Questions from a fresh face

[StacksUK]

1. What is the best reliable site to get new coins that come already sealed in air-tites? I see youtubers unboxing silver tubes with the coins/bars already sealed.

2. Is it essential to have cotton gloves? How much damage can finger oils really do?

Thank you for any input.

[DogSoldier1973]

If you buy Perth Mint coins and Panda's they already come in coin capsules from the mints

If you don't wear gloves and touch the face of the coin you will leave your fingerprints on the coin, then when you try to wipe the fingerprints off the coin you will see the slight scratches you've made with what ever you were wiping with. You can use silver dips and pat dry to clean coins.....but then again it's your silver! If you want to touch it and get fingerprints all over it then that's your perogative

 

You only need to keep it nice i guess if you want to sell it on, as the best looking coins (Mint Ones) will sell faster and for more

[strenue]

Hi StacksUK,

 

Some mints provide their coins already sealed in airtites.  My recommendation if you are just starting out is to have a look at Perth Mint silver coins.

I am a reseller of Perth Mint coins, so I may have a bias, however I am sure fellow stackers on the forum will back me up that Perth Mint coins have great designs, at reasonable prices for a top quality minted coin.

 

The rule of thumb is, if the coin is already in an airtite, do not remove it from the airtite.  If the coin is not yet in an airtite, get it in one as soon as you can.  Silver does tarnish when exposed to the elements.

 

Hope this helps.

[StacksUK]

Informative stuff guys, thanks for the quick reply.

Lots to think about. After your confirmation ill definitely be investing in some gloves. Plan on keeping my silver as nice as possible.

Thanks again for your help!

[Pete]

Welcome to the stackers club - be warned you may become addicted like some of us here.

 

Don't fret too much about new coins in capsules.

The majority of capsuled coins are from Australia - Lunars, Kookaburras, Koalas etc.

Chinese Pandas are also in capsules.

Most others are loose but some like the UK Britannias are inside a clear plastic blister.

 

You will have a 50/50 chance of getting a coin with finger prints on it if a "loose" coin.

If you can afford to buy a tube like 25 Maples, 20 Eagles, 20 Britannias etc.  then these will be clean coins.

There is absolutely no problem in opening a tube because it is neither vacuum sealed or filled with inert gas.

ALWAYS handle using clean cotton gloves and try to hold by the edge.

 

If you get greasy finger marks on a mirror finish / polished silver coin then I suggest you mix up a solution of washing up liquid in very hot water with a splash of ammonia added ( preferable but not essential ). Wear rubber gloves or finger cots and place the coin in a bowl of solution and agitate the coin for about 10 seconds under the water to ensure any tiny particulates are washed off the surface. Then using a ball of cotton wool gently wipe the faces of the coin whilst keeping everything totally wet. Just drag the wet cotton ball over the surface several times and avoid rubbing. If the marks have disappeared rinse the coin in warm / hot water to remove the detergent. Place on a kitchen towel and pat dry - never rub - then leave the coin for an hour or more in a warm place to dry thoroughly. Never let the coin dry without patting as tap water will leave spots. Some people might even rinse their coins in distilled water as this is free from calcium. I have never tried using the dishwasher but that's for another thread sometime.

 

For non mirror finished coins like American Eagles etc you can be a bit rougher in cleaning.

Mirror finishes in .999 silver scratch incredibly easily and if you rub any such coin you will see fine lines if viewed at an angle in bright light.

 

So as you don't panic - bullion coins are rarely perfect and even when brand new can have pits, dents, scratches, reeded indentations and the dreaded milk spots.

They are just coins and worth their weight in silver only.

Good condition coins however are a pleasure to own and if selling you may get a bit more than a bog standard coin with finger marks but not necessarily.

 

I have bought seriously expensive proof coins inside caps in a certified boxed set and found one or more coins with finger marks or grease streaks.

I ended up washing as described and even resorted to using acetone and q-tips but if a coin has very old stains the acids hae already destroyed the surface and there will always be a mark evident under close examiniation. If that's the case then it is time for the acid dip.

