| It is not commonly known among amateur coin | | | | coins. Avid rare coin collectors will never propose |
| collectors, but valued coins should be handled with | | | | you to clean a coin. Cleaning a coin the wrong |
| great care. Coin Care has to do with the grade | | | | way will easily diminish its grade by half. In case |
| that the coin will receive and this relies on the | | | | you really wish a coin being cleaned, consult a |
| state of the coin. The grade of the coin is used | | | | professional. |
| to determine market value which is why higher | | | | Some coins can be cleaned with some or other oil |
| graded coins are worth more | | | | or by soaking it in soapy water for a couple of |
| Collectible coins are rarely touched directly. Living | | | | hours. One soaks the coin in the oil for some time |
| human skin contains active ingredients that are | | | | and normally it has to be thoroughly rinsed and |
| usually transferred to the surface of the coin. | | | | then blown dry. Very high grade coins are |
| Gold coins excepted, nearly all other collectible | | | | compared to works of art, so cleaning a coin is |
| coins are made of metal. The chemicals of the | | | | not the term used, rather, one restores it. |
| skin that are left behind on the metal will | | | | Over time, some coins will eventually become |
| eventually create discolorations. | | | | shaded. When this comes to pass, it is said a coin |
| When a expensive coin has not once been put | | | | has gone through "toning". Once more, there is a |
| into circulation, it is named a "proof" coin. Avoid | | | | chemical reaction that is involved. The air |
| touching a coin directly, except from the outer | | | | sometimes carries sulphur compounds and these |
| rim. Create the correct habits in handling your | | | | bind with the surface atoms of the metal the coin |
| collector coins. It becomes normal not to touch | | | | is made of. This process is not reversible. Often, a |
| valuable collector coins, this has to do with the | | | | naturally toned coin will become more expensive. |
| maintaining of value. | | | | Six rules for improving coin collection value: |
| When you want to look at a very rare coin from | | | | 1) Avoid touching expensive coins directly, use |
| up close, for example, use a surgical mask in | | | | protective gloves. |
| front of mouth and nose and wear plastic gloves. | | | | 2) When touching expensive coins, do so by |
| While we breathe we expel microscopic quantities | | | | touching the outer edge. |
| of chemically loaded moisture, which after a while, | | | | 3) Always put expensive collector coins in a |
| become stains and obvious spots on the coin. | | | | protective sheath. |
| Avoid pulling your prized coins over any type of | | | | 4) Avoid moisturizing your expensive coins. |
| surface. That will invariably deteriorate the pristine | | | | 5) Use a soft pad to examine any coins. |
| state of any grade circulated and uncirculated | | | | 6) Avoid washing your expensive coins. |