Step by Step Guide

By StoneX Bullion

You have invested a lot of time (and money) in choosing your gold coins, and caring for them ensures that they remain undamaged and retain their value over time. Proper care of gold coins is a combination of handling them with care, using proper cleaning methods (if necessary), and storing them in safe and secure environments. Failure to do so can cause damage, leave fingerprints and lead to wear and tear that devalues your investment.

In this guide, we will cover how to properly handle, clean and store your gold coins to ensure they receive proper care.

Key findings:

It is best to handle coins infrequently, if ever. If you need to do so, follow certain protocols to avoid damaging them.

We generally do not recommend cleaning your coins, but if you must, be sure to follow the guidelines in this article; otherwise, you could do more harm than good.

Proper storage is essential to care for your coins and prevent corrosion.

How to handle gold coins properly?

First things first, let's talk about how to properly handle gold coins. The best advice we can give you on how to handle gold coins is not to handle them unless absolutely necessary.

Gold is a soft, malleable metal that is easily susceptible to damage, especially if the coins are of high purity. While damaged gold coins will still be valuable in terms of their gold content, any type of scratch or dent can reduce their numismatic value to collectors.

Although we do not recommend handling gold coins, sometimes it will be necessary to do so. For that reason, it is important to learn how to handle them properly to preserve their value and quality. Below, we share some key guidelines for proper handling of gold coins.

Keep the area clean

Make sure the space in which you handle your gold coins is clean and free of dirt. This seems obvious, but the last thing you want is for your coin to fall out of your hands and end up in a dirty place.

Speaking of coins falling out of your hands: if you make sure your space is free of clutter, you'll be less likely to trip or accidentally drop your coins while handling them. If your desk is full of clutter, drinks and knick-knacks, get rid of them before you start handling your gold coins. Remove all food, drinks and objects, and handle your coins in a completely clean space.

While we are on the subject of space, avoid placing your gold coins on a hard surface. Place a clean towel or cloth on a flat surface before placing the coins. You can also place a towel or soft cloth on the floor in case you drop the coin.

Wash your hands thoroughly

Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before picking up any gold coins. No matter how clean they look, don't skip this step. It's something every gold investor or coin collector should do without a second thought, but beginners won't always do it.

In case you didn't already know, you can leave fingerprints on the surface of a gold coin. In some cases, it may be impossible to remove stains caused by handling gold coins with unwashed hands. As you can imagine, it would not be easy to sell a gold coin at a premium price when it is discolored and covered with fingerprints.

An alternative to hand washing is to use an unscented hand sanitizer. Since hand sanitizer contains alcohol, it can remove the oil from the hands and dry them quickly. There is also a better option than hand washing and that is not to handle coins with your hands.

Wear cotton gloves

To properly protect your gold coins, consider investing in a pair of thin cotton gloves that you will use only when handling coins. Wearing gloves will protect your coins from fingerprints and prevent oils from your palms and fingertips from interacting with the precious metal in the coins. This will eliminate the risk of leaving fingerprints and discoloring the coins. Resist the temptation to use any other type of glove, particularly latex or plastic gloves that may contain powder or lubricants that will damage the precious metal.

Hold coins by the edges

One of the worst things to do when handling gold coins is to touch the face of the coin, which is the part of the coin that features a design. On the Canadian Maple Leaf coin, for example, the face of the coin is the part of the coin that features the maple leaf design and the bust of the late Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III.

Even if you wear cotton gloves, be sure to hold coins by the edges only. You don't want to run the risk of leaving scratches, discolorations or fingerprints on the face, no matter how small the odds. Damaging the face of a gold coin can quickly reduce its quality and value.

Our best advice is this: hold coins with the tip of your thumb and forefinger, as if you were making a thumbs-up gesture. Whether you are handling old coins or bullion, this is the most important rule to follow. Never hold a gold coin by the face.

Keep handling to a minimum

Again, the best way to handle gold coins is simply not to do it. But if you must, avoid doing so frequently. Leave your gold coins in their protective case or store them to avoid accidental damage.

Keep these tips in mind when handling your coins and you will avoid damage that can diminish their value. If you are careful, handling gold coins will not be a problem.

How to clean gold coins?

Before you decide to clean your gold coins, think about whether it is really necessary to do so. It is not necessary to clean bullion gold coins, and in some cases, cleaning coins can damage their original finish. There are many stories of gold coin investors who devalued their collections by accidentally damaging them while cleaning.

Since gold does not tarnish or corrode, it should remain bright and shiny as long as you take good care of it. That said, if you want to clean your coins, here's how you can do it without damaging or devaluing them.

Before cleaning your coins:

Wash your hands: Always wash your hands before handling gold coins. Wash them thoroughly with soap to remove dirt and grease that may stain the coin. You can also use hand sanitizer. Make sure your hands are completely dry before you begin cleaning them.

