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 Replies: 18 / Views: 1,442 |
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Moderator
 United States
34397 Posts |
Yes, but it isn't because it is cleaned vs. uncleaned but rather that someone has unethically tried to move metal around to add back details that time and use have worn away. At 2000+/- years old, all coins have been cleaned to some extent.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
Australia
16810 Posts |
For many ancient coins, there is a fine line between "cleaning" - the removal of encrusted debris - and "tooling", the re-engraving of lost details onto a worn or corroded coin.
On some ancient silver coins, "horn silver" or silver chloride can form. This can only be removed by either harsh chemicals or by physically hacking at it with diamond-dusted dental tools. I suspect that is what has happened here. The question then becomes, has this crossed the line from "cleaning" to "tooling". I am concerned it has in fact crossed that line.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United States
905 Posts |
I see no attempt at tooling...merely what looks like aggressive cleaning. A full picture would also be more helpful.
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Valued Member
 United States
86 Posts |
Here ya go...  |
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Valued Member
United States
86 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
86 Posts |
Oops... messed that up!  |
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Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
Hmm in addition to potential tooling around the feet, I'm also really not liking that porosity on the obv. You don't have a shot of the edge do you?
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Valued Member
United States
86 Posts |
I'll try to get some edge photos. What does "porosity" mean as it relates to coins. Is it the holes in the coin?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
25030 Posts |
Porosity literally means porous, or full of tiny holes. Cast coin often are porous from gas bubbles in the finished product.
Spence, if this coin is cast, whoever worked it over with the wire brush probably removed any seam or sprue material.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
United States
86 Posts |
I found another coin, but in the description of the coin the dealer (USA) says, "Obverse has unpleasant encrustation. EF." To my newbie, untrained, uneducated eye it looks great! What am I missing?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1870 Posts |
any coin shops in your area---if so check them out---what you are willing to spend you should find something nice--good luck---
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Moderator
United States
34397 Posts |
Quote:
unpleasant encrustation Perhaps there is horn silver in front of Athena's face? Hard to tell from the seller's pics though. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2219 Posts |
It's been very harshly cleaned. Save your money and buy a nicer one with good metal surface, natural wear.
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Valued Member
United States
218 Posts |
Quote:
To my newbie, untrained, uneducated eye it looks great! What am I missing? It looks dipped. Some people like that bright, clean color, but I'm personally a fan of darker, older toning -- which is unfortunately somewhat difficult to find. Learning what colors are good, bad, natural, artificial, &c. is something that takes time and varies from one series to another, one metal to another. If you're wondering why people are pointing that out, don't worry -- we've all been there :) Edited by samoth
02/21/2025 8:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2219 Posts |
Compare pics of my Athens tetradrachms in your other post to pics you posted here. Notice mine have no cleaning scratches, no porous pits, are not badly worn, etc. When you buy an ancient or modern coin, avoid those with surface problems unless it's cheap and that's all you want to spend.
Edited by livingwater
02/22/2025 08:39 am
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Posted 02/20/2025 4:45 pm
