Anyone else love heavy patina?

I’m still an ancients newbie so when I see patina like this I get excited. In 100 years when my grandkids are selling papaws dirty old coins will anyone else want to buy it?

Just wondering if anyone else loves heavy patina like this or am I just weird. Sellers photos of a coin I’m interested in.

 

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I'm not sure about "heavy patina" since too much patina tends to obscure details. But, like you, I love patinated coins - in fact, I only collect bronzes and most are patinated. In certain circumstances a bright even patina can make a coin look like a gem.

On the other hand, "Tiber patina" is lovely also. This refers to a bronze coin that does not have a patina, but does have the original surface. My understanding is that these are coins that were either found in water, or in other area (perhaps deserts?) where patina did not form.

Your coin is beautiful - I have to assume that some of the uneveness may be due to the photograph and not be on the coin itself. Of course, a nice even even patina that does not obscure details can be pricey, depending on the coin.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the patina on that coin. If anything, it accentuates the devices a little.

Now, let me show you some actual heavy patina.

 

Dont think that Hadrianus has heavy patina (thick) patina, although its a very nice coin.Would love to add that one, to my collection.

 

I generally like patination as it can add a lot of lustre to a coin.

 

Maybe “heavy” patina isn’t the best term I just didn’t know how else to describe it.

 

We all have our preferences. Mine is a thin and even patina that does not show bare metal but does not pile on so thickly that it obscures detail. The coin underneath can be worn or not as long as the surfaces are smooth and even.



...maybe not too, too worn.

 

I captured this one from @John Anthony because of its cool patina as well as a Silphium Plant for a reasonable cost:


KYRENAICA Kyrene Æ25 9.6g 250 BCE Diademed Zeus-Ammon r - K-O-I-N-O-N; Silphium plant; monogram SNG Cop 1278 BMC 16-19

 

Well, I guess I feel a little less weird now. Varied and unique patina still calls like a siren. The grand kids will just have to deal with these moss covered antiques.

 

..this is heavy patina. yours is nice patina

 

This was the first really expensive coin I bought (doesn't seem so much now). The patina has darkened over the years but it's still a lovely green.



As Nero
copper As
NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP
SC
Victory alighting left wings spread holding shield inscribed SPQR

Rome mint 65 AD

11.16g
RIC 1 352
VF
ex-ANE

 

beautiful!.. one of my favorite coin types, Nero/Victory SPQR shield...i have 2, one is copper

 

The O.P coin is not particularly thickly patinated. It is (just) nicely patinated, in very attractive tones of green, tan and brown. Pretty coin.

I definitely agree, as others have stated, that a truly thick patina tends to obscure details, and for that reason it is not something I look for in roman bronzes.

Here is a very thickly patinated bronze of Galba. The layer of patina is so thick it almost looks like it was painted on.

 

I purchased this Roma Commemorative from Valentinian's site a few months ago..
finally able to get a good picture of it. The patina is fantastic - one of my favorites!

 

I do love natural patina. One definition I particularly like is:

“Surfaces of an object that have grown lovely through the passage of time and use”

That may not be the exact definition but it is something like that and I like it’s essence. Patina plays a big role for me with the Ancient coins and flintlock firearms that I collect. I go to great lengths to protect and leave undisturbed the surfaces of those artifacts when I acquire them. That is not always possible when attempting to attribute them, but I do try my best. My mantra is “do no harm” (or as little as possible). I think it is sad when a previous owner has seriously damaged the patina of an artifact, but usually it only makes matters worse when you try to restore it and cleaning attempts often diminish it’s value considerably. To me patina is hard to define precisely - but I usually instinctively know and feel it’s authenticity when I see it and when handling an artifact.

Something like this:



RIC Vol. I, NERO, As, Lugdunum, No. 543 (AD 66)

Obverse: Nero, bare headed facing right

Inscription clockwise from bottom: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TRP P P

Reverse: Winged Victory, walking left, holding shield inscribed SPQR

Inscription: S -------- C (left and right)

 

A very lovely coin James.

 

I have to disagree about the "Tiber" or "river" patinas. The term does not connote a lack of patina.

Orichalcum is a brass alloy. Original surfaces and original surfaces would be gold in color and reflection, something like these tumbled brass blanks:



Freshly struck orichalcum coins would likely have resembled these tumbled brass blanks.

Brass forms a patina which looks like this and which resembles the "Tiber patina".




I think what we see most often billed as "Tiber patina" is really just orichalcum coins which have been stripped of all patina and then chemically repatinated (there are many formulas and products) or repatinated by time.

 

This was sold to me as a “Tiber patina” Coin. Any comments on this (especially TIF)?



Sestertius - Claudius - RIC 99 (AD 41-50) - Rome

 

I like patina too, and as stated above a thick patina may obscure details on the coin.

Here are some (Maybe the Domitian's can be called a "Tiber patina", IDK :


















Q