Constans AE3, 337-350 AD, Aquileia mint, 2.5g, 18mm OBV: CONSTA-NS PF AVG, Pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. REV: FEL TEMP-REPARATIO, Emperor in military dress standing on galley moving left, holding wreath-bearing Victory on globe, and standard with chi-rho on banner. Victory sitting at the stern, steering the ship. Mintmark: AQP dot. REF: RIC VIII Aquileia 91. Here is another coin that was sitting in my desk. The patina is already really thin to the point of some bronze being exposed without cleaning it. Not sure if I want to clean it.
Nice coin. I don't have a Constans Galley type yet - still looking for the right coin. I have a few coins with similar patinas - basically solid, but a few tiny bits of raw bronze showing through. I'm guessing they were just slightly overcleaned. There's nothing you can do, really - just let them be.
Yeah, believe it or not, that was a typo putting in AQS dot instead of AQP dot. I never even noticed the typo error. Thanks for noticing.
I have another higher grade example of the Constans galley but it is somewhat of a flat strike. Planning on reshooting that one later on.
Here's one of my coins with the patina issue - mostly on the reverse. It's a nice, even patina, except it's flaking off here and there. Needless to say, I don't handle this coin at all. It's a shame since it's a nice example of the type.
I can see why you wouldn't touch it. As soon as I put this coin in the flip I won't be touching it for a long time if I can help it.
