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 Replies: 19 / Views: 3,185 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Yes, this coin was on my previous thread, but this has proved such a challenge that I felt a dedicated thread was necessary. This stubborn rocklike stuff wont come off, I cant even scratch it. Its covering such a lovely coin! How do I get it off?   Also, I need something doable! Id rather not have to find a powder made out of ground unicorn meat, I'm looking for something simple (i.e. I wont have to go buy stuff specially to do this) Thanks in advance. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
Some people use needles on it, or dental picks. You can also soak it in olive oil for a long time. Yeah, this is going to be a tough one. The coin is already black, if the color is right in the photo. Olive oil turns coins darker.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Hi BenByfield, I've been cleaning these for a while, get a small cup put some olive oil, drop them in. You will need to leave them in for maybe up to 6 mts., after a week, brush the coin with a soft brass brush, drop it back in. You will need to do this till you get desired outcome...you need to be patient, it will come off....Good luck......  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
If you soak it in olive oil, you may have to soak it for quite awhile, weeks, months, who knows.
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Valued Member
279 Posts |
hay...be careful...pay attention I think this is an example of EUDOXIA....Arcadiu's wife.......not so easy to find......
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Thats why I havent tried anything harsh - its a female portrait! Dont want to wreck another one.
Looks like Its going to need a long soak. As mentioned, a dental pick cant stratch that stuff, so lets see what 1 month of oil does to it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
I think this is an example of EUDOXIA Giano is right I believe. Don't mess this one up. It could be worth a few bucks (many few if done right). |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Ive put it in oil, in a sealed container and I have put it in a room where I will forget about it for a few weeks. Id rather not muss up another coin!
Ill clean it very carefully, should I try and pick at it every week or so, or let it sit for as long as possible before attempting it?
Also, how many bucks is a 'few' bucks?
Edited by Ben
07/26/2012 1:57 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
If it is Eudoxia, a entry level coin is at least $20 USD. It's hard to say since you need to remove the dirt to figure out condition. Take your time, this could end up to be a very nice late Roman. Make sure no metal is showing and the patina is intact.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
 with Gil-galad. |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
Nice, thought it was a nicer version of the meh Eudoxia I have, but I think your victory is doing something slightly different than mine. Looks like it will clean up nice if you take your time. This is mine, not as pretty - but it cost less than $2. AEL EVDO-XIA AVG - Diademed bust right, draped SALVS REI-PVBLICAE - Victory seated right on cuirass, pointing one hand at a shield inscribed with the Chi-Rho as she balances it atop a column with her other hand. Exe: SMKA 17mm/2.94g   |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Preliminary results: Where it was lightly scratched before has turned more into something doable, but the outer crust is rocklike still. I'm not sure if its worth leaving it in oil for the 8 months or so it could take to soften it up to the point where it will fall off...id rather have the coin! Id forget about it in such a time period.
Im cleaning off what I can very carefully, theres a harder layer still, so I'm cleaning down to that where I can and carefully breaking the outer layer to allow the oil to permeate into the rock. Continue advising me!
Also, where metal was showing previously (on the Chi Ro and a bit of the legend on the reverse) is more pronounced. Any quick fixed to stop it shining?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Okay, update. I'm doing the second session of picking on this coin. Metal is still showing up bolder than I would like, but I do now have positive ID on the bust - it is Eudoxia. I am switching to a blunter needle, but I fear the encrustation may not ever come off, as it has hardly softened at all and I worry that I may scratch the patina getting it off. I also have fears that there may not be a patina under it.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
No expert cleaners out there? I dont want to ruin this one - they look pricey on Forvm! Theres little I could do - is it worth getting it cleaned properly? Otherwise, ill bury it, soaking in oil, in a tin and dig it up in 2 years. I dont much like the idea of that one personally!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
don't know BB, when I have got through that really rock hard stuff I usually found bear metal unerneath. if on a pretty large poriton of the coin....hmmm. I think I would try the long term olive oil treatment...that is about your only option I think.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Benbyfield: Olive oil I think would be the best way to go.
However, you will have to be patient. I suspect that this coin may take more than a year or so (maybe more), in olive oil to have any real beneficial effect.
Dunk and forget, review every two months or so. The coin will most probably darken over this period, perhaps even turning black, but I think that will be a more than acceptable risk in this case.
You will be an older man after this process, so too will be the coin!
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Replies: 19 / Views: 3,185 |
Posted 07/26/2012 11:01 am
