I guess sellers of ancients like the saturation button too...

You're right of course, there is that. But in the case of that particular coin, no lighting would have made it look lime green. The pic was seriously juiced. But I do love the coin as it is, so all's well that ends well.

 

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As long as we're on the subject of patina, my opinion is that it can go a long way when it comes to eye-appeal. A coin that may not be in the highest grade can be considerably improved by a patina that accentuates the devices. In arid climates, bronze can acquire what's known as a desert patina, and this coin for instance, is a perfect example of that kind of accentuation...

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Of course I agree! :thumb: The seller took creative license to sell the coin. Risky sales tactic--because someone might not buy from them again. That red patina on the Roman is great!

I have a few coins with that lime-green patina (which I like), but I take pains not to exaggerate the color.

 

Shooting coins can be difficult, if you want to get them as they appear in-hand. Most of the time, when I order a coin, they are almost always darker and the color is different. Sometimes, the color is way different. Backgrounds can also make the color look different. The details can also be different. In the case with my scanner, color is closer, but the details usually ain't. Some coins look mushy in details a lot. Sometimes the scanner has a difficult time with some coins because of the patina. And yeah, some dealers do try to make some coins look better than what they really are.

 

Although sand patina is not true patina, I find it very attractive. I have several with a light sandy colored patina and a few with a red, Syrian Red, patina. Here is one with the light sand patina:

Crispus AE Follis
OBV: CRISPVS NOB CAES, Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
REV: PRINCIPIA IVVENTVTIS, Mars, naked except for helmet and boots, chlamys flying out behind, advancing right holding transverse spear and shield. R-S across fields, QARL in ex.
Struck at Arles, 317 AD
2.27g, 18mm
RIC VII 129

 

Here is one with the "Syrian Red" sand patina:

Constantine II AE Follis
OBV: CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C - Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust left
REV: PROVIDENTIAE CAESS - Campgate with two towers, 10 rows and star above. SMANTB in ex.
Struck at Antioch, 325-335 AD
2.81g, 18mm; R5 rating
RIC VII 65

 

:smile Here is an interesting patina. Not shopped. Its kinda neat.

 

Is that your coin Ripley? Just wondering if it looks the same in hand.

 

Yes Bing, it fell into my collection about 5 months ago. Yes that is its color. :smile

 

Interesting blueish tint.

 

Matt, just for clarification, the OP's coin in pic one, (at least what it looked like), was green but not quite "hard green". "Hard green patina" is one of the most desirable patinas on ancient coins. Its a glossy, hard patina not removable. Jade or emerald green is the most desirable shade. I have seen Roman sestertii go from being a $400 coin to a $5000 one if they have a perfect version of this patina.

I have a few, (my best being an anonymous byzantine bronze), but I suck at photographs. Best I can describe the best patina is it looks almost shiny glassy, being reflective yet accentuating any design element at the same time.

I would say second in the pecking order would either be a shiny black like the green, or hard red patina. Both have their fans as well.

Patina on ancient coins is not like toning on modern coins. Our patina is tough, thick, unlike the fragile things on modern coins. We can handle ours all day long without fear of a "fingerprint" ruining the value. The only time ancients will get toning is if the coin is stripped in cleaning, and it begins to retone. This will happen mainly with silver coins.

 

Here is one with the hard glassy green patina med-man is talking about:

Valens Half Follis
OBV: D N VALEN-S P F AVG, diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
REV: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, holding wreath & palm, * over P to left, M to right, DSISC in ex.
Struck at Siscia, 267-270 AD
2.49 g, 17 mm
RIC 15b,xvii

 

I like the black patina the most. The green patina is nice too as it makes the coin looks glossy. Haven't seen red ones too much, the few I have seen are spotty but if I see one that is completely red I may try to add it to my collection.

 

My two tone of green Pius sestertius...patina can make a huge difference :greensmile:

 

Nice coin.

A friend at the coin club last month was selling a emerald green sestertius of Caracalla. I seriously hopes he has it there next week, because if he does its coming home with me.

 

I like emerald green the most too. And, by the way, that is the color most ground-found sestertii will have.
I have heard there is such thing as blue patina on roman bronzes, but i have never seen that. I have seen blue spots on
green bronzes but never blue-toned bronzes.

Here is an example of the toning I like:

 

Blue is rare, but it does exist, although the coins I've seen are more of a turquoise. Here's a Marcus Aurelius Dupondius I was recently drooling over...

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Yeah, that coin is pretty sexy.

At $550 though, you can see how much value desirable toning adds to a coin.

 

Wow--yeah, that's a striking color! The patina is probably the mineral azurite; green patina is malachite.
I have a coin that has a little of both--it's my favorite coin for its patina.

 

Philip is a bit blue...