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 Replies: 21 / Views: 3,221 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I won what appears to be an uncleaned denarius of Hadrian on ebay UK today. It was listed as an unknown bronze coin, 18 mm. in diameter and weighing 3.0 grams, perfect size and weight for a denarius. I was the only bidder and won the coin, including shipping, for just over $4.00. Here are the auction photos.   It looks to be an issue from 117 AD, the year Hadrian ascended to the throne, with reverse of Pietas standing left. From what I can tell the coin seems to be silver with decent details. Here's an example of what I think it is from Wildwinds. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/...RIC_0013.jpgI'll post more photos when I receive the coin. If I'm wrong I'm only out $4.00 and still get to wait for the mail with excitement for a week. Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Looks very much like a fourree.
But if it comes out nicely it's still money well spent.
Edited by Medieval
10/16/2014 6:11 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Looks like a fouree to me also.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5417 Posts |
I agree with medieval. Looks like a fouree. At $4 though sounds like a good deal.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have seen an ancient silver coin much worse than this, clean up rather well in weak acid. It takes the expertise of a museum specialist, with the willingness to risk the complete loss of the coin, to do this properly.
Unfortunately that may be the case here, because I have to agree, it looks like a plated fouree. If it is plated, treatment in acid will almost gaurantee the complete loss of the coin.
That is why it is a good buy at only $4.
Would I be tempted? Probably!, it's only a loss of four dollars, but with considerable upside.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
905 Posts |
Quote:
I have seen an ancient silver coin much worse than this, clean up rather well in weak acid. Ammonia works well on silver coins and does no damage; but it does leave them pretty shiny |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
The dark patches on the bust tell me fouree as well.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
The coin arrived today. As I thought it is silver and an early Hadrian PIETAS denarius. I've got it soaking now and it's cleaning up nicely.
It's fairly worn, but all the details and legend are clear.
I'll post photos when it's all cleaned.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
Netherlands
1204 Posts |
good guess then! I'm curious how it will clean up
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
The coin is done. It's not the best quality having seen a lot of circulation, but is clearly an early Hadrian struck in 117 AD. The obverse is nice with a decent portrait of the young Hadrian. There are a couple of spots of encrustation on the reverse that I didn't try to remove. Still, for $4.27 I'm not complaining.   Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Nice job,
congrats on the result.
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
What method did you use to clean it?
Some info on chemicals, dilution rates, and soak times would be of interest.
I had a hunch that the upside would be quite a bit more than the downside.
$4.27 worth of risk taken: paid off!
Lucky perhaps, but congrats!
There are always risks to be taken in the cleaning of ancient coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Wow you got a good one! for 4.27 that's a screaming deal.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Great job of finding a jem in the rough!
Well done.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I clean ancient silver by soaking it in diluted lemon juice and using a brush with silver bristles. I also use a bamboo skewer to loosen any bigger spots. It's worked well for me through the years, but you have to be certain it's a silver coin and not a silvered bronze.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
Real silver bristles, or silver in appearance?
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Replies: 21 / Views: 3,221 |
Posted 10/16/2014 6:12 pm
