Touching Silver Coins with my Bare Hands

[investinrehabs]

When I first started collecting, I touched a few burnished silver eagles with my bare hands and then put them into air tites. At the time, I didn't realize that the oil from my hands would affect the coins. Should I clean them with acetone or what would you suggest I do?........if anything. 

[Just Bob]

I would think that a swish or two in acetone would remove any remaining oils that might be on the surface of the coins. It might not completely prevent toning, but it should lessen the effects.

If they were mine, I would be tempted to leave one of them alone, just to see what happened. That is just me, though - I always have some sort of experiment going with a coin or two, just to see what happens.

[investinrehabs]

Just Bob,

I like your idea and I think I'll leave a couple of them alone. I know which ones I touched. Is acetone completely safe to use on the coins? I hear so many different opinions that I'm not sure what to do! 

[Just Bob]

I have never had any problems using acetone on a coin.

[thisistheshow]

Just make sure you only  soak them, not rub in any way. 

[Numismatic, A.A.S.]

Sometimes I take Silver Bullion and I fondle it with my bear hands and play with it. Other times I'm extremely careful not to touch it without cotton gloves, etc... Have Fun!!!

[investinrehabs]

10 hours ago, Numismatic, A.A.S. said:

Sometimes I take Silver Bullion and I fondle it with my bear hands and play with it. Other times I'm extremely careful not to touch it without cotton gloves, etc... Have Fun!!!

LMAO!!!

[Matt_dac]

Take care to pick up raw coins on the sides so you don't touch the surfaces. 

[thisistheshow]

9 minutes ago, Matt_dac said:

Take care to pick up raw coins on the sides so you don't touch the surfaces. 

Precisely. And having clean hands while doing this helps also. 

[JKK]

There are these little plastic tongs called cointongs, they have a latch that will catch as the plastic bends to pinch your coin, I'd guess a lot of collectors have them. Might look into those. Also what I call leprechaun condoms: they are like little tiny balloons waiting to be blown up, or like condoms for someone who showed up late to the *spoon* distribution in life. The idea is you put them on your fingertips. If you have to handle a lot of uncirculated coins at a stretch, that makes it pretty convenient; you toss them after using. They sell them in bags of quite a few.

[investinrehabs]

Thanks for the suggestions. I use cotton gloves now. But I'm curious to see if the ones I touch, start toning. With my luck, they'll end up looking like a penny that's been through W.W.I and W.W.II....not to mention Vietnam!!