Avoid touching your coins as much as possible. Scratched, dirty, or coins marred from handling have less value than those in mint condition. Direct contact with your collection should be avoided, especially with coins in mint condition, but if you have to touch please do so by only holding the outer edge.

Coin cleaning, which is not recommended, should be handled by a specialist. Collectors might actually value the patina a coin has gradually developed, and consider a cleaned coin less desirable.

Just about any holder that you find on the market will be enough to safely store your three cents; just make sure your most valuable ones are safe from fingerprints, dust, and even moisture. Typical stapled or taped packets do not provide the optimum amount of protection, however there are other protectors available that can also protect against moisture. Protect your collectible coins when they are in storage by choosing a dry space and never one that is damp and cool, such as the basement.