J.  I can't be precious about my copper pots.  I don't polish them any more, except on extremely bad-weather days when I can't go outside to play and I'm looking for something, anything to do!  I use them, wash them, put them away.
After twenty years of this abuse, they do need re-tinning however.  I am having a heck of a time finding someone who does this.  If anyone knows of such an angel, that exists within driving distance of Niagara on the Lake, I would love to hear about them (shipping them anywhere would just be silly).