Doesn't handling and holding of raw coins (even if you are wicked careful) cause them to degrade ove
ColonialCoinUnion
Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭
Never quite understood this.
Coin values are impacted dramatically by even the most minute differences in condition, evidence of slight rubbing or the existence of minor surface marks, yet a sizeable percentage of high end collectors still prefer raw coins.
Doesn't the act of removing a raw coin from its little cotton pouch and 2x2 envelope and placing it carefully on a museum quality velvet pad gradually degrade the coin over a period of time? I assume if you do this even infrequently just to look at the coin it will have an impact over time. A piece of lint here, a tiny mark there, not to mention the possible occasional drop and roll under a kitchen appliance.
I guess one way to avoid such a problem would be for collectors of raw coins to keep their collection in the vault and never look at it, but thats an ownership experience that starts to sound a whole lot like not owning any coins at all.
Maybe dorkkarl can shed some light on this -
Coin values are impacted dramatically by even the most minute differences in condition, evidence of slight rubbing or the existence of minor surface marks, yet a sizeable percentage of high end collectors still prefer raw coins.
Doesn't the act of removing a raw coin from its little cotton pouch and 2x2 envelope and placing it carefully on a museum quality velvet pad gradually degrade the coin over a period of time? I assume if you do this even infrequently just to look at the coin it will have an impact over time. A piece of lint here, a tiny mark there, not to mention the possible occasional drop and roll under a kitchen appliance.
I guess one way to avoid such a problem would be for collectors of raw coins to keep their collection in the vault and never look at it, but thats an ownership experience that starts to sound a whole lot like not owning any coins at all.
Maybe dorkkarl can shed some light on this -
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Comments
Wearing gloves, storing the coins properly, and handling them at a bear minimum to get your collection in order are helpers to extending the coin's life as-is.
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USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
I know for a fact that if the handler of the coin had a criminal record and you ran his prints, the print is more than clear enough to make a certain match.
even proper handling will accumulate enough to show up. Everytime a coin comes in
contact with something some metal will be sloughed off but soft object do extremely
little damage if not under force and proper handling involves proper storage and hold-
ing by the edges.
There is always some danger of dropping the coin and proof surfaces can be delicate
enough that oil from the fingers can damage them quickly, otherwise I wouldn't worry
about it too much. The best bet is to avoid all handling of higher grade coins and to
check their condition frequently.
<< <i>All true to an extent, but coins are made of metal - proper care and handling on an infrequent basis that educated collectors do will not harm the coins. It actually takes a while in circulation for coins to start wearing, I doubt handling them lightly by the edges once or twice every six months will do anywhere near the same. >>
I agree - but for me, there is no way I would spend the money that I do or have the interest that I do if I only looked at my coins once or twice every six months.
Slabs really enhance the ownership experience for me because I can look more frequently without fear of really screwing something up big time.
Of course any of the protective holders on the market can serve a similar function, but it seems that the more enthusiastic raw coin supporters don't like them much either.
I keep my better raw coins in airtites, after looking at the edge. They will protect the coin and prevent the two tone look caused by rubbing the toning off the high points from mylar, envelopes, and even some albums. They also prevent additional AT from envelopes and albums.
Bill
BUT if it's not a Proof, and if you (1) handle it only by the edges and (2) you avoid breathing on the coin, you should be OK with anything MS-64 or below.
<< <i>yet a sizeable percentage of high end collectors still prefer raw coins >>
To me, the greatest aspect of having slabs is not the certified grade (though I do like having it), but the fact I can show my collection to non-numismatists (kids, neighbors, coworkers) without being terrified that they will drop, sneeze on, or in some way harm the coin in question.
With a slab, I can toss it across the room to my beer swilling, butt scratching buddies without loosing sleep over it.
And for the record, I've never once shown my collection to my neighbors, coworkers, or beer swilling, butt scratching buddies. But if I ever wanted to, I can.
in fact, on the contrary, for example handling brown copper is beneficial to the coin. the oils from people's skin is what gave the coins their protective natural patina to begin with.
K S
<< <i>
<< <i>yet a sizeable percentage of high end collectors still prefer raw coins >>
To me, the greatest aspect of having slabs is not the certified grade (though I do like having it), but the fact I can show my collection to non-numismatists (kids, neighbors, coworkers) without being terrified that they will drop, sneeze on, or in some way harm the coin in question.
With a slab, I can toss it across the room to my beer swilling, butt scratching buddies without loosing sleep over it.
And for the record, I've never once shown my collection to my neighbors, coworkers, or beer swilling, butt scratching buddies. But if I ever wanted to, I can. >>
I am agreeing with you. Frankly I'd prefer it if the oil from some people's skin was not a part of my coin collection.