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Message:: [QUOTE="CappedBustDimes, post: 886961, member: 9104"]Hard to tell for certain from the pics but, from your descriptions it sounds like your example had been oiled in the past (which was/is an acceptable practice and the norm in some circles). An oiled coin usually has a dark and/or wet look to it. The fall 2004 issue of The C4 Newsletter, the official publication of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club, highlighted discussions between collectors concerning the positive and negative aspects of using olive oil or mineral oil as solvents to remove dirt and similar substances from copper coins. It was pointed out that while olive oil will remove dirt and other contaminants, "its acidity – depending on the oil's crudeness – will also remove desirable patina, darken the copper coin's surfaces and expose it to further contamination." Discussions also stated that mineral oil contains no acids and will remove dirt, grease and wax. "It does little or no good in removing verdigris (oxides that can form on copper over time as the copper reacts with substances like carbon dioxide and oxygen)." Some EAC members still advocat the use of oils to better preserve the copper surfaces by putting a protective layer of oil to slow down verdigris from forming or growing on the coins.[/QUOTE]