Removing smoke smells on coins

Throw away the container and just air them out. Put a big fan on them. If you can maximize the exposed surface area in some way, do so. Don't leave them on a cloth. It should be a hard surface that won't just absorb the smell and keep it on the coins. It won't take too long for them to air out with this method.

 

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I see your point and knew that this was the cause for the green and corrosion. Personally I have never had a problem. 30% moisture is the usual around my neck of the woods. Even in my basement office.
A soak in distilled water and the proper drying has improved many of my coins.
It may not be the appropriate method in a moisture rich environment, but it sure isn't in my neck of the woods.
Although they say acetone is perfectly safe.
I have had results that are unsatisfactory on copper.

 

As previously mentioned, I'd try either regular rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove the tar, as that is what is on the coins causing the smell. Airing the coins out, might make it less noticeable, but once enclosed in a contain again, the smell will return.

Be sure to post your results and what you did to help others.

 

I’ve put a handful of coins on a fresh cloth and put it in a room. Tomorrow night, I’ll turn them over and put them on a new cloth. The rest of the coins were placed in a new container. I’ll update tomorrow how each smell.

 

I've heard a hammer will works pretty well.

oh wait, maybe that was for acrylic ?

 

Can speed up the process a lot if you have a vacuum pump and chamber. Applying a little heat (100 F) at same time can make it even faster. Be careful about a homemade chamber … don’t want an implosion. I’ve made chambers from 4” schedule 40 PVC pipe, which is strong enough. With schedule 40 pipe, pressure rating goes down as diameter goes up, so think twice about using larger pipe.

Cal

 

I was thinking about that. I have a plastic vacuum desiccator out in the garage, but the surplus vacuum pumps I bought have also been out there for years, and I doubt any of them would work at this point. But I'll bet a new pump could be had for cheap from Amazon.

 

Can also get cheap vacuum pumps from Harbor Freight. Cal

 

A lot of wheats in there.

 

Have you had those coins for years I assume? Everyone that the rev is facing are wheat. I’ll clean them. Lol! Don’t know why but I like Abe. Hope other’s advice help.

 

Every cent in there is a wheat cent my connection/ownership with these coins is a long story. To keep it short: they are back in my possession, and were previously in a smoker’s home.

 

I have transferred the coins to a new cloth. Will put them in front of my wife’s nose tomorrow for her input on their scent.

 

Well I’m glad you have them back. Smell or no smell. But airing them out would help no doubt. If moisture is in there that can hold onto a smell as well. If that makes sense.

 

Wow! Love the wheats. Pretty!

 

I'd use 91% rubbing Alcohol followed by Acetone

 

If those had sat in my mother's house the smell would never leave the coins...

 

Why would you recommend using impure acetone (rubbing alcohol) followed by pure acetone? Why not just pure acetone??

 

Just run over the darn things with a car that has properly inflated tires. But, glue them all to a piece of wood, first.

 

Keep it up and you will get the dreaded Charlie Talk...jus sayin

 

Not that big a deal, but 91% is not what would be considered a rubbing alcohol. Water can be added to it, of course, for dilution. There is a very big difference between the effects of 91% vs. 70%