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 Replies: 26 / Views: 2,580 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
My guess is the same as Doucet and echizento: AE Antoninianus of Claudius II with a reverse of a flaming altar with horned roof, 4 panels on altar, dot in each panel. Something similar to this coin: http://wildwinds.com/coins/ric/clau...ra_10924.jpgI take it from your post that you think this could be a gold coin? I doubt it. From what I can see from a most cursory check of my sources, this particular reverse was only struck in base metal perhaps with a silver wash at some point. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Im personally leaning to the side of faked - It looks a lot like polished brass. However, all the other coins the guy who sold me these had were real. I've never seen a copper or bronze that looks this particular colour...My main issue is black patina around the coin - It looks almost like a sandwhich, a shiny gold like layer over a black tarnished die.
Ill polish a bit in the meanwhile, see if it comes out nicely.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I doubt that coin #1 is fake. Most late Roman coins are not because there just isn't enough value to them, especially in the condition of this one.
Perhaps it was cleaned with electrolysis and the patina was completely removed ( it looks kinda Zapped), then a darker patina was added, this could account for a brass color of the bronze rather than a copper color.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I see - Well, I'm going to find a way to shine it up nicely and remove the black patina (I feel it drtracts from the coin)
Thanks for the help, ill continue trying to ID the non Roman one (ive put it onto the Unkowns forum.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
The coin isn't fake but has not fared well being buried for 1800 years. By shinning it will not enhance it's beauty and may even remove what detail is left. I would just leave it alone.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Trust me Echiz, this hasnt got any detail! Plus, the gold colour is coming through nicely - I will try and remove the black stuff, which is just in odd places round the coin. I tried with a thing akin to dentistry tools but its just scratching the coin, so ill try soapy water and a toothbrush.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Sorry to resurrect an old thread - Id like peoples opinions on my cleaning job! I've done the obverse up nicely because it had very little damage - the reverse is another story, so I'm cleaning that but taking my time - a lot of the patina is chipped or has flaked off on the back.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Without a doubt, it looks 100% better, and not a bad looking obverse at all. I'm assuming it took very little cleaning to get it to this stage. I would stop at this point, at least on the obverse. I have been known to try go one step too far, and basically destroy a coin. If the reverse remains a mess, at least you have a nice looking obverse. Looking at the reverse, the campgate, it too looks like it might clean up well. I'll be watching for it.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Ah, the campgate itself is in great condition, but the space between the campgate and the lettering is a lot worse.
And it took a lot to get it like that, I was very worried id scratch it so went slowly with a needle. To be honest, most of the time was spent trying to clean out the Ns and As and the string hanging behind Constantine (it wasnt at all showing and I didnt know what was under the dirt so I had to be particularly cautious).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Cleaning the letters and other fine details of the portrait can be a pain, I know. I'm planning on getting some type of magnifying glass that can be mounted to a desk or some type of stand to make the coins easier to clean. To free up both hands and getting a closer look at the coin.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Gil-galad: Take a look on the internet for magnifying glasses. Some come with lights on the side. I don't think they are expensive. My son got me a pair for last Christmas.
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Replies: 26 / Views: 2,580 |
First Page
Posted 07/01/2012 3:17 pm
