Correct Coin Care
Extra care should be given when handling coins. Some coins are extremely valuable,
and the slightest blemish can cause a substantial monetary loss. For this reason,
considerable detail is given describing the "proper" way to handle coins.
Loose Coins
If you are attending a Coin Show, or in a Coin Dealers Shop, most of the coins
you will encounter will be in a holder of one kind or another.
Occasionally, you may need to remove a coin from its holder. The most common way
coins are damaged by handling is touching the surface of the coin and gets skin
oils and/or fingerprints on it.
If the coin is loose, some people use clean cotton gloves to handle coins. Some
say this decreases the likelihood of damaging the coin; others disagree with this.
The reason given for not using gloves is, "the loss of tactile sensitivity
from wearing gloves may actually increase the probability of dropping and damaging
the coin." Now, you know both sides of the story, so you must determine which will
work best for you.
If gloves are not going to be used, then make certain your hands are clean. I am
speaking not only of the dirt on your hands, but also of the oils in your skin.
Usually a alcohol-based sanitizers will remove both dirt and oil nicely. Avoid
perfumed sanitizers that may have chemicals in them, they could harm the coin.
When handling coins, the first rule to remember is: "Never touch the faces of the
coin". Handle your coins by the edges. Also, the coins you are handling should be
held over something soft, (a piece of felt, a folded towel or soft cloth) or coin
tray.
Most dealers will provide such a surface to be used when customers are inspecting
the coins. This serves to protect them if they are dropped. One should also be aware
that towels that smell like fabric softener may also have chemicals that could damage a coin.
When you wish to inspect the coin more closely, it might be wise to hold the coin
steady (over the coin tray or towel) and simply move your head or magnifying glass closer.
Warning! Do not breathe on the coin. Moister (especially from your mouth) could damage a coin.
If you wish to raise the coin higher that two or three inches above the soft surface
you are using, it may be wise to cup your other hand and hold it below the coin. At
very least it will make the person who owns the coin more comfortable, and it might
keep you from damaging a valuable coin.
Handling Sealed Coins
Removing a coin from a sealed capsule is almost always a bad idea. This is especially
true if the capsule is packaging from the mint or a grading service. However,
removing them is sometimes necessary in order to make a closer examination or to photograph them.
Special care is absolutely necessary when removing coins from a capsule. The slightest
damage is disastrous and may cause significant degradation to the grade and value of the coin.
Establish a Workplace
Great care should be given to minimize the coins exposure to the environment. Before
opening the capsule, establish a work area that is free of chemicals, dust and lint.
Have all of your equipment (camera, microscope, loupe, etc.) ready to go, and your
lighting source strategically placed. Only then and with the greatest of caution should
you proceed to open the capsule.
Note: unlike circulation strikes, "Proof" strike coins are especially delicate.
Their mirror-like surface is almost, if not perfect and even the slightest damage is
disastrous. Even wearing a mask is not an unreasonable precaution.
DON'TS
Although they should be obvious, we will list some things that should be avoided when examining coins.
| Don't drink (anything) | Don't chew gum |
| Don't smoke | Don't cough |
| Don't sneeze | Don't try to clean a coin |
The Knave of Coins |
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