Last updated on April 6th, 2021 at 01:41 am
Last Updated on April 6, 2021 Posted by Colonial Acres Coins
As a collector, you’ve most likely heard the term ‘mint condition,’ but did you know it actually originated from coin collecting? The factory where coins are made is called a mint. When a coin leaves the mint, it is in mint condition. While the term is widely used to describe a host of other things that are in great shape, it’s pretty cool that it originated with coins. If you want to keep your coins in mint condition, the coin supplies you have, as well as the way you handle the coins and store them, are vital to the process.
Understanding How To Preserve the Coins
Everyone has a different purpose for their coin collections, and yours might be preservation. If you hope to keep your coins preserved in mint condition, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- The environment in which you store the coins should be temperature-controlled. Don’t throw them in a box in the shed in your backyard, or in a damp basement. The room or closet should also be dark and dry.
- Use storage products that are free of chemicals, including PVC, as these could contaminate the coins after decomposing.
- Coin slabs add an extra layer of protection for some of your more valuable collections.
- Any coin slides or paper you use as part of storage should be acid-free.
Learning To Properly Display the Coins
Keeping your coins on display isn’t just fun for you, it’s fun for everyone who visits. Use the coins as a conversation starter, or to make a connection with others. As you prepare your coins for display, keep these things in mind:
- Specially designed display boxes and frames are created to allow you to show off every angle of the coin without risking everyone’s oily, dirty fingers handling them. You should never just keep the coins set out on a shelf or in a box for people to touch if you plan to keep them in mint condition.
- Putting the coins in an album with your photo album keeps them on display, but not out in the open where they could get damaged.
Gathering the Right Coin Supplies To Assist With Your Collection
A coin fresh from the mint hasn’t been handled. It hasn’t been circulated, and it hasn’t been exposed to dirt, dust and debris. If you want to keep it that way, you’ll need to gather the right coin supplies to assist with your collection. Whether you’re a coin preserver or a coin displayer, the right supplies are essential. Some you might consider include:
- A Soft Pad, Cloth or Towel – When you are handling coins, putting them in albums, inserting them into sleeves or otherwise caring for them, you run the risk of dropping at least one or more. It’s important you have a soft pad, cloth or towel on your work surface. This will protect the coins from picking up dirt, getting dented or rolling away.
- Clean Gloves – The oils on your skin will damage the surface of your coins. You should always have gloves on when handling coins. A pair of strong, safe, soft cotton gloves are preferred, but you could use something like clean, powder-free latex if that’s all you have.
- Coin Holders, Folders and Albums – You don’t want to keep your coins in a box where they will rub against each other. Instead, a cardboard 2×2, a coin flip or something similar are great solutions to hold your coins. You could also choose one of many folders if you’re a beginner, or an album if you’ve got a significant collection already.
Contact Us To Get Your Collection Started
At Colonial Acres Coins, we are excited about helping you grow your coin collection and keep it in mint condition. With an extensive collection of preservation and display supplies, we have what you need to create the collection of your dreams. Contact us today to get started.