When I posted my Ptolmey in TIF's thread a couple of days ago (great thread BTW), I was very disappointed in the appearance of my coin. To me it looked rusted or something red. So I soaked it in olive oil for two days, giving it a light brushing with a very soft brush every now and then. Well as it turns out, it was something red not rust. I cannot tell if the red was a patina or a hard mineral deposit. Some remains and I'm hesitant to do anything more to it. Any thoughts? Original image: After soaking 2 days in olive oil:
I would have kept it red. I would think it of it as protection and now that the red is gone, who knows what may crop up?
I agree with John. I wonder if was some type of pigmented substance, wax or similar. I sure have encountered a lot of bronzes with such treatment. Ptolemaic bronzes often have a red color but not like your coin-- more of a very hard and thick red layer which certainly wouldn't be affected by water, olive oil, or light brushing.
Huh, I'm not sure? ... I like them both (fence-sitter) I think I liked the cool red look better ... oh, but I do like Zeus' hair better now that you've given it a good ol' shampooing!! ... you didn't wreck it, my friend (both were/are good) ... Hounds usually love getting a good shampoo ... maybe your coin is feelin' that same thing?
hu...that's strange. yeah, if a couple day soak and a little brush took it off, it was ready to come off. i can see on the reverse there behind the eagle where some stuff has come off...but it many just looks like it changed color. is that the case?
You're right. During either the soaking or brushing there appears to be a section behind the eagle as well as behind the head on the opposite side.
I'm mostly ambivalent about how the coin looks post-cleaning, but I think the details are standing out better. Like JA, I'd be inclined to ren wax it too. But then, I just bought a tin of the stuff and am inclined to find excuses to use it.
I have the wax, but I've never really found the results to be overly pleasing to account for the cost of the wax.
Gawd, you guys almost have me sold ... Hmmm? ... yah, maybe we'll trying shinin'-up this baby, shall we? => yah, let's Slap-Chop the frick outta this baby!! Gimme a big dollop o' dat wax ... I'm goin' in ... => it's gonna be really shiny!! ... like shiny, shiny!!
It looks great either way, of coarse you can't go back, if you warm your coin a bit, the wax will melt right in. i put this wax on a $1500 barrel after watching a utube vid. it looks like its wet, awesome..
