Handling raw coins

[Zoins]

What's the best way to handle raw coins? I've read that some people use gloves. Are there specific kinds of gloves that are better than others?

 

What about getting some dust off the coin? Would compressed air work? Or is something else prefered?

[Oldtrader3]

Most people use cotton gloves. Polyester would be better because it does not shed fibers like cotton. You can use the compressed dry air cans to blow dust off coins. Photograhers use these compressed air cans to clean negatives.

[MunkyMan95]

If you don't have gloves (or even if you do) always hold the coin only by the rim.

[Zoins]

Thanks OT3 & Chad

[TomB]

I've never used gloves. Hold the coin carefully by the rims over a felt or velvet display pad and have patience; you won't encounter problems.

[robec1347]

Are latex gloves acceptable or do they have some ingredient that will harm coins?

[Oldtrader3]

Nitrile (non-Latex) or polyurethane gloves are hypoallergenic. Many people are allergic to latex partly because the rubber monomer is compounded with formaldehyde and sometimes urea. Also, latex gloves are normally powdered with talcum powder or sometimes with corn starch. Make sure, if you use powdered surgical gloves, to wash the powder off the outside. Do not use PVC gloves.

[pendragon1998]

I use purple nitrile gloves I scored when my lab shut down. I'm gonna be sad when my stash runs out.

[Oldtrader3]

Nitrile exam or lab gloves are ideal. Too bad that you are running out.

[robec1347]

Also, latex gloves are normally powdered with talcum powder or sometimes with corn starch. Make sure, if you use powdered surgical gloves, to wash the powder off the outside.

That's good to know because I seem to have the powdered gloves. I'll have to find some of the Nitrile gloves. Thank You.

[Oldtrader3]

Any gloves labeled non-latex are most likely Nitrile which is a synthetic rubber.

[EZ_E]

Many people are allergic to latex partly because the rubber monomer is compounded with formaldehyde and sometimes urea.

 

Thanks for that tid-bit of information, Charlie. Being a hospital worker, I've always been a little courious about that. It seems that most hospitals have gone to non-latex gloves now.

[pendragon1998]

I'm allergic to it, which is why I use nitrile gloves. Whenever I contact latex, my eyes immediately go all itchy, irritated, and dry, making me miserable for a good 36-48 hours. That's not as bad of a reaction as many other people have, so on that note, I'm lucky - still it's a rotten way to feel for a day or two so I do my best to avoid it. Ugh.

[LuvToCollect]

Cotton gloves are my choice but not as easy to find as you might think. Army Navy surplus stores sometimes carry them as well as band supply stores.

[zrlevin]

You can get cotton gloves at JP's Corner. Best thing is, just throw them in the washer and you can use them again.

[James_OldeTowne]

I don't use gloves. Just handle them carefully by the rim.

 

Here's an important tip, though: Handle a coin over a cloth, or some other soft surface, in case you accidentally drop it. A three foot drop onto a hard flooring surface is plenty enough impact to cause a nasty rim ding.

[Oldtrader3]

Having been medical device engineer and manufacturing executive for (40) years sometimes comes in handy. Mostly the cheap imports are the problem. American medical device companies converted to nitrile when the FDA warning on latex use came out (in about 1998 I think).