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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,786 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Curious about what distilled water might do for ancient silver, I soaked my Menander drachm for a few days. Here is the before/after. I came out noticeably brighter--without any harsh chemicals! Before:  After:  Edited by DVCollector
02/05/2012 10:04 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
It came out good, though I have to admit I like the before better.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
842 Posts |
 I also like it more in the before pics (but it's not my coin, so who cares  ), but this is proof that distilled water works wonders without risking the coin. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
10045 Posts |
This was a really tough shot to make. I tried to convey the brightness after the soak, but I ended up washing out the details--so I adjusted it. The coin's fields had a flat gray film, which is now largely gone. It's more like I would imagine a struck silver coin of this era when it was circulating. When I pulled it out of the water, my jaw actually dropped.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Personally I liked it better in the first pic, but even after the soak, it's still a nice coin. But as long as your happy with the result that's all that matters.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
well the cleaning is done and nothing we can do to change that... either way I like it. (but if you didnt clean it I would of told you to leave it.)  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
 for the record, I didn't clean this coin! It was only soaked--not otherwise touched. Too bad my pics don't really convey the before/after. The figures/devices are still nicely defined, just less cruddy. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
As long as you like it that's all the matters.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
The results were good--that's all I'm saying.  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
I prefer the before, but I'm comparing pix, not coins.
Water is the universal solvent. Given time, it dissolves glass.
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Pillar of the Community
Egypt
3470 Posts |
I like silver coins... especially toned ones. It gives it an antique look, but dust and dirt on silver dont. I would like the before soaking pics if this was toning but in this case the after soaking is better. Good job |
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Valued Member
279 Posts |
Hi even for me it was better before...I know collector that try to put dark on silver coins to recreate patina.....
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
I really thought I could show the before/after in pictures, but my second photo doesn't do it. I might best describe it as a "veil" lifted from the coin--the figures now have more "life". This might give a better idea of how it really looks now.--still happy with the results;, I didn't wreck the coin!  Quote:
I like silver coins... especially toned ones.
It gives it an antique look, but dust and dirt on silver dont. Amr, you put it well. I like toning too, and I liked the coin as I received it. But after the soak, something obscuring the figures was removed, like dirt. The coin now looks more like I expected it would. Edited by DVCollector
02/06/2012 11:51 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
It still looks good Nice photo. Edited by Doucet
02/06/2012 11:34 am
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Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Quote:
..I know collector that try to put dark on silver coins to recreate patina.... Quick, where can I get a can of "dark"? |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,786 |
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Posted 02/05/2012 8:25 pm
