preserving with nail polish?

redrum

I just borrowed a 1995 Photograde from a friend and in the 'preserving coins section' it recommends coating your coins with clear nail polish for a form of protection. The book states it is harmless on the coin, and when it comes time to sell.... just use nail polish remover and rinse. Now I have read many a thread here on protecting and preserving coins, but never encountered this type of idea. Anyone have some wisdom with this one?

Hedger

I would not do it.

dthigpen

Lacquering coins use to be popular, I have many coins in my collection which still are. Personally, I would not do such a thing.

tmot99

Interesting idea. Maybe for circulated stuff that you don't care too much about. Not sure I am going to be the guy to try it. It would be similar to painting your coin. The acetone would remove the polish but it may need a little rubbing to get it completely off.

BillJones

The old-time collectors used to do the same thing with lacquer.

Two problems. First it’s a negative when you go to sell the coin. The stuff can be removed with acetone, but it’s got to be done carefully.

Second, the coin has be BONE DRY when it’s lacquered. If it’s not moisture trapped against the coin can cause spots and corrosion, which defeats the reason for putting lacquer on the piece in the first place …

My advice - Ignore the advice.

redrum

Thanks for the scoop, I'm still so new that I feel guilty just looking at the coins. I might make them turn ugly.

Spiffy469

When I first joined the forums back in 2001 I won a giveaway of a Morgan dollar that had a clear layer of either nail polish or laquer on it. I keep it as a pocket piece and after 4 years of bouncing around it looks like the day i got it because the laquer prevents wear on the coin.

It is pretty neat tho.

Jeff

CoinOnTheCob

I don’t like the part where it says that the clear nail polish can be removed with nail-polish remover; which is impure acetone.

Impure acetone can discolor a coin all on its own.
COTC

mgoodm3

I prefer the red nail polish.

Steve27

" I prefer the red nail polish."

I used acetone to remove red nail polish from a circulated Franklin half; the portion covered by the paint was in much better condition than the rest of the coin.

Shamika

<< <i>I prefer the red nail polish. >>


AT!!!

ldhair

Don't use anything for fingernails on your coins.

The problem with polish is that you have no idea what the carrying agent being used is.
Some can be trapped on the coins surface.

Just my thoughts.

mozin

Years ago I had a gold coin money clip and a set of gold coin cuff links. I coated them all with multiple coats of clear nail polish. No problem with them and I sold them later without a problem.