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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,801 |
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Valued Member
United States
155 Posts |
I know of course you're always supposed to handle coins by their edges and especially to be careful with the surfaces on proof coins. So my question is how would you go about removing proof coins from the proof set cards they are in? Is a soft cloth safe, or some kind of plastic? Any ideas or advice in general would be appreciated.
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
I would wear cotton gloves and tear or rip the card rather than touch the coins. Do this over a very soft surface. Then, of course, only handle the coins by the edges to put them into the new holder.
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Valued Member
 United States
155 Posts |
The only concern I would have there would be that I couldn't put the set back together in it's original condition at a later point. Is it at all important to worry about keeping a set intact in your guys' opinions or are the coins usually just as valuable loose as in an "original" set?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1626 Posts |
Good question Myst, I have always wondered myself. I think I need to get a better pair of cotton gloves because mine do not fit tight and I always feel clumsy when I try to handle my coins. Would latex gloves work?
Tim
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1360 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Tpatna
I think I need to get a better pair of cotton gloves because mine do not fit tight and I always feel clumsy when I try to handle my coins. Would latex gloves work?
I have read that some latex gloves are thin enough to be able to leave behind a clearly distinguishable fingerprint. I wonder if that has actually happened on a coin before?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1203 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by Myst
The only concern I would have there would be that I couldn't put the set back together in it's original condition at a later point. Is it at all important to worry about keeping a set intact in your guys' opinions or are the coins usually just as valuable loose as in an "original" set?
You were asking for the 'best' way to remove the coins from the holders, and Susan gave you the best answer. I guess it comes down to you can't eat your cake and save it too. Make a decision and go for it. |
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Valued Member
United States
155 Posts |
I see that ripping the card would be the best way, and I actually hadn't thought of that for some reason. I guess I'm just trying to look at all my options so I get as much info as possible, and what techniques other people might use. I don't wanna make a mistake because I didn't know all the facts.
I started wondering also how they would get them in the cards in the first place, so I figured there must be a way if you're careful. Am I wrong or can cotton gloves scratch the surface or at least put hairlines on a coin? I had one idea I don't know if it might be safe or not.. I figured since the plastic in 2x2s does come into contact with the coins that possibly putting one on either side while wearing soft gloves if you're careful could work... does anyone have anything like that they've had success with?
Edited by Myst
08/29/2006 10:41 am
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Valued Member
United States
128 Posts |
I use an artists pencil that has a felt tip on it. These are used for shading pencil and pastel art. What I do is crack the case, then place the proof set card over a 2x2. Then using the felt tip I push on one edge of the coin so this it drops just out of the card. Then I push agin at the point where the coin has pivoted in the card. The coin pops smoothly out onto the 2x2. I then use the same pencil to rotate it in the 2x2 where I want it and then staple it up. http://www.dickblick.com/zz229/43/Bryan Works everytime and I have yet to damage a coin. Best part is that I do not ruin the mint packaging and most importantly never hurt the coin. Here is a link to one of the pencils I am talking about. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1840 Posts |
quote:
I have read that some latex gloves are thin enough to be able to leave behind a clearly distinguishable fingerprint. I wonder if that has actually happened on a coin before?
I worked in an IV pharmacy mixing intravenous solutions for 8 years. Latex gloves are standard attire for this job. I know that on a short-term basis (ie hours) microbes like bacteria cannot cross through a latex glove. I would assume that this would hold true for larger molecules like the oils on your hand responsible for fingerprints. The problem with fingerprints is likely due to the powder on the gloves. The powder helps them slide onto you hand easier, but gets left on everything you touch. The solution: powder free gloves. They cost about $5 for 100 count box from any medical supply store. If you're really paranoid your can get powder-free sterile surgical gloves that come individually packaged in pairs. These gloves are manufactured to ensure an absolute minimum amount of particulate matter is on them, but cost a lot more ($100-200 per 50 pairs). Oh yeah....one more thing. Always remember when putting on a glove to handle coins, never touch any part of the outside except the cuff. If you get oil from your fingers on the fingers of the glove, you might as well not be wearing gloves in the first place. Edited by snowman
08/29/2006 5:11 pm
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Valued Member
United States
470 Posts |
Mr. Myst was asking how the coins get into the cardboard in the first place.
If you go to the mint website (USMINT.gov) and click on tour in the upper right hand corner you will be taken to another page. On that page click Virtual Tour and you will be lead to a video presentation on how all coins are struck at the mints.
This video will answer that question and you will get to see mint sets actually being struck and assembled as well as bullion coins being struck. It's a facinating video.
It helps if you have a highspeed connection but I think there is a slide show available for people still on dail up connections.
Enjoy!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1626 Posts |
Im going to check that out. Thanks for the info Andrew289
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Valued Member
United States
155 Posts |
That sounds cool, thanks a lot for the link. I'll have to check it out as soon as I get home.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
756 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by snowman
[quote]
If you're really paranoid your can get powder-free sterile surgical gloves that come individually packaged in pairs. These gloves are manufactured to ensure an absolute minimum amount of particulate matter is on them, but cost a lot more ($100-200 per 50 pairs).
These are what I use. No problems at all.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
604 Posts |
I had this same problem the other day removing a 2001 nickel that diljuster sent me but I already had all the supplies and put it in a airtite
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,801 |
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Posted 08/29/2006 12:53 am
