Antiochus IV before and after

[Nemonater]

Well, I'm done for now. I took a gamble on this coin and I think it came out pretty nice.  Any comments that might help me do better in the future are appreciated.  I'm terribly impatient and that is not a good quality when cleaning ancients.

Also, does anyone know what the red encrustation is on the reverse at the end of the trunk? My concern is the stability of the metal.  It almost reminds me of a red BD.

            Thanks,
             Nemo

[BiancasDad]

Nemo,

IMHO, I think you did an exceptional job. Clearly, you have enhanced this coin's appeal immensely.

Also, the serrated flan, the portrait, and reverse design are all winners in my book.

Congrats, nice job!

-Kurt

[abcoin]

Agreed!  The coin is much improved because of your effort.  Care to share the method(s) you used to clean this piece?

[SC]

The red encrustations should be cuprite. 

They are stable BUT are one of the first places where BD can start from so keep an eye on them.

They also can cover damage below and removal can sometimes reveal ugly pits.

Beautiful job on the cleaning.

Shawn

[Nemonater]

Thanks for the kind comments.  I did a white vinegar soak over night then several nights of DW. After each soak I used a dental pick under a cheap magnifying glass to scrape away the encrustation and then tooth-brushed it.

I had never heard of cuprite before, I'll keep an eye on it.  I baked the coin at 150 for about 5 min to get the moisture out after finishing working on it. 

                                             Nemo

[Mayadigger]

Ave!

Nemo,

Are you sure with your final cleaning?

I think your coin could be improved.

Best,

Kevin

[daverino]

Its a nice coin Nemo and I agree with otlichnik that if the red deposit is cuprite the coin could have some risk for BD. Keeping it good and dry should be sufficient for prevention.

Dave

Copper has two states only one of which is completely stable in air. Stable copper oxide is black. Cuprite (red copper oxide) is the less stable form but absent moisture it will be OK.

[PtolemAE]

Ave!

Nemo,

Are you sure with your final cleaning?

I think your coin could be improved.

Best,

Kevin

Kevin's probably right.  Looks like some of that red mineral scale that remains on the reverse (near the elephant's trunk as discussed above) was successfully removed from the obverse (near 8 o'clock on the 'before' photo) and could likewise be 'gone' from the reverse.  Slow and patient so as not to mar the real surface but some of small amount of the gray/green/black that remains looks like stuff that was successfully removed elsewhere, too.

The coin is obviously a *lot* better than when it started and Nemo has nicely shown that chemical cleaning (vinegar is an acid) is sometimes helpful dissolving and softening ancient mineralized hard crud and leaving the bronze underneath OK.

PtolemAE

[Nemonater]

I would continue the cleaning if I had a better magnifier/lighting setup.  Any suggestions?  I fear if I go any further with my current setup ($2.99 magnifying glass and a lamp for light) there is a real risk of scratching the coin.  The encrustations are quite hard and my main tool has been a dental pick.

I really appreciate the suggestions,
                      
                                       Nemo

Edit: On a side note, does anyone have an idea of what the indents directly in front of the portrait are?  I can't find that in any other example.  Almost like a brockage of the border.

[PtolemAE]

I would continue the cleaning if I had a better magnifier/lighting setup.  Any suggestions?  I fear if I go any further with my current setup ($2.99 magnifying glass and a lamp for light) there is a real risk of scratching the coin.  The encrustations are quite hard and my main tool has been a dental pick.

I really appreciate the suggestions,
                      
                                       Nemo

Edit: On a side note, does anyone have an idea of what the indents directly in front of the portrait are?  I can't find that in any other example.  Almost like a brockage of the border.

a stereomicroscope with built-in light is probably the most important coin cleaning tool

next best might be one of those lighted desk magnifier lamp combinations.

you are indeed better off stopping than risking damage to the coin if you can't see what you're doing clearly.

PtolemAE

[Nemonater]

a stereomicroscope with built-in light is probably the most important coin cleaning tool

I looked online and there is quite a variety to choose from.  I found this one, 20X Stereo Magnification, for $179, it has a boom so there will be more room underneath to work.  Any suggestions?

[SC]

Nemonater,

Looks interesting.  Mine is more traditional lab-style stereo microscope and cost about the same.  I like the boom set up and the attached light on the one you posted.

Which manufacturwer?

Shawn

[Nemonater]

AmScope  http://www.amazon.com/AmScope-10X-20X-Stereo-Boom-Microscope/dp/B0080L0G1E/ref=pd_sbs_indust_21

[Tony A]

Now THAT'S a lamp! Not bad on the price, either.

But if you're like me and are somewhat limited in the discretionary income department, maybe you'll consider an alternative:

- magnifier lamp ($20 - $30)

- Dental pick set ($30)

- Cordless Dremel and soft brushes and bits ($80 - $100)

- Gringott's #1, #2, and BD Killer ($30)

That way, you have pretty much what you need to clean for the same amount of money. Plus, the more cleaning options you have the better off you'll be.

Just a suggestion.

Best,

Tony