I was looking through some stuff and remembered this coin that I cleaned last year; but I don't think I showed it off. It's a tougher coin to find and not listed in RIC (though several examples are known) Maximinus II A.D. 310 Ӕ follis 26x27mm 5.9g MAXIMINVS NOB CAES; bust l., helmeted [with eagle crest] and cuirassed with gorgon on breast, spear over r. shoulder, shield decorated with two horsemen and four prisoners on l. arm. SOLI INVICTAE; Sol, rad. and in long robe, stg. facing, head l., r. raised, l. holding up globe, in facing quadriga; two horses turn l., and two right; in middle A. In ex. ANT cf. RIC VI Antioch 144
Big difference & for sure not one I have seen very often. This is definitely a case where cleaning improved it, just for the details. How did you clean it? Long distilled water cleanings or a Victor secret recipe?
Would love to know how you made this happen. Amazing! Please explain the electrolysis process in a way that helps us small collectors, and allows us to get great results. Step by step would be great (with pics of course) so some of us can maybe save some “lost cause” coins. We all know you only want the best for the coins and their history…. why not a full guide on how you clean coins and prepare them for sale?? Ya .. blah, blah, blah we know the crap deal…we don’t matter ..
Excellent result! Kinda funny you answered that you'd used used electrolysis and now you are being asked to give step by step instructions and write a book. I just checked Google and there are at least 8 videos on YouTube that pop right up and show you the very simple process of electrolysis. Though, it does take a bit of practice and results very wildly depending on the coins surface underneath, you can find some real treasures under the muck. Here are a few positive outcomes I've had: Ps, I don't believe chemicals would have given the same result. There's a reason that museums use electrolysis on encrusted coins and not chemicals.
@Ryro I get similar, if not better results with chemicals than I've seen results from electrolysis...
Then again I remember reading how some museums would take the coins out of the display cases and give them a good rubbing with a polishing cloth yearly...
I think one of the reasons that I tend to prefer chemicals over electrolysis, is that it tends to preserve most of the original surface, and often the patina. Electrolysis can often strip coins down to the bare metal, while something like sodium hydroxide or sodium thiosulfate will often leave most of the precious patina intact. It will sometimes dull the surface, but an application of Ren Wax will give it back. Short of mechanical cleaning, though, there's almost no way to really guarantee that the coin is going to come out good.
