Caring for your Coin Collection - Protect Your Investment
David Slone
July 29, 2008
Although it takes many years to obtain a collection, and sometimes a considerable amount of money, your coins could lose value due to poor caring and storage of your coin collection.
Cleaning Your Coins
Cleaning of your coins is not always recommended, but if you feel that you must clean them here are some tips on how to do it properly:
Clean one coin at a time, dip in the soapy water and carefully rub any dirt or sticky substances off the coin. Rub from the center out, not all the way across the coin. Run the coin under running water to remove the soap, then swish in the distilled water to remove any chlorine. If you used distilled water for the final rinse the coin should dry spot-free with no assistance from you, just lie it on the towel. If you used running water for the final rinse, you should pat the coins dry, never rub the coin. You are now ready to store your collection.
Store Your Valuable Coin Collection The Right Way
Your older coins are more easily damaged and this can cause loss of value. Hard plastic containers or folders are the best. Keep your valuable coins in air tight containers to prevent oxidation and scratching. Have your most valuable coins "slabbed", which is a process that incases your coin in hard plastic. This makes it harder for you to get at your coin, but is the best way to protect it.
For your newer or less valuable coins you can store them in an envelope or a plastic container. These coins do not require any special handling therefore can be stored just about anywhere. If you order coins from the U.S. mint they usually come in an organizer. If you want to display your collection make sure that you keep the most valuable under lock and key, coin collections can be a target for thieves.
No matter what kind of coins you collect it is important that you store them properly so that they will keep their value as the years pass. Coin collections are a wonderful inheritance for someone, so keep them nice.
Learn more about the wonderful hobby of coin collecting and read specifications and details about US and world coins at www.coincollectorguide.com The Coin Collectors Guide. Read about US Silver Coins of the 1800s, Indian Head Cents, Flying Eagle Cents, Seated Liberty silver, and other coins.
Cleaning Your Coins
Cleaning of your coins is not always recommended, but if you feel that you must clean them here are some tips on how to do it properly:
- You should first wash your hands to remove any oils or dirt from your fingers.
- Use a soft towel to catch any coins that might be dropped and to use to dry your coins after cleaning.
- Use a plastic bowl with a tiny squirt of dish soap and warm water.
- Use a second plastic bowl for rinsing, distilled water is the best, but you can use hot tap water if necessary.
Clean one coin at a time, dip in the soapy water and carefully rub any dirt or sticky substances off the coin. Rub from the center out, not all the way across the coin. Run the coin under running water to remove the soap, then swish in the distilled water to remove any chlorine. If you used distilled water for the final rinse the coin should dry spot-free with no assistance from you, just lie it on the towel. If you used running water for the final rinse, you should pat the coins dry, never rub the coin. You are now ready to store your collection.
Store Your Valuable Coin Collection The Right Way
Your older coins are more easily damaged and this can cause loss of value. Hard plastic containers or folders are the best. Keep your valuable coins in air tight containers to prevent oxidation and scratching. Have your most valuable coins "slabbed", which is a process that incases your coin in hard plastic. This makes it harder for you to get at your coin, but is the best way to protect it.
For your newer or less valuable coins you can store them in an envelope or a plastic container. These coins do not require any special handling therefore can be stored just about anywhere. If you order coins from the U.S. mint they usually come in an organizer. If you want to display your collection make sure that you keep the most valuable under lock and key, coin collections can be a target for thieves.
No matter what kind of coins you collect it is important that you store them properly so that they will keep their value as the years pass. Coin collections are a wonderful inheritance for someone, so keep them nice.
Learn more about the wonderful hobby of coin collecting and read specifications and details about US and world coins at www.coincollectorguide.com The Coin Collectors Guide. Read about US Silver Coins of the 1800s, Indian Head Cents, Flying Eagle Cents, Seated Liberty silver, and other coins.