fused coins

[nikopolis1]

Hi everyone
Anyone knows a how to separate fused coin and keep the patina intact?So far I tried freezing and then trowing in  boiling water with the coin from the photo several times no effect at all, electrolysis works but strips the patina.Any help will be welcome

[casata137ec]

Have you tried simply prying them apart? Chances are that the sandwiched section is corroded all to heck anyway. How bout super long soaks in DW...or for that matter, simple soaks in soapy water? (I prefer dawn for this)

Chris

[nikopolis1]

I don't think soaks in soapy water will  work ,the corroded substance is hard as cement I tried to force a needle between them no success at all.I start considering to give them a hummer hit sideways with the hope at least one will survive . Is there anyone who knows what they are doing with bronze coin hoards I think that hoard coins should be fuse like this coins

[crawforde]

It is pretty common to get Chinese coins fused like this.
 All the above suggestions will work at different times.  Some time in a bowl of vinegar can help, but must be monitored as it will often remove the patina.
In cases where the coins are completely fused and nothing else works, soaking in distiller water, then freezing, then a hammer hit to the side of the stack (wrap them in a towel first) can work wonders and save the patina.  Be prepared for some breakage, but not as much as if you just try prying the coins apart.  You need to hit the stack almost twice as hard as you think would be wise, but not so hard as to chip or deform the edges.  Good luck.

[Jay GT4]

Why not try boiling them in distilled water?

[Lloyd Taylor]

Why separate them?

I'd simply clean up the outer faces of each to make a nice example of fused coins from an ancient hoard. This would be more interesting and I dare say more valuable ( if value is a consideration) than two separate damaged and likely crappy coins.

In my opinion too much of this sort of stuff is cleaned beyond the last inch of its life to become little more than old junk of limited interest and no appeal to the imagination.

[crawforde]

Why separate them?

I'd simply clean up the outer faces of each to make a nice example of fused coins from an ancient hoard. This woul be more interesting and I dare say more valuable ( if value is a consideration) than two separate damaged and likely crappy coins.

In my opinion too much of this sort of stuff is cleaned beyond the last inch of its life to become little more than old junk of limited interest and no imagination.

I will second this statement.  There is something very interesting about a clump, ESP if you think the individual coins are worn or corroded beyond something with nice eye appeal.

[Jay GT4]

Why separate them?

I'd simply clean up the outer faces of each to make a nice example of fused coins from an ancient hoard. This woul be more interesting and I dare say more valuable ( if value is a consideration) than two separate damaged and likely crappy coins.

In my opinion too much of this sort of stuff is cleaned beyond the last inch of its life to become little more than old junk of limited interest and no imagination.

Good call.  I didn't even think to suggest this.

[Randygeki(h2)]

I agree not to separate them, Makes for a more interesting coin(s)

I had this one but traded it

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-67032

[renegade3220]

Aye, I popped apart two coins and wish I didn't. They are corroded messes anyways and would have been better leaving them fused.

[Lloyd Taylor]

Aye, I popped apart two coins and wish I didn't. They are corroded messes anyways and would have been better leaving them fused.

Good lesson... cleaning and fiddling with sort of material will often destroy, or degrade, an item of some intrinsic interest, or merit. Before doing anything the question has to be asked 'What do I hope to achieve and is this expectation realistic given the state of the item?' Frequently the honest answer will be that it is better to leave well alone and enjoy it for what it is in its uncleaned, or partially cleaned state. In the final analysis, no amount of cleaning and fiddling will turn the proverbial sow's ear into a silk purse, so it may prove better to maintain it as a nice example of a sow's ear.

[BiancasDad]

Part of the allure of collecting ancients is the pure intrigue of time itself.

What better way to embrace and share this dimension than by seeing two coins fused together by "time"

-Kurt

[nikopolis1]

I agree with all you said above but as these are cheap AE 4 coins there are of no value to me  and I will use them to train myself how to separate  fused coins because if I find let say two sesterti fused together I dont think I will resist the temptation to separate them .Thanks for all advises 

[BiancasDad]

Wishing you good luck then.

If you have any success and have the time, please post pictures of the results.

Thumbsup,

Kurt

[nikopolis1]

This is the result .I wrap them in towel then hummer hits.They separated very easily .Once again special thanks to crawforde for the advice

[Constantine IV]

Why separate them?

I'd simply clean up the outer faces of each to make a nice example of fused coins from an ancient hoard. This would be more interesting and I dare say more valuable ( if value is a consideration) than two separate damaged and likely crappy coins.

In my opinion too much of this sort of stuff is cleaned beyond the last inch of its life to become little more than old junk of limited interest and no appeal to the imagination.

The coins appear to be of the Valentinian/Valens "SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE" type, and are quite common.
So yes, to have them in this conjoined state with some improvement done to the exposed surfaces will be something original.