[ChrisSilver]

I don't know where your buying from Pete, but there shouldn't be a 50% chance of getting a coin with finger prints on.

to answer the questions:

1. Perth Mint coins (koala, kookaburra, lunar series etc) and Chinese Panadas come in capsules from the mint, and therefore all dealers will sell them in capsules.

When buying other coins in singles dealers will mostly put in plastic coin flip wallets, a some put in some capsules but this tends to be rarer as the costs of capsules are higher than the flip wallets.

The only place I have ordered from that I have received single coins in these aftermarket capsules is bullionrock.com (be aware that they are in guernsey and you will pay import VAT and charges if you import into mainland UK)

Best thing to buy some lighthouse or air-tite capsules. (The air-tite capsules are the better ones in my opinion as they have nicer edges like the Perth mint coin capsules) and then to put your coins in capsules yourself.

If buying tubes I wouldn't put them all in capsules. When I buy a tube of something I buy a tube +1 single coin. Plan is to put the single in a capsule and display in a coin case.

2. Yes it is essential to wear gloves if you want to resell. I personally would not purchase a coin that has been handled or a coin that has been cleaned as this damages the coin. Some people will not care and say that it is just bullion, but if you are hoping to gain some sort of a collectors premium for a coin then I would highly recommended not touching it or cleaning it. And to store correctly to minimise natural tarnishing.

[Pete]

I have seen many coins arrive with grease marks and the occasional finger print, including coins in flip wallets, Westmister wallet and in capsules.

Second hand coins are prone to this bought on eBay of course and a forensic inspection will reveal what the seller had for breakfast.

 

New coins from various well known sources have arrived wrapped in inkjet label backing paper or placed inside a flip wallet but the packer was clearly not wearing gloves.

[Danny-boy]

Yes, I have had coins from big dealers with finger marks too.

That's just not cricket in my book.

[DogSoldier1973]

Most of my single coins bought from Atkinsons came with fingerprints and scuff marks on them That's why (Like Pete said) i try to buy in tubes now....so they don't come messed up!

[Cornishfarmer]

The caps lunars coins came in are they air tite or is it recommended to buy other caps for them

[strenue]

@Cornishfarmer, if you are referring to Perth Mint lunar caps, I now have a source who can provide me with original Perth Mint Capsules directly from the mint.

Apparently all sizes from 1/2oz to 1kg are available, if that might be of help.

[Agpanda]

What would the price be for 10pcs 1/2oz and 20pcs 1oz capsules, including shippingcost to sweden?

[Cornishfarmer]

@Cornishfarmer, if you are referring to Perth Mint lunar caps, I now have a source who can provide me with original Perth Mint Capsules directly from the mint.

Apparently all sizes from 1/2oz to 1kg are available, if that might be of help.

They are already in caps from the mint, they ok to keep in long term?

[SilverBalls]

I only starting collecting silver in October and have been buying the RCM Wildlife Series from Atkinsons - despite the price of some of the coins in this set.

 

I know that the RCM coins are prone to milk spots but every one of these coins has clearly been cleaned - not very well either as there's lots of residue on the edges and some scratches/marks to both sides.

 

I know that bullion coins aren't really 'collectors' coins and I don't expect them to be pristine but it's certainly made me wary of buying older coins from this dealer.

 

Can't knock the quality of new coins from Atkinsons though and their service is decent.

[Danny-boy]

I only starting collecting silver in October and have been buying the RCM Wildlife Series from Atkinsons - despite the price of some of the coins in this set.

I know that the RCM coins are prone to milk spots but every one of these coins has clearly been cleaned - not very well either as there's lots of residue on the edges and some scratches/marks to both sides.

I know that bullion coins aren't really 'collectors' coins and I don't expect them to be pristine but it's certainly made me wary of buying older coins from this dealer.

Can't knock the quality of new coins from Atkinsons though and their service is decent.

That's disgraceful, I'd send them back unless they were sold as cleaned.

The premium you are paying for them will not be regained IMO if they are cleaned.

I have the set, and mine have not spotted (yet)!!!!

[SilverBalls]

I'll be buying current year from now on Danny Boy - STG all the way for me!