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It is not commonly known among amateur coin collectors, but valued coins should be handled with great care. Coin Care has to do with the grade that the coin will receive and this relies on the state of the coin. The grade of the coin is used to determine market value which is why higher graded coins are worth more

Collectible coins are rarely touched directly. Living human skin contains active ingredients that are usually transferred to the surface of the coin. Gold coins excepted, nearly all other collectible coins are made of metal. The chemicals of the skin that are left behind on the metal will eventually create discolorations.

When a expensive coin has not once been put into circulation, it is named a “proof” coin. Avoid touching a coin directly, except from the outer rim. Create the correct habits in handling your collector coins. It becomes normal not to touch valuable collector coins, this has to do with the maintaining of value.

When you want to look at a very rare coin from up close, for example, use a surgical mask in front of mouth and nose and wear plastic gloves. While we breathe we expel microscopic quantities of chemically loaded moisture, which after a while, become stains and obvious spots on the coin.

Avoid pulling your prized coins over any type of surface. That will invariably deteriorate the pristine state of any grade circulated and uncirculated coins. Avid rare coin collectors will never propose you to clean a coin. Cleaning a coin the wrong way will easily diminish its grade by half. In case you really wish a coin being cleaned, consult a professional.

Some coins can be cleaned with some or other oil or by soaking it in soapy water for a couple of hours. One soaks the coin in the oil for some time and normally it has to be thoroughly rinsed and then blown dry. Very high grade coins are compared to works of art, so cleaning a coin is not the term used, rather, one restores it.

Over time, some coins will eventually become shaded. When this comes to pass, it is said a coin has gone through “toning”. Once more, there is a chemical reaction that is involved. The air sometimes carries sulphur compounds and these bind with the surface atoms of the metal the coin is made of. This process is not reversible. Often, a naturally toned coin will become more expensive.

Six rules for improving coin collection value:

1) Avoid touching expensive coins directly, use protective gloves.
2) When touching expensive coins, do so by touching the outer edge.
3) Always put expensive collector coins in a protective sheath.
4) Avoid moisturizing your expensive coins.
5) Use a soft pad to examine any coins.
6) Avoid washing your expensive coins.