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 Replies: 40 / Views: 3,483 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Its been a long time since I purchased any coins for cleaning. I still have some soaking that have been in olive oil for nearly a year and still having trouble getting off the crud. Anyway, I just bought this lot of 15 Roman Provincial coins for under $30 (just barely). Hopefully I will get something good out of this lot.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Looks like a few there will clean up nice.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
That's a nice lot for $30. Surely, there would be a safe but faster way to clean coins? 1 year in olive oil seems like a long time.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4253 Posts |
Well, to be honest, I haven't been too diligent about getting them out for cleaning. Also, they were a very cheap lot of 100 coins. About 75 I have finished with and have been found worthless. The other 25 show some promise, but the crud is still quite thick and hard even after all this time. It might take dynamite in the end. These look promising before I even get them. Of course, I have no idea what the other side of the coins look like. These are coming from within the U.S. so should not take too long to get here. I'll let everyone know what I have when I get them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
Quote:
1 year in olive oil seems like a long time. That it does, but remember that these coins have been collecting the crud for roughly 1,800 years. One year is not that much in the grand scheme of things. The coins waited patiently all that time to be found again so we, too, should wait patiently for them to finish. It would be a shame to rush the process and destroy such a valuable piece of mankind's history! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
In that case I wouldn't want to wait another 1,800 years for them to finish. lol
But yeah, I do see your point.
I already destroyed a coin more or less and I regret it.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I see some nice details on those already!  Is that a Caracalla in the upper right? |
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Valued Member
Bulgaria
59 Posts |
I love provintial coins, you can get great coins out of this lot.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
If the Hadrianopolis withh full legends around the grapes is as nice on the other side, I might concentrate on it. There are many faster ways to clean but picking at crud with tools is dangerous if you are not careful and harsher chemicals can leave ugly slugs fast, too.
I have had some luck and some failure with EDTA. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, widely abbreviated as EDTA, is widely used to dissolve limescale. Leaving coins in too long is a mistake but it does dissolve some crusts.
Has anyone tried such coins in a rock tumbler? Don't use the grit they supply for use polishing rocks but I have heard of people using plastic beads to smooth crusts. I have not tried it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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If the Hadrianopolis withh full legends around the grapes is as nice on the other side, I might concentrate on it. It was this coin that drew my attention in the first place. I can only hope the other side is as promising. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Good luck with the lot. One day I will get a uncleaned lot as well. I've noticed a few decent ones but they looked mostly like they had late Romans and not many rare coins. Probably been cherry picked.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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Probably been cherry picked. You can bet yer bippy (sic). I dare say there isn't a lot, offered her in the west at least, that hasn't been picked over. That's another reason I have been staying away from uncleaned lots. But, here I go again. Hopefully, I won't be too disappointed. |
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New Member
United States
2 Posts |
I see you bought from the "purse" I have had some good and some very VERY bad dealings with him. 1. He is a better photographer than the coins he sells. 2. His coins are slightly pre-cleaned and then sorted. 3. His ranking are way off (Premium = Medium, Medium = Low) 4. Stay away from his big lots, when the coins are "pilled". He puts the better coins on top and edges, and the "slugs" on the bottom. 5. Be very careful when you return things to him. Photograph the coins before you return them. 6. Avoid his low and Medium and Crusty lots. Stay with Premium and High. All of the above pretty much is starting to apply to all ebay sellers. I have received better quality coins dealing directly with folks from Bulgraia and Romania. Its become more and more diffciult to get good quality unclean coins. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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I have received better quality coins dealing directly with folks from Bulgraia and Romania. First, I understand everything you said. That is why I have just about sworn off uncleaned lots. Second, this lot of coins is not from the "purse". It's a seller in Chicago I have never bought from in the past. I have made purchases from the "purse" and, as I said, not been real happy with the lots I have received. However, his premium lots are better than most others. Third, where do you buy from in Bulgaria/Romania? I generally stay away from individual high-end coins from Bulgaria because of their reputation for selling fakes. Romania too. The new laws in Bulgaria make it very difficult for a Bulgarian to sell ancient coins, but if I knew of a seller of uncleaned lots, I would give it a try. And lastly, I wanted to welcome you here to this discussion board. I think you will find it a friendly place with some lively discussions.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Yes Aktina............. jw I hope you get some good ones from this lot. Looking forward to the pictures. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I assume you guys mean Purse of the Legionary? I ran into that store awhile back.
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Replies: 40 / Views: 3,483 |
Posted 12/07/2011 11:48 pm
