Have a question about the olive oil method?

[DigIron2]

I have a few Indian cents that came out of a fertilized field that have been sitting in extra virgin olive oil for about 4 months now.The oil has turned thick like syrup.I have turned them every once in awhile throughout the process.I see that the oil has taken off some of the green crud because I see some green in the oil itself,but the coins are still green.My question is,how do you know when they have soaked long enough?And what do you do to go about cleaning them?Do you Rinse the oil off with water then clean, or let the oil dry on them first?

 

[coinman123]

Never rinse the off with water, it will make the coins look horrible and dry. Wipe them down with a dry paper towl or let the naturally dry.

 

[DigIron2]

so don't rinse them,and let them dry.After dried I would guess brush them with toothbrush?I heard some people talking about picking at them with a toothpick?Please bare with me,this is the first time i have tried this route

 

[coinman123]

so don't rinse them,and let them dry.After dried I would guess brush them with toothbrush?I heard some people talking about picking at them with a toothpick?

Yes, I think that may work. It depends on how much crud is on the coin though. If the coin has not crud after olive oil just dry it. If there is dirt and such on it tooth brush or tooth pick.

 

[DigIron2]

so if there is still a substantial amount of green still on the coins, maybe they need to soak longer?

 

[coinman123]

so if there is still a substantial amount of green still on the coins, maybe they need to soak longer?

Not necessarily. The smooth green patina is usually the thing that shows up when the coins are done soaking if I remember correctly. To be honest I love the smoot green patina on old indians.

Is a smooth patina or a pitted patina? If pitted they could soak longer.

 

[DigIron2]

I think I will let them dry and give it a shot.Thanks allot coinman,I appreciate it man.

 

[coinman123]

I think I will let them dry and give it a shot.Thanks allot coinman,I appreciate it man.

Thanks, I can't wait to here how it goes.

 

[wainzoid]

I never had any sucess with short soaking, like a week or three, so...
Several years ago I put an IH in olive oil for something like a year and a half. Turned it ocassionally. And it turned the oil a kinda greenish brown also. It didn't do squat, as far as cleaning the coin. Dryed it off, threw it in the tumbler with walnut shell, and it came out clean with a nice green patina. Gave the bottle of olive oil away, it was a waste of my money.