Silver coins develop ugly stains around cigarette smoke and vape because of heat, chemicals and moisture, accelerating silver sulfide on fields and devices. Silver doesn’t rust. But it does interact with smoke compounds.
The beauty of silver is destroyed by smoke. When tobacco and vape atoms touch the coin, they convert the outer layer of silver into dark silver sulfide. You have created an acid bath.
Vaping, in particular, creates an aerosol cloud made of toxic chemicals whose vapor adds moisture. Worse, some flavorings combined with nicotine trigger rapid discoloration.
Smoke and vape are particularly brutal on toned coins, making them go terminal.
The coins below not only were housed in cardboard and paper-packaged double mint sets, prone to toning silver; they also were in a household that smoked cigarettes.
Often such coins actually will carry the odor of nicotine. Ones in U.S. Treasury double mint sets, 1947-1958, might never have circulated as business strikes but will likely not earn grades in PCGS and NGC holders, because of the stains.
Acetone dips will remove the odor but often not all of the stains, typically adding to the damage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 12 of every 100 U.S. adults aged 18 years or older (28.3 million) smoke cigarettes.
Numismatic News reports that 38% of Americans have experience collecting coins. While numbers of smokers have declined significantly in recent years, that still means nicotine scent may be poisoning coins in millions of hobbyist households.
Vape smoke exudes propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin that ruin coin surfaces. These substances also cause spotting. Tiny droplets or residues from the vapor could dry on the coin’s surface, creating spots, an oily film, or uneven discoloration.
Cigarette and vape smoke are particularly harsh on coins stored in albums. Here’s an example:
Smoke vapors also interact with the paper on coin rolls.
Whenever you see coins with such stains, you might just pass over such lots when bidding online. And if you are a smoker or vaper, consider giving up the addiction or storing coins away from where you use tobacco products.
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