Removing OLD Tape from Morgan Dollars

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cerick01
cerick01 Posts: 8
in U.S. Coin Forum
Hey I just aquired an old collection of Morgans that was stored in books. Unfortunatly the guy put tape over the Morgans to keep them from falling out of the books. I removed the coins from the books and tried removing the tape and now I have a bunch of Morgans that have tarnish on either side of where the tape was and a hard gluish material from the tape.. Any suggestions on getting the reminants of the tape off?

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  • flaminio
    flaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
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    Are they worth much? I'd NCS them.
  • cerick01
    cerick01 Posts: 8
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    Its almost a full collection.. was missing 2 coins out of the books
  • jdsinva
    jdsinva Posts: 1,508 ✭
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    Try soaking them in acetone. . .
    Jeff

    image

    Semper ubi sub ubi
  • Rob790
    Rob790 Posts: 547 ✭
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    Or a soak in "Goo Gone" couldn't hurt either.
  • fivecents
    fivecents Posts: 11,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Acetone will remove the tape residue and not affect the toning.
  • cerick01
    cerick01 Posts: 8
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    How about the tarnish after the tape is gone... would you do anything about that? Otherwise it will have a nice silver stripe where the tape was and a dark tarnish where is wasn't..
  • 291fifth
    291fifth Posts: 25,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It's probably best not to mess with them after the tape residue has been removed. Unfortunate, but attempting anything more would probably damage the coins.
    All glory is fleeting.
  • JeffinMich
    JeffinMich Posts: 438
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    Search here for posts about this subject, I know it's been discussed before.....in general, never clean coins! Having said that, it should be possible to remove the tape residue without hairlining the coins or causing other damage....but don't mess with them otherwise until you can get some opinions on the grades/values.
  • michael
    michael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
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    acetone then send the more expensive datres to ncs for evaulation but it has to be cost effective so that with hundreds of dollars expense for the ncs and/or holder you will be even at the veryleast with the value


  • Artist
    Artist Posts: 2,038 ✭✭✭
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    Zippo Fluid. No joke...
    image
    >>>My Collection
  • TorinoCobra71
    TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,108 ✭✭✭
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    Acetone, if that dont work send 'em off to NCS!

    TorinoCobra71

    image
  • cerick01
    cerick01 Posts: 8
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    Thanks! I'll attempt the acetone tonight *fingers crossed* image
  • mozin
    mozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
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    The tape will not be a problem, after you follow one of the above suggestions. The tape line IS a problem.

    You no doubt have many worn Morgans that are of common date and mintmark. Why not experiment with dipping them to see how good you are at dipping coins. First try a fast in and out dip, and then rinse. Work your way up to longer dips only when needed. Many of them will still be worth the same even if you mess up a bit. If you develop enough confidence in your skills, try more expensive Morgans. The coins worth over $100 might be worth sending to NCS, certainly any worth over $200.

    Dipping circulated coins is never easy, too much dip, and all the imperfections beam out at the eye of the beholder.image

    You might consider selling all but the coins you really like, and use the money to buy other coins. I strongly suggest PCGS/NGC/ANACS/ICG.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • cerick01
    cerick01 Posts: 8
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    What is the process for a "dip"
  • coinnut86
    coinnut86 Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>What is the process for a "dip" >>



    I have no idea, but after you dip them I'm 95% sure the coin is to be rinsed in Distilled water so it doesnt cause spots later on..

    btw.. image
    image
  • Conder101
    Conder101 Posts: 10,536 ✭
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    After the acetone, if I were to try and dip them I would use a greatly diluted dip solution, especially for circulated coins. The idea being that you want the change to be gradual so you can watch it proceeding and halt it by rinsing before you have removed all of the color and left it looking dead. Your real problem is going to be the sharp transition line betwwn the tarnishd area and the ara that was protected under the tape.

    Start experimenting with the low value pieces. I would probably start with a 5% dip 95% distilled water solution. I'd put it in a wide shallow dish so that the depth was not much more that the distance from the edge of the coin to the edge of the tape mark.

    Don't dip the whole coin, just the tarished part. And don't just put it in and leave it there. Keep taking in and out of the solution trying NOT to insert it to the same depth each time. (The idea is not to replace one straight line with another.) Keep this up, keeping a careful watch on the color of the dipped area as it lightens, until it is about the same color as the area that was protected by the tape. Where it gets close rinse the coin well with distilled water to halt the reaction. (If the color changes too rapidly for you to monitor it or stop it quickly you will have to dilute the dip solution further.) Repeat the process wih the other side. When both sides are done, do one quick dip of the whole coin to blend the colors, and then rinse, rinse, rinse! I can not stress that enough. Any traces of dip left on the coin will eventually cause spotting or other discoloration.
  • cerick01
    cerick01 Posts: 8
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    Thank you all for your advise! I'll try it out image
  • Piano1
    Piano1 Posts: 233 ✭✭✭
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    Wow! I guess I resurrected a 17-year-old post from the ancient archives with this post!

    I am about to try the acetone approach (low concentration in distilled water) with the coin (photo attached). It's not a coin that I need for my type set but nonetheless, I'd like it to be as "acceptable" as possible for a previously cleaned coin if she goes on eBay. Are there any "updated suggestions" for this piece before I do the deed? I believe that there is tape (or something) on the shield and the leg area. sadly, it looks like some ill-advised individual did the ole' Brillo Pad deed on the coin previously. What a shame.

    As always, thanks!!! Piano 1

  • rte592
    rte592 Posts: 2,235 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Plano, I believe
    Acetone is used at 100% strength.
    No dilution.
    Rinse in hot distilled water and pat dry if not air dry.

  • Batman23
    Batman23 Posts: 5,494 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    100% acetone should get rid of the residue.

    The "DIP" is not acetone and it was dip that was recommended to be diluted.

    For the original issue, I think I would have tried the diluted dip issue before taking the tape off with acetone, might have made for a better tone transition. For the new coin posted, I would not touch that with dip.

  • Steven59
    Steven59 Posts: 11,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Piano1 said:
    Wow! I guess I resurrected a 17-year-old post from the ancient archives with this post!

    "When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"

  • Piano1
    Piano1 Posts: 233 ✭✭✭
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    Hello and as always, your input to my post is very much appreciated. I will try the acetone today. I think at this point, between the insidious green tape gunk and the "Brillo Pad cleaning scratches" applied by some poor misguided soul, the coin will never be a highly sought-after gem, but it might improve the appearance of the piece. I would like to eBay the coin but if I can relieve Miss Liberty's suffering a bit, then her life may be improved.

    Thanks!!!! Wish me (and Her) luck.

    Piano1

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