The photos might be indicative of ancient bronze coins that were treated in modern times to add a silver wash to the surface. The coins might have
had an ancient silver wash, which many did, but the ancient wash was only partially remaining. In addition, the coins could have
had surface corrosion products, which are often green and
red, etc.. Modern 'coin doctors' can add a 'silver wash' to the coin, making it look much more attractive and 'even' in appearance. The modern wash is not as robust and lasting as the ancient, and can disappear in a few years, leaving coins looking like they did (or worse) when treated by the 'coin doctor'.
From the internet:"Modern fraudsters often apply a temporary silver wash (silver plating or chemical coating) to low-value ancient bronze/copper coins to falsely enhance their value as
rare silver, which typically flakes off or fades within a few years. This modern enhancement is designed to temporarily deceive collectors, mimicking the original, thin silver wash used in the late
Roman Empire, which often wears off to reveal the bronze beneath.
Key aspects of this fraudulent practice include:
Method: Fraudsters use chemical plating techniques to apply a thin layer of silver over worn bronze coins, making them appear as valuable silver
antoniniani or
denarii.
Short-Term Deception: Unlike ancient plating, which can sometimes last centuries, modern, hastily
applied washes are not durable, wearing away quickly to expose the underlying,
cheap bronze base.
Appearance: When fresh, the coin looks bright or lustrous; within a few years, it will appear patchy, dull, or show green corrosion (
bronze disease) as the base metal reacts to the environment.
Detection: Collectors can identify this by observing an unnaturally shiny, silver-plated surface on a coin with low-quality, worn-down engraving. The silver often looks "too perfect" or sits on top of the corrosion, whereas ancient silver-washed coins show the silver as an integrated
part of the surface, often only remaining in the crevices.
Goal: The
fraud aims to turn a coin worth a few dollars into one appearing to be worth hundreds by deceiving buyers into thinking it is a high-silver-content coin. "
Another internet query returned this:"This scenario describes a common, modern, and deceitful practice in the ancient coin market—specifically targeting late
Roman bronze coins (such as Radiates or Nummi) to make them look like higher-value,
silvered issues.
Here is a breakdown of why this happens, how it is done, and how to spot it.
The Scam: Modern Silver Wash on Bronze
In the late 3rd/early 4th century AD, the
Roman Empire was suffering from massive inflation. Coins that were supposed to be silver (
Antoniniani) were often made of bronze with a, sometimes intentional, thin "silver wash" (a process sometimes called "pickling" to bring silver to the surface).
Modern Fraudsters:
Take a "Nude" Coin: Take a common, low-value, brown or green copper-alloy (bronze) coin that has lost its original surface.
Apply Artificial Wash: Apply a modern silver-colored coating. This is often done using:
Silver paint or lacquer: This is the cheapest method.
Silver electroplating: A more sophisticated method.
Chemical silver solutions: Such as "silver plating cream" used for
jewelry.
"Evaporation" (Wear/Degradation): Because this layer is not metallurgically bonded in the same way as an ancient wash, and because it is
applied over a 1,700-year-old, uneven, or corroded surface, it does not last.
Why It "Evaporates" (Disappears)
The term "evaporates" is figurative; in reality, the silver wash wears off, flakes off, or is removed by cleaning.
In a
Coin Flip: A "
coin flip" (a 2x2 cardboard and plastic holder) can actually be a harsh environment if the coin is constantly moved. The plastic can rub against the surface.
Oxidation: The modern material used by fraudsters reacts with the atmosphere or the chemicals in the plastic
flip, causing the silver color to turn black, grey, or simply disappear.
Poor Adhesion: Without a clean, fresh surface, modern paint or weak plating will flake off with minimal friction, revealing the brown or green bronze underneath.
How to Spot This
FraudThe "Rub" Test: Often, a light rub with a thumb will remove the "silver," revealing a dull bronze surface underneath.
Appearance: Genuine ancient silver wash often has a slight purplish or metallic hue and adheres tightly to the metal. Modern
fake wash often looks too bright, "painted on," or perfectly even, but flakes off in patches.
Under Magnification: Using a jeweler’s loupe, you will see the silver layer stopping at the edge of pits, cracks, or corrosion, indicating it was
applied after the coin was already damaged.
Too
Good to Be True: A perfectly "
silvered" coin for a very
low price is almost certainly a modern job.
Why This is Done
A "nude" (bare) bronze coin might be worth $5–$10, while a nicely
silvered example could sell for $50–$100+ to an unsuspecting collector. The fraudster makes a large profit by "improving" a common coin."
