How to get adhesive off of coins.

My nephew has some coins given to him by an uncle on my sister-in-laws side of the family, that were taped to birthday cards for a while. Now the coins, even the side that wasn't taped, are really sticky. They are not very valuable coins, just some pres dollars and kennedy halves, but I want to get the stickyness off of them. I rinsed them in waterm which didn't help. Should I use soap too, or what?
Thanks.

 

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I've had good results using q-tips and acetone.

 

What works good on tape residue is WD 40. Spray alittle on a rag or tissue and it will remove the residue. Dont know how it will affect the coins but the sticky stuff will come off. Sure someone else has a idea also. Good luck.

 

As Ardatirion said, acetone will remove the type of adhesive/glue you are talking about. Acetone will not harm the coin, 5-20 minute dip.

 

I can tell you from experience that the previous Q-Tip and acetone tip is right. If the coins aren't at all valuable, you can probably safely use nail polish remover. Pure acetone is always best, but I can understand not wanting to spend $5 for a pint if the coins are only worth face value.

 

Olive oil, olive oil

Olive oil cleans and removes anything that is removable (the other things mentioned also work) - just be sure to rinse or condition afterwards to also remove the olive oil as it is midly acidic - I'm gonna keep on recommending olive oil on here forever so you all should either overlook me are "learn to love it"
Ben "olive oil advocate" Peters

 

Ben, he wants to remove tape, not make a salad dressing.

 

lol

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. So straight acetone is safer than nail polish remover, right? None of the coins are very valuable, but I think I'll see if I have any pure acetone in my garage, or if my brother has some,
Thanks again.

 

Oh. And if I do use nail polish remover on some silver coins, what negative effects would occur?

 

Ok. Let me ask on final question. What is worse on the surface of the coin, the adhesive from the tape or cleaning it off with nail polish remover?

 

LOL!















Well, maybe not that last one [/QUOTE]

 

Adam, you're over-complicating this. Let me ask you, do you have rubbing alcohol? Who doesn't? Well, buying 100% acetone is as easy as buying that. Find it in the cosmetics section at Walgreens or virtually any other department store. It's safe. You can spill it on your hand. It evaporates very fast. Just use a glass container, because it'll melt plastic. In fact, one use of it (I understand) is to remove false fingernails. If it can do that safely, it can remove the tape/glue off your coin. Put out your cigarette when using it, and don't sniff it too much unless you want to get real silly.

 

I *might* try the acetone and cotton swab on a '28-S Peace I have with tape residue on it.

 

I picked up a nice Morgan dollar with hardened glue on it and tried acetone but it isn't coming right off. Is there anything stronger? Didn't those working on the Saddle Ridge gold use boiling water?

 

How long did you try the acetone? For hardened glue, the first soak should be 24 uninterrupted hours, and it probably won't be the last one that long.

 

OK, just tried it for short soaks. Will soak overnight. I tried boiling (not in acetone) which had no effect. I don't think it is obverse lamination, mint issue.