), Uncirculated - Clean to sell or not?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 21, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778 "2013-08-21T05:10:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/1 "2013-08-21T05:10:50Z")
[I got this exact same set around 15 years ago](http://www.littletoncoin.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product5%7C10001%7C24551%7C-1%7C83199%7C89307). I notice they are selling for around $ 130 or so on ebay. When I opened the case I noticed the coins were all tarnished.
Do I clean the tarnish off them or list them “as is”?
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### Author:  [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/2 "2013-08-21T05:46:15Z")
It’s been a while since I followed numismatic stuff, but as far as I know “cleaning” a coin destroys a lot of its value. So don’t do it.
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/3 "2013-08-21T05:55:25Z")
That’s what I’ve heard as well. Unless you’re a professional, you should never clean coins. You’ll just reduce their value.
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### Author:  [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/4 "2013-08-21T06:19:02Z")
I know zero about rare coins, but even I figured out the answer. Heck, Jean Paul Sartre couldn’t even speak English and he knew! “Comment peut-on réparer une faute irrévocable ?”
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### Author:  [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/5 "2013-08-21T06:30:36Z")
When my son gets a “golden” dollar coin from the tooth fairy, we make sure it’s nice and shiny. We don’t worry about the ketchup damage killing it’s value.
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### Author:  [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/6 "2013-08-21T07:18:48Z")
DO NOT EVER CLEAN COINS. One man’s “tarnish” is another man’s “patina,” and it could increase the coin’s value. The only exception would be if it’s actually got dirt on it; and even then, take it to a pro.
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### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/7 "2013-08-21T11:47:57Z")
If done non-abrasively, say with liquid tarnish remover, it’s not verboten. Especially if the tarnish isn’t pretty. Just don’t rub the coins while drying.
BTY, I’d sell you the same nice uncirculated set of three without the pretty case right now for $150 dlvd.
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### Author:  [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/8 "2013-08-21T16:30:52Z")
I’m an amateur collector. I will not clean coins myself under any circumstances. Cleaning is for the professional and only at the recommendation of the professional that I trust. I’ve got a local honest coin dealer and am very happy.
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### Author:  [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/9 "2013-08-21T16:46:24Z")
> [@samclem](#):
>
> If done non-abrasively, say with liquid tarnish remover, it’s not verboten.
Disagree. Cleaning collectible coins is explicitly ‘verboten’.
Liquid tarnish remover? On a _silver coin_?
Jeeze man, why not just scuff it on asphalt?
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### Author:  [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/10 "2013-08-21T16:50:30Z")
You do know **samclem** is a professional coin dealer and has been for quite some time, right?
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### Author:  [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)
#### Post date: [August 21, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1883-1885-new-orleans-morgan-silver-dollar-set-3-coins-uncirculated-clean-to-sell-or-not/666778/11 "2013-08-21T16:52:02Z")
Not to mention he clearly said **NOT** to rub it. He’s clearly talking about the kind of tarnish remover that you just dip the silver in.