Finding Find Patina

A wise move indeed; the "finished product" tells the tale.

 

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One can appreciate a find, knowing where it came from, how deep it was found, and other details that can be documented.

I don't think many people on archeological digs in classical settings use electronic technology to find their artifacts.

Just my humble opinion... no dog in this fight either. I can only "wish" to go to Italy or Rome with my Whites and search. I am here in Indiana.

 

It's always nice to be regaled or should I say provided with more than one view of and/or opinion on any given subject; that, after all, is when and where the thinking can really begin.

 

I can also appreciate this view: as the finder, is the one who knows best what condition and how he found the object.

 

It's nice to see the "votes" are coming in, and in such a calm and civilized fashion. Not that this is unusual, of course. (Wink wink, nod nod, say no more)

 

Here is a coin which I believe to have hoard patina. Several anonymous quinarii and denarii came to market through a few dealers all with a similar patina in the 1996-1997 timeframe and were probably from the same Second Punic War-era hoard:

 

A very bold and viscerally impressive coin.

 

d

 

I believe that patina may vary, depending on coin position within the hoard.
When on top and exposed to damp conditions they may look like this;

 

An interesting mix of coins in this thread, some are exceptional.

I don't think I've ever seen such an amazing example of an uncleaned ancient!

On the other hand, I think there are several examples posted that obviously seem to have been cleaned. If a silver coin looks like silver after 2000 years, it has been cleaned.

Here is another one of my favorites that I believe may have a 2100 year old surface.

I would take this patina over old cabinet tone any day.

 

Maybe a combination of find patina and cabinet toning?

 

I bought this republican coin six years ago the seller claims as found not sure if it was cleaned a bit, but was pretty ugly but cheap......haaa the good old days when the Aussie dollar reigned supreme. Since then I have given it an ammonia/water bath as pic below that.

 

Nice!

 

I am also very prone to cleaning some of my coins to bare metal, but in the case you've shown, I do not get what was that you got by cleaning this coin full monty

 

Diadumenian / Asklepius
From a long ago uncleaned lot

 

trajan wirth dirt

 

I think this coin has a fine find patina:

 

Back in the days when I could metal detect for ancient coins I never ever found a silver coin that did not have a super hard crust (almost like cement) on it. But I also never found a hoard of coins either. The Silver coins were always a very dark almost black color , only time it would show any silver color on the coin is if it had been cleaned too much. the Bronze coins would have this crust on them also but not always sometimes you would get a really nice thick green patina coin that required nothing but rinsing it off some.

 

Got this Elagabalus in a mixed lot. Some thought it was an AE Limes denarius, but it's just patinated silver.

Before:


After 48 hours in distilled water + light brushing - was able to bring out silver on the highest point of the laurel and hair, but stopped before doing any damage to the coin


Also found this Maximinus in an AE lot, love the jet black silver

 

I find patina (patination) to be an intriguing subject and it figures prominently in my three hobby pursuits: Ancient Roman coins, antique woodworking hand tools and antique flintlock firearms.

It appears to me that the dictionary definition and description of patina varies somewhat in concert with with the object being described and its uses. My personal favorite definition/description of patina is:

“The surface of an object that has grown lovely though use and the passage of time”

It appears to me that this definition applies mostly to metal and wooden surfaces (but not exclusively - also leather surfaces, parchment, vellum, fabric, etc.). Usually, corroded areas and encrustations are excluded.

The presence of discernible patina on collectible items offered for sale greatly enhances their value - but it must be undisturbed or un-enhanced. How often have you heard an appraiser on the TV Antique Road show say something like the following: “That is a very nice looking late 19th century wooden toy. It is unusual to find one complete with original parts, as yours is. Too bad someone lightly sanded and touch-up painted (although very well) a few parts. If it was untouched with the original patina it would easily sell at auction for $2000, but because of the paint touch-up it would now sell for about $200”

Another example from selling antique woodworking hand tools:

A nicely patinated original wooden handle on say, a 1910s era Maydole carpenter’s claw hammer - without chips, dings or stains (and especially with the original maker stampings) - could lead to that hammer selling at auction for up to $200. With a re-finished handle it might sell for $20.

All of the above is especially true for Antique firearms (particularly flintlocks) where originality of parts and undisturbed patina can often mean the difference of several thousand dollars when selling them.

An afterthought: do not refinish the surface of ancient coins or “enhance” the patina if you want to realize maximum value when you sell them,