have anyone ever received a fossilized coin in uncleaned coins or another way, this one is the descent one I found yet, I like the color of it and it had some good detail, especially in hand, what I can make out it is a, Claudius II AE Antoninianus. 20x18 IMP CLAVDIVS AVG, radiate draped bust right / FORTVNA RED, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. I could not bring out the color, but for a fossilized coin I thought it was pretty neat
A coin can develop a very thick and/or hard patina, but even then the term "fossilized" would not apply. I just read several definitions related to fossil, fossils, fossilized, fossilization, etc. The following two quotes are simple renditions which agrees with all I read: Miriam Webster: "A remnant, impression, or trace of an organism of past geologic ages that has been preserved in the earth's crust" British Geological Survey: "Fossils are the preserved remains of plants and animals whose bodies were buried in sediments, such as sand and mud, under ancient seas, lakes and rivers. Fossils also include any preserved trace of life that is typically more than 10,000 years old." In the process of the above mentioned surfing for information, I did however find this modern 'coin' which would make an interesting conversation piece. (But of course it is not actually a fossil; nor does it contain an actual fossil.) https://www.westminstercollection.c...:-Mercurys-Horned-Face-Silver-Proof-Coin.aspx
I guarantee they contain metal. They might be covered in encrustations, but there is still metal underneath.
If I had away to send you a couple of the coins and you break them in half it sure does not look like metal
@ancient times Better photos would be helpful. In a sense, it looks like, you are at least partially correct. It looks like, the outer layers of your coin have "fossilized", but this is usually called "patina". Your coin looks like a typical bronze coin, which has an outer layer of patina. Patina can be green, or black, or brown, or other colors. The patina is a result of a chemical reaction between the bronze of the coin, and the surrounding environment, which is the ground in which the coin was buried, and water, and air. During hundreds or thousands of years, the bronze of the coin, and the surrounding chemicals in the ground, water, and air, chemically combine to form a patina, on the surface of the coin. Often, the patina eventually becomes hard and smooth, and protects the underlying bronze, from further chemical reactions. However, sometimes, the chemical reactions can completely destroy a coin. Depending on the conditions of the environment, the patina can be thin, or thick. You coin seems to have a green patina, which is somewhat thick. For your coin, it looks like, there is probably intact bronze, underneath the patina. However, if you were to remove the patina, the remaining bronze may or may not have any remaining design on it. Sometimes, if the patina is thick, the design has been completely converted into patina. Often, if a bronze coin has a nice looking patina, then this enhances the value of the coin. Most ancient coin collectors seem to prefer a thin patina, rather than a thick patina. However, I like some coins, which have a thicker patina.
Here is a photo of some of the coins that had some or no detail that I took my fingers and broke, they just crumbled, so if they are not petrified what is it called, I know what patina is and it should not go through the coin?
For those coins in the post immediately above, I would probably use the term "embrittled", meaning that the alloy has corroded to such an extent that the basic structure has failed. In fortunate circumstances, surface corrosion of bronze produces a protective patina but this not always the case. It depends on the specific environmental conditions. https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/4/3/130
