Warning! Do not rub a coin you have just found!:thumbdown:

[big-ears]

I just put a nice long scratch across a 1916 dime I found.:veryangry: I see many do it on their videos. Live and learn.

 

[salty2009]

I can agree with this, i dug an 1860 half penny (U.K.) at the weekend,it was in a bad way anyhow, but i rubbed it with my thumb, and promptly removed all the surface detail that was left (the soil was very acidic) Doh!

 

[grady2714]

I keep a small aspirin bottle half filled with water with me, and the older coins I drop in it right away- not worrying about the dates till I get home and can safely wash off the dirt

 

[jeff & Maria]

n/t

 

[Nick A]

Yep. Some coins get scratched in the ground, but it is amazing to me how many coins that have sat in the ground for years are ruined by detectorists. And even if they don't rub them in the field, they take them home and polish them with baking soda, brasso or goodness knows what else to "shine 'em up" totally destroying any numismatic value. I still cringe at the memory of watching a guy rub a near uncirculated looking seated dime right in front of me. From $200+ to $20 in 2 seconds. And Salty is right, even copper and nickel coins that are highly corroded can have a layer that makes the coin identifiable rubbed or scrubbed off.