Facial oil for cleaning?

Okay, I know this is pretty gross and weird.. But the other day I was watching a video and this guy was cleaning his coins normally with water, but afterwards instead of soaking them in olive oil (because it darkens the coin too much) he rubs his finger on his face and smears the facial oil on the coin to highlight the detail. The coins he was doing this on were not exactly ancient (100-200 years old), but I was wondering if this would be safe for ancient coins? As his results didn't actually look too bad... Haha.

 

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Good question!

I wonder if this sort of application would cause the coin to be labeled "Altered Surfaces".

Chris

 

I think that "nose grease" might accelerate toning. Sulfur compounds can be found in exocrine gland emissions-- some folks more than others and related to diet.

 

I figure it may have a good short-term effect on the coin (in bringing out detail), but long-term it may cause some damage right?

 

Nose grease.

 

I used to use a micro fiber cloth to clean my glasses which has this same facial residue that you mention. By accident I wrapped up a 2015 Silver Maple in the cloth to protect it until I could store it and wouldn't you know....after a few days blue toning started showing up on the coin. Really strange but may be due to sulfur compounds as suggested above. Would this be considered "natural" toning since nothing was done other than wrapping the coin in the cloth?

 

I coat mine with Peter Pan peanut butter, it doesn't do anything, but they taste better!

 

Yum, I like PB.

 

No.

 

I think it's a bad idea. Some people also disagree with using any type of oils as well.

 

It might alter the Face Value of the coin..

 

You deserve recognition for this one.

 

If you "blue toning" on a coin, would that be called "natural nasal toning"?

Chris

 

I have heard stories of people putting harshly cleaned large cent in their underwear for a few days to help accelerate the re-toning process, I suppose facial oil will do the same.

 

Wonder if that would work on the Great Britain's Farthings?

 

Do not let this thread get out of hand with body 'humor' , read all of the rules.

 

Watch makers use the oil off their nose for the gears in your better made watches. It is the most refined oil available. But I don't know about putting it on a coin!

 

Mike, some old timers and some novices may use such, but I think the majority now use synthetic oils and greases as they do not carry micro-organisms which can break down the sebum into non-lubricating debris. Some of the new synthetics are many times more 'slippery' and non drying/decomposing.

 

We had discussions regarding nose grease in an ANA advanced grading class in Colorado Springs. The technique was known to be used by unscrupulous folk to camouflage surface defects (on Morgan dollars mostly). We had plenty of slabbed coin examples that showed ugly toning from the previously (undetected) nose grease that got by the TPGs at the time of slabbing. The coins typically received a lower grade by our class than the original grade on the slab label.

The moral of the story is that it might initially look good to the eye but that changes with time.

I think there may be too many variables in nose grease from person-to-person. Please take care of your coins so that they can be enjoyed by future collectors.