Hello! I've just come into possession of an old Korean coin from the Joseon Dynasty. It has some historic significance, being minted somewhere between 1423 and 1425 during the reign of King Sejong The Great. This my first time owning anything ancient or bronze, so I'm learning. So far I've soaked it in acetone and used a toothpick to carefully remove any loose particles. I've read that bronze disease is something that I should look out for, and I'm slightly suspicious that a certain light green, powdery substance that I've been scraping off may be the aforementioned "disease". You'll notice a lighter green patch on the back of the coin prior to my soaking and picking at it with a toothpick. Some edge detail was lost in removing the green powdery bits, but I'm assuming there's not anything I could have done about that. I have some Renaissance Wax on it's way to me from eBay. Other than that, I'm not really sure of how best to proceed to ensure that this coin is preserved properly. Particularly, if it does indeed have bronze disease. Any input is greatly appreciated.
The coin has become better after cleaning. Try not to touch it more. Maybe there isn't a bronze disease. Nice start.
Welcome, @Rane91! Very cool coin. The Wiki article on Sejong isn't bad; he's a fascinating character. ...Sorry, I'm not one of the people here who knows anything about bronze disease or cleaning generally, but just in case you missed it, there's this thread by @Xodus. If it is bronze disease (knock on wood), @Ryro recommends soaking it in distilled water. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/need-id-help-plz-help-w-bronze-disease-eeeek.379900/#post-7506479
There's nothing that's screaming BD to me at least from what I can ascertain from the photos....But you do have them in hand..
Thanks for the input guys! I'll just wax it for now, and keep an eye on it. I'm working on putting together a little display case as well. @+VGO.DVCKS Yeah, Sejong is the most significant figure in Korean history. He invested a lot in empowering the lower class and designed the writing system (Hangul 한글) that Koreans use today.
Hey hey! Great coin of a historicaly significant figure! I don't think it is BD. I would just leave it out for six months, keeping an eye on it. If a light green flakiness appears that scrapes off under your finger nail when you lightly scratch it, then yes. Put it in distilled water for a couple weeks, taking it out every few days to brush with an old cut down tooth brush. And then to get rid of any moisture (it's moisture in the coin that creates the BD) bake it at 350 for 45 minutes. But I really don't think that's needed. These coin types often build up a lovely green patina. No BD here. Just some great patination: Again, congrats on the new coin. I'm hoping you'll get the bug and start posting and collecting more!
Nice coin! I'd wait and see if any green powdery growth occurs before applying the Ren Wax, just to be sure the coin is BD-free.
While I know this is Korean, their coins share many characteristics with Chinese coins. Maybe we should get some of our Chinese experts to weigh in? I have a feeling this kind of treatment is frowned upon on these coins (but I don’t know -I’m not an expert). @TypeCoin971793 @AnYangMan any thoughts?
Cool, I'll hold off on waxing it. Yeah, the early Korean coins are nearly exactly like Chinese coins. Would definitely like to hear what some experts would have to say.
Nice coin - I don't think it is bronze disease either - I'd probably do nothing at all to it for about four to six months. If no bronze disease then, I'd just leave it alone. Very nice and welcome to CT.
Nice coin ! Even though I somehow collect cash coins, I'm no expert. However, it looks like a normal cash patina to me, no BD in sight, but keeping an eye on it is always good. Cash coins can have some colourful and strange patinas (which is part of the fun collecting them in my opinion), which would look weird or suspicious on a western ancient coin. You did a nice job on the cleaning. I don't think that renaissance wax is necessary by the way.
@octavius....Just making sure you realise the quote wasn't aimed at you...There was a post after yours with some guy talking about brushing his teeth?? But it seems to have disappeared. @Choucas....Wonderful looking patinas!
I feel so sorry for the op, who genuinely is looking for help, that the troll has hijacked this thread. Please don’t be put off by this @Rane91 - this is usually a troll-free board
I have over 600 ancient coins all bought from CNG of which 70 is golden and you bunch of idiots with bunch of fake bronze LRBs call me a Troll? perhaps I should be calling all you idiots Trolls
No worries! I got a good laugh out of it. If an admin wants to close the thread, that's fine. I think I've got all the info I need for now. I do appreciate everyone's help!