Question. Can a home who has a heavy (and I mean heavy) cigarette smoker do damage to a coin. Example: I saw this proof which has a nice cameo obverse but the reverse looks like it has spotted orange toning. Can cigarette smoke cause that and if so can it be conserved to get that off?
Unfortunately NO. All reactions that happened on coin surfaces CANNOT be removed without any side effects even in early stages, only with the exception of early detection of PVC damage. You MAY send it in to Numismatic Conservation Services but there are no guarantees that the coin will be conserved. Link can be found here: http://www.ncscoin.com/ At all means, if it IS an expensive coin, NEVER do anything with it and let the experts handle it.
Thanks for your answer and link to NCS. I am still wondering if cigarette smoke could cause that orange spotty toning on a proof coin. Wish I had pictures but it's not my coin.
Are they not in protective holders? I dont smoke in the house now but have in the past and smoked around my coin even while they arent in a holder and have never had any effects like this on a coin...I wouldnt think it would spot orange...but you never know.
Thanks. It's in a holder now yes. Weird toning. Tried calling NCS to talk to a person about it but the guy who does the conserving is at a Balitmore show.
Cigarette is sometimes used to tone a coin---I think it makes kindof a dark brown (UPS) color. Speedy
tar and other negatively charged ions can stick to any non porous surface, ie coins. You can look at a simple demonstration on the inside of a vehicle that someone smokes in. Rub your finger in the inside of the winshield and see what you displace, its not pretty. Thats why I don't smoke, nor allow anyone to smoke in my home or near my coins.
Thanks..This person is a chain smoker that has this coin so I bet that's the problem with the coin. Now can NCS conserve a coin with that problem. I will call them next week after they are back from the Baltimore Coin Show. Thanks again.
I do hope I am not being out of line here with this remark....if I am I apologize in advance. I would not be so worried about the coin...but more so about the little girl in the avatar! I hope she is not in that home.... BTW...by products from burning tabacco and the chemicals that are in them can influence metalic surfaces. Go move the refrig and look at the difference in the painted walls...that fine chemical laden film will cover whatever is exposed to it. Good luck... RickieB
Acetone will attack organic substances and remove them from coins. I suspect that some of the byproducts in cigarette smoke may be inorganic, in which case acetone may improve the coin's appearance, but won't do the whole job. Normally all that is necessary is a few seconds in a glass dish containing pure acetone - not nail polish remover or other acetone with chemical additives - followed by repeated rinses in distilled or deionized water, and air drying on a soft cloth. In the case of heavy PVC or other organic contamination, multiple rinses, each time in fresh acetone, may be needed. A 15-minute soak shouldn't hurt, but it isn't necessary.
Not out of line at all. I am in a smoke free house so my little Princess is alright The person I am thinking of getting the coin from is a heavy smoker though. I appreciate all the recommendations ie dipping in acetone. If I get this coin I am thinking of having it graded by NGC so I might just send it to NCS first. Costs about 20 bucks for the conservation so it might be worth it to have the experts handle it. Hopefully I can get a picture posted in a few days and see what you all think. Thanks again.
