Thick layer on silvered Antonianus tips???

[Canaan]

Hello to all members i hsve this Gallienus RIC669, with a stubborn thick layer od sand, i am afraid to ruin it with cleaning, any tips of safe cleaning?

[Meepzorp]

Hi Canaan,

I'd leave it alone. Why do you want to clean it?

It looks fine to me. It has nice contrasting fields and devices because of the sand. The sand is what makes it attractive. Why would you want to risk ruining it?

Meepzorp

[JamesC11]

Hello Canaan:  With a coin in this condition your gentlest cleaning alternative is to take the coin between thumb and fingers and massage it until Social Security runs out, you develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or you are satisfied (leave at least a bit of the deposit for contrast).  The mild acid and oils secreted by your skin will clean Roman bronze and alloys and preserve them at the same time.  It's why our penny coins tend to last so long, and it won't harm whatever "silvering" remains.  But wash your hands afterwards.  Regards, Jim

[Joe Sermarini]

I think the obverse could be made more attractive with some cleaning. I would use a scalpel under a binocular microscope. If you don't have a binocular microscope, you could soak it in distilled water for a day to try to soften the dirt and use a dental pic and and a soft brass brush to gently clean it. It will probably require repeat soakings and a slow approach. Ideally cleaning should be done under magnification. You want to be careful not to scratch the coin with the pick and not to brush through the patina with the soft brass brush.

[Canaan]

Thanks a lot for the tips. much appreciated all, I think I will go with Joe's advice, soaking and gentle brushing to the obverse only what I will do.

[Joe Sermarini]

If you only brush, with a brass brush and without using a tool, you will brush through the patina on the high points before getting off the dirt. It takes both.

[Canaan]

Thanks Joe, understood and will do it