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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,583 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
So today I got two very nice crown-sized silver coins. However, they were found by the previous owners in a horribly dirty, dank, snake-infested storage unit. So these coins are not bad, but they still have a rank smell to them. Should this be a concern? Can it be altered so they smell better?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
Acetone should strip off any nasty organic smell.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
nalaberong-Ah, good to know! Thanks.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
It is interesting to note that if you rub your fingers across the surface of a copper or bronze coin, then smell your fingers, a metallic smell can be detected.
I am no organic chemist, but I would guess that the acidic oil from the skin reacts with the metal to form a metallic / organic compound, that has either chlorine sulfur in it.
Coin roll hunters have detected fingerprints on coins and get dirty fingers, so some sort of chemical reaction must have happened.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
It is interesting to note that if you rub your fingers across the surface of a copper or bronze coin, then smell your fingers, a metallic smell can be detected.
Here are some not so nice thoughts about that. Next time you see someone picking their nose, spitting and then wiping their mouth with their fingers, then picking out a coin from their pocket, imagine what is on that coin. How about the many, many people leaving a stall in a washrooom, not washing their hands, digging out some coins with that same hand. How many people drop coins almost anywhere, pick them up with their hands. How many people pick up change at a bar, store, anywhere with their hands. Maybe it's not the metal you smell. I wash my hands with a sanitizer all the time after handling coins or currency. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
837 Posts |
  you have got me all paranoid about coins I get |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2805 Posts |
I usually pick up tokens with things like "CENTERFOLD PEEPS" on them for kicks. I was taking one out of my shopping-bag, and I thought about all the places it's been... nearly dropped it  |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
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you have got me all paranoid about coins I get
The disturbing part is, there's not an iota of exaggeration in what he's saying. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
Just take them to the sink and rinse them off.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Moderator
United States
16679 Posts |
The combination of snake feces, dampness, and other organic concerns, have embedded the smell on the metal.
Acetone dip followed by distilled water rinse.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8516 Posts |
 ...yep acetone. Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1536 Posts |
Me too Carl, I always wash my hands after handling coins and keep sanitizer pr alcohol handy to wipe down things I touch like my keyboard while handling coins.
Edited by buddy16cat
11/05/2013 02:42 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
At many grocery and other stores they now have those sanitizers right at the entrance. So many people complained about the sticky parts on a shopping cart from little kids, that too makes you wonder about the money. And not to long ago there was stories about the massive amount of our currency with traces of drugs on them. And too think about the cashiers that hand you your change. Where has their hands been? Ever see someone spitting on their fingers to count currency? Now they hand it to you.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,583 |
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Posted 10/31/2013 10:01 pm
