Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: acncient coin cleaning question  (Read 1092 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Ignar K

  • Auxiliary
  • Posts: 2
acncient coin cleaning question
« on: July 14, 2021, 08:26:32 pm »
how can i clean this coin? and Is this coin a Roman Empire coin?

Offline SC

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 6068
    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2021, 08:09:21 am »
Welcome to the forum Ignar!

Can you describe the stuff on the coin?  It is hard to be certain from photos.

Have you poked it with a toothpick?  It looks like very hard concretization but that is uncertain from looking at it.

SC


SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Offline Ron C2

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Qvod perierat adhvc exstat nvmmorvm
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2021, 09:13:25 am »
In my view, the first question to ask is whether the coin is silver-based or copper based.

Usually it's obvious in hand. Can you tell which it is?

If you aren't sure, I would start with a prolonged distilled water soak.  Change the DW every 24 hours and keep at it for at least a month.  Much of the surface encrustation should dislodge with just that.
My Ancient Coin Gallery: Click here

R. Cormier, Ottawa

Offline Ken W2

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 334
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2021, 08:12:13 am »

Hello Ignar:  Welcome to the FORVM. Can you provide diameter and weight?  That may provide clues as to whether it is bronze or silver. I think I see some green patina peeking through on what appears to be the obverse, which suggests bronze. You’ll find many articles here about the many cleaning processes.

Ken

Offline Ron C2

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Qvod perierat adhvc exstat nvmmorvm
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2021, 09:12:30 am »
The forum and numiswiki has the general cleaning option info. Most start with DW, and you can use something like a toothbrush and wooden toothpicks to try and dislodge surface debris between water changes.

Once you know if silver or bronze, next steps can be determined.  Cleaning of silver varies dramatically from cleaning bronze or copper. 
My Ancient Coin Gallery: Click here

R. Cormier, Ottawa

Offline Ignar K

  • Auxiliary
  • Posts: 2
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2021, 10:33:54 am »
it is bronze coin
And 16mm, 4g

Offline Ron C2

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Qvod perierat adhvc exstat nvmmorvm
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2021, 01:58:03 pm »
4g is a bit heavy for 16mm, so I assume there is a fair bit of surface crust stuck on it.

For bronze coins, I would start with distilled water soaks, followed by olive oil soaks if needed. The key here is patience. Many people rush to mechanical or chemical cleaning and get less than ideal results.
My Ancient Coin Gallery: Click here

R. Cormier, Ottawa

Offline Ron C2

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Qvod perierat adhvc exstat nvmmorvm
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2021, 02:08:09 pm »
If not already done, I would recommend reading this article here on forum:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Uncleaned%20Ancient%20Coins
My Ancient Coin Gallery: Click here

R. Cormier, Ottawa

Offline SC

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 6068
    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: acncient coin cleaning question
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2021, 04:59:55 pm »
I think it is a thick-flan Greek coin. 

If the stuff is as hard as it looks it is concretization. 

SC
SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity