How to Preserve Old Coins

Use silk or cotton gloves when handling the coins. Using your bare hands will stain the coins, which will in turn lower their value. Handle the coins only when absolutely necessary.

Clean the coins prior to adding them to your collection or if they accumulate dust. To do so, you can either use a soft cloth with warm water and common dish soap, soak the coins in vinegar or rub lemon juice or alcohol directly onto the coins. Take care when rubbing the coins to avoid scratches, which will also lower the coins potential market value. After cleaning, make sure the coins are completely dry by either air drying them or using a cloth.

Place the coins in sealed plastic bags to keep them safe from exposure to any damaging elements. If exposed to any moisture, the coins may start to corrode. It is important to make sure that the materials used are also free from any acidic materials, such as PVC, that create acidic gases and damage the coins.

Store the coins in a dry place completely free from moisture. Make sure that the storage area has good air ventilation to prevent dampness from occurring. If you are using a container for the coins, use silica gel to eliminate water vapor.