Cleaning vinyl slime from silver coins
 

So last night I was transferring some silver dollars that I had bought in 1979~1981, from vinyl flips to mylar flips (SaFlips). Many felt like a slimy film was on the surface. What is the best way to clean coins that have been in vinyl for 26 years? (God, am I that old??) Most silver dollars were of bullion grade, only a couple AU grade.

What I did was use a combination of isopropyl alcohol, baking soda rubbed by thumb, then washed and rinsed with hand soap and tap water. I did not want to dip them in a coin cleaner solution.

But what is the "best" way to remove vinyl slime from silver coins?

Re: Cleaning vinyl slime from silver coins
 

Fingernail polish remover is effective in removing light polyvinyl contamination. For heavier applications, use industrial grade acetone, available in the paint section. Perform in a ventilated area or you risk knocking yourself out! Do not rub vigorously--I prefer light swabs with a doused Q-tip. Of course, abrasive rubbing of any sort will negatively affect the outcome for higher-grade numismatics.

Have fun and try not to get high.:smokin:

Re: Cleaning vinyl slime from silver coins
 

Thanks, folks. I'll be trying your recommendations.

As for if the old flips had PVC in them, I do not know. Those flips are at least 25 years old and I know nothing of their origin. I just know the coins felt slimy compared to other coins. After I cleaned a few, they felt like the newer clean coins I had.

Re: Cleaning vinyl slime from silver coins
 

I have brought up the question of vinyl v pvc flips in the past few months. I wondered if apmex sold items in archival safe or vinyl or what. http://goldismoney.info/forums/showt...ex+flips+vinyl here they replied, 90% safe, occasionally old vinyl though

In another thread somebody said you can tell the diff between the 2 ypes because the vinyl ones are softer.

well here is another observation to update the subject. I usually buy three rolls of the new presidential dollar rolls, lay 2 aside and crack one open, spend some and set some aside which are the nicest.

I had done this a few months ago with monroes -- and lo, when I took em out they had a nasty film on them. the bright golden shiny surface of the MS coin was covered with a haze or a film, which rubbed off on contact. these had been in these soft plastic flips-- obviously the vinyl kind. so how long does it take for them to leach out and affect the surface of a coin? pretty damn fast is the answer, even though the harm wont be that bad at first.