Handling & storing coins and bars

How to handle coins and bars

• Hold coins by the edges, never the faces.
• Wear cotton or nitrile gloves for proofs and high-grade coins; skin oils can leave marks over time.
• Never clean coins. Polishing or chemicals scratch the surface and can sharply reduce value, even for bullion buyers.
• Work over a soft surface, like a towel, so a dropped coin doesn't ding.
• Leave sealed products sealed. Mint tubes, assay cards and sealed packaging can make resale easier.

Storage basics

• Use inert holders: hard capsules, coin tubes and holders labeled PVC-free. Soft PVC flips can leave residue over time.
• Control humidity with desiccant, and avoid basements and garages that swing in temperature.
• Don't mix metals loosely. Coins rubbing together scratch.
• Toning is cosmetic. Silver can darken over time; it doesn't change the metal content.
• Keep it private and secure. See storing precious metals for safes, safe deposit boxes and insurance.

Simple ways to check what you bought

Buying from established dealers is the best protection against counterfeits. At home, you can compare a coin's weight and dimensions against published specifications using a 0.01 g scale and calipers. Silver isn't magnetic, so a coin that sticks to a magnet is a red flag, though passing the magnet test alone doesn't prove a coin is genuine. If anything seems off, have a reputable dealer check it.