DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know the safe, correct way to clean the coins in my coin jar, so I can read the dates.

What coin dates are valuable now? — B., Wayne

ANSWER: Several online resources said that you should avoid cleaning your coins if possible, as improper cleaning could damage them further.

At Wikihow it says if you want to clean coins, start by rinsing them under a running tap. Do not use a pressure washer. Then, if contaminants still remain on the coin, soak the coin in vinegar for a few seconds to a few minutes. Wikihow offers these specifics:

“For gold coins, soaking in very hot soapy water works the best. For old pennies, soak the coin in vinegar for at least 24 hours. For bronze coins — usually ancient coins — soak in distilled water (the minerals in tap water can further taint the coin’s surface if soaking for a long time) or olive oil — olive oil is a very gentle way to clean coins, but you may need to soak them for several weeks. Silver, copper and nickel-clad coins can be soaked in distilled water or, to remove tough stains, white vinegar. A six-minute soak in lemon juice may also be used on silver coins. This will not only protect the coin but it will help give the coin a finish at the end of the cleaning.”

A very soft toothbrush or cloth can be used, as can a toothpick to clean off tiny bits in crevices.

To be on the safe side, you might have an expert look over the coins just in case you do have something of real value. There were tales on the Internet of a coin’s value being destroyed by well-meaning cleaning. (The same thing can happen with antique furniture that people refinish, not realizing they may be lowering its value.)

Readers have recommended Republic Jewelry and Coin, 212 Center St., Auburn, 784-4444, for appraisals. Other suggestions are welcome.

As for which coins are valuable now, Sun Spots can’t really answer that in the column. Entire books have been written on the subject, and she only has 20 inches. Online is the best way to go, as prices can be kept up to date. Here are a few sites those with computers can check out:

Professional Coin Grading Service, www.pcgs.com

www.collectorscorner.com/Coins/, site also covers stamps, currency, cards and other items

www.mycoincollecting.com

www.coin-collecting-guide-for-beginners.com

You can also check out eBay or the usmint.gov.

And there are books available for those who prefer that section of their library. The most recent title Sun Spots found in the statewide system is “The Official 2012 Price Guide To World Coins” by Marc Hudgeons, Tom Hudgeons Jr. and Tom Hudgeons Sr.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a collection of stamps and wonder if anyone would be interested. I have a page of 32 Eisenhower 6-cent stamps, a page of 50 Maine statehood 6-cent stamps, a page of 1452-1952, 500th anniversary of the printing of the first book, the Holy Bible, 3-cent stamps, plus a host of single stamps. — No Name via email

ANSWER: The market for stamp collecting is pretty much following the downward trajectory of the U.S. postal service. A quick search of eBay, the go-to market for collectors, shows the stamps you named offered for sale for a little more than face value, but there was not a lot of bidding action.

Sun Spots does have the name of a couple of local collectors you can contact:

* John N. Moulton, Lisbon Falls, 353-2848

* Julien Gosselin, 784-7892, jgosselin91948@roadrunner.com

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