The "Coin World" issue dated June 23, 2007 has a three page article concerning the use of olive oil. I only found it because I saw a letter to the editor in the July 14,(?) issue in which the writer says olive oil is not good to use and he referenced the June 23 article.
The opinions in the article were mostly for its use but that it would darken the patina of the coin and seemed to encourage extra virgin olive oil instead of virgin oil - this lowers the acid that the coin is exposed to.
It seemed to emply that mineral oil might be a better choice - no acid
Discussed some variations on oil use. Also other options - distilled water, soaps, tooth picks, scraping, vegetable oil, and apparently the best choice? - don't clean the coin. Really a good read.
was the article written about dug coins or coins our of your pocket? For some reason when you pull an old copper out of the ground it looks half way decent but after a short period of time it changes its appearance. Here is a picture of a coin I found last month that I put directly into the olive oil as soon as it came out of the ground. I think the olive oil did a good job of cleaning it and preserving it.
I found the olive oil to leach out of coins after time. I use a hydrogen Peroxide treatment. Here are results of recent uses of Peroxide. There is some corrosion on the left of the Large Cent, but the coin came out nice with no leaching.
If I remember correctly, this article was about cleaning unidentifiable ancient coins---in other words, coins on which there's nothing to lose. It's a great article, but please: don't be reckless and start cleaning coins without heeding the advice of experts and practicing first. Soaking in distilled water is the safest method. Drying methods are sometimes overlooked. Pat dry with a lint-free cloth (don't rub), and air dry longer than you would with dishes or other things.
I think peroxide is clearly superior to olive oil. For what olive oil will do, peroxide will do just as well with less mess, less cost, and no leaching. For more examples of the peroxide method, check out my Large Cents posted in this heading. The post title is "The Peroxide Method Works!" I cleaned some early LC's including an 1810 that turned out quite nicely, plus an 1864 IH cent.
Regards,
Buckleboy
Spring 2012 CaneField Bandits Totals: TEN Half Reales:
1740, 1777, 1784, 1796, 1801, 180?, 1806, 1807, 1808, and 1814
1836 8 Reales
A 17?? One Real
1819 Token/Jeton
Two "Russian Blue" Trade Beads
Henry Clay Campaign Button FIVE Early New Orleans Seated Coins:
1838-O Dime (no stars), Three 1839-O Half Dimes, an 1840-O Dime, and an 1842-O Half Dime
1892 Barber Dime
1918 Walking Liberty Half
1866 and 18?? Shield Nickels, and some GawGag V's and Beefaloes. Military Relics: Possible Spanish Colonial Era Cap Badge
FOUR War of 1812 Artillery Buttons
1820s Pewter Militia "U.S." Button
CW Eagle Artillery Cuff Button
CW Eagle Infantry Officer's Coat Button
3-Ringers, Enfields, Musketballs, and Shell Fragments
Any relics, coins, or other items appearing in my finds posts were found on PRIVATE PROPERTY with total consent and permission from the owners of said property.
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Originally Posted by Neil in West Jersey
