Once you decide to become a serious rare coin collector/investor proper handling and storage of your collection will become essential. Fortunately, once you know the rules, proper storage and handling is simple.

The two major grading and authentication services we recommend to our clients, P.C.G.S. and N.G.C., sonically seal the rare coins they certify in inert hard plastic holders that allow for safe, efficient handling, examination and storage.

I also recommend when storing rare coins graded and certified by P.C.G.S. and N.G.C. that our clients use Intercept Shield holders and boxes. Intercept shield-holders and boxes are lightweight, inert holders that will help further guarantee the long-term safety of your coins. High humidity, air pollution, salt air and temperature extremes can sometimes adversely affect the surfaces of rare coins. Intercept shield-holders and boxes are designed to protect your coins from these environmental risks with technology developed by Lucent Technologies. I'm always happy to provide Intercept shield-holders and boxes, on request, when I sell rare coins, as a FREE service on purchases of $2,500 or more.

When handling raw coins, coins that have not been sonically sealed in a P.C.G.S. or N.G.C. holder, there are several hard and fast rules you must follow.