Hello All: Not sure whether this belongs here or in the uncleaned section. I almost never buy a
RSC with a view toward cleaning it, at all. But I took a chance on this
Augustus (and the
Marc Antony Legion XXII I posted a question about in the uncleaned section) which I picked up cheaply. I'm pleased with how this
Augustus turned out, but
still have some lingering doubt/question about authenticity and whether I should have cleaned it. As you can see in the before picture below, there was an
area of delamination (?) or something else on the surface in the
obverse left
field and
legend largely obscuring the
CAE and second A in
CAESAR. I very carefully removed that
area with an exacto knife. It was very easy to remove in most places, flaking away or crumbling with the slightest pressure. However, the underside of the removed material was silverish in color, kind of dull silver leaf looking. I then soaked and brushed gently with a nylon brush in very
soapy water. The
CAESAR is now fully visible and the coin otherwise fairly clean. (The difference in the overall color between before and after is mostly lighting).
19.62 mm, 3.58 grams. I believe it to be a legit
RSC I 402,
RIC 4b, minted in
Emerita 25-22 BC. Note the flow lines between the M in
IMP and the edge and in front of the forehead/hair. I'd welcome the input of more experienced collectors about authenticity, what that
area I removed was, and whether I should have cleaned at all.
Thanks in advance.