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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,148 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
So about a year ago I plucked a horribly PVC damaged, but still rather high-grade, 1901 British Penny out of a junk box. She went right into olive oil and I pretty much forgot about her. So here She is. What do you guys think? Before   After   |
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Valued Member
United States
436 Posts |
Very nice! I love those old British coppers, and that olive oil did wonders!
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
9401 Posts |
Olive oil works wonders. I have some coins that have been in oil for about 2 years. They are getting better every time I look. With damage from PVC though, I found that usually comes straight off with acetone. Steve  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Yes the Olive Oils will sometimes work and sometimes not. Always remember that Olive Oil is a manufacturered item and may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. The acidic properties is what sometimes does what yours did. Looks nice. Hopefully you used something like Aceotone to remove the excess Olive Oil and then rinsed with distilled water.
Some Copper coins turn colors if not rinsed completely after such treatments.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
Thanks, guys! I'm glad that she turned out so well.
just carl- yep, I did in fact put her in some acetone for a few days. She looked a wee bit better, but much improvement was needed. So a year in olive oil and then she was rinsed.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Since what has afflicted my penny may not just be PVC damage, how well does olive oil tackle problems relating to corrosion and verdigris?
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
Looks good. I have a ground find 1916 Lincoln Cent that I have been soaking in olive oil for about 8 months. It looks better than it did. I'll post pics soon. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
vermontensium- Very cool! I would be very interested in seeing your LWC. Does anyone else have a coin that was greatly improved by a good soak in olive oil that they would like to show off? |
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Valued Member
United States
116 Posts |
Olive Oil - never tried that, but looks like it does work rather well, but wow--- for a whole year? Obviously, I know nothing about it, but would think if it hasn't helped after a couple weeks then it's not going to? Thanks for posting this and sharing. Another Education Plus for Coin Community members. Thanks !
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Moderator
Australia
16829 Posts |
Long soaks in olive oil is a "traditional" method for cleaning ancient coins after they've been dug up from the ground, with 2000 years of corrosion on them. The theory is that olive oil should be just acidic enough to dissolve and loosed the corrosion, without damaging the patina (the oxide surface you're trying to keep).
You're supposed to change the oil every month or so, to stop it going rancid. Of course, if it's pulling enough copper salts off the coin, that should stop the bugs growing, too.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As I noted though, remember that not all Olive Oils are the same. What works well for some may really mess up someone elses coins.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,148 |
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Posted 11/07/2009 6:43 pm
