Having Fun With A Big Lot Of Uncleaned Roman Bronze Coins

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I recently received this lot of 160 uncleaned Roman bronze coins from an eBay seller in Serbia. I plan to have a lot of fun with these over the winter months.

I have started the cleaning process and have already come across some nice coins. Here is a high grade Constantine I AE-3 GLORIA EXERCITVS from Siscia.

A Severus II Quarter Follis from Siscia.

A Valens SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE AE-3 from Siscia with nice green patina.

And a worn, but interesting, Leo I and Verina AE-4.

So far, the lot has had its share of culls, as all lots do, but it has had enough decent coins to make me feel I didn't waste my money.

I'll continue to post any interesting or nice coins I find and clean.

That looks like fun! Nice finds for sure.

I haven't done that in awhile. Keep posting, the Severus II is a great find.

Looks like a fun project. Looking forward to updates.

Terrific portrait on that Severus II. Genius reverse is in a high state of preservation as well. RIC VI 170a, I believe.

Two more coins to share with you today.

First is a Severus Alexander (222-235 AD) AE-19 from Nicaea. This one didn't need much cleaning at all. I decided to leave the two encrustation spots on the reverse.

Second is a so-so Constantius I (293-306 AD) Quarter Follis from Siscia. I may work on this one a bit more.

Nice work. Just water soaks and brushing?

For these coins it's been hydrogen peroxide, brushing with a nylon brush and trusty silver brush (which is just about worn out) and careful work with my dental tools.

I have been using my electrolysis zapper on some coins as well but haven't discovered anything special on any of the coins I've worked on that way..

Lots of cleaning to go. I have about fifty coins that show some hoped for promise soaking in peroxide. There have been about twenty culls so far. It's too early to tell about the rest.

Very cool. I've tried that once myself and can attest it's not as easy as you would expect. Lot's of work to uncover some hidden gems . . like that Serverus . .

These two bronzes are "works in progress". There is still more to be done trying to remove more of the dirt without damaging the nice patinas.

A Constantius II (337-361 AD) FEL TEMP REPARATIO AE-3 from the Sirmium mint. Most of the coins in the lot look to be from Siscia. This one has a highly detailed reverse.

A Gratian (367-383 AD) GLORIA ROMANORVM AE-3 from Siscia. This type is not as common for Gratian as it is for Valentinian I and Valens.

These last two have retained a level of original detail that's well above the norm and have to my eye come out quite attractive "as-is". I'd say you're right in thinking any further cleaning should be undertaken with a good deal of caution and restraint.

I have a few more coins to share tonight. These were all in the easier to clean category.

A beautiful, high grade Valentinian I SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE AE-3 from Siscia with a lovely green patina.

Another Quarter Follis, this one of Maximinus II. I've left some dirt on it and haven't decided whether to try more cleaning or stop.

And a nice Licinius I D N LICINI INVICT AVG with VOT XX in wreath AE-3 from Ticinum. It still has a bit of silvering on top of the nice light green patina.

I am also turning out my share of cull or damaged coins as well. The pile keeps growing as I go through the coins.

You're getting some excellent results. Thanks for sharing.

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I am also turning out my share of cull or damaged coins as well. The pile keeps growing as I go through the coins.

Unfortunately that is always an issue with these, but it's all good . .

Thanks for sharing, looks like a very interesting project with some nice finds!

I am slowly working on the group of coins. Here's a nice one that appeared from under the dirt.

It's a DIVO MAXIMIANO quarter follis issues by Constantine the Great.

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