Posted 04/11/2012 08:46 am
Though it depended on the context and situation, most "adhesives" in everyday use back then were water-soluble; substances such as starch and casein. So try water first, then acetone.
In most cases where a foreign substance is attached, adhered or otherwise stuck onto the surface of a coin without actually causing a chemical reaction with the metal surface, the answer to this question is almost always, "yes". However, there may be an unintended side-effect, once the substance is removed: if the glue (or whatever) has been there for most of the coin's lifespan, then the parts of the coin underneath the glue spot will have been protected from tarnish/oxidation. You will be left with a "hole" in the toning, which may look almost as ugly and distracting as the glue-spot itself did.
Quote:
...and can they be removed from a coin without damage.
...and can they be removed from a coin without damage.
In most cases where a foreign substance is attached, adhered or otherwise stuck onto the surface of a coin without actually causing a chemical reaction with the metal surface, the answer to this question is almost always, "yes". However, there may be an unintended side-effect, once the substance is removed: if the glue (or whatever) has been there for most of the coin's lifespan, then the parts of the coin underneath the glue spot will have been protected from tarnish/oxidation. You will be left with a "hole" in the toning, which may look almost as ugly and distracting as the glue-spot itself did.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
