Old Coin Collection from a smoker's home

I have a number of Whitman coin albums that belonged to my in-laws, who were heavy smokers. The albums are the slot ones where you just push in the coin, no protective covering on them. The albums smell horrible, and even the coins themselves, when you take them out of the albums, still smell of smoke. Also, the reverse side of the silver coins are badly tarnished from being in contact with the albums (the coins were stored for over 25 years in an outdoor shed).

I don’t want to “clean” the coins per se, though I probably could since none of the coins are of much value, most are fairly worn - they are more for sentimental value, and for the history of just having old coins. Though there are almost two complete sets of Lincoln cents, and some of the coins are in very nice condition, amazingly.

I’d like to put them into some new folders, but I’m afraid if I store them as-is, the chemicals lingering on the coins will eventually destroy them completely. I’ve found great topics here about coin cleaning, but I’m not sure these warrant that much time and effort. Maybe some Febreeze spray? (just kidding!! ). Any suggestions? Thanks all!!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Sell them to the Chinese..........they are big smokers and won't know the difference. Actually, maybe they will slab them and send them back to the states ((*_*))

Just take them out of the album and let them sit out for a few weeks exposed........that should help some. Throw the albums away........they hold smoke forever.

 

When I inadvertently purchase collections of coins that come from smokers, I just wash the common coins in good ol' soap and water. I am not recommending this, unless you know which coins are common and which are not. If done improperly, you can still damage the coins, but it is possible to do safely.

I like the last poster's advice: just try air.

 

One man's "badly tarnished" could be another man's gold mine. Don't touch them any more than you already have and take some pictures to post. 25 years in heat and humidity might do wonderful things to silver coins. Post the pics and let's see what you have. In the coin world "tarnished" means "toned" and toned often bring a premium.

 

If you have some pure acetone, it will not affect the metal of the coins, but will remove the odor. I am very allergic to smoke residue and even have to smell library books before checking any out. Some coins I receive are "smelly" and a rinse in acetone ( couple of minutes) with no rubbing and allowing to air dry on a paper towel does well. Toss the albums. Don't try cleaning any coins until you understand their value.

Use the search button on the menu bar to search "cleaning" to see some of past discussion on this area.

Jim

 

Acetone really does not harm coins. Just be sure not to get any on your kitchen cabinets, dining room table, etc. as acetone will remove the finish. Also be sure to use a GLASS bowl as acetone will melt plastic. Never rub the surface of the coin and just simply allow the coin to air dry on a paper towel. Be sure to give us the dates and mintmarks of the coins so we can be sure you are not dealing with anything of high value. :thumb:
By the way remember to never touch the face of the coin and hold it by the rims.

Just be sure it is 100% PURE acetone! Nail polish remover will harm your coins!

 

I've used pure acetone on several occasions and it's never done a thing for me. The coins I tried still look bad.

 

I figured the albums themselves were a lost cause, same with old books I've inherited. I'll try sitting them out in my spare room and let time do what it can (as long as my cats don't decide to play hockey with the coins!)

Will do, I'm new at all this, so not sure I can take good pictures of coins, but I'll give it a try! As a genealogist, I take great photos of headstones, so maybe I'll do ok!!

I've been reading prior posts here about cleaning and dipping coins before posting my question, and early on I thought, hey, acetone, I have that under my bathroom sink! But further reading soon cleared me up on the difference with real acetone and polish remover!

I do have white cotten gloves, and non-latex gloves, that I use when touching coins; and I never rub or wipe the coins, even though I tend to be a clean freak and any sort of tarnish drives me crazy! In fact, when I first saw the tarnished silver coins, my first impulse was to grab my silvercloth and start rubbing :bigeyes: but something told me to wait and learn first before doing something stupid!

 

Vess1

"I've used pure acetone on several occasions and it's never done a thing for me. The coins I tried still look bad. "

Acetone will not remove any tarnish. THe advantage here is that it removes organics, in this case a film of nicotine, which is where the smell comes from. If they are bad enough to smell they need to be soaked in pure acetone for a few minutes then rinsed in a second clean bath of acetone before being put to dry. the first bath will turn brown after a few coins. dump it, use the "clean" bath as your first bath and set up a new clean bath.

Richard

 

Update!

Ok, a quick update!

Being new to all this, I didn’t feel comfortable enought to use acetone, so I decided to try the air method first. I took all of the coins out of two of the folders, placed them on a towel on a window sill (not direct sun, but did have indirect light) with the window open just a tad. Left them there for about a week and a half, and amazingly most of the smell is now gone! There is still just a slight bit of mustiness to them, but I’d have to say they are 95% improved.

Such a simple solution, I never thought this would have done any good considering how bad they smelled, but it worked! :high5:

So I’m going to do the rest of the coins in batches, then place them into their new clean folders, and store them properly, indoors this time!

Thanks everyone for your help and advice, I’ve really been enjoying my time here reading posts, I learn something new everyday!

Lyn

 

Some pictures would be great

 

Don't leave them near an open window too long. Moisture can be as bad as smoke. Also, if you use acetone, try using it outside. It's safer.

 

I tried, CoinKeeper, but I can't seem to get a clear, close up pic - the closer I get the blurrier it is. It's a nice digital camera with lots of settings that I never use, I guess I need to pull out the ol' manual and see how to take close ups!

 

Excellent point, thanks! I did put them in the one window that is protected by a car port, and I kept the window closed on the few rainy days we had. Otherwise, the house stays pretty dry, and I'm keeping them in a dry interior place (away from the window) for awhile before storing them away, just to make sure they're as dry as possible.

 

c'mon with them photos.

 

And I always thought Acetone would refinish coins.
just kidding. That is the main point with that stuff. If doesn't do much. It will take off lots of organic contaminate, but very little can be done with acetone to replace materials lost due to corrosion.

 

Also, which window you place a coin on the sill makes a difference for several reasons. If in a window where the air constantly blows accross the coins, you may acquire some outside products that could effect the coins. If on a kitchen window and a lot of cooking is done, that too could effect the coins.
If the window gets sun, then no sun, that too could effect the coins.
As to the albums, throw out. You have no idea of what those have absorbed.

 

I have found with pictures you need a bright light and use a tripod this will help solve the blur in the pictures. Ice

 

push the button with the flower symbol (macro) to take closeups.

 

If you have a scanner, try using that. I scan all my important coins at high resolution, and usually the results are acceptable.