We all should know that we only hold our coins by their edge. Except... There is a common alteration done to Morgan dollars and especially Prooflike and Deep PL coins in order to raise their eye appeal by hiding defects or creating a cameo effect. EXCEPT... This is a cameo PL dollar. Liberty's face has been altered by applying some sort of sticky coating such as wax. It is a beautiful coin - looks like at least MS-66. Note the bagmarks have the same color as the surrounding surface. This prompted a delicate touch to the hair to detect any sticky coating. It was sticky. ALTERED SURFACE! If you do this test, make sure your "pinky" is clean and dry so you don't harm a genuine cameo dollar.
I highly agree with the exception of older coins. Anything modern and AU/BU can be damaged touching the surfaces. However, I just bought a very nice FDC byzantine gold coin and am not stressed about it like I would be a 1955 BU quarter. Especially with older coins, not touching them denies the owner with a chance to connect with history, which is why you own them. So, to me, do not touch the delicate modern coins, (to me anything newer than 500 years), but feel free to touch and appreciate older issues. The reason is that the older issues almost always were already buried, so their patina is much harder than "new" coins.
I have encountered only one experienced collector who did not hold his coins of any type/age by their edge. He was blind and collected ancients because he liked to feel their relief so he could appreciate them.
I recall witnessing a ham-fisted pawn broker removing a Mexican 50 peso gold 'Centenario' coin out of it's flip. He had his paws all over the coin until he fumbled & dropped it on a cement floor, denting the edged considerably. OUCH! J.T.
Interesting, even ancient collectors? If its a modern coin, (within the last few hundred years) I am always conscientious to hold on the edge, but make no effort at all with ancients. They all have thick patinas and I never have seen any damage from handling. Some have been mistreated with poor cleaning, yes, but not fingerprints. Now, I do not rub my fingers intentionally on devices, but will pick them up not worrying about it. Many ancients are very thin, and can hurt or not get a good grip on the edge. I think the light touch of a finger on the coin is less severe than dropping it.
I've got a details Saint that I'm pretty sure would have straight graded before the pawn guy dragged it back and forth across the counter.
What's the best way to neutralize oils in your hands before touching a coin? I do my best *not* to touch, but see the value of the OP's note.
Pure acetone, of course - not nail polish remover. That contains compounds to help soothe the skin so it would make your fingers worse, not better. The easiest thing is to just wash your hands in soap and water. Soap removes oils.
Latex free tight fitting gloves work for me. I do my level best to pick coins up properly, by the rim edge, especially if it is of any value. Your way may be the right way also. Thanks for asking.
One of the first things you learn when getting into coin business is "never ever touch the fields of a coin with your fingers!" at least over here in Europe. The fat and/or the sweat on your skin can do unrepairable damage - it may take some time but usually cannot be avoided. There may be exceptions with thick patinated ancient bronze coins or gold coins. But I take no chance. It just gets to your blood - when touching something round, I touch it by the edge. And I have never used any gloves - makes you innatentive For pictures or videos just search google fingerprints on coin
RI Valentinian II AD 375-392 AR Siliqua 18mm 1.8g Trier Victory wreath palm RIC IX 43 RI Laelianus CE 269 AE Ant 19mm 3.4g Moguntiacum mint Radiate cuirassed Victory RIC Vb 9 p373 IONIA Teos AR tetartemorion 0.2g 6mm Hd griffin R mouth open - Quadripartite incuse SNG Turkey 602 RR P Calpurnius AR Den 20mm 3.9g Rome 133 BCE Roma star behind - Venis biga crowned victory Cr 247-1
