Vespasian/Concordia Denarius: What Causes This Type Of Surface Wear?

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Author	Replies: 5 / Views: 711
floyd5175 Valued Member United States 86 Posts	Posted 06/12/2025 4:17 pm Any ideas what causes this type of surface wear? Kinda looks blotchy. Surface looks unevenly worn. Is it simply how the coin aged in the ground? Or is it caused by a caustic agent used to clean it? I realize these photos are extreme closeups (coin is 16mm), and looking at the coin with the naked eye I likely wouldn't notice this kind of wear. I've just not seen it on any other coins I've considered buying. (Also, side note: Is it okay for me to post a new thread whenever I have questions or concerns about a different coin? I don't want to hog the forum with my newbie questions. Or should I introduce new questions/concerns on threads I've already created?) Report this Post to the Staff

Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 06/12/2025 4:20 pm Quote: Is it okay for me to post a new thread whenever I have questions or concerns about a different coin? Yes please. Best case is to have one coin per thread, with all the questions asked but that doesn't always happen. If you could though, pls include some info about the coin in the title (I'll take care of this one for you). Thx. "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
samoth Valued Member United States 218 Posts	Posted 06/12/2025 10:31 pm Those surfaces are common on bronzes that have been around for a couple thousand years, many of which were under ground. Copper alloys are very reactive. There are also some pretty hardcore cleaning procedures ancient collectors use, such as electrolysis. I'm not sure the extent to which those techniques may contribute, though. Report this Post to the Staff
january1may Pillar of the Community Russian Federation 5172 Posts	Posted 06/13/2025 12:12 pm I think it's the combination of reactions from the ground + whatever was used to clean this coin clearing up the oxides and stuff. AFAIK this is a normal kind of surface to have on a bronze coin, less so on a silver coin (where it's known as pitting IIRC) but still not particularly uncommon. Report this Post to the Staff
floyd5175 Valued Member United States 86 Posts	Posted 06/13/2025 10:41 pm This coin is advertised as silver (see link). So this must be normal pitting. So much to learn! https://www.ebay.com/itm/316921243420 Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 06/13/2025 11:46 pm Yes it is a Denarius, so should be silver. Also, yes we all have lots to learn! "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
	Replies: 5 / Views: 711

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