Cleaning gold coins 0

[MHStamps]

I have some gold coins that were stored in plastic sleeves, in a safe deposit box for about 30 years.  Now that I'm looking at them, I see that the plastic sleeves formed a sort of melty goo (best way I can describe it) on the coins.  Is it ok to wipe them clean with a dry rag?  Is there a better solution that anyone knows of?  

[James_OldeTowne]

It sounds like PVC contamination and wiping most definitely is not what you want to do.  The coins require professional (or at least, experienced/expert) conservation.

[MHStamps]

Understood.  Thank you for the quick reply.

[VKurtB]

18 minutes ago, MHStamps said:

Understood.  Thank you for the quick reply.

Prepare for a longish soak, with a few changes of the liquid, because the goo gets into the liquid, in acetone. Pure acetone, not nail polish remover. Do not let the acetone fully evaporate. That will only redeposit the goo. I use glass petri dishes with lids.