Has anyone ever heard of rubbing vegetable oil on old copper coins to bring out the detail?

UncleWiggly

I bought four 1912-D wheat pennies at a swap meet yesterday. Right after I paid, the guy said, "If you rub just a little vegetable oil on them it will bring out the detail real good. And it doesn't hurt them one bit." How long would this remain evident? He also said that was what he did as a kid. I put the guy's age at 65.



Jerry

cladking

It will improve the look of many copper coins and lift off some corrosion or dirt.

Typically olive oil is used. It's best done only with worn coins which are unattractive.
The oil can be removed by rubbing or with a solvent.

Conder101

The application of a little oil or other liquid will allow a little better detail to be seen and it will also hide nicks and marks to some extent. Some people use vegtable oil, or 3 in 1 oil, or skin oil from their nose or forehead, or blue ribbon, or even mineral oil. This is one of the reasons for "thumbing", to hide the small marks.