Coin collecting is a fun hobby for young and old alike. It’s easy to get started, but there are a few missteps that new collectors commonly make that could end up jeopardizing their collections down the line. If you’re new to coins, avoid these mistakes as you start building your collection.
Focusing on Individual Coins
Every collector wants to seek out rare coins, but in the long run, it’s best to focus on completing coin sets instead of buying random coins from miscellaneous sets because of individual coin values. You can start your collection with one rare coin find and build a set around it, and then move on to building your next set of coins.
Cleaning Coins
You may be surprised how tarnished and downright dirty some of the coins your purchase look. However, that look is exactly what you want to see, because it shows that the coin is authentic. When you try to clean a coin, no matter how gentle you are, you could cause permanent damage and alter the way the coin ages. Resist the urge to wash away history and keep your coins just like they are.
Touching Coin Surfaces
You may be excited to get your hands on your coins, but when you handle them, be sure that you don’t touch the surfaces. When you put your fingers on the heads and tails of your coins, you leave behind fingerprints and oils that instantly reduce your coins’ values. If you want to examine your coins, hold them by their edges. It’s an even better idea to wear clean gloves while holding your coins. You should also ensure you only hold your coins over a soft surface to minimize the chance of any damage if you drop them.
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