Quote:
Originally Posted by Drusus  It isnt a popularity contest...it isnt a contest at all. I respect GD but he is simply wrong on this. He has, in fact, been wrong quite often and when shown, he admits it...he doesnt think he is wrong here and thats perfectly fine.
You dont have to take anyones word regarding this...get some soft cotton gloves, observe the surface of a silver coin, lay the coin in your palm or hold it between your fingers, then observe the surface again...its simple...you will observe no additional scratches...its exactly what I did. |
Doug said earlier in this post that you
should use cotton gloves and now he is saying they will scratch the coin? Which is it? I agree with Drusus. Cotton gloves will never hurt a circulated coin. Would I use cotton gloves on a proof and touch the face- no that would scratch it. Cotton gloves on the edge only. I use acetone on my hands before touching coins and washing thoroughly first (not good for my hands, but good for coins) and therefore don't usually use gloves as I have dropped coins with them. I apply mineral oil to all my mint state coins first and this eliminates this issue. The moderators will disagree with this (which is why I don't post on this site as much as I find this annoying and ignorant of basic chemistry). I used to use 100% white petroleum-Vasoline in the past, but mineral oil seems more appropriate after further educating myself and trial and error. This nearly removes any friction issues and soaks from 6 months to 1 year have removed verdigris and other problems such as bronze disease on several of my coins. If any others feel the same- go to Collector's Society's website (NGC/NCS) and read posts from the big dogs-Condor 101 and others who really now their stuff- guys with a lot of knowledge and expensive collections. Look on the chat boards and look up coin cleaning or preservation. NCS removed a finger print off my 1913 D with lots of black marks and it graded 64 BN at NGC after conservation, so finger prints can be removed. I had this coin at least 6 months and bought it with the print on it (see pics below).
I completely disagree with the moderators stance on coin preservation. I agree with every post Dru has written and disagree with nearly every counter agruement Doug or others have made. Everyone should look up the posts Drusus has written on these subjects on this site or Condor 101 on this site and Collectors's Society. Read these posts and experiment on common change and see. I have educated myself a lot on the topic in a short time. The purists stance on this site is not supported by chemistry. I have used a rose thorn and magnification to remove grime (and mineral oil) and sent to NGC and PCGS and had those coins grade. Only practice on common low grade stuff first. The 1913 D pictured, as stated had a big finger print on upper right reverse and black spots all over the coin. Don't have a before pic unfortunately.
