So I've had this Didrachma for a a few months already, it never really crossed my mind why this coin has such a strange texture like this until now. I've always assumed that perhaps the coin was submerged into water too quickly after being struct or the perhaps it was an issue with the die that was used. Here is my Didrachma from Rhodes Caria, Isle of Rhodes circa 305-275 BC Obv: Head of Helios (Three Quarter Angle) Rev: Rose in bloom, grapes 19.63mm 6.58 grams Reference: ??? Anyone have any idea?
I wonder, if it's so-called "crystallization", in which impurities, such as copper or lead or other materials, have dissolved with the environment over the centuries, leaving the silver behind. However, I'm not an expert, in the subject.
Yes, with ancient coins sometimes there is crystallization. Here's a thread on Forum Ancient Coins that has a few other examples: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=53505.0 https://www.forumancientcoins.com/moonmoth/crystal_coins.html
Thank you so much for pointing this out. Based on the information in the link that you provided, I can safely say that it is indeed "crystallization" on the surface on my Didrachma. It must have happened when it was still in the soil. Such an interesting threading pattern, something like this would be very difficult to replicate. Cheers!
Hi @ArtDeco, I don’t think crystallization is a surface phenomenon I think the entire body of the coin is crystallized. - Broucheion
I think it's a fascinating effect, and you don't see one as neatly striated as yours very often. Personally I like it - I like my ancient coins to look ancient.
