| Author |
 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,550 |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Well after reading every post here on ancient coins I have taken the plunge and purchased a few pieces. I have a lot of uncleaned coins coming and received this Byzantine piece yesterday from a local shop here in the Midwest. I have bid and won a few lots off the UK ebay site from some of the recommended sellers. I do not mind paying a little extra for good quality pieces. My question is on this one that I got locally, should I try to clean it? It looks to have a lot of black crust on it still. How should I do this? Metal Detecting finds I have used Hydrogen Peroxide on with OK results, should this be tried on ancient coins? And any identification that can be done would be greatly appreciated. Here is the coin  Thanks  |
|
|
|
Valued Member
United States
244 Posts |
It's hard to tell for sure, but to me, that doesn't look like crust, it looks like corrosion from age and exposure. Cleaning will not only not help, it would probably make it less attractive.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Welcome
Most of the advice I have found is to soak it in distilled water for awhile or a long time...perhaps boil it for a few minutes first with soap or TSP.
I'm no expert but this looks like a pretty heavy crust on there. It may take some time to ever get it off.
I've been soaking using and a nylon bristle brush to brush periodically but so far it hasn't done much to the really hard crusted coins. Some folks say it can take years. Don't let it get too shiny or get the details too shiny.
There are links to techniques for cleaning coins on a lot of the ancient coin websites.
I'm finding that good cleaning is an art form and when to stop is critical.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
This is about the best you are going to get this coin. What you are seeing appears to be corrosion and soaking it will not help. So you should just leave it as is.
|
|
Valued Member
 United States
90 Posts |
Ok I have heard mention of renaissance wax.  What is it? Is it good for ancients? Where can I get it if it is good to use? What about the Hydrogen Peroxide thing?  This is way cool, I got 10 Roman Uncleaned coins today and did the distilled water and soap thing. After about 10 washings I can start to see something good. They are now going to do time in the olive oil until they are ready for more attention.  I think 9 of the 10 will be attributable, the one that might not looks like it has concrete on it. I will post pics when they are ready (might be some length of time) |
|
Moderator
Australia
16831 Posts |
Wikipedia. Putting wax on coins to preserve them has long been practised in the ancient coin collecting community and many still do it, long after it has gone out of fashion for modern coins. Renaissance wax or "Ren Wax" is a modern formulation intended to do the job of protection better than the traditional natural-wax-based formulas. Any ancient coin dealer will probably sell you the stuff. FORVM sells it for $8 per 1/2oz jar.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Well 6 of 10 the are looking good and I will be able to attribute them when they are finished ( I think that I have long wait yet ) I am getting excited and now want to find a cleaned large piece (over 23mm) that I can hold in my hand and feel the history. I do not want to break the bank, but I will put out around 30 to 50 for something that looks right. Any suggestion on what I should look for? I am assuming that Roman will probably get more bang for the buck, but if Greek or another Byzantine piece is better clue me in. Definitely want good grade and detail, something to hold me over for awhile little until my cleaning project moves towards completion. A couple other questions, 2 of the coins in the olive oil bath have concrete looking stuff on them that does not appear to soften at all. I have put them through the distilled water and soap baths and then the olive oil soak, is it the time that will cure this or should I try something else? I have seen brass brushes advertised, should I use these? No one has said a word about the hydrogen peroxide, and I do not want use it unless it is safe? Anyway thank you all for the info and recommendations (Sap you are a goldmine) Edited by colosfj
04/11/2011 12:24 am
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
You gargle with peroxide. how safe do you want?
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Yeah I heard that, but there are people who drink Apple Cider Vinegar, don't know that I would want to put a collectible bronze coin in that.
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
peroxide eats away organic contaminants. brass brushes move surface metal.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
I don't think that I want to move any metal on these I will stick to the old soft toothbrush. Think that the distilled water and olive oil is the best bet, I am going to leave the peroxide in the Med Cabinet. Thanks biggfredd Edited by colosfj
04/11/2011 1:50 pm
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
I just had to do it,I bid on some nice looking pieces and won  When the package arrived it was snoopy dance all around the house  Good thing the wife was not home, she would have thought I lost my mind With that said I will share my excitement      Would love to invest part of the tax return when it comes I think something gold is in order  This could get dangerous  |
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Are those genuine? They look great. Did you have to pay big bucks for them?
|
|
Valued Member
United States
90 Posts |
Yes to both questions The selection was limited on the ancient Roman coins, he had some ancient Chinese and Indian which I do not know anything about yet. His father collected and he was selling off the collection on ebay. He had a good variety of World coins some dated back to to the late 1700's, but there are no new listings so he might have sold them all or just ran out of time to list them. I do not know if this is considered big bucks but I paid almost $100 for both and have 7 day return if I do not like them. |
| |
Replies: 13 / Views: 1,550 |
|
Posted 04/07/2011 10:22 pm
