How to handle your coins

Most likely many collectors made one of the most common mistakes in handling coins for a collection is by holding the coin between their thumb and finger, pressed on the front and back of the coin, which is known as Obverse and Reverse sides of the coin.

If anyone touch a coin like that, it is generally not a problem, since most circulated coins show obvious wear when we look at them. However, for an UNC or proof coin, we just damaged the coin by holding between the thumb and finger. It will etch a fingerprint or a thumbprint into the surface of the coin. Once the fingerprint is on the coin it’s impossible to remove without further damaging the coin.

To handle the coins we need to follow some of the basic thumb rules.

1. Always hold the coin by edge. Never hold the coin by touching obverse or reverse side of it.

To prevent damage to a coin while you are examining, hold the coin by its edges with your thumb and forefinger.

If you are working with upper-grade, UNC or proof coins, a pair of lint less cotton gloves is strongly recommended.

When you are showing your coins to anyone, you should use a coin holder or you can warn them not to touch the coins, or show them how to properly handle them to avoid damages to your coins.

2. Don’t scratch, cut, clean, rub or polish a coin for any reason.

Never scratch the coin to remove dust or any particle found over the coin. Never rub or polish the coin. Just wipe of gently using microfiber cloth.

Never apply any acid to clean coins which damages more and degrades the coin value to half or even worse.

3. Never Spit on your coin.

4. Never break their holders.

If you are collecting UNC or Proof coins then you might have noticed they come with holder in a pack.never remove the coin by breaking their original holders.