So I bought some uncleaned coins from Noble Roman coins. I have some in various states of soaking and cleaning etc. I regret I did not get before photos on all of them. So I have two that are as complete as I think I can get them. I have before shots of only one though, sorry. Next batch after the many I have I’ll be better organized and get before/after shots. I haven’t identified them as yet either. Penny for size comparison.
I should add some other information. These, and probably another 40 or so coins I’m working on represent my first attempts at cleaning coins. A lot of soaking and brushing and soaking and brushing and well you get the idea. I tried some ideas I have read on this wonderful site! It really is the best especially the ancient forum as everyone is so helpful! I have commented maybe on a few posts and posted a few other coins I have purchased and/or asked for help. I am very much a “newbie” still and I appreciate all the help and comments . Sorry got sidetracked a bit. Anyways learning to use some brass brushes, toothpicks, dental tools, qtips, ammonia, olive oil, CLR etc. after reading( and already having purchased a mix of “premium” “true premium” and “diggers choice” coins) @hotwheelsearl review of coins he had purchased I figured I would give it a go and try different methods to see what works for me. I like having coins in my collection that I “discovered” myself. Kind of like a treasure hunt. However I have also found that I like just buying nice coins that are already cleaned and ready to present. As @hotwheelsearl said they are NOT just rinse and brush coins. I think maybe one I have is. The rest need/needed a lot of work. Fun for me but maybe not others…anyways thanks for looking and reading a long, possibly boring post!
And I think this is the second coin ID( from wildwinds): RIC 14cxi Gratian AE 18mm. Struck 367-375. DN GRATIANVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right / GLORIA RO-MANORVM, Gratian walking right, holding labarum and dragging captive; D in right field. Mintmark star ΓSISC.
I have cleaned hundreds of uncleaned coins over the years, and I've ruined my share due to wild experimentation or overzealous cleaning. An adage to remember: patience never ruined an uncleaned coin. Good job on the two above. That Gratian is much scarcer than the Valens and Valentinian coins of the same type. Nice find. Also, you might consider buying coins from dealers who show you the exact coins that you are buying, rather than those who just show a photo of a huge lot of coins and say they will randomly pick coins from that lot. There are several dealers of uncleaned coins on eBay who sell lots of, say, 10 coins and show photos of the fronts and backs of all 10. I've found that you get less junk this way.
@gsimonel Thank you for the advice! I do need some more patience…Thank you too for the compliment! I will check eBay and look for those kind of dealers. Question: how do you know when to stop cleaning? I get to a point sometimes and I’m like a little more… and either make the coin less attractive or totally mess it up.
Clean a couple hundred, and then you'll know. Sorry to sound so flippant, but it's pretty much a question of experience. After a while you'll be any to tell when a coin isn't going to clean up any further without taking drastic measures. I'd skip the olive oil. Used steam distilled water instead. Stick to that, dishwashing liquid, some old toothbrushes, toothpicks and some brass bristle brushes for now and you won't cause any damage. You can always go back later with harsher techniques once you've gained more experience. Also, I'd avoid dental tools because they can scratch your coin. If you want something sharp and pointy, go to a hobby or hardware store and buy a thin brass rod, about 1/8" to 3/16" in diameter and file one end down into a point. Brass is softer than bronze, so you are less likely to scratch your coin.