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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,689 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I bought this recently - I liked the coin but more-so the fact that I was buying it direct from the detector so I could get to know exactly where it was found. Something I'm looking for more and more now, it adds to the interest  MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES / GENIO POPV-LI ROMANI - RIC VI London 15 (124) - 303AD Onwards - 27mm 9.70 grams Even though the obverse looks pretty clean in the above 'before' pic it was covered in very dense, sludgy, oily dirt. I was picking chunks out from between the letters quite easily with a dental tool. I figured I would just do a basic clean-up, a little on the obverse a bit heavier on the reverse but after a bit of scrubbing today with warm water and a nylon brush it looks like there could be quite a lot of silvering left.  (Taken with the coin submerged in water so not the best pictures - The extent of the silvering is clear though)I'm guessing if I want to preserve the silvering (I do) I need to forget all of the harsher cleaning methods and tools? Anyone got any experience? Am I now stuck to using just water, soap, patience and a nylon brush? Edited by bobbyhelmet
10/26/2011 10:39 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I consider myself a beginner in cleaning. Although, I have used methods like soaking in water, Hydrogen Peroxide and olive oil. Each of these methods seems to dissolve certain types of dirt and corrosion. I'm also using a dental tool to clean coins. It's a very small brush that is meant to be used in place of floss. A very small brush. I do a lot of soaking and rising before using a brush because I don't want the dirt to scratch the coin.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
There is a method to clean silver that might be considered a bit harsh, but it works well without causing damage. Lemon juice, I've not use it to clean silver washed coins so if you try it dilute it with water.
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I'd forgotten about lemon juice echizento, I'll do a bit more scrapping on the reverse before I make a decision.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
nice coin I think it will turn out good.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
just keep soaking and picking away.
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Valued Member
Serbia (Srbija)
146 Posts |
NO! Whatever you do DONT use acids or chemicals. Only right way to clean healthy silvered coin is mechanical way. I use microscope and laser sharped stainless steel needle. I put coin in destilated water for few hours,and then I clean a little bit while coin is wet. Then I repeat same process. When you put coin into water it is easier to clean and also harder to damage it. Also you can put it into some oil and clean on the same way.
First coins reverse is impossible to clean and not to damage it,you need to be very carefull. I sugest my way for cleaning it.
For second coin I recomend the same.
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New Member
Greece
49 Posts |
Ceasar you have right. The cleaning is very danger for coins if you listen rumours. Some friend clean a nice ancient coin (from Syraccouses) with toothpaste...It's so hard to see the results after this for one bronze coin like this example...
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
Is the first picture the before picture? If so I personally would have kept it as-is.... Edit: Ahh yes I see now. It helps to read the post fully before you respond.  Edited by ancientcoinguy
11/03/2011 6:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Yeah, its the same coin. It had to be cleaned really as the black dirt was oil-like rather than solid. Unfortunately the silvering only seems visible while its under water! A new one for me. Although its nice its not exactly what you can call a long term storage solution! A shame as it looks great in silver. Here is the coin as it is now dry.  The reverse still needs a lot of soaking / cleaning. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I am with the Caesar381 and Adeper camp on this. Using chemicals, including lemon juice, I think will ultimately destroy what silvering remains. Keep at it little by little with your tools and see what you come up with. Besides, where are you going? You don't have to be in a hurry do you? Slow and steady is the pass word for cleaning Ancients.
JW
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,689 |
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Posted 10/26/2011 10:38 am
