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 Replies: 23 / Views: 4,179 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
887 Posts |
Ever since I was a kid, I've been hesitant to touch 'collected coins', ie, not a fear of touching money, but a worry about oils, fingerprints, rubs, etc. on a coin in my collection. To this day, I try to barely touch the edges, and almost never (intentionally) touch the obverse/reverse at all.
Thinking about using latex gloves, or cotton, but I wonder if the latex can leave some trace of something that won't be noticed for years, or if the cotton has potential for scratching.
So how do you handle your coins?
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
I've only recently become more concerned about it because of handling proofs that I just removed from sets.
For that, I bought a pack of the blue nitrile gloves. I thought about cotton but, they can attract other debris and I want something sterile and disposable after each use.
I have just been using one on my right hand and so, I take care to not touch the glove fingertips with my left hand when putting it on.
Mostly, this has been for inserting proof coins into albums where handling by the edge only is impossible. I was using what I thought was a clean microfiber cloth before but, apparently, it had some sort of residue (detergent, fabric softener?). So, having cotton gloves that are then washed could present a problem.
Mirror fields will show everything!
For other coins, I generally just make sure to handle them by the edge only, no gloves.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2023 Posts |
I use cotton gloves. I have latex and nitrile gloves around, but some of them are textured and I'd worry about scratches or scuffs from that, or whatever powder is on the gloves as they are packaged. I'll wear the cotton gloves for a few storing sessions (transfer to 2x2 or AirTites) then launder them.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Quote:
So how do you handle your coins? With freshly washed hands and by the edges only. Been doing it that way since 1971  John1  Edited by John1
06/13/2017 05:36 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
I usually handle my proof coins with metal forger's tongs . NO , just joking ! Always with clean hands and by the edges only , between thumb and forefinger . IF your working on a hard surface ( table ) I use soft cloth on table in case the coin drops it won't get damaged . |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
I use a cotton glove with soft layers, as to not damage the coin.
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CCF Advertiser
United States
1533 Posts |
I handle proofs with 1 cotton glove on the left hand and nothing on the right, by edges only. If you touch the surfaces, quickly rinse in clean acetone and you will not have long term affects. But it is best to avoid touching the surfaces at all.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
ALL of my 4,500 coins are in cardboard / mylar 2x2 flips.
All conditions from VG to proof FDC*.
They are all identified, and it is possible to handle any of them like any other non numismatic object. Forget the gloves!
The flips are all in archival quality Mylar or polypropylene album pages.
*Fleur DE Coin = Flower of the coin = absolutely perfect, - rough translation from French.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
887 Posts |
Quote:
ALL of my 4,500 coins are in cardboard / mylar 2x2 flips.
All conditions from VG to proof FDC*.
They are all identified, and it is possible to handle any of them like any other non numismatic object. Forget the gloves!
The flips are all in archival quality Mylar or polypropylene album pages. But how did you handle them when putting them in the flips? |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
For low grade coins - just as I would for circulating currency.
For perfect FDC coins - stop breathing and use fresh food handling gloves. I put them immediately and permanently into the 2x2's as soon as I acquire such coins. All full red luster bronze and copper MS coins deserve to be treated with this type of respect also.
They get this type of handling ONCE only.
Mostly,
not much of a problem for me - my first love is ancient coins that most often have a thick and nicely protective patina.
I am also an active collector in hammered and milled coins more than 200 years old, gloves never required for these.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5828 Posts |
For low grade wheats and other coins, all you really have to worry about is if your hands are clean and dry.
For higher grade stuff, I always wear white cotton gloves. I also do this with all of my medals.
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Moderator
United States
188560 Posts |
Clean, bare hands, coin edges only. The exception being when putting coins into a Dansco. I use clean white cotton cloth to press them in, trying to only press nearest the rims. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
I prefer to cover my hands with corrosive and abrasive oils and waxes, which I then coat in silica powder to make my fingers extra slippery. My favorite place to stand while holding them is shallow puddles of strong acids resting on notably rough floors.
:P
Just playing everyone. Have a great day!
What people have said before is generally accepted as the way to go. Do what they say.
Peace.
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Moderator
United States
188560 Posts |
Quote:
I prefer to cover my hands with corrosive and abrasive oils and waxes, which I then coat in silica powder to make my fingers extra slippery. My favorite place to stand while holding them is shallow puddles of strong acids resting on notably rough floors.  Quoted to make sure the joke was not lost on anyone.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
I have a dozen pairs of cotton gloves. I will wash my hands and change gloves periodically if handling a large number of coins. Remember, spit is still the best way to clean an old painting.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
I'll use clean bare hands.
But if the coin is of any value, say a dollar or more, it gets an acetone bath and a fresh 2x2.
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Replies: 23 / Views: 4,179 |
Posted 06/13/2017 01:11 am
