My Adventures in Caring for a Newly Acquired Coin Collection

Not long ago, I came into possession of around 200 old world coins, dating from ancient times to the 1940s. Many looked like they’d never been circulated, all from one collector’s stash. I was thrilled, but also cautious—especially when I spotted fresh fingerprints from the auction handling. I learned some important lessons about preserving these treasures, and I’d love to share what I found with you.

My First Worry: To Clean or Not to Clean?

As I looked over the coins, I noticed fingerprints and thought, “Maybe a little soap and water would fix that?” But I soon found out that cleaning coins is a major taboo among collectors. Why? Because it can strip away the original surfaces we all love, seriously drop the coin’s value, and you can’t undo it. Ancient coins might get a pass because they’ve often been cleaned before, but for modern collectors, originality is everything. Messing with that can ruin a coin’s charm.

• Skip the soap and water—it can scratch the coin or cause chemical damage
• Fingerprints might show up years down the road, but once they’re there, it’s safer to leave the coin be than to risk making things worse

How Acetone Became My Safe Solution

After digging around, I learned that pure acetone works wonders for removing gunk without changing the coin’s natural state. It’s safe for silver, gold, and copper—it breaks down oils without touching the toning or patina. I started using it for coins with visible issues, especially those showing PVC damage from old plastic holders.

• Use pure acetone (not the stuff from the beauty aisle) in a well-ventilated spot—just a quick dip or short soak
• For stubborn spots, lightly dab with a soft q-tip, but let the acetone do the heavy lifting to prevent scratches
• This isn’t really ‘cleaning’—it’s preservation. Many pros do this when they get new raw coins

I tried acetone on several coins and took before-and-after photos. The difference amazed me—green PVC residue vanished, fingerprints disappeared, and the coins looked brighter but still completely original.

When Storage Turns into a Threat

One surprise was finding damage caused by old storage methods. Many collections used flimsy plastic sleeves that break down over time, especially in humidity, leaving coins with that ugly green corrosion. I spotted several with distinct green hues that acetone handled beautifully.

• Check your coins for green or sticky residues—classic signs of PVC damage
• Protect them by switching to archival-quality holders like inert plastic flips or slabs that block air and moisture

How you handle coins matters too. Now I always pick them up by the edges—skin oils can actually etch into the surface over decades.

Putting It Into Practice

I carefully bathed a few coins in acetone, starting with the shiniest uncirculated ones—like a gorgeous Portuguese Guinea and a MacArthur coin. They came out great. The method is straightforward: a short soak, maybe a light wipe with a q-tip, then let them air dry. Not every coin needed it, though. A Saxon piece from the 1700s, for example, was already in perfect shape thanks to the original owner.

In the collecting world, coins with original surfaces are gold. Grading services like PCGS or NGC knock down the grade for cleaned coins, so keeping yours untouched can really help their value. Acetone is a trusted choice for silver, but be extra careful with copper or bronze—they can react differently.

What I Learned (And What You Should Too)

Looking back, I’ve picked up some habits I think every collector should try. First off, fight that cleaning itch—gentle preservation is the way to go. Acetone rinses are safe for fresh gunk, but test it on a cheaper coin first. Also, get the right storage to avoid environmental harm, and handle your coins with kid gloves from the start.

• Check your collection often for any signs of trouble—if you spot something, a little acetone might be the answer
• Remember, these coins have stories. Keeping them authentic respects their history

This whole experience has made me love coin collecting even more. It’s a reminder that being careful can protect these little pieces of history for years to come.