I have this (Bronze) coin that appears to have Tyche (?) on one side and another Goddess on the other.(I feel that I should recognize her.) Can anyone help me to identify it, please? It is 22 mm., 7.58 gm. Cleaning tips?
I can't help you with the attribution, but for cleaning you can always start with distilled water, and then olive oil.
Cool patina ... yah, looks like Tyche for sure, eh? I suck at coin ID-ing ... that's probably why I buy already identifiable coin-targets (I'm a spoiled lil' rich kid!!)
Is there a vertical legend on the reverse, to the right of the standing figure? The reverse might be Apollo, maybe like these examples from Cilicia, Kelenderis? As for cleaning, with this one I'd be temped to give it a brief soak in lemon juice or vinegar. Its appearance is similar to a Pontos bronze I successfully cleaned in such a manner. If you do use a weak acid, watch closely and be sure to soak in several changes of plain water afterwards.
Thanks, Sallent, Pish, Steve. @ T.I.F. I did check CNG (as you once told me) but the choices were too many when I just typed in 'Tyche'. As for the lettering on the reverse - there could be some there, but it is too hard to make it out, (hence my request for cleaning tips). I have soaked it in D.M. Water for a month, and then brushed with a cut-down tooth-brush, and this is the best I could get. I will try the Lemon juice. Conc. or diluted?
I'd use full-strength lemon juice or white vinegar. Let it soak several minutes; gently wipe with a cotton tipped swab. I soaked my Pontos for a few hours in total, gently wiping and inspecting frequently. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ancients-pontos-amisos-off-with-her-head.242665/page-2#post-1928028
After the lemon juice, YOU MUST NEUTRALIZE THE COIN WITH BAKING SODA. Wet the coin and rub between your fingers and rinse. If you don't neutralize that lemon juice acid the coin will further corrode. Try on a dirty copper penny first. I have made copper pennies look brand new but you have to also watch it; to long in the lemon juice you will ruin it. GOOD LUCK
NWB is correct, and I left that important part out of my instructions above. It's in the more complete instructions in the Pontos thread I linked.
Thanks T.I.F. Thanks NWB I will try it when I get home. Now, I am off 'joyriding' in a helicopter, for a while. (Any further thoughts I will read on my return.) Edit: @T.I.F. I have read the 'Pontos' thread and copied the instructions to follow on my return.
If you want a best guess try this coin (same size and weight): KINGS of CILICIA. Philopator. Veiled and turreted bust of Tyche right / Athena Nikephoros standing left
(I am back from my joyriding . . . ) I am (almost) convinced that THIS is it. (Courtesy of Acsearch) What do you think?
@ B.B. - No link to the coin that you had in mind, and the only coins i could find with that 'reference' showed Tyche with a different veil setup, and Athena is 'helmeted' and is holding a shield. @ Pish - Sorry, without further cleaning, I am unable to confirm the legend. @ Chris - Sorry. No dolphin.
YES! I think you've nailed it!! Great job, TC The reverse figure's robe doesn't look right for the other examples we posted. The Sardes Zeus looks just right and you can see a hint of the monogram below his outstretched arm. I can just make out a bit of the reverse legend. Maybe your cleaning will reveal more, but I believe you've found the ID. It must not be a very common coin. I've only dug up four examples: one each in CNG's archives, acsearch, Wildwinds, and currently for sale on Vcoins.