The absolute golden rule of numismatics is that you should almost never clean rare or collectible coins. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC can easily spot cleaned coins under magnification. Cleaning strips a coin’s natural “mint luster” or historical patina and leaves micro-abrasions, instantly reducing its market value by 50% or more.
However, if you are handling common, low-value pocket change, or if you need to safely store a high-value collection, this definitive checklist outlines the industry best practices for both tasks. Phase 1: The Safe Handling Checklist
Before you touch a single piece of your collection, set up a secure physical environment.
Leave a Reply