Cleaned vs uncleaned coins (Semi-cleaned) a 2 part discussion

For the first part : from my minute experience I head a lot of not so great things concerning uncleaned roman/ancient coins. Which generally most have been gone thru and the dregs and culls get sold as unsearched/uncleaned.

With that said I think these still lives some good opportunity with semi uncleaned coins to get nice examples that you have to put time into. I know its easier for someone to just buy the pristine example but some don't have the disposable income and some just like the satisfaction of doing it themselves.

I bought the below coins recently and plan on restoring them myself with patience and a decent amount of time. I believe they have the ability to be very good+ details. Now I do keep in mind that dirt can cover things like pitting bronze disease and other unfriendlys but its a risk you must calculate.

here are a few that need a mostly full cleaning. Im sure they were cleaned this much to check for rarities etc. I still think they have some great detail potential.


I also purchased this completely caked Hungary,
Bela III, 1172-1196 AD, Æ Scyphate Follis


then you can also find some that just need a touch up such as the below coin. Now I know Doug had mentioned he wouldn't touch it up as it sits now due to color change and what might be underneath if I understood correctly.


For the second part: In the end im not a big fan of dirt on coins especially if they might be doing more damage. Such as a desert patina, which from my understanding isn't really patina at all but dirt. Now I know that often times they hide pitting and other issues but I would think leaving on there might just add to that.

Im curious what the others think as im not dead set on anything yet I just look at and weigh options. I really like to see details on coins and not sand and dirt coving the available portraits and letters.

 

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I think all of those will clean up quite nicely. While I have a Mason jar full of unidentifiable culls and a fair number of low-grade LRBCs in my collection, I've had some fantastic coins come up in uncleaned lots. My very best uncleaned score is this VICTORIA GOTTHI antoninianus of Tacitus. Compare it to this one from CNG.


Tacitus, AD 275-276.
Roman billon antoninianus; 3.57 gm, 21.1 mm.
Ticinum, AD 276.
Obv: IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust, right.
Rev: VICTORIA GOTTHI, Victoria standing left, holding wreath and palm; P in exergue.
Refs: RIC 172; Cohen 158; Sear 11821; Hunter 59; CBN 1676.

 

yes I would have to agree. Im also interested in your take on the cleaning dirt/sand completely from coins. And any others opinions on this.

That's a beautiful coin.

 

Some nice looking coins there. I tried many ways to clean similar coins and feel mechanical cleaning with a dental pick, brass brush and microscope is the way to go. There is no miracle chemical way to clean bronze coins. Many chemicals just harm them.

I have cleaned a few of those Bellas and they turned out nice, with even green patinas.

It takes a lot of patience.

I would leave those alone except the second lrb and the Bella. Practice on even crustier ones.

John

 

Yes, I don't use chemicals or power tools. Just hand tools and DW and soap. im more interested why you would keep dirt on a coin wont it harm it more in the future? I know it might cover up ugly pitting or problems but I would think it would also enhance the deterioration process.

 

I agree with Doug about the last coin; I wouldn't touch it.

I would start with DW and a toothbrush with the others, soaking for around a week or so and then cleaning with a little dishwashing soap, and then repeating with fresh DW. If after a month or two you don't see anymore improvement--and you're still not satisfied with their appearance, then try using a brass rod with one end filed into a point and a stereo microscope.

Two points: 1) I often recommend using a brass bristle brush, but I wouldn't use one on your coins. Normally, they won't scratch bronze coins because brass is softer than bronze, but desert-patina coins often have very fragile patinas, so yes, a brass brush can leave scratches in the patina of some of your coins, especially the 4th coin with the two-Victories reverse.

2) Save the Helena (the first coin) for last. It has some great detail and is less common than the other three. Get a little practice in before attempting any clean on it; you don't want to ruin that one.

 

I agree with earlier comments.

I use the brush when the coin surface is all dirt, ie no patina showing. This helps save time getting to the actual coin.

John

 

I'd use a completely manual process, distilled water soak, toothbrush, and dental pick. I would avoid chemical processes with bronze coins (I've experienced a couple of disasters with chemicals). On coins with desert patina I would be very careful to just remove enough sand so that the highlighted details stand out, I would not try to get the planchet completely sand-free. (Just my opinion).