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 Replies: 9 / Views: 3,979 |
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Valued Member
Ireland
215 Posts |
I recently purchased on ebay from Germany 25 uncleaned Roman coins, now I know you aint suppose to clean these things without a bit of care and attention, but I put them into Olive oil for 2 weeks and got a bit bored waiting, so I just picked out one at random and attacked it with a Dremmel using a brass brush head!! (STOP SHOUTING AT ME)I just wanted to see what was under the dirt and Verdis, and I was amazed at what lay beneath, I have been collecting British coins for a while, and decided to give the ancients a go too. Well I must say I am hooked, I spent 9 hours trying to discover what it was and hopefully you guys can correct me if I am wrong, Image:  DNValens.jpg80.1 KB I believe it is possibly dated 367-375AD The OBV has the legend D N Valens SPFAVG The REV SECVRITAS REIPUBLICE with SISC in the Exer It has Victory facing left with a star above an R and an O below the R on the left of Victory, and an M to the right of Victory I have no idea what these letters signify I weighs approx 2.1gr and is approx 18mm dia I have no Idea what coin it is in denomination I know I have dremmelled away any value it had, but the others are still in the Olive Oil Any further help ? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
It is indeed Valens. DN means "dominus noster" (our lord), and is common among late Roman coins. PF means "pius felix", pretty self explanitory. AVG stands for Augustus, the title given to Roman Emperors. The SISC on the back is the mint mark, the Siscia mint. Good luck on cleaning the others, it can get very addicting.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
Looks like I forgot about the reverse...  It basically represents the security or supposed security of the Empire at the time. Edit: Here is a link to a similar coin: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/..._015b,xx.jpgFor further reference, it is RIC 15b,xx, very common in this condition. (the denomination is AE3) Edited by Sir Ferrari
10/09/2008 8:53 pm
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Valued Member
 Ireland
215 Posts |
Jeez Sir Ferrari, you guys are quick with responses, It only took 24 minutes, just about the same time it took to clean it with the dremmel, incidently how long should I leave them in the olive oil?
No doubt someone will tell me this is a very rare coin that would have been worth thousands if I hadn't attacked it so brutally with my dremmel!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
I personally don't use olive oil, I have a "secret" formula that works every time.  There are some on here who know a lot more about cleaning with the stuff then I do...I'd wait for them. Quote:
No doubt someone will tell me this is a very rare coin that would have been worth thousands if I hadn't attacked it so brutally with my dremmel! Lucky for you, it's only worth 5-10 dollars.  |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1015 Posts |
G'Day all just noticed the thread just a mater of interest the obverse should read DN VALEN---S PF AVG you have the reverse right I'm Not sure with the mint Siscia mint I think,with the cleaning think of it as an investment that you have to nurture also buy a tooth brush cut the bristles shorter and every week give the coins a scrub do this for six months to a year or longer you will be nicely rewarded for you patience  regards |
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Valued Member
Ireland
215 Posts |
Hi nuggethill, thanks for the Info, the OB and REV are definite, but the mint mark, I think it may actually say BSICH or ESICH, not a hundred persent on that,
SCRUB them for SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR? God that sounds very depressing now. I thought maybe about a month, I was reading about DIY electrolysis, seem simple to do so I may give it a try on one of them.
regards
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Pillar of the Community
United States
671 Posts |
Six months to a year is WAY too extreme...At most, it takes me about a week to get it totally clean.
Don't get discouraged, it is very rewarding in the end!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
 to CCF. you will hear of many different procedures for cleaning your coins. I think a good 10W30. Organic - vegetable oils will go rancid. I hate smelly coins - not much appeal there  Being a car guy, I have seen my engine d op 300K miles and still be strong. Changed my oil. Motor oil contains special detergents to keep her clean. Good luck - ya should take pictures along the way to keep us up to date. |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
1015 Posts |
G'Day again just a thought you'll want to keep the patina on the coin and the only way is slow and easy cleaning and it does take time so don't be too impatient as you wont have a great show piece you'll only have a good show piece it does make a difference and I know from experience and I'll admit I've ruined the patina on some ripper coins  through impatiens regards Harry |
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Replies: 9 / Views: 3,979 |
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DNValens.jpg
Posted 10/09/2008 8:48 pm
