As you can see in the first four photos below, this coin has an unsightly buildup of Polyethylene that has formed in a rectangular pattern around this otherwise very pleasant example of a Philip II Antoninianus. For those who are interested the coin is RIC IV 330 and was issued at the Rome Mint in AD 247, two years before Philip was executed at age 12 by Decius (according to an alternate story he was killed at the same time as his father while on campaign).
Your technique seems effective, albeit not subtle. The coin looks much better in the post treatment pictures .
Is it bad that I have a burning desire to shoot a slab with my 9mm? Just to see what happens. I'd be afraid of hitting the coin, but maybe one day with a cheap late Roman.
Nice coin and plastic removal! Interesting reverse. At a glance I thought Phillip was doubled, but it was P-I and P-II.
Congrats on the capture! Gorgeous coin! Amazing how some cleaning processes take such a short period of time: FREEDOM!
Good one! much better after 'plastic removal'. I was expecting a dissertation on which solvents is best to remove plastic residues from coins. But a hammer seems to work just as well, or better! (BTW, I think the plastic used is not polyethylene, but rather polycarbonate or blends of PC with other neutral, hard plastics materials. Polyethylene is too soft and not scratch resistant).
