There are many things you need to know about do and don't when you're handling your collections. When you mishandling your coin, most probably you will be lowering the coin grade. This is some of the thing I do to take care coins in my collection is always in good condition.
Some of you maybe think that this tips is a bit ridiculous but for a coin collector like me, I don't want my coin to downgrade just of my own mistake on mishandling them.
Our hands maybe touching a chemical that can contaminate our coin. Before handling your coin, make sure you clean your hand with soap and water. Only handle your coin after you dry your hands with towel. It is much better if you can get a glove specially made for handling coins and banknotes.
Make sure you handle your coins at a minimum. It is better if you don't touch your coin at all if it is no need for you to do that.
Never hold a coin by placing your fingers on the coin's surfaces.
Instead, hold the coins by its edge. You maybe already washed your hand but human skin contains oil and contaminants that can damage a coin surface. I have many beautiful coin which should be in Mint condition but has a finger mark on their surface.
This advice I pick from a book I read "2009 guide to US coin price & value trend". Never speak or sneeze while bending over a coin. While this advice may sound silly, it's practical. Saliva and mucus can damage a coin's surface if contact is made.
Invest in a good and trustable coin album or coin holder. Good and Trustable meant that it will take good care of your coin and it is made from a trustable material. Asked your coin dealer for a good recommendation. you already invest on your coin, why don't you invest on something that can take care of them.
Never put your coins together after you receive them from your coin dealer or coin shop. Putting them together will make them striking the surfaces of other coins during bagging and shipping. This is called contact marks or bag marks.
Like this straits settlements coin I just receive from my dealer, i just wish if he can be a bit caring on putting an individual plastic on them.
As what I have told you before, never ever cleaned your coin. A cleaned coin maybe is much nicer and easy to look at to some but for me a cleaned coin is just a waste on your money. Most of the straits settlements coin I bought from the market already been cleaned by the seller or the owner. A patina (the film that builds up on the surfaces of the coin), exactly help to protect your coin from chemical reaction. Please, just let the expert do the cleaning for your coin.
Don't put your coin in a PVC or paper envelop for a long time. Some of this will make your coins tone in time, Asked your coin shop what is the best item to store your coin. Some coin holder plastic that made from PVC is also a thing you need to make sure you don't used. Some paper envelop has sulfur chemical on them and will tone and damage your coins in a long run.
Do not leave your coins exposed to sunlight, high heat or high humidity for very long, it will damage your coin in times.
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