The presidential U.S. dollars you will receive by subscription from PMG Collections are enclosed in a clear plastic case, providing safe and convenient storage.  This also enables you to view them from any angle without having to worry about proper coin handling, and at the same time helps to preserve their value.  We recommend you do not remove them from these protective coverings.  If you collect from other sources, here are a few basic coin care tips.

There are several ways an inexperienced collector can unintentionally decrease a coin’s worth.  Touching it leaves natural skin oils on the surface that can be corrosive, which is why collectible coinage should be encapsulated.  If a coin must be picked up, it should be held along the edge, between thumb and forefinger, with soft cotton or latex gloves.  Even talking over a coin can imprint it with tiny droplets of saliva that may show up later as spots – which, like fingerprints, may be impossible to remove.

Cleaning coins improperly can also damage them.  It is wise to resist the urge to polish or scrub them.  Contrary to what you might suppose, a shiny speciment is not necessarily a more valuable one – especially if its delicate surface has been scratched or stripped away.  If cleaning is really necessary, use mild soap and water, and then pat the coin down with a soft towel.

Proper coin storage calls for a cool, dry location.  It is important not to expose them to extremes in temperature or humidity, so keeping them in attics or basements is not advisable.  Besides, once you have assembled a satisfying collection, you’ll want to look at it often, and share it with your family and fellow enthusiasts.  Proper care for coins will enable you to enjoy them for a lifetime!

For more information on collectible coins, visit the website of the American Numismatic Association.

A helpful glossary of numismatic terms can be found at the website of the United States Mint^®.