Probus Antoninianus - To Clean Or Not To Clean?

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,990
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 12/23/2019 10:23 pm I love the detail on this Probus Antoninianus. It is close to my dream of a near perfect bronze, but there is the patch of corrosion (bronze disease?) above the emperor's head. I have toyed with the idea of trying to clean some of it off, but I would probably make it worse! Would anyone give it a go, and with what? Ae Antoninianus - Probus - Lyons mint. Obverse: IMP C PROBVS PF AVG, Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Reverse: TEMPORVM FELICITAS, Felicitas standing right, holding caduceus and cornucopiae, I in exergue. 22mm dia. Report this Post to the Staff

sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 12/23/2019 10:40 pm In the pictures, you can see all of the detail. Therefore, not to clean. In reality almost all ancient coins have to be cleaned after recovery. This coin a bit dark. It was probably cleaned with a dilute acid. If this is the case, (I can't tell you for sure), there is a possibility that it will continue to darken. If it does so, then give it a very thorough clean and rinse with distilled water. The reason for this is to stop the further development of silver and copper sulfides and chlorides. Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 02:07 am The coin has a very nice patina any cleaning would probably effect it. I would not do any cleaning. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34423 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 04:58 am I'm in the don't clean camp too. My understanding is that BD shows itself more as blue or green dusty patches. Perhaps this coin has already been remediated? "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
t360 Pillar of the Community United States 2703 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 07:38 am Very nice coin. Enjoy. No reason to mess with it. Report this Post to the Staff
Palouche Pillar of the Community Spain 2752 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 08:25 am Another great looking coin Jim....Great neck beard... I personally wouldn't touch it....Paul Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 09:18 am I was under no illusions regarding the damaged area of the coin, as the vendor was up front about it. It was keenly priced as well, so I couldn't resist. @sel_69l. I will indeed keep an eye on the coin to see if it continues to darken. A wash in distilled water certainly wouldn't hurt if it becomes necessary. @echizento, @t360, @Palouche. Thanks all. The more I think about possibly ruining it the less inclined I am to do anything. Yes Paul, it is a very nice neck beard. In fact, he appears to have more hair on his neck than I have on my head! @Spence. That is the clincher for me. It is a good point about active BD being greenish or bluish, and there is no sign of that. The coin does appear to be in a stable condition, so in all liklihood it has been remediated. Many thanks guys, Jim Report this Post to the Staff
Paul Bulgerin Pillar of the Community United States 3098 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 12:10 pm In my experience that type of hard red encrustation is virtually impossible to remove and can often hide damage undereath. I'd just leave the coin as is. Paul Bulgerin Report this Post to the Staff
Novicius Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 1168 Posts	Posted 12/24/2019 7:16 pm @Paul Bulgerin Indeed. I could only do irreparable damage by trying to clean it, so it will be left as it is. Thanks for the reply. Jim Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,990

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