How to Care for Old Coins

Old coins experience wear and tear when they come into contact with each other.

Condition is one of the key factors in judging the value of an old coin, so it's important to take good care of the ones in your possession. This means not only guarding against the bumps and scratches that might be caused by one coin coming into contact with another, but also the potential damage from less likely sources such as the atmosphere and your very own fingertips. However, if you follow a few simple habits and buy the appropriate storage materials, there shouldn't be a problem.

Things You'll Need

• Soft cloth
• Cotton gloves
• Soft paintbrush
• Coin holders
• Airtight box

Instructions

1. Spread out a soft cloth before examining old coins on your table or desk to cushion them against the hard surface.

2. Wear cotton gloves when handling the coins to protect them from the acids in your skin. These gloves are available at many pharmacies.

3. Dust the coins lightly with a very soft paintbrush before storing them to remove any reactive particles from the surrounding atmosphere, as they can cause corrosion.

4. Store the coins individually rather than packing them into a single folder. For a few cents each, you can buy mylar-lined cardboard squares known as 2-by-2s -- mylar being a nonreactive transparent plastic. These will protect your old coins from dust, from your fingertips and, to a degree, from each other. As oxygen itself is a peril, valuable coins should be stored in airtight plastic capsules. These offer the best all-around protection, but have the disadvantage of retailing in the range of a dollar each. Both of these items are available from online numismatic accessories stores.

5. Keep your collection in an airtight box for further protection. If you don't wish to buy a special display box, an airtight lunchbox is equally effective.

Tips & Warnings

• If you live next to a busy road or a construction site, place a square of foam under your collection to ensure that unwelcome vibrations don't set the coins jiggling.

• All of these precautions will avail little if your coins aren't in good condition in the first place, so be fussy about which coins you add to your collection and only go for the best.

References

• Coins 4 Me: Mylar Coin Holders
• Coins 4 Me: Air-Tite Coin Holders
• "The Coin Atlas: The World of Coinage from Its Origins to the Present Day"; Joe Cribb, et al.;1990
• "2010 Standard Catalog of World Coins"; George S. Cuhaj; 2010