Boss

"I argue an unoiled coin in a hostile environment is at much greater risk than a freshly acetoned coin".

In the above I meant to write that "an unoiled coin in hostile environment is at much greater risk from airborne contaminants than an oiled one"

Consequently, in response to Doug re: the idea of oil attracting dirt, I don't dispute that but I put my coins in airtights right after or send to TPG so what dirt are they going to attract? I don't leave them on the counter. We all know that air-tites and slabs are not fully air-tight but I have a hard time believing that the air that gets in is filled with dust. Of course gases (oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, etc) get in but dusty air? If I remove the oil it's with acetone anyway, so no concern of scratching. I hav done experiments under 20 power magnification placing mineral oil on a coin and photoing coin WIPING coin with fine cloth (UGGGH?????) and removing with acetone and reviewing the coin- no HAIRLINES noted. Maybe I will redo this with photos of each step on a nominal coin and start a new post.
Regardless this has been an education posts and hopefully even if we can't all agree we can agree that these are complicated issues and I hope people don't view people with a different views as than their own as coin Villians (unless of course they advocate crazy things such as harsh cleaning-scrubing, vinegar, strong acids, etc) . . For the record I agree with everything Drusus just said.

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Drusus

One last thing, what I said above pertains to any advice, not just GD, or any one person. The best way to confirm something is by experience, by doing it. I am only saying what I have experienced, I am not passing on advice. When it comes to handling coins I use cotton gloves for uncalculated coins and with what I feel to be an almost perfect surface I will even try to mostly handle it by the edges but I will hold them flat in my gloved hand many times with no apparent problems, for circulated coins it matters what condition as to how I handle them, its coin by coin. What is funny is most people feel I am terribly anal about my coins and how they should be handled.

For cleaning, I have just tried about every method in the book from light distilled water to electrocution and as I did this, again I drew my conclusions and will only speak definitively regarding those methods I have tried..

In the end I mean no disrespect or insult to anyone when I disagree or state a certain bit of advice is not right. It is certainly just one mans experience. I do not want to bicker about it or insult anyone.

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FreakyGarrettC

I use sterile rubber gloves as my parents work at a hospital. Please correct me if this practice will harm my coins.

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FreakyGarrettC

BTW they are powder free.

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snaz

Garret,
That really shouldn't be a problem, as long as you use common sense.
IMO, it would be a bad idea to touch the face of the coin regardless what is protecting your hands. Yes, if you are holding the coin by the rim, these gloves are a safe practice for your coins. Definitely better than greasy fingers touching the coin, IMHO.

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Shawn

Canadian Small cents : 108/124 87% complete
Canadian Large cents: 44/56 78% complete
Canadian Small cents MS: 64/124 51.7% complete

GDJMSP

That is true Snaz, but it should be noted that latex gloves will leave smudges on coins. Their use is not recommended.

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jazzcoins

The only safe way to do it is with these like they do at the mint when they put the proof coins in the holders .i use these when I look at coins.

Jazzcoins Joe

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GDJMSP

But I believe the mint does it with machines Joe - not people.

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jazzcoins

I saw a special on TV about three years ago ,an when they finish minted each denomination for the proofs its like an assembely

The workers put the coins in the proof cases each one with there own seperate denomination,the machines don't do it ,and they wear special gloves. I don't know if they use that same process anymore maybe now they used the machines.

I would think the mint takes more pride ,they rather let the humans do it because the proofs are more delicate and worth more.

Jazzcoins Joe

jazzcoins

[quote=jazzcoins;487920]I saw a special on TV about three years ago ,an when they finish minted each denomination for the proofs its like an assembely

The workers put the coins in the proof cases each one with there own seperate denomination,the machines don't do it ,and they wear special gloves.

Why do you think some coin collectors ocasionally complain that theres finger prints on there proofs in the sets , because some body didn't wear there gloves.a machine don't have finger prints.

I don't know if they use that same process anymore maybe now they used the machines.

I would think the mint takes more pride ,they rather let the humans do it because the proofs are more delicate and worth more.

Jazzcoins Joe

mrbrklyn

I would think machines would scratch the coins.

Ruben

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spock1k

now you are talking time for you to visit the indian mits

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mrbrklyn

What does the Indian's do with their mits? Do they play catcher?

Ruben

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Coin Talk Museum Exhibits
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the_man12

I think the best solution is to not hold the coins.

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spock1k

noe here is a mana fter my own heart. i will let you know when my coin field is ready . its a futuristic device i am panning

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