Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars

Help! I have a collection of Morgan and Peace silver dollars. They belonged to my grandfather who kept them in a frame on fabric. Recently, I learned that keeping them this way would lessen the value. So I bought coin protectors, opened the frame and was immediately horrified! My grandfather glued them onto the fabric! They all have a brown/red adhesive on them. I have learned that cleaning coins will devalue them but I can't imagine they have any value in this state. What can I do????

First of all, the good news. The silver content of most US Morgan and Peace dollars is usually such that it exceeds the value of the coin as a collectors item. There are however exceptions so check the dates and mint marks carefully and seperate any rare coins.

There are a few companies which can clean coins for you for a hefty fee, not worth except in the case of higher value coins. If any of the dates have a high value this is probably your best option.

The bullion coins, well I would just leave them. If you intend to keep them as part of a collection then you are probably going to ignore the previous advice Fair enough. If you really, really, intend to clean them it may be simple fabric glue. You could probably peel that off without causing much damage. If it's something stronger then you may have a problem.

Coin supply dealers carry silver cleaners which they claim work but I'm a little skeptical. It's certainly more affordable that having them cleaned professionaly though. Don't try silver polish, the kind you clean teapots with! It will scour the surface badly.

If it's a non solvent glue you may be able to remove it with nothing more than warm water and a soft cloth. Don't rub the coins to dry them, pat them dry to minimise changes to the surface.

You are right, cleaning a coin does detract from it's value as a collectors piece but then so does a big glob of ugly glue. It's a hard call but keep in mind the bullion value won't suffer. Whatever you decide, for heavens sake try it out on a single coin first rather than dipping the whole bunch in "Goo-Off".

I definitely plan on trying to clean them. Having them has gotten me interested in researching their value. I don't plan to try to sell them right now, but I do want to preserve them for the future. Right now, I can't determine the value on most of them, as adhesive is over the mint mark area. I do think I may have some valuable coins. I have 32 of them and the date range is from 1878-1936. According to a local museum, many of the coins appear to be nearly uncirculated. Based on your advice, I have taken one coin which was extremely worn and am soaking it in warm water. If this doesn't work, I guess it will be best to take them to a local coin dealer to assess. I appreciate your help!

"I definitely plan on trying to clean them."

I'd really advise against anything other than (as someone else mentioned) warm water with maybe some soap flakes (not detergent or washing up liquid), and a very mild brush (eg, a soft toothbrush; preferably one that's never been used with toothpaste). Cleaning can remove the patina, and that will reduce the value.

Two things that might help remove the glue are acetone or carbon tetrachloride, but I'd definitely double-check with your coin dealer before you try either. I'm pretty certain they won't affect the coin, but I'm no chemist.

Winston

Dont clean,dont use a brush.if they are a better date worth preserving than that is what it will need.if you clean it,I guarantee you will ruin them.period.if they are not a better date,and you dont want to sell them as silver.just glue them back on the fabric.

If you try and clean it,you could lose thousands of dollars,if it is a rare coin.
preservation is the only way.removing the glue.do you have a picture?