I recently aqquired a bunch of out WWII era European notes. Most are in bad shape and have dates and signatures on them (servicemen I assume) which is all well and good, but it looks like someone had them stuck into an album at some point with scotch tape and some of the residue is still sticky. Is there a trick for removing this sort of thing?
Acetone will take off tape residue, but unfortunately it might also take off ink, or affect the color of the note.
Yes, I was hoping to avoid that if at all possible. It's not like the notes are worth much, but I'd just like to avoid potentially doing more damage. I was kind of hoping there was some special method or technique commonly used by currency collectors.
I dont know of any way to take that sticky residue off without hurting the note. It is a nice bunch of notes, and with the signatures, they come with alot of history! Good luck on the residue, and keep us posted as to what you do and the results.
Here's an article that tell you how to remove sticky residue from paper. http://www.collectorsguide.com/fa/fa010.shtml Lou
Acetone will work fine. I have 2 notes sitting in a jar of acetone right now, to remove a thick clearcoat that some one used to hold the notes to a piece of wood. Im talking thick! The notes have not lost any color. Although that my not be said for all paper moneys, these here are US paper notes from 77 I have done more damage to the notes then the acetone. It was just something to do as a test, Right now they have been soaking for about 24 hours.
I think I would first try lifting it off with the good scotch tape. Before attempting on the notes in question, get fresh, heavily circulated bank notes, apply the tape you have, then remove it. If it comes off easily without damaging the note, I'd say give it a try on the notes in question. Disclaimer: I personally have done this on US notes, but not on foreign notes. Foreign notes may use a different paper/ink combination that is more susceptible to damage from regular Scotch tape. Attempt this technique at your own risk.
Gatzdon, great idea, but these notes have a little too much wear on them for me to try that I think, especially on the edges. I'd be too afraid of ripping them. I think I'll experiment with acetone a little unless someone posts some other ideas! These notes are mostly collectible for their history and not so much because of their value.
That said, sometimes it's better leave well enough alone. I have an old $10 bill that was torn up, then taped back together. I soaked the bill in water, carefully removed the tape, but some tape residue stayed with the note. Unfortunately, that residue turned white when the note dried. Due to the notes condition, I decided to leave the residue rather than risk making it worse. Ultimately, the residue helped hold the pieces in proper arrangement when I put them in a mylar holder. That said, since you don't know what will make the notes better (or possibly worse), I would leave the notes alone for now, considering their value to you comes from the source of the notes rather than the specific notes themselves. Now if you are motivated, goto a fairly well stocked coin shop that deals in paper. They often have piles of foreign currency that nobody even looks at. Tell the dealer what you are trying to do and see if he has any identical notes for cheap. Then experiment on those notes (such as soaking them in water, applying acetone, rubbing with soft eraser, etc...) to see what type of techniques they can withstand without further damage.
