Cleaning tape residue from a coin

[NHBandit]

I know I know.. don't clean coins. With that said, I have a common date Peace dollar I recently bought from a friend that has a good amount of scotch tape residue on it from some moron having it taped in a book. It left an ugly sticky X pattern across the face of the coin and removing that would surely be better than leaving it. Soaking in dish soap & water for a few days hasn't touched it. I'd rather not use anything abrasive & scratch it. Any suggestions ?

 

[VERMONTPACKRAT]

I have removed sticky stuff from coins using acetone ( finger nail polish remover ) Be gentle with a Q tip.


VPR

 

[Frank1960]

I know WD40 works on tape stuff don't think it would hurt the coin

 

[Rooter]

I would use 91% alcohol and a Q tip. Acetone will work but you will have to be careful not to have the cleaned area look different from the rest of the coin. WD-40 will leave a film that you will have to clean off as well. Try the 91% alcohol (not 70%) it should work with no worries about hurting the coins surface.

 

[FreedomUIC]

Go to walmart, Get some sterling silver cleaner (Dip Method). Immerse the coin for 10 seconds, take out rinse and pat dry
between two towels. DO NOT RUB THE COIN, just press down between the two towels.

Tape should be gone and coin will sparkle.

 

[l.cutler]

Acetone is the tried and true way to safely remove most glue, oils etc. Silver dip is a bad idea, it will also remove the toning.

 

[Frank1960]

ok don't bother with the WD40 lol

 

[Rooter]

The silver dip will definitely affect the coins surface. So will Acetone. Try the alcohol first. If it doesn't work you can always step up to acetone. Make sure you get pure acetone from the hardware store. Don't use finger nail polish remover. Give it a quick dip (prolonged dipping will affect the coins surface) then a dunking in distilled water to stop the acetone.

 

[NHBandit]

Thanks guys. It's an average circulated condition 1926-S Peace dollar. Not worth much more than scrap value but since it's going into my album I don't want it to look cleaned.

 

[Iron Patch]

Taping coins! A few years back I bought a coin for $800 and the freakin guy taped it! Who (other than him) has that little sense for something that cost that much! I should also mention it was a billon coin and the silver can lift off the surface similar to plating.

 

[Bum Luck]

Acetone is the tried and true way to safely remove most glue, oils etc. Silver dip is a bad idea, it will also remove the toning.

I agree. Acetone will take the glue off and won't touch the silver toning.

 

[FreedomUIC]

The silver dip will definitely affect the coins surface. So will Acetone. Try the alcohol first. If it doesn't work you can always step up to acetone. Make sure you get pure acetone from the hardware store. Don't use finger nail polish remover. Give it a quick dip (prolonged dipping will affect the coins surface) then a dunking in distilled water to stop the acetone.

I have used both acetone and the Sterling Silver Dip from Walmart. Acetone works well. The cleaner I am referring to at Walmart is
not the paste and brush, it is a jar of liquid with a dip tray. You dip the coin for 10 Seconds, rinse for 10 - 15 seconds than place
between two towels and press dry, never rub. It has never ruined any surface on any coin that I have had to clean to place in an
album. I have cleaned probably 10 coins, 2 with acetone and 8 with the dip. The dip by far does a better job of cleaning silver based
coins and does not harm their surface if used correctly.

 

[stefen]

Peanut butter removes tape and sticker residue...imagine what it does to your system too

 

[l.cutler]

If the silver dip removes the toning and the coins come out shiny, then the surfaces are damaged.

 

[FreedomUIC]

If the silver dip removes the toning and the coins come out shiny, then the surfaces are damaged.

If a coin is "Toned" then by all means use acetone (or peanut butter ), if there is no
toning you can't beat the Sterling Silver Dip method.

 

[jrc79inNC]

I would suggest using a toothpick carefully and see if it comes off. Otherwise, I would suggest zippo lighter fluid used carefully to loosen the tape residue.

 

[bill-USA]

I would suggest using a toothpick carefully and see if it comes off. Otherwise, I would suggest zippo lighter fluid used carefully to loosen the tape residue.

The liquid lighter fluids do remove tape residue, even those ugly stickers that self destruct when you try to take them off of merchandise. Not sure how they would react with the silver if at all. Can't see any effect on the polycarbonate plastics, but haven't tried silver.

 

[KJW]

Acetone is the best method. Be careful and make sure you do not get it on your skin and use a glass dish. The acetone will eat thru plastic. Kris

 

[jerseyben]

What method would be suggested to remove small unknown black particles stuck to an otherwise MS-65+ Buffalo Nickel?

 

[tdec1000]

Acetone is the tried and true way to safely remove most glue, oils etc. Silver dip is a bad idea, it will also remove the toning.

Acetone is the only way to remove dirt and contaminants along with tape residue. DON'T use anyother idea posted here. Alchohol will burn your coins and WD40 will ruin it forever.

Fingernail polish remover will work but also has other contaminants in it that over time will damage the coin. Make sure you rinse in distilled h20 or some fresh acetone at the end and air dry and dont rub but pat with a soft dish towel.

Cheers!