FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Greek Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Jj W on October 06, 2021, 03:57:42 pm
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(I'm pasting this same intro into all my first posts to level set. Thanks for your patience)
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Hello all,
I'm new here. Please be kind :)
So I recently found out about auctions for ancient coins and artifacts. I've mostly just been buying things that feel interesting or give me a good feeling. I have always loved archeology and history, and also been a minor coin collector since childhood.
I'm not really collecting as an investment, more as a form of time travel. I just love touching and holding these objects and imagining who may have held it when it was newer. Having some kind of historical context to these objects is what I am mostly after.
Also, I am strongly interested in attempting to restore everything to as close to what it looked like when it was new(er). I don't want to destroy anything, but I also do want to be "aggressive" in the restoration efforts in an attempt to do so.
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So with this unknown coin ($110) I'm looking for
1. Any info you all might think about it.
a. There was literally no description for it at all.
b. I'm not positive this is even Greek (I'm new!)
2. Best advice to attempt to restore it.
a. Would it be a good or bad idea to clean the dark stuff from this? It seems to highlight the detail, but I do really like things to get closer to "new" looking.
Thank you for reading and I really do appreciate your time and look forward to learning more and being part of your community.
All the best,
JJ Walker
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Weight, please. This is Antiochos VIII, either Antioch or Damaskos.
M
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Thank you!
11.5g
<2.4cm
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Reverse says: :Greek_Phi: :Greek_Iota: :Greek_Lambda: :Greek_Iota: :Greek_Pi: :Greek_Pi: :Greek_Omicron: :Greek_Upsilon:
so Philip.
Pekka K
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... Weight, please. This is Antiochos VIII, either Antioch or Damaskos. ...
I can read ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟV ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟVΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟV on the reverse, so it is probably not an Antiochos :).
It is a coin minted under Philippos I Philadelphos or already under the Romans, there are quite a lot of different varieties:
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=8136850
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7353079
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5521600
http://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.2488
Regards
Altamura
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Reverse says: :Greek_Phi: :Greek_Iota: :Greek_Lambda: :Greek_Iota: :Greek_Pi: :Greek_Pi: :Greek_Omicron: :Greek_Upsilon:
so Philip.
Pekka K
... Weight, please. This is Antiochos VIII, either Antioch or Damaskos. ...
I can read ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟV ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟVΣ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟV on the reverse, so it is probably not an Antiochos :).
It is a coin minted under Philippos I Philadelphos or already under the Romans, there are quite a lot of different varieties:
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=8136850
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7353079
https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=5521600
http://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.2488
Regards
Altamura
Wow you guys are amazing. Thank you so much!
What would you recommend to shine this up?
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'shine it up' ???
recommendation: DON'T
If you like 'shiny' coins etc and don't much care for how most ancient coins really look you might prefer to collect reproductions. There are various high quality repros and famous forgeries that look 'perfect' and aren't expensive but may better suit your eye than real ancient coins that are almost always flawed, dirty, oxidized, toned or corroded, etc. Even major reputable auction houses offer the famous 'Becker' forgeries (which look so good they fooled some experts) from time to time and the British Museum's electrotype copies of real coins that are beautiful in their own way. And you don't have to 'restore' them.
There's also a coin cleaning and conservation section on this forum. Learning cleaning and restoration techniques is time-consuming but some methods can improve the look of some coins. It's easy, however, to damage real ancient surfaces and remove nice patina when you think you're just taking away some dirt or stain. Starting with inexpensive real coins is wise and you can learn by experience without sacrificing a large investment.
PtolemAE