No offence to David, but I have never known a serious medal vendor gauge the condition of a service medal (as opposed to a medallion) simply based on its patina. Being 'toned' will not raise its grading alone - and in this day and age of extremely good reproductions in original materials tarnish on a medal signifies little of definitive 'proof', and I have seen no end of other reproductions/fake medals artificially aged, especially to hide that they are not made of the metal they should*.
A carefully cleaned, good condition (e.g.) MM is worth no less than a 'toned/dirty' one. Many more factors determine the condition of a medal, and toning in a description is purely aimed at preference.
Absolutely agree about coins, but cleaning a war medal will not - unless you damage it in the process - bring down its grading. Thank heavens we do not have arguments over NEF, VEF, AEF, GVF, VF, NVF, F concerning cap badges...
* Case in point was a Mediterranean Medal which looked good from a distance, but was actually a nickel-washed lead core treated to look tarnished.
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