Numismatics - 7 Ways to Ruin Your Coins

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The seven best ways to rui your coins are things that many novice collectors do without even thinking about them. If you are concerned with protecting the investment you are making in your coin collection, learn the correct way to handle, store and protect your coins.

Touch the coins


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Touching the coins with your fingers is enough to damage them, especially beautiful and superb coins. And it will definitely damage them if your fingers come into contact with BNC, FDC or Proof currencies. The fingers contain oils and tiny dust particles that will stick to the coin causing discoloration or microscopic scratches. When handling coins, wear cotton gloves and hold coins only by the edge.

Clean the coins


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With the exception of coins dug up in some archaeological dig, cleaning or polishing the coins will do them more harm than good. Once in contact with air it is natural for the metal to oxidize, or to form a patina. If you remove the patina from the coin, you will not only lose the original shine of the coinage, but the coin will look rough and unpleasant, in addition to suffering microscopic abrasions that will reduce its state of conservation. In addition, patina coins have a higher appreciation than clean coins and are preferred by most collectors.

Speak up in coins

Speaking up on coins can do as much damage as touching or cleaning them if you do so with the coins exposed while talking. Stray birds can escape from your mouth while speaking, and these can cause stains and discolorations that are difficult to remove. Many coins that are not circulated and in top condition are ruined in this way. Say what you want about your coin collection, just make sure your coins are safe when you say it!

Remove the coins from the original packaging


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You can be sure of the value of your BNC coins. FDC or Proof will devalue considerably if you remove them from their original packaging. The coins, along with the box and literature if any are part of the set and must be kept intact. Never remove coins from their original packaging.

Exposing coins to acids


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Storing coins in envelopes, wrapping them in paper with notes on the side or in cardboard boxes is a good way to damage them unless you use acid-free paper. Over time, the paper releases acidic chemicals around the coin. This causes staining, discoloration and can promote oxidation (weakening) of the shiny surfaces of the original coinage. Make sure you buy acid-free paper or card to store your coin collection.

Use plastics with PVC


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Another good way to cause stains and degraded surfaces on your coins is to store them in bags or plastic boxes that contain PVC. Just as acid on paper can damage your coins, the chemical by-product of certain plastics can damage coins over time. If you store the coins in those practical plastic food containers or in soft plastic bags that were used in the past to store the coins, they will eventually develop a green viscous coating on their surface which will permanently damage them.

Exposing coins to Elements

If you store your coins in the attic or in a basement, you are probably exposing them to extreme conditions of temperature and humidity that will promote their oxidation. In addition, these conditions will more quickly degrade storage materials such as pockets, paper and cardboard, plastic packaging, etc., where your coins are stored. To better protect your collection, store it in a dark, dry place, with a controlled room temperaturesuch as a safe or coin locker.


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4 comments
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Good tips. As much as I've wanted to take my silver coins out of their packaging to hold and feel them, I've resisted the urge. Hopefully, at some point it won't matter and I can do what I want with them (read: ctp, leo, hive, etc. moon) so their "condition' for future selling/trading becomes irrelevant. :-)

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Hi @dagger212
Unfortunately, at the beginning of my collection, I touched in several coins and cleaned others.... Fortunately, not many!!!
The coins you collect are from which country?
Thank you for your reading.
Hug

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They're just US or Canadian Dollars. Nothing too extravagant. They're sealed and boxed in whatever clear plastic casing the dealer sent them in. I can see them, but I can't touch. :-)

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