| Author |
 Replies: 22 / Views: 2,394 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Okay, this needs its own post. This featured in my last uncleaned batch, but was so badly caked that I decided it wasnt going to be worth anything so put it in acid. I noticed that in fact, the thick caking was so thick, that where it appeared the coin had worn down, was just massively thick stuff, I think clay. WELL, I've been trying to acid burn off the dirt, but its slow work. Seeing the thickness at an area where the dirt had flaked off, I decided to (please dont crucify me) to use a powertool. I used an abbrasive buffing head to take off some more (using a crappy dremel), revealing a lovely amount of detail, but then stopped, not wanting to hit patina. I was about to put it back in Citric acid, when I thought, I may as well polish the front while I'm here, using a polishing head. I did, and...well, silver!  No doubt about it. Even further, I realised that the hair indicated a female bust! Over the moon. I am ready to be shot down, Particularly on the power tool front, but also on the 'not silver, not female' front. Heres pictures, I've included before pictures for those interested: Bust at present:  Reverse at present, with up to 1mm taken from it in dirt:  Bust after last soaking in acid:  Reverse:  Bust before initial soaking:  Reverse:  Edited by Ben
08/27/2012 3:52 pm
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
Certainly looks female and a Julia. I would lean towards Domna. Looks like the remnants of ACTH from CEBACTH on the obverse. I really am guessing though.
Martin
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
Nice job on Silver and Female coin, but what I would recommend is to slow down, put the power tool down...  ..you got something and you don't want to over clean it...  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I stopped the power tool as soon as I saw silver! How do you think it would be best to clean it? I'm going to go ahead and continue Citric acid until I can find something better, as it could take a lot longer to get through the reverse.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I agree looks like Julia Domna to me also.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
even more interesting...  keep us posted. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Im going to write to and thank the seller (again!). Needless to say, another batch is going to be on its way.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Update on the coin; The figure of Venus is now quite clear on the reverse. some letters are slowly beginning to appear. It is currently in an oil bath, but the silver is slightly yellowing...which is worrying, so any advice on that is appreciated.
It is also approaching 1/2 of the thickness pre-cleaning.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Another update - I will be needing some help with identifying this.
The coin is progressing well, and I now know the obverse reads CEBACHT IVVAIA. Anyone recognise that? There is still a load of dirt, so the IVVAIA bit is subject to change.
The coin is 22mm wide, I cant find any Julia Domnas to match it. What else could she be?
Also - it turned the olive oil green. Is this the silver reacting?
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
If you go to http://www.wildwinds.com and to the Julia Domna page, there are plenty of provincial examples with "CEBACTH" in the legend. Perhaps you can locate the one that looks most like your coin. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
JWharper - I've gone through the julia Domna page 3 times now and I cannot find anything near what I have. There are no coins matching it - hardly even close. 22mm silver coins dont appear on the page and no coins have CEBACHT IULIA, only the reverse. At the top is a selection of rare examples - but these donthave Cebacth either. The closest is 17.99mm and much lighter.
This weighs around 5 grams.
Even more damning, it doesn't look like the other Julia Domnas.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I don't know what to tell you. I think the first image looks very much like Julia Domna. I guess you could look at the web pages for the other ladies of Rome with the name Julia (i.e., Julia Maesa, Julia Paula, etc., and see if you can find a matching legend. Sometimes these things can be tedious and will take some time, but in the end I find it's worth it when you finally have the aha moment. Good luck
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Are you sure of the metal? I mean precious metal minting was not generally allowed in the provinces and the legend described is that of a provincial coin. Maybe I'm wrong about the use of silver in the provinces and someone here will correct me.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
I think it might be an ancient imitation, really. Its not well minted, but it is Silver. I see no way that it could be another metal - what else could it be minted from?
The other Julia's dont fit it either...
How can I test it as silver? It has a little pit in it and it is silver at the bottom of the pit, so I assume it is silver throughout.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
You can purchase a silver test kit. It merely consists of a rubbing stone and a chemical compound of Nitric and Muriatic Acids. A little rub of the edge of the coin on the stone and then a drop of the compound. If it's silver it will turn red. The deeper the red coloring the stronger the silver content. I bought my test kit on ebay a couple of years ago, but I'm sure you still can get one. Also, as an alternative, take the coin to your local jewelers. They will generally test it for free or nominal charge. BTW, I don't think it is an ancient imitation. I think it is a provincial coin. What we need is a better, more complete, legend. When I look at the portrait, I see Julia Domna and that is where I would concentrate my searches. |
| |
Replies: 22 / Views: 2,394 |
Posted 08/27/2012 4:33 pm
