Caring for Your New Coin Collection: Practical Tips I Learned

Not long ago, I got lucky and came across a huge collection of over 200 old-world coins, dating from ancient times to the 1940s. Many looked like they’d never been touched! As a coin enthusiast, I was thrilled to hold such historical treasures. But that excitement quickly turned to concern: how do I take care of these properly, especially with fingerprints and other contaminants? Let me share what I’ve learned from my own experience.

The Fingerprint Problem: Handle With Care

As I started going through my new coins, I spotted faint fingerprints, probably from auction handling. That set off alarm bells because skin oils can lead to toning or even corrosion over time. What’s the fix? Always handle coins by the edges to keep your fingers off the surfaces. And if you see a fingerprint, fight the temptation to rub it off right away—that usually makes things worse.

Cleaning Coins: Think Twice

My first thought was to clean the coins and get rid of any gunk. But I soon remembered that cleaning is a big no-no in the coin world. Why? Harsh cleaning can ruin the original surfaces that make a coin authentic and valuable. Here’s what I’ve figured out:

• Today’s collectors hate cleaned coins—it’s seen as altering history and can tank the value
• Ancient coins or previously cleaned pieces get some slack, but don’t push your luck
• Preservation beats restoration—only clean when contaminants like PVC pose real danger

Acetone: Your Safe Solution

After digging around, I found that acetone is a safe bet for tackling fingerprints or PVC gunk without hurting the metal. It won’t harm silver or copper and evaporates cleanly. Here’s how I do it:

• Use pure acetone (not the stuff from the beauty aisle) and dunk the coins for a few minutes in a glass dish
• Swirl them gently or use a soft brush if you must, but don’t scrub—scratches are the enemy
• Let them air-dry on a lint-free cloth. No need to rinse

I tried this on a few coins with green PVC residue, and it worked like a charm. The before-and-after was night and day, and the original surfaces stayed put.

Storage Dangers: PVC and Beyond

Fingerprints aren’t the only enemy. I learned that how coins are stored can be a real threat. Old plastic holders often contain PVC, which breaks down over time and causes that ugly green corrosion. If you see discoloration or residue, act fast. My advice:

• Use archival-quality holders to stop future damage before it starts
• Consider environmental history—smoke exposure might need extra attention

What Graders Really See

Going through this, I saw how cleaning affects a coin’s grade and value. Coins with untouched surfaces get higher grades from places like PCGS or NGC and sell for more. Even a light cleaning can get you a “cleaned” label on the slab, which turns off serious collectors. For my collection, I stick to minimal handling to keep the integrity—and the value—intact.

Parting Advice From My Workbench

Handling this collection taught me to slow down and be cautious. My best advice: take photos before you do anything, focus on safe storage, and only use acetone when you really need to. Remember, we’re preserving history, not restoring it. So to my fellow collectors, enjoy the journey. Every coin has a story, and with the right care, they’ll keep telling it for years to come.