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 Replies: 13 / Views: 2,231 |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I seem to be seeing more and more coins like these lately:    They all have the same flawless fields and a 'gun-metal' like patina. Am I right in thinking these have been zapped and re-patternated? Edited by bobbyhelmet
10/07/2011 4:41 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I've heard of re-patternated, but I have no idea how to go about it. I have some Dellars Darkener, but that's not patina producing. I have preservation wax, but, again, no patina. What would produce patina beyond the natural order of things?
As for the coins, I have noticed the same thing. There sure seems to be a lot more then there was even a year ago. Sure makes one suspicious.
JW
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
I've noticed the coins that bobbyhelmet is talking about as well, but I thought that this 'look' was the result of using a flash when taking the photo and then some digtal manipulation. Some sellers make all their coins look the same that way and get the detail to come out strong and even. I make have to re-think this.
I have a several chemicals in my shop I use for patinas. It's not hard to do, especially on small objects.
I have never tried it on ancient coins but I'll bet I could put a nice patina on one that was super cleaned. I do it on sculptures all the time. I'm sure that some coin sellers do it.
I keep copies of the dealer photos of the coins I buy. I'll look back through them and see if I ever bought one that looks like the ones posted and then compare them to my own photos which I take in natural light, with no flattery.
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Pillar of the Community
 United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
I seem to see this 'finish' most on 4th century coins. The kind of coins that you get in average uncleaned lots.
Its often not cost effective to clean these coins for sale in the normal way so I'm thinking maybe they are zapped or perhaps acid is used to strip them right back to bare metal. Although this provides a lot of detail it will leave them with a very shiny finish. I wouldn't have a clue how to re-patternate, if you have the time Doucet I'd like to hear even the basics.
I thought some of them might even be airbrushed?
Edited by bobbyhelmet
10/07/2011 7:05 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I buy most of my ancients from uk coin dealers, MA coins, or vcoins. But even then you never know I guess.... Because the metal is unstable and might start to corrode they usually coat the coin with wax and some paint it, so it doesn't have contact with the air. Here is a pic of one with a painted patina and another one that I havent coated that I got from an uncleaned lot and used electrolosys on.    Edited by jessvc1
10/07/2011 9:42 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Unfortunately it was on Vcoins that I started to notice these coins - the above examples are all from there. Did you paint the Constantine Sol jessvc1 or was it like that when you got it? Also have you had any long term issues after electrolysis with the fabric of a coin?
Good job on the Diocletian BTW.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
yes you need to paint the coins or put some kind of coating on them so they don't react with the environment. I don't know what they are all doing with the coins on the auction sites but I suspect that they are either getting more professional at cleaning up the coins or... well I don't want to go there right now. I use electrolysis which causes a chemical reaction and since I never plan on selling my coins if I burn off all the patina and it looks copper then I used to paint it. You can buy chemicals to give it color and then use a museum wax on it. That's what I do now. I haven't noticed anything wrong with my coins so far. My cousin airbrushed the constantine for me.
Edited by jessvc1
10/08/2011 01:28 am
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
The effect on the first coin is really good, its a nice London Sol. Not sure how I feel about these 'new' patinas. The results certainly give clear sharp coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Edited by jessvc1
10/09/2011 12:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
It appears that this one was sprayed with a silver coating the way there is a build up in front of the portrait. I bought this one in 2007 online where they claimed to purchase a small hoard of coins all in xf+ condition, it took over a month to get this coin and when I called they said they where still waiting on their supplier but it finally came and this is what I got.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
not to change the subject or anything but I think sellers have been "restoring" coins for a bit now. I was not happy with this coin. It looks fake when I put it next to another silver coin. I only zap and restore encrusted coins that otherwise would look horrible and you would be suprised what you can find in those round discs sometimes. The constantine and diocletion above looked like the rest of the uncleaned coins but turned out good, so you never know.
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Valued Member
United Kingdom
80 Posts |
It all depends what the soil is like, In the uk the farmers chemicals on the fields have an effect on the coins
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
I only zap and restore encrusted coins I agree with this - I know some people cringe at even the thought of it but the truth is some coins would never clean using the traditional methods. Something is always better than nothing. I also like the way people experiment, eventually someone will come up with a 'super-solution' that cleans even the worst coin but leaves the patina. That same person will no doubt make a few quid out of it too. Until then the garden-shed chemists rule - something I like. Quote:
In the uk the farmers chemicals on the fields have an effect on the coins I read an article about this recently - a bit worrying. Detectorists and archaeologists agreed (two groups that rarely do!) that these finds could become a thing of the past if things continue the way they do - it would certainly a shame if that was the case  |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 2,231 |
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Posted 10/07/2011 6:16 pm
