i picked up this new justinian i follis, mainly got this as a consolation prize for myself, i missed the one i really wanted...but the new coin is cool. however, i'll be darned if i can figure out the atribution, 35mm, 19.5 g, antioch mint...but i can't tell if the mint mark is THE (pie symbol? what is that?) or THUP' or something weird that. the date looks like xxi with something below? and the ANNO looks to have a extra n? weird coin...anyone know what it is? also, it seems to have some solid verdigris, nothing that comes of with a fingernail...so not bronze disease really...but should i treat with something? or should i chalk that this up as patina and let it go? i kind of like how the green in the low areas highlights the high points....but want to keep the coin in good shape more than anything.
The mint is Antioch (Theopolis.) I'm not sure what's going on there, may be a blundered legend. I am not sure if that is another I under XXI. There does seem to be some doubling, I am thinking it was overstruck on an earlier follis? Speculation...
I know it's just the image and lighting, but does anyone else see the obverse figure with his hair standing on end? I mean, I know that's his crown, but it looks like someone just scared him to the point is hair is standing straight up. BTW, nice pickup
I think you should get that Verdi-care by Verdi-Chem, it will retain the green patina if that what it is, but the coin will be made free of corrosion. Ideally.
I agree double struck Theupolis. I also agree that green is not bd. I have many MT coins with the same green coloring. I tried treating them with verdicare and no reaction. I believe its a residue from the chemical the diggers used to clean the coins.
That green color if unreactive with Verdi-care, could be organic in nature. This stuff only reacts with the oxidized metal. That green could very well be a deposit from the environment over the centuries. Xylene could probably remove some or all of it, but I believe at that point you risk destroying the patina, making it blotchy or stripping it off completely.As long as the "green" doesn't appear to be spreading or otherwise reacting on the coin, its better to leave it alone.
I think the green looks awesome ... well, as long as it's not bronze-disease!! (it merely looks like a nice coin with some hard green deposits/patina) ... no?
