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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,979 |
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Valued Member
United States
55 Posts |
Ok guys, You said that there are no dumb questions on here so here goes (from a newbie)! I have read about people using cotton gloves to handle their mint and proof coins. I have also seen people use latex (surgical style) gloves. What is the difference? Is either better or is this a personal choice?
Thanks,
Lee
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Pillar of the Community
United States
689 Posts |
Not sure the difference but personally I have used both. The cotton ones I don't use for too long because it holds the oils from your hands but if you go with latex make sure they aren't powdered because it will get left on the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4132 Posts |
I've found both latex and other types of rubber gloves are much more likely to leave smudges. I've had better luck with cotton (replacing them often as they accumulate dust, oil and contaminants).
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Moderator
 United States
188893 Posts |
Quote:
I've had better luck with cotton (replacing them often as they accumulate dust, oil and contaminants). This.  |
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Moderator
Australia
16837 Posts |
Some people are allergic to latex; make sure you're not one of them before you use latex gloves. Nitrile gloves are available for the latex-intolerant, they work just as well and are less prone to tearing (so you can probably wear them two or three times before throwing them away), but they are more expensive.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Oddly enough and I've collected coins for well over 60 years now, I've never used any kind of gloves for coins. I'm just carefull.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I NEVER use gloves. Most of my coins are older or ancient and have a rich patina on them.
Direct handling would make no difference at all.
Gloves can be an advantage when handling modern proof coins or those with mint lustre. If you don't, such coins should ONLY be handled at their edge.
The direct handling of copper coins (roll searching , for instance) can get your fingers very dirty. I usually wash my hands after searching through dealers' junk boxes.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12840 Posts |
All good advice, as is typical here at CCF.
Personally, I handle any coin that I'm considering for an album or otherwise in my collection only by the edges regardless of whether or not I'm wearing gloves. If I'm doing a lot of work in an album or the coins are proof, I'll use cotton gloves, but I have used nitrile on occasion, which works out better than latex IMO.
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Valued Member
Australia
112 Posts |
 Most of the time I'm not really handling coins that are in the sort of condition where contact with skin is going to make a huge difference (aUnc up), given the period I'm interested in. Regardless, aware of the impact of oils, etc., I keep my hands very clean, washing whenever I think they might be starting to get greasy. I handle by the rims, or place the coin in to my palm if I need to handle (such as when assessing), and try not to handle too much (bag it or 2x2 it fairly early on). When I do decide I should be using gloves I go for cotton, but find that I loose dexterity - I'd hate to drop and damage the coin, so most times I avoid this, or only glove one hand. Think it would scarce the wife too much if I started wandering around with latex gloves on .... Your taste in the end I think. I keep a pair of cottons on standby so I have options.  |
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Valued Member
Germany
138 Posts |
I can understand cotton gloves building up oil and dirt over time. Is washing them a good idea? Say just tossing them in with the laundry?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12840 Posts |
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Think it would scarce the wife too much if I started wandering around with latex gloves on ....  You never know until you try....  Quote:
Is washing them [cotton gloves] a good idea? Say just tossing them in with the laundry? the ones you get for this kind of use probably wouldn't hold up well in a washing machine...plus they're very inexpensive to begin with. I've seen them for $1/pair or less. Just buy 10 pairs next time you order from your coin supplier of choice and that should hold you for a while. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1109 Posts |
I use cotton gloves, but similar to what has already been posted, I usually only glove one hand. Regardless of what coins I am handling, I wash my hands first to reduce the skin oils to a minimum. I also work on the floor over a rug or caarpeted area in case one slips out of my grasp. I only handle on the edges, even with the glove on. I get my gloves at the local coin store and pay about $6.00 for a whole bag full of them, so it's a very minor investment to help ensure the coins keep that nice look. Of course, that;s only for BU coins. If I am handling common circulated coins, no gloves required.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3079 Posts |
You can also check out the nitrile work gloves, they work well if somebody has an reactions to latex. There are different grades, mil thickness, and sizes. Having used assorted brand working on cars, and other shop stuff over the years. I have found that the Harbor Fright brands work well. My preference is the extreme duty ones for shop work they hold up better.
But I would think that any of the med duty nitrile ones would work, no powder,works well on either hand, they are on sale a lot and with the 20% off coupons a pretty good deal. Most of the latex or nitrile gloves are now made overseas.
I have bought some brands that cost 5 times as much as them and they didn't last.
As been said in another post one handed glove works well, the biggest draw back to any type "rubber" gloves is your hand can sweat in the glove.
The cotton gloves of the better quality can be washed, but they will get out of shape after a number of washings. Having used them when I was clowning. The cheaper versions sold in bulk would be a better option.
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
Circus,  to CCF fellow Michigander. All good info. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1795 Posts |
Cotton is the only way to go for me. Easy to care for and easy to wear. If your lucky you can find them that will fit like a good pair of leather gloves very form fitting.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,979 |
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Posted 02/13/2013 12:34 am
