Caring For Your Collection

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—and a LOT of money!"

State of preservation is one of two main factors influencing the value of a collectible. Unfortunately, if you are unaware of proper storage and handling techniques, an item's state of preservation can diminish while in your care. As a serious collector, you may already have a good understanding of the process, but it can be more complicated than it appears. Use this chapter as a source for tips, but not as a definitive guide on preservation techniques; the Appendix suggests a few books that give more specific guidance on preserving different types of collectibles (i.e., comics, coins, cards, guns, etc.).

Any valuable collection should be appropriately safeguarded. In the case of many rare items, the condition of an item can raise or lower its value by thousands of dollars, so we would like to impart to you the gravity of maintaining appropriate storage and handling conditions.

Many products routinely sold and used by the collectibles' community are potentially hazardous, and what may be acceptable as a short-term solution can damage your collectibles in the long run. Certainly, you'll want to take the long view, both for your continued collecting enjoyment and for the benefit of your heirs.

Ensure the Proper Storage of Your Collection

You probably view your collection from two perspectives: as items purchased for your personal enjoyment, but necessarily also, as a significant asset that must be protected. No one rule applies for proper collectibles storage, as you will want to weigh the benefit of easy access versus the potential for loss. You will have to make a decision that you find comfortable. The more valuable a collection, the more carefully you may need to protect it from mishandling.

It is important to store your collectibles in holders made of inert plastic materials, those that are composed of little or no chemical substance that might damage your collectible over time. Coin collectors frequently choose Sealed Inert Capsules which prevent outside toxins from reacting with the metallic face and body of the coin. These types of capsules are often included in the cost of coin, comic and sports card grading services. Be sure to inquire about the warranty that the grading service provides.

Because of its rigidity and inert composition, Mylar™ sleeves and holders make particularly good storage devices for flat collectibles. While they may cost more in some cases, they are the only recommended 'long term' storage solution for most paper collectibles, outside of Capsules.

Storage Locations

Physical security will be discussed in the next chapter, but where you keep your collectibles also impacts their state of preservation. Ideally, all collectibles and art should be stored in an environment of consistent moderate temperature and low humidity. A bank safe deposit box fits these criteria, as does an air-conditioned home. These are not, however, always a given.

If you live in Arizona, the humidity is low and you probably have air-conditioning. In Michigan, this may not be the case and you have wild swings in temperature extremes between the seasons. Collectors in South Florida battle high humidity and salt air. It would seem obvious that regardless of where you live, coins should be stored indoors. Nonetheless, we have seen collections stored in garages, outdoor storage units and occasionally buried in the ground. Storing your collection in an environment with a controlled climate is one of the first steps you can take to preserve its value.

Moisture and humidity are culprits that can seriously damage coins. You probably learned early in school what happens when water and metal are in contact for long periods of time. Copper is a particularly reactive metal and is used as an alloy in most United States coins. Corrosion and spotting often result when coins are exposed to moisture or humidity. Bags of silica gel can be used to retard humidity but need to be replaced regularly. The best solution is to simply find a low-humidity environment for your coins, even if it means the inconvenience of a safe-deposit box.

Currency has its own special requirements, but when properly housed, is more durable than one might believe. High humidity should be avoided, but currency should receive some air to maintain its natural fiber. The main culprit for notes is too much direct sunlight, as overexposure will cause the ink to fade and diminish the value. Otherwise, normally cautious packing and storage should be sufficient.

Restoring Your Collection

You should inspect your collection every six months to make sure that it is not being exposed to potential hazards. If you find a problem, or if the information provided in this chapter reveals a potential problem you had been unaware of, how do you correct it? Damage to collectibles is either mechanical or chemical. If the threat is mechanical, simply change the coins to a location or holder that does not present the threat. If the threat is chemical, you first need to determine the immediacy of the danger. As careful as one might be, collectibles do fall victim to these factors, and incur some form of damage.

Ironically, more collectibles have been damaged with good intentions than with bad ones. As such, we mention cleaning options with great trepidation. Unless you are prepared to carefully learn the techniques and practice them with great patience, you would really be better off paying a professional to do the job for you. In either case, no matter how much care is taken, you must also be prepared to accept some cases where the result does not meet your expectations.

The issue of authenticity is again a major factor that should be considered when restoring collectibles. Collectors view restored items as having less integrity than non-restored items. Again, consult an expert before attempting restoration — it is not a process easily reversed.

In summary, caring for your collection is an ongoing process that requires product knowledge, careful planning and routine maintenance. If you've been taking your collection for granted, it's due for an inspection now.

TIPS FOR HEIRS: If you inherited a coin collection, and are not a coin collector, you can do your inheritance more harm than good by almost any attempt to "improve" the collection.

If you did not receive good records and/or guidance in the estate and need to go through the inventory process explained in Chapter 1, the following three rules are basic, yet extremely important:

• Coins should always be held between the thumb and index finger touching only the edge of the coin. Never directly touch the front surface of the coin (known as the obverse) or the back surface (reverse). Natural oils in your skin and/or other contaminants on your fingers leave behind fingerprints that can severely affect a coin's salability and value. Copper and nickel are particularly reactive and susceptible to fingerprints. In short, you should only touch coins the minimum needed to identify the date, mint mark and variety, and it is preferable to accomplish that without touching them at all.

• DO NOT attempt to clean any of the coins. The very "dirt" or "tarnish" that is perceived negatively by a non-collector is often prized by the collector for its originality. There are exceptions, but you should consult with a professional to determine what they are. The professional should also give you free advice on storage options and which holders are best for your coins.

• This rule also applies to currency. It's not unusual for older currency to have penciled notations on its surfaces. As some are tempted to clean the "dirty" coin, so are others inclined to erase the offending writing. Please DO NOT attempt to do this. The writing will more than likely NOT come off and the attempt will be both damaging and irrevocable. If you have old currency that was in a box or between the pages of a book, get some Mylar™ holders from a local dealer and store the notes in them. If you have currency in old holders that look "oily," take them to a professional for advice rather than trying to improve them.

If you did receive good records and/or guidance and wish to dispose of the collection, you should deliver the coins or currency to the prospective buyer or auction house "as is" and discuss care issues if the professionals say they have significance. If you are keeping the collection, you may still wish to have a professional examine it to determine if any care problems exist. This is money well spent and it is highly encouraged.

Numismatic Conservation Services is a professional care, cleaning, and conservation firm. They can offer you expert advice if you have "problem" coins. See the appendix for contact information.