Cleaning and handling of coins?

As silver coins have a collectors value to them, i want to keep my coins in the best condition possible. Some have finger print marks on them and was wondering what i should get to look after them and give that as new untouched look.

I have a feeling this question is asked often, so if you know of a thread, i would really appreciate a link.

cheers

 

most attempts to clean make it worse

 

So its best to just leave them as they are you think. I have read if your going to handle them use cotton gloves.

 

Not should, must.

 

Thanks Stark, time to hit ebay.

 

My thoughts on handling and cleaning coins is one should avoid doing both!

 

I prefer to use a low grit wet and dry sandpaper to get all the scratches out of the coin.

 

Cotton gloves and airtites are your friend.

 

how about rubber gloves? like the sort doctors use?

 

I use 'em all the time

 

Some rubber gloves can react with the silver, I don't use them but have read somewhere that they can cause a reaction , I know rubber bands will cause silver to turn black over time even through plastic . Latex gloves maybe ok not 100% sure on that , may want to stick with cotton.

Did find this:

http://askville.amazon.com/husband-...ng-tarnish/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=64068971

 

@klacey, you can try cleaning few coins of very small value just to see the effect.

 

i experimented with some coins then i had a liberia tiger proof coin the black rot tarnishlooked like it had eaten all through the coin worse like that i never seen .
after some good tests with bullion coins i decided to put this one to the test i dipped it rinsed it and dryed it and thought well it could cost me 35 dollar .the result was amazing brand new i was shocked but it worked just fine no scratches no nothing proof like a mirror that is my experience . the dip is hagerty liquid just try it i know numis boys dont like to clean but not many people like to buy a black coin

 

Like Razz said if its a 35 dollar coin that already black and such you wont loose much and you could make it look good to the eye, but never , never do it with a rare or high value coin , it might look good to the eye but once its put under a professional scope , which is what would happen when you were to go and sell it you will see every nasty cleaning mark on it and a $2,000 coin might be worth just $200 or less because you "cleaned it"

If you think its needs to be cleaned take it to a professional coin guy.

Plus a cleaned coin is a big turn off to anyone who buys and sells coins, for instance if an eBay listing says its a cleaned coin I don't even bother to look at the listing any further as I am sure most others do as well.


Here is a link to coin cleaning:


http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Coins

 

Dettol and a wire brush.

 

Baking Soda, hot water and a piece of aluminum foil in a glass or ceramic dish. Instantly cleans without any rubbing in a few seconds and just rinse under clean water before patting dry. Tried it myself on a couple of bullion coins and silver cufflinks and was amazed how easy it was. Take a look on YouTube and you will see videos that go into the details.

 

Soda is probably something universal as Swiss Knife or McGayver. You can use it for everything from cleaning, to cooking, to reducing acid in stomach, etc.

I will buy some junk silver someday and experiment a little.