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 Replies: 21 / Views: 2,512 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
What does everyone think?   The obverse of the second coin has large encrustations at 5 and 11 O'clock - yet the 'silvering' is over these  The first coin is generally better but neither of its surfaces are what I would consider mint state yet again the silvering covers everything. The only surface where it looks plausible is the second coins reverse. Much like artificial patinas I'm not sure how I feel about this practice but its happening more and more - I think I'm against both but can see how in some cases a re-patina may be necessary or useful. I think its about times sellers made these things clear when selling and let the market decide. Edited by bobbyhelmet
11/09/2011 07:22 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
First, I think your detective work is spot on. The silvering could not possibly cover the encrustations. IMPOSSIBLE! Unless the Romans waited till there was crud on the coin before dipping in silver.
Second, You are correct again. I have seen more and more sellers hawking coins as silvered. A couple of years ago, it was rare to find a coin with silver wash remaining.
I know how I feel about artificial patina and re-silvering. Its downright dishonest unless it's marketed as such.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
It looks like someone partially cleaned these coins and left what they couldnt get off, then just resilvered over them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Oh man now I'm a bit worried. About my Trajan Decius. I do wonder how it's still silver-looking after centuries. Probably cleaned, right? Or worse even re-silvered?
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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Probably cleaned, right? Or worse even re-silvered? Your coin is probably fine Jango - silver content in these coins fell very quickly in the 30 years between Decius and these two Probus coins. The chances are the metal used to create your coin actually looks silver whereas I suspect the metal under the above silver spray paint is only a tiny proportion silver and would, 'unsilvered' just look like dark metal. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I have noticed many fully silvered coins out there, so your coins are probably fine, but if they have build up on them that are silvered also then maybe you should ask questions, its not too hard to silver plate coins with real silver. The reason why I didnt get into ancients as much when I first started to get interested in them is because I was scared that I would be putting down good money for fakes, thats why I usually buy uncleaned encrusted coins so I can be sure that they are real but I am sure that there are still lots of nice authentic coins out there. Not trying to make anybody worried or anything, just trying to put some info out there where I can be of help since I dont really fit in here with the rest of you guys with all the stuff you already know about the emperors, mints, and RIC #'s that I still need help with.  Edited by jessvc1
11/09/2011 12:19 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
And to tell you the truth I need to get over this fear of fake ancients because I find myself leaning more and more to the ancient coins and am loosing interest in the US(modern) coins. Did anybody else go through this stage also or is it just me?
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Valued Member
279 Posts |
sometimes I've seen around resilvered antoninianii,even with something like silver spray used for retouch cars,spray you can find in any supermarket.I can't see well from pics in this case however I think is better stay away from buy in these cases.
I remeber a very good antoninianus of gordianus III coluored with silver spary.... it was terrible,I can't understand how can someone made these filths.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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And to tell you the truth I need to get over this fear of fake ancients because I find myself leaning more and more to the ancient coins and am loosing interest in the US(modern) coins. Did anybody else go through this stage also or is it just me? You have just described me and I would bet most every other Ancients collector on this board. I collected modern coins for a long time, and with vigor. Then I discovered Ancients, and over time lost complete interest in modern coins. I still have them, locked away in a briefcase in a store room. Rarely do they even see the light of day. It's a shame really as I have some very nice modern coins. But, for me, Ancients are what peaks my interest. The history is incredible. As for the possibility of being duped with a fake, its a real possibility. I read somewhere that most collections will contain an average of 10-15% fakes. I think that may be too high, but I can tell you from personal experience, there are fakes out there. But over time and with experience you will be able to recognize most fakes for what they are. If you continue to be a part of the discussions on this and other forums, your chances of buying a fake will be lessened (that is unless you go crazy and buy without researching first). Everyone here will help to the best of our abilities to ensure you have genuine coins you are considering. As for knowing RIC and other resources, legends, bust styles, etc., that all comes with experience and time. None of us had any more knowledge then you when we started. At least I know I didn't. Stick around. We need you to be a part of this hobby. Regards, JW |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Thanks JW I think I have almost completely made the switch to ancients. I have been more and more interested in them over the past years. My interest in US coins has mostly been varieties and tokens over the last few years and I still like my feuchtwanger cent design the most out of the modern coins. My use of controversial methods has always been a problem with collectors. I am driven by a need to know-what methods people use and how they turn out, like cleaning and toning and how they look and feel afterwards and experimenting with different methods and mixtures. After I end up with a method and coin that I like, and feel satisfied that I just learned a new skill it adds to my satisfaction of the coin. I think I learn also what too look for in other coins for sale. thanks again and like I said this is the best place on the internet for learning and nice people too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
oh yeah and because I like fooling around with different methods and actively restoring coins I feel my best spot is in the restoration area of this hobby but learning about the history is also part of this so I am trying. Its so much fun bringing the coin out of its hiding place. now off to work.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I always learn something new in the ancients section  j It makes total sense that silvering will not be over crud. Of course, I play it safe now by buying only from recognized dealers. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
What is the price for these things? I'd be tempted to buy them strip the paint about halfway off the re-post them to show the world what these guys are up to. I can hardly see how any real silver wash would stick to that encrustation. jessvc1....About last March I woke up one day and for some reason decided to look at this ancient section of CC. I've only bought two Peace dollars since to finish off that collection, and rarely look at any coins other than ancients now. That's just me, but the huge variety coins and the ancient art work I just find much more interesting. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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What is the price for these things? I'd better not post a direct link as I dont want to cause any headaches for the Mods but these two coins are selling together on a well known auction site - I'm sure searching for 'PROBUS ANTONINIANII' will bear fruit, less than a day to go Edited by bobbyhelmet
11/09/2011 2:41 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
The coins are genuine but have been resilvered. I changed to collecting only ancients some time ago, I held onto some of my US collection until yesterday when I sold the last of them. I usually don't buy one coin at a time, I'm more into large lots of uncleaned coins. Now I need to fine a good source for large lots at a fair price.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
But with bright silver coins, do they find them like that, or are they found somewhat dirty and cleaned to be that bright silver color? Quote:
Did anybody else go through this stage also or is it just me? Your transformation is almost complete  I am currently going through this and I have no regrets! I find myself spending more and more time in the ancient forum than in any other part of the site. Same with my buying habits. I haven't spent more than $20 on one US coin in like 4 months, and when I buy a coin, it's nearly always an ancient. I mean, I do have some nice US coins, but I'd rather look at and handle my ancient Romans. Edited by VisigothKing
11/09/2011 3:30 pm
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Replies: 21 / Views: 2,512 |
Posted 11/09/2011 10:43 am
