Coin collecting, whether it’s rare gold coins or Roman silver coins, can be fascinating and a lot of fun. But the value of your coins is based, in large part, on their condition. If you’re not handling your coins correctly, and if you don’t clean them correctly, you can inadvertently reduce the value of the collection you’ve worked so hard to acquire.

Keep reading for a few simple tips to take care of your coins.

• Remember that you should never handle rare coins the same way as your everyday pocket change. Naturally occurring oils on your skin can do damage, and they can cause a print to become etched in the face of a coin. When you’re holding a rare coin, hold it by the edge.

• Before picking up a coin, take a moment to either wash your hands or apply some hand sanitizer. That way, you won’t accidentally do damage.

• Want to be really careful? Before examining a coin by hand, put on lint-free cotton gloves. Gloves made from latex or plastic aren’t a smart move, since they can contain lubricants or powder that can cause damage.

• If gloves aren’t your thing, try placing your coins in a coin holder. You won’t have to worry about accidentally dropping them or defacing them.

• The best way to clean a coin is to not clean it at all. Newbie collectors make the mistake of using cleaning applications that have acids or abrasives. These can reduce the value of a coin by as much as 50%. If you’ve got to clean them, use a solution made from distilled water and small amounts of soap.

• To keep coins from getting damaged, only handle them when absolutely necessary. However, when you use protective cases, you can enjoy the view and still keep them safe from harm.