Starting my collecting of ancient coins I opted to purchase a few uncleaned lots from an auction ,I figured this would be a fun way to start. Happily I did get some lots that contain some nice looking coins with good detail . I have soaked these in distilled water until I was able to remove the hard crusty dirt , and now have quite a few that have a thick patina over the surface. Some of the coins , the patina or coatings are so thick it is hard to tell what the coin is . The colors are blue ,green , and red. Is it possible to remove some of the coloring/patina using acetone without removing it all , by doing short rinses in the acetone or another product ? Should I continue to soak them in the distilled water , and this will eventually remove some of the colored coating ? I like the patina on the coins , and do not want to remove all of it. The colors , I think , adds a nice look to the coins . This is a matter of opinion I'm sure. I would appreciate any information or suggestions as what you would do in this situation . Thanks to everyone that answers this thread ahead of time for any help you pass along. Dillan
When cleaning, every coin is different. For that reason good advice can not be provided without photos... and sometimes not even then. Sometimes what you may see as thick patina obscuring details is a normal patina over a coin with worn details so no amount of cleaning is going to find more detail... only ruin coins. So, I’d recommend posting photos and we can see if any suggestions can be made. Usually the best advice is soak in water, time and/or light scrubbing with a toothbrush. If that doesn’t work, learn to enjoy them for what they are and look for the next coins to buy! Oh and Welcome! This hobby has a way of taking over your free time and money! Haha...
Sorry I did not get any photos taken yet , I had to attend to some domestic duties . I will post some pics tomorrow on this thread . I appreciate your time and information. Thank you I enjoy Coin Talk and the people on here . I live in a small prairie town with not much happening so this site has provided me with a interest in a new hobby , and a great resource to people with knowledge . I have a lot of free time , and a very limited amount play money . Coin Talk is the highlight of my days. Thanks everyone!!
I am pretty new at this as well and started with a lot like yours.. just don't touch that patina until you post here for advice. There is no going back.. patience is your friend.
These are some of the more extreme examples . I was wondering if soaking most of these longer will improve the looks of the coin or not. Thank you
Perhaps some more time with the toothbrush. These encrustrations/patinae look pretty stubborn to me, though. And if you can attribute the coins (which mostly you can) you may just want to leave them be.
Your avatar looks like the opening scene for Unforgiven. Small prairie towns look like that but you do get beautiful sunsets. Best wishes with those crusty ancients.
coin 1 looks like a Probus Clementitia (276-282 CE), coin 3 might be a Claudius II (268-270 CE), coin 4 is a theodosius (379-395 CE), coin 5 would be Licinius (308-324 CE) coin 7 would be a Constantinoplis comm. first half of 4th cent. Coin 9 would be Licinius (308-324 CE).
For the very crusty coins with a very thick coat or mud, you would need a big hard brush made of copper. It's always advisable not to clean the coins at one time. There could be first phase , and then after 2 weeks or so, time for the second phase with the same manner or partially, depending on the condition of each coin. There could be a third and fourth phase etc.. Sometimes you let a coin and after a year you find out by luck that it has improved by itself. We all started this way. I'm on the eleventh year of collecting. Even this dark side has become a time pass pr fun for me. I always hope to make profits from this fun in the future.. Good luck and cheers all the way.
I will soak them longer and get a brush recommended by the member .I have lots of time so soaking them for a long time will not be an issue. I was wondering if I should try another method but from what I read , and the info from members is that distilled water is the best way hands down. I heard of cleaning with oil ,and WD40 and other harsher chemicals but I am a patient person and I will see what happens over time. Thanks again to you all its fun being part of this forum , and some day I will post some of the nicer finds from the lots I am cleaning. If anyone can recommend a good source for uncleaned lots I would appreciate that as well. thank you.
You probably won't be able to find a copper-bristle brush, but brass-bristle brushes can be found at most department or hardware stores. They will be helpful to you, but do NOT use it on the coin(s?) in photos #6665 (Probus) #6666 (the one with the silvering on the reverse). It should be safe to use on most of the others.
I just cut an old toothbrush down to scrub crusty LRBs after a nice 2 or 3 day distilled water soak and it does wonders.
I appreciate the information , as times goes on like every new person ,I will gain more and more knowledge. Thanks to the people like you and the others willing to share helpful information and tips on getting it right . thanks
