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    A checkup on cheques

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Becoming a Collector III

By: Graham Iddon


June 6, 2014
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Cleaning your collection: In a word: don’t

For you as the steward of your collection, your aim is to preserve the items as best as you can by protecting them from further deterioration. The pros call this preservation. This demands proper storage containers and the removal of objects from agents of risk (see the blog ‘Becoming a Collector II). Surprisingly, what this doesn’t normally demand is cleaning the items.

Resisting the urge to clean your coins and bills may seem counter-intuitive at first, like buying an old sports car and not taking to it with cloth and polish. It’s engrained in us to do such things for objects we care about—often it’s fun, easy and rewarding. That said, the items in your collection are yours, after all, to do with as you please. But, for the greater good of posterity, we recommend you leave your coins and bills pretty much as you found them.

This is especially important if you have a rare object or one you intend to sell. Unless done by a professional, any attempt to clean a coin (apart from careful dusting) may well cause some sort of damage (usually from abrasion). Most dealers and serious collectors will avoid a clean coin for that reason.

Paper money is even more difficult and risky to repair or clean. There are conservators who specialize in paper conservation; it is delicate work requiring specific skills and lots of patience. Do not go near a torn bill with tape of any kind. The best most of us can do is to carefully insert the bill into a sleeve designed for the purpose. Such sleeves will keep the at-risk parts of the bill in place, like securing a newly-set broken arm in a cast. The bill can be viewed and handled like this without risking its integrity.

OK, if you have common coins of small value, it is generally safe to clean them. Ah ah ah! Gently. Surface dirt on coins can be dealt with by submerging them in warm water and liquid dish soap. Preferably, that soap should be free of colourants and scents (look at ‘green’ products). Ideally, the water should be distilled. Later, rinse the coin in clean (hopefully distilled) water and pat dry. Don’t use ceramic or metal cleaning products as they contain abrasives. The scratches they cause may not be immediately obvious to the naked eye, but will be visible under a magnifying glass and will certainly devalue any coin you intend on selling.

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Content type(s): Blog posts

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The Museum Blog

September 12, 2023

A checkup on cheques

By: David Bergeron


Photo, a tabletop with several printed paper forms and hand-written documents plus a bank card.  
With the continuing rise of e-transfers and electronic payments, people have been predicting the death of the humble cheque for decades. But it hasn’t happened yet.
Content type(s): Blog posts
July 31, 2023

The Scenes of Canada series $100 bill

By: Graham Iddon


Few of us ever get a chance to see a Scenes of Canada $100 bill. Which is a pity, because it is an example of great bank note design with even greater imagery by a master engraver.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): History
July 13, 2023

Caring for your bank notes

By: Graham Iddon


Collecting paper money seems simple enough. But, paper is delicate stuff and demands a gentle touch.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Arts
May 3, 2023

Teaching math using money

By: Jonathan Jerome


From skip counting to making change, working with money is a great way for students to practice math skills.
Content type(s): Blog posts Subject(s): Economy, Financial literacy, Math Grade level(s): Early childhood / Kindergarten, Grade 01, Grade 02
April 4, 2023

Caring for your coins

By: Graham Iddon


Coin collecting can be a fun and fascinating hobby. But there are a few things you should know to keep your collection safe and in good condition. Because coins aren’t as robust as you might imagine.
Content type(s): Blog posts

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