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 Replies: 27 / Views: 16,488 |
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
I have been using a cotton glove to handle my copper, bronze and proof coins. My wife has been good about washing it for me but it is starting to show signs of wear and I'll need to break out a new one soon.
A fellow collector has told me that I should be using rubber gloves and has given me a few surgical type gloves. I would love to hear comments and advice on this topic.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Latex or nitrile gloves work ok as long as they are not powdered. Other than that, I think it is really a matter of personal preference as to what type of gloves you use.
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Valued Member
 Canada
287 Posts |
Latex, that is the word I was looking for.
My cotton gloves seem to pick up oils or film of some sort from the older non-proof pennies. With a latex glove, would this not just smear the same? Technically (I'm told) I am cleaning the coin by handling it with a soft cotton glove. A bit extreme, I now, but it was an argument that was presented to me.
From the lack of reply to my question I believe you are correct, and it is completely a personal choice and not worth discussing. I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond, and thank you for your helpful opinion.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
Powder-free nitrile gloves....but....they are HOT.
I prefer not to use gloves unless I'm handling valuable (or lots of) proofs. It's pretty rare for me to break out the gloves.
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
I must be honest, I had not heard of nitrile gloves before tonight. I will have to look them up tomorrow.
I handle a lot of pennies, and I have seen several ruined (in my opinion) with a single thumb or fingerprint across the obverse. I'm always afraid I'll find that MS65 in an uncirculated roll and accidentally destroy it with a fingerprint. I have never handled a proof coin with out a glove.
Thanks for you input BadThad.
If I recall correctly you have a 'sealant' which would help protect against such an accident. I'll have to go back and review that as well tomorrow, and maybe inquire more about it on that thread.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Nitrile is a synthetic material that is great for people with latex allergies. It is not quite as stretchy as latex would be but nitrile is more durable and slightly more expensive. I use nitrile gloves on a regular basis at work, your hands will get a bit sweaty if you wear them for more than 20-30 minutes.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
Quote:
afraid I'll find that MS65 in an uncirculated roll and accidentally destroy it with a fingerprint If you find one, just quickly rinse it in acetone and the fingerprint will be gone.  I always keep acetone on my coin bench, it's quite handy. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
Acetone on a copper? I was told not to try that. I think I'll do some experimenting this week end with my pocket change. Acetone I have but rarely use. Afraid to give the coin a 'just cleaned' appearance.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
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Acetone on a copper? I was told not to try that. I think I'll do some experimenting this week end with my pocket change. Acetone I have but rarely use. Afraid to give the coin a 'just cleaned' appearance.
Under the proper conditions, acetone is capable of forming a reaction with copper. A "quick rinse" does not satisfy those conditions, and is harmless. The only downside of using acetone, aside safety procedures which must always be observed when using any highly-flammable liquid, is that is that the stuff removed by acetone will leave behind an area of surface which contrasts with the parts of the coin from which nothing was removed. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
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Acetone on a copper? I was told not to try that. I think I'll do some experimenting this week end with my pocket change. Acetone I have but rarely use. Afraid to give the coin a 'just cleaned' appearance.
At a coin show I purchased a 1995 Lincoln Cent Double Die for practically nothing. The reason was it had a large fingerprint on the obverse. At home I dipped in Aceone for a few minutes and POOF, print all gone. If recent print, they usually come right off. The important thing here is to use the Search tab at the top for Acetone, coin cleaning, cleaning coins, etc. First read all the tips and cautions about Acetone prior to trying anything with anything that is combustible. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
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Technically (I'm told) I am cleaning the coin by handling it with a soft cotton glove. A bit extreme, I now, but it was an argument that was presented to me. You still handle the coin with the same care as you would without a glove. The only time you need to touch the surface of a coin (rather than the edge) is when pressing it into an album. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
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Acetone on a copper? I was told not to try that. I think I'll do some experimenting this week end with my pocket change. Acetone I have but rarely use. Afraid to give the coin a 'just cleaned' appearance.
That is complete FOLKLORE. I have used acetone on hundreds of coins including single one of my proof Lincolns (from 1937-current). I have also soaked copper cents in acetone for days with no problems. If a collector has had a problem with acetone, it is their own fault. They either had an impure grade, soaked far too long, allowed it to evaporate, or made some other mistake. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
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Under the proper conditions, acetone is capable of forming a reaction with copper. Dave...you know I love you man...but I have to call you out on this one. LOL Please enlighten me with some specifics of exactly how that can occur. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
Thank you all for your input.
In the near future I'll likely experiment some with the acetone.
For now I think I'll will stick to the cotton gloves. I have been known to spend hours with my coins and the nitrile gloves would certainly be too hot. And I doubt anyone could talk me into touching the face of a nice copper (or any proof for that matter) with my bare hands. Call me a wimp if you like, but I just can't do it.
Again, Thank you all for your valuable input.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
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And I doubt anyone could talk me into touching the face of a nice copper (or any proof for that matter) with my bare hands Just to be clear, when I said to press the coin into an album, I meant while wearing a glove. |
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Valued Member
United States
254 Posts |
I use a disposable latex glove, this way if it picks up oils or other substances I just toss it and use a new one.
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Replies: 27 / Views: 16,488 |
Posted 06/14/2010 9:53 pm