Wear gloves: Wearing gloves before handling gold coins is never a bad idea. Even if you have already cleaned them, cotton gloves provide that extra layer of protection that will prevent the transfer of fingertips and oils. Again, always choose lint-free cotton gloves and avoid latex or plastic gloves that may contain lubricant or powders.

Use plastic tweezers: You have washed your hands and put on gloves. Now, to better protect yourself, pick up the gold coin with plastic tweezers. Avoid metal tweezers, as they can scratch the surface of the coin.

Prepare a soft surface: Place a soft cloth or towel over the surface where you will place the coins. This will further protect your coins, keeping them in place and providing cushioning. You can also place a towel on the floor in case you accidentally drop a coin.

Now that you have prepared the surface, you can start cleaning the coin. There are several methods you can use:

Soap and water: Combine a few drops of mild soap with warm water and gently rub the coin with a soft cloth. Avoid using abrasive materials, such as toothbrushes or scouring pads, as they may damage the coin and reduce its value.

Olive oil: Apply a small amount of olive oil to a soft cloth and gently rub the coin to remove dirt or grime. Then wipe it with a dry cloth and polish it gently to restore its shine.

Jewelry cleaner: You may be able to clean your coin with a commercial gold jewelry cleaner. Follow the instructions on the cleaner's packaging and, again, use only a soft cloth during the cleaning process. After cleaning, rinse the coin with warm water and dry it carefully.

Baking soda: If you are cleaning an old, discolored coin, you can try baking soda. Mix a small amount of baking soda with warm water to form a paste and gently rub it on the coin with a soft cloth. Rinse the coin with warm water and dry it.

Hydrogen peroxide: This is another method for cleaning old discolored coins. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with water and use a soft cloth to gently rub the coin. Rinse with warm water and dry.

While the above methods can be used to clean gold coins, they can cause damage if not done carefully. If you handle particularly rare or valuable coins, we suggest that you use professional cleaning services. These experts will know how to clean your coins without causing damage. Be sure to use only experienced and reputable companies, and look for reviews from previous customers before allowing them to handle your coins.

Can cleaning gold coins reduce their value?

Many coin investors choose not to clean their coins for fear of reducing their value. Generally, using mild cleaning techniques will not cause significant damage or reduce the value of a coin; however, if you use abrasive cleaning methods (such as baking soda or hydrogen peroxide), you could risk damaging the coin and reducing its value.

Before deciding whether or not to clean your coins, consider the rarity and historical significance of your gold coin. If it is rare or historically significant, you are better off using a professional coin cleaning service or leaving it as is. Some collectible coins are considered more valuable when they show natural signs of wear.

How to properly store gold coins?

The best way to care for your gold coins and preserve their value is to store them properly. We have already created an extensive article on What is the right way to store gold, but here are some best practices.

Choose a cool, dry place: It is best to keep your gold coins away from heat and humidity, which can cause corrosion.

Do not store your gold and silver coins together: Do not store your gold and silver coins together, as silver can tarnish and damage your gold coins. In fact, keep your coins away from any tarnished metal that may transfer its tarnish to the gold.

Choose the right materials: Certain materials, such as PVC, can slowly damage your coins over time. PVC interacts with light and heat and creates hydrochloric acid that can damage gold coins and decrease their value.

Keep your coin in its packaging: Most of the time, gold coins are sold in plastic sleeves or capsules. It is best to keep your coin stored inside this packaging to keep it protected.

If you don't have a coin capsule, we have a wide range of coin capsules for different types of coins. Look for our coin capsules here to protect your coins from damage.

In addition to how to store your coins, you should carefully consider the best place to store them and keep them protected. Here are some things to consider when storing your gold coins at home, in a safe deposit box or in a vault.

Storing your coins at home: Storing your gold coins at home means that you can access them at any time. However, it also means that it is your sole responsibility to choose a safe storage location. Be sure to keep your gold away from moisture and other corrosive agents, take out adequate insurance, and avoid telling anyone that you are storing gold at home.

Store your coins in a safe deposit box: These are locked, secure containers located inside a bank vault or safe deposit box that you can rent for a fee. Safe deposit boxes offer security and high surveillance, but mean that you can only access your gold coins during the bank's business hours. You will also have less control over the environment in which your gold is stored. Be sure to consider whether it is worth the cost of securing your gold and always choose a reliable bank.

Store your coins in a vault: These are highly secure facilities designed specifically for storing gold and other precious metals. They will protect your gold from damage and theft, but they can be expensive and you will not be able to access your coins easily.

How to care for gold coins?

Taking good care of your gold coins is much easier than trying to repair damage caused by improper handling. To keep your coins safe and protected from damage and environmental corrosion, we carry a wide range of coin capsules and coin boxes. We also sell cotton gloves in various sizes so you can handle your coins safely when storing them in coin boxes and collector capsules.

Whether you are an experienced investor or new to coin collecting, follow the guidelines in this article and make sure you have the right accessories to protect your investment and keep your coins in as good condition as the day you first purchased them.