Large Collection Ruined?

The holders I purchased are cardboard coin flips. The description says they are archival safe polypropylene (not PVC). Is this what you would recommend? I also bought what looks like loose leaf binders and what they claim are high quality polypropylene pages. I think this will be a better option as previously the coins were stored rather tightly in rectangular boxes. I think a lot of the damage may have come from when the coins were put into these boxes too tightly, which made holes in the plastic. Another question, would it be better to use tape to seal the holders as opposed to staples? The staples may have caused holes in the plastic too. Thanks.

Gramps76, from reading what you have wrote, it seems like you don't like hearing some of the sound advise you're getting here. I'll state again what I posted here just a bit ago... what's the harm in saving a few pieces rather than throwing them all back in the basement for someone inheriting them to deal with someday?

I happen to also know about collector cars as you do, and I know about tracking down NOS parts and rebuilding a precious baby. So, let's approach this subject from that viewpoint. Your beautiful, original "baby" is sitting in your garage and much to your dismay, there on the fender of your car, atop your beautiful original paint job is a hunk of ugly black tar. Do you just close the garage door, anguished and troubled about the issue, or do you figure it out, to at least stop the problem from growing worse?

Bring your coins out and enjoy them is my advise, to honour your grandfather... or just get rid of them so someone else can enjoy them. But please, don't just throw them back into the same conditions you found them in.

Seems you asked and haven't liked our answers.
Best of luck to you.

I don't like the answers but that has nothing to do with the people answering them. I appreciate the truth. As I've previously stated I wish the answers were different but that isn't anyone's fault, that's just the situation. If you are new to something and you don't understand the reasoning you ask a lot of questions. Put yourself in my position, not knowing anything about coins and hearing that you should never attempt to do anything other than look at them or pay someone to fix what seams like an insignificant mark. Well wouldn't you want to know everything you could about those answers? I do. I believe it goes against most peoples logic to not clean off a spot on a coin, or any other object......unless you know about the coin hobby. Three days, that's what I know. I came here to ask questions and get answers and that has been successful. I have no basis for, nor have I argued that any of the input people have given me is wrong. I just want to understand all the options, especially when dealing with my specific situation. I like details, that's just the way I am. For instance I never knew people cleaned coins in an attempt to fool people they were selling them to into paying a higher price. I never knew that altering the extreme rim of a coins color could destroy its value. Now I do. If someone tells me just don't do something just because...I don't accept that. I want to know why.
In the last few days thankfully the people here have gone beyond the just don't do it because, and I appreciate that. I have learned from that some of the reasoning behind that sentiment.. I don't like the answers I've gotten but that has nothing to do with the people who have given them, they're being honest which is all I could ask. I've been reading all over the internet about this and the answers here are consistent with everywhere else. I still don't like it but I am gaining knowledge about what the pitfalls are when messing with coins. Never suspected any of it.
If my car had tar on it I would remove it. I know how to do that but if I didn't I would find out how. I would find out the best procedure for removing that tar and proceed to do it. If there were damage I wasn't confident in at least attempting to remedy myself I would take it to a professional. Again, please remember I have never been in a situation where I was advised not to attempt any kind of repair. I now know that in the world of coins that is the case. That does not come naturally to me and I don't think a few days of wanting to know the specifics of why is over the top. I'm trying to do the right thing by these coins. I'm not selling them and I have no children to leave them to so I could just as easily avoid all the questions and shine them up nice and pretty.....but instead I'm asking questions. I have no interest in permanently harming them. Thank you

I should have taken a photo before. It wasn't a perfect coin. The surface under magnification showed marks before I touched it. I was only at the very edge, the lines near the back of his head at 9 o'clock are not from me. Thanks.

I don't know why I've had you and your situation on my mind so much since I discovered this thread. Might have something to do with the fact that you're being so honest yet so hard on yourself and I'd like to help in some way. Maybe I'm envious of your relationship you had with your grandfather. My family tree has lots of broken branches (divorces) so I never really had any grandparent that I was able to become close with.

I understand how patient both sides of this are being. You are coming from a place of emotional regret and some parties here don't understand that. It's been less than a week. Maybe put everything neatly off to the side for several days.

I truly hope you find joy in putting your coins in the new 2 by 2s. Sometimes when I'm faced with a daunting or overwhelming task I tend to shut down somewhat. Once I start though I realize that it wasn't as bad as I had made it out in my mind to be.

I have not been a member of this Forum for very long but I can say, as I think you've noticed, most everyone here at the CCF has their heart in the right place. Some want you to do what's right by the coins and that might not be what's best for you. For what it's worth, I believe that your grandfather would only want you to be happy. Since you've chosen to come here and very honestly and openly share some of us may feel as though we are a very small part your story. Please keep sharing how things are going as you progress with your decision making process.

I'd use a pure acetone bath, though make sure it is what it says it is.

Very happy the smaller coins appear to have come through quite well. Stored in the same exact conditions for the same amount of time. The big difference....no holes in the plastic. I also think they were too thin to rub against each other in the box hence the plastic stayed intact. The silver dollars are fat enough to protrude past the cardboard and rub.