An ancient newbie buys an uncleaned batch

So 10 days in and nothing too much to show apart from:-



Now I have a couple more that are showing an amount of promise. If I'm honest I suppose I'm fairly content with what we have. It may not be very impressive but I thought I was going to end up with that much.

 

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Those look quite clean now. Further cleaning isn't going to reveal more details.

Although those of us on this forum probably don't get excited by these near-slugs, I bet if you show them to a random person, stating that the coins are ~1,700 years old, that person will be very impressed!

 

Sweet effort, regardless of the results ... you rock

 

Looks like the last set of pics is fully cleaned. Good work!
I bet someone with a bit more LRB experience than me could identify the ruler who minted the coins, or at least the century and maybe decade when these were minted. A quick look at my first edition of ERIC says the upper right coin with a pearl diadem, two pearls dangling behind a backwards curved head could have been one of Constantine the Great's kids.

 

Thanks for your comments. I think the top line are done and the lower have gone back in for a bath. Buying uncleared coins from eBay is a bit of a mugs game and not sure that I'll bother again. As others have said, buying cleaned removes a bunch of chance.

 

You sometimes come across coins that need cleaning where you can tell they will be fully identifiable when they're done. If you enjoy the cleaning process, keep your eyes open for those.

 

I clean coins a lot and the thing is that I don't expect to get a lot of high grade coins. I am usually happy if I get a few decent coins after cleaning, a coin that I don't have and the cleaning process itself.

I am very picky about the lots I decide to purchase. Patiently wait for the coins to arrive and then I have fun cleaning them.

Here are a couple lots I've received.

 

The first lot I purchased was 50 for $30 and I got perhaps a dozen recognizable (gotta do the pictures) I then bought 30 for $6 and got a couple of coins. It really is like ancient coin-roll hunting.

 

So apart from a few changes of the bath water, not to much activity with these coins - apart from most now have started to show signs of promise. Leaving them just to soak away sees to be doing the trick with the odd swabbing with cotton wool. If I get some time over the weekend I take some more photos just to compare.

My interim advice for all you ancient collectors who have not yet done so, get hold of some raw coins and soak and soak. The feeling you get the you start to see the shadows and lines starting to emerge is great. I suspect that none of mine will make my fortune, but I don't care. Its the journey that counts!

Even some of my 'slugs' just had more dirt to come off.

 

good effort

 

You need a group from this find -
http://www.coinsweekly.com/en/News/...ium=email&utm_campaign=CoinsWeekly+03.12.2015

 

So I think this soaking is coming to an end. I have 8 or so coins that are recognisable to some extend with the final grit just showing up when the coin is dried. When the coin is damp is best, dry they still look a bit muddy and wet makes detail difficult to see.

Now 8 iffy coins are not worth too much spending on them and wondering what others have used to seal them when dry. I'm thinking a covering of light engine oil, olive oil or beeswax.

Anyone? Will photograph progress soon.

 

Hope you had fun. I wouldn't worry too much about over-cleaning. In the worst case, just give them a few hundred years to tone : - ) As far as sealing or preserving the appearance, I have seen many mentions of microcrystalline wax. On the easier and cheaper side, I have been wondering about mineral oil. Mineral oil is simply a mix of hydrocarbons that shouldn't react with the coin material or the environment. Avoid any like baby oil that have added fragrance and you shouldn't be doing any harm.

 

I just noticed this thread and I thought I'd respond.

Like everyone else my experience with uncleaned coins has been about three 'keepers' and one or two better grade LRB's---meaning, like a 'scratch-off ticket', I usually win about half of what I spend or just about break even.

But, once a year, I get the gambling urge to try again and not surprisingly, always as the dreary months of winter begin. So I just purchased a 'batch' and sometime after Christmas I should receive it. I'll let you all know if I beat the odds or just end up with a bunch of 'brass' for my new belt buckle LOL

 

I showed some of my worst ones to my son-in-law and he wanted to know if they were all blank planchets.

 

Sounds like you guys had some fun bonding and trying to clean those babies (that's awesome) ...

Ummm, do people usually put wax and/or engine oil on their cleaned coins?

 

But there was a time when uncleaneds were high quality. I remember 5-6 years ago when you could buy batches where 90% were sweet. Besides the usual Constantine & Constantius II - i'd occasionally scrub up a nice Probus or Helena which could sell for $100 on vcoins these days.

 

I understand that microcrystalline wax is usual. The coins look dull and lifeless after cleaning - at least mine do - as with most materials they need something. Once done once that is it. I need such a small dab of wax that I am reluctant to pay so much for a pot of it.

 

Bah! Save your money and buy a nice, already cleaned one! I've come across a couple dealers that are based here with reasonable prices (online) and of course there's my favorite one...

 

It was interesting to clean these. I understand that the quality is variable, but the thrill of seeing the first outlines of something is special the first times (okay followed up with disappointment that is all you are getting). Folk say patience is required. Tosh. Bung them in water and scrub them from time to time. Some of these are okay and when time permits I'll try to identify them.