My Essential Guide to Caring for a New Coin Collection

You know that feeling when you stumble across something special? That’s exactly what happened when I picked up a collection of around 200 old world coins, dating from the 1700s through 1948. We’re talking uncirculated beauties and even some ancient pieces here. They appeared to have a single previous owner, but after seeing how they’d been handled bare-handed during auction prep, I got nervous about fingerprints and grime. That’s when I decided to really figure out how to care for them properly – and I want to share what worked for me.

First Reactions: Thrills and Worries

Holding that 1735 Saxon coin and Portuguese Guinea took my breath away – you could practically feel the history. But my excitement faded when I spotted fresh fingerprints on some pieces. Any collector knows those oily marks can become permanent damage over time. Since preserving original surfaces is everything for value and authenticity, I wrestled with whether to touch them at all or just leave them be.

The Great Cleaning Dilemma

Boy, did I discover how heated the cleaning debate is among collectors! It’s so tempting to try polishing away imperfections, but I learned the hard way that harsh methods strip away a coin’s natural character and turn off serious collectors. Instead, I focused on gentle techniques to remove gunk without altering surfaces. Here’s what matters most:

• Skip the soap and water – even light rubbing can permanently damage surfaces and tank value, especially on uncirculated coins
• While ancient coins sometimes got cleaned in the past, today’s collectors want originality – less is more
• Fingerprints often hide at first but emerge years later as ugly stains – handle carefully from day one

Battling Hidden Enemies in Old Collections

My biggest shock came when I spotted green gunk on some coins – classic PVC damage from those old manila envelopes and plastic flips. If you’ve got humidity where you live, this stuff accelerates corrosion like crazy. I realized contaminants from cigarette smoke or poor storage slowly eat away at metal over decades. Getting ahead of this is non-negotiable for preserving older collections.

How Acetone Became My Secret Weapon

After talking with experienced collectors, I tried pure acetone (not nail polish remover!) for a safe rinse. It lifts oils, fingerprints and PVC residue without affecting natural toning on silver and other metals. Here’s my simple process:

• Quick dip in pure acetone – just long enough to dissolve residues
• For stubborn spots, a light dab with cotton swabs – no scrubbing!
• Tested on less valuable coins first with before/after photos (seeing green goo on the swab proved it worked)
• Always in ventilated spaces, holding coins by the edges, air-drying completely before storage

That Saxon coin? Contaminants vanished while the original surface stayed perfect. This isn’t cleaning – it’s preservation.

Seeing the Difference

After treating nine coins, the change was clear – brighter surfaces without losing any detail. The MacArthur piece looked especially sharp, and I breathed easier knowing I hadn’t altered their integrity. Acetone’s now my go-to for new raw coins, but it’s not magic. Pieces with heavy corrosion or pitting need professional eyes. Now my whole collection feels safer and ready for display.

What I’d Tell Every New Collector

This journey taught me some non-negotiables: Always handle coins by the edges. Give every raw purchase an acetone bath to remove hidden gunk. Invest in proper archival holders – storage matters more than you think. When uncertain, ask experienced collectors or reference grading guides. Here’s to keeping your treasures looking their best for years to come!