Proper Handling of Coins in Shipping

Many people sell coins online, and subsequentlyholders in lieu of a properly fitting capsule. Once
ship them to their customers. Some of thesethe coin is within a proper sized capsule, or some
people are coin dealers who utilize online sales toother acceptable protection, buffer it from
supplement their shop sales. Some are coindamage by impact. Bubble envelopes are a good
collectors who are selling duplicates, upgrading astart, but the bubbles are small within them.
collection, or simply making a few dollars. OthersConsider wrapping the coin in additional bubble
are people who sell just about anything on thewrap. Tape the wrap, or a customer may
internet, or sell coins because there areinadvertently pick the wrap up and have its
customers for them. It is the last group of sellerscontents fall out. Bubble pouches that seal are
who too often do not know how to get the coinsnow available, and would make excellent, easily
to their customers without causing damage.applied extra protection.
Handling coins is itself a skill that is needed. A coinAvoid problems with glue. When taping bubble
should never be handled, except by the edges.wrap, be careful that there is no possibility of the
Handling a coin on the obverse or reverse surfacetape coming in contact with the capsule. Use of
can cause damage to the coin. Such damage iscardboard that glues together with a coin or two
not always apparent at the time it occurs.inside can be used, but extreme care not to allow
Improper handling, in addition to causing wear onthe glue to contact the coins or capsules is very
the surfaces, can deposit oils and other foreignimportant. Glue does not clean well from a coin
substances that can cause damage over time.capsule, and coin cleaning is a last resort that
The first concern is to properly handle the coindevalues the coin.
during packaging. Even if the coin is housed in aSome special coins come in boxes, and the
capsule, improper handling can scratch the capsule.condition of a coin box should be important to the
These too should be handled only by their edges.buyer. These boxes should not be forced into
Replacing the capsule is not recommended unlessenvelopes, since any crushing can damage the
it is necessary, since taking the coin from itsboxes. Use a small cardboard box, and fill voids
original air free capsule exposes the coin to thewith paper or packing peanuts. If paper is used as
environment. So it is important the capsule not bethe filler, do not use newspaper, since the ink
damaged, or the customer may need to replacemay mark the box housing the coin. It packing
it.peanuts are unavailable, brown paper is best for
Buffer the coin and capsule from all dangers thatthis purpose, well crumpled so it fills the extra
could cause chipping or scratching. If there is nospace in the shipping box.
capsule, protect the coin itself from any source ofIf the coin is being shipped internationally,
scratching or contamination. Use appropriate coinremember to fill out the customs slip.