I came across this coin, purchased as part of a large lot of Byzantine bronzes about two years ago. The reverse field seemed odd, especially regarding the color. Also there were incipient indications of bronze disease, so into the distilled water bath it went last night. This morning, after looking the coin over, I decided to give it a soak in acetone. There seemed to be some kind of resin used on the reverse. I was right - the acetone almost immediately dissolved the resin, or lacquer, and loose earthy material came off the coin as well, leaving two depressions, which appear to be either flan flaws or punch marks of some sort, or possibly spots of corrosion. The coin is back in the distilled water and will remain there for several weeks. The second photo was taken with a flash, so the light and color is slightly different from the first. Well, at least now it is an "honest" coin. 8.5 grams Before: After:
In my opinion, if you take too much more off you will lose a lot of detail. You see the dark color surrounding the bronze colored sections? The dark color is very thick relatively. If it peals off it looks like it may take the detail with it. I have had some similar. Again, just my opinion.
Thanks The underlying patina appears to be very solid, so the distilled water, hopefully, will help eliminate the bronze disease, which is really only in a few very small spots. There are other green spots, but they're harder and pose no threat. Once I get past that point time will basically be the "restorer" of the exposed metal back to darker coloration.
Now that you mention it, it probably is. I've always had difficult attributing coins from this period.
definitely SIVS on the right. Definitely --STA on the left. Narrows down emperors considerably. Too bad about your coin. I'm wondering if I would have left the resin intact, at least it looks somewhat more presentable.
It does look like you have a few spots of bronze disease on there, good luck with that. It's a shame someone would cover it up with resin, seems kind of dodgy.
Thank you for the correction. I will change the label to Anastasius. I hope to have the coin out of the "hospital" in a few weeks. I will post another photo when done.
