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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,561 |
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Pillar of the Community
1121 Posts |
(On my limited budget) I finally bought my 'Caligula'. RIC 49, Sear 5, 1828. Should I clean it or should I leave it as it is? If I should clean it, what method would you recommend, please? 
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
4911 Posts |
congrats, I don't know much about ancients but she looks pretty and original. if it were mine I would leave it be, you have a nice color happening there.
Feel free to call me Will.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
797 Posts |
I wouldn't clean it, the chocolate patina looks good! There is nothing to clean off dirt/crud-wise from what I see.
I'm in the same boat, Limited budget, but wanting a Caligula.
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1269 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I like the bust on the coin. Nero and Drusus Caesars riding horses. You shouldn't try t clean the coin any more it would just remove the patina. Nice find.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
cool coin TC, yeah...what everyone else said about cleaning. there isn't anything you can clean there really.
i assumed it was the dioscuri on the obverse (or is it nero and drusus as the dioscuri?), pretty cool.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Great coin, I am with the others, no cleaning.
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
There are some provincial coins bearing the bust of Caligula...
In Spain there are some of them very cheaps
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Valued Member
United States
319 Posts |
Awesome coin, TC7! *smile* Looks beautiful AS IS. Here's my own Caligula.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
It is a rare type too. The early dupondii of the Julio Claudians usually fetch healthy prices.
I have seen many nice Caligula asses (much more common) of late going for under $100.
Very nice pick up ! I don't have one myself.
Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
04/21/2015 9:33 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 1121 Posts |
Thank-you a lot, people.
You are absolutely correct F.R. I got my Dupondius for an As price so I am VERY happy.
Six votes for NOT cleaning and no votes FOR cleaning. I think I have saved myself some work.
AND I have learnt something. What I thought was 'crud' to be removed is actually classed as 'Patina' and should be left. 'Patina' in my mind's eye was always just a 'discolouration' of the surface, but now I know that it can refer to a (thicker) film, too.
Thanks again.
Edited by Topcat7
04/21/2015 11:37 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
Under ideal conditions the "discoloration" (patina) will gradually thicken as the centuries pass. In my mind the perfect ancient will have a layer like the skin of an apple with a nice gloss and some grain or texture to the color. The 'perfect' color (for me) of course being a dark olive green.
As the patina thickens much detail becomes incorporated into this 'skin'. Peel off that skin and you lose something which took 2,000 years to acquire as well as important details.
When in doubt ...... don't do it !
In the past two months I have acquired two more Caligula asses myself under the theory of "buy the bargains".
Now I have four !
I need to restrain my 'killer' instincts as I am running out of ways to pay for these things !
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,561 |
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Posted 04/20/2015 6:00 pm
