Anyone Feel Bad With Metal Dust While Searching Rolls?

Not me, but then again I search mostly nickels and dimes.

The CDC checked it out once. It could be more irritating for some than others.

http://www2a.cdc.gov/hhe/select.asp...9868&bFlag=3

sethsu:

I'm familiar with the metallic taste you're talking about. I go through about $100 - $150 in pennies a month...

Whatever you do, don't scratch your nose, rub your eyes, or go to your mouth for any reason while roll searching ! Coins, especially cents, are nasty dirty things.

About 6 months ago, while roll searching I scratched my nostril (not kidding here), and contracted something really viscious. Nose swelled up with a big infected knot inside one nostril. Painful, red, and throbbing! After a two week regimen of antibiotics, (and garlic and vitamin C), I knocked it out!

Never again. Since then I use the white latex gloves, and don't even put my hand up to my mouth to cough!

I tell you - I thought it was going to kill me!

Many is the time I have searched dealers' junk bins in the hope of locating the 'find ' of the century. The usual result is dirty hands from handling copper coins. Unpleasant.

Problem at coin shows, too. You HAVE to wash your hands before eating. Further problem for me: I hate wearing those thin surgical rubber gloves and I think I must look like a bogun if I did wear them. Very few other collectors do.

I never leave a coin show without washing my hands. My hands just feel too dirty.


Anyway, I would much prefer to handle gold coins in bulk. Wouldn't you? THEY are much cleaner! Pity! I don't often get the chance!

When I was actively searching rolls I would wash my hands before, during, and after. I would also avoid touching anywhere near my face (nose, eyes, mouth, etc.).

LastGold:
I am much better now, didn't have that experience for the last several times.
I usually wear gloves at work( something tech), but I have never tried to wear them in roll searching. I will, maybe.
Besides, there is a tip to save yourself if you think there's too much metal in your body: drink MILK. The protein will combine with the metalic ions and stop them from being absorbed. But of course, for serious conditions, go to the doctor.

I have never experienced anything like that.

You stated you don't feel you are allergic to copper, and haven't had that experience the last couple of times. I'm inclined to think there was something on that batch of coins that your body didn't like.

I have gotten batches of coin with unique smells and odors.

I wouldn't think the coins themselves can be producing dust with normal handling, but the gunk on the coins, oh yes. But who knows.

Also, copper has anti-bacterial properties almost on par with silver. The coins will sanitize themselves within a couple of days. That black gunk we get on our hands is pretty much inert as far as germs, viruses and bacteria.

The outside of the wrappers and the boxes themselves can be disgustingly filthy. Who knows who with influenza or god knows what, picked their nose then handled, or coughed into or on the aforementioned paper and plastic... Or worse...