In accordance with your opinion, what is the fair value of this uncleaned denarius, probably Caracalla? Thank you.
If it cleans up with a well centered strike, sharp details etc---perhaps a bit more? It seems to be this type which sold for about $60.00----although I'm uncertain about the reverse: CARACALLA (197-217). Denarius. Laodicea. Obv: ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: VIRT AVGG. Virtus standing left, holding victory and spear. RIC 354. Condition: Near extremely fine. Weight: 2.76 g. Check out this link and compare https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...fr=1&it=1&es=1&ot=1&images=1¤cy=usd&the
But in its current state? I think the value would depend on a given buyer's confidence in his or her own cleaning skills. Could it clean up to be a $60 coin? Yes. Could I personally get it there? Not sure. For that reason, I would have a hard time paying more than $20 for it in its current condition. Others with greater confidence in their cleaning skills might not have a problem going higher.
Either way is a gamble. It could clean up nicely and turn into a $50 or $60 coin, or the encrustrations could be hidding a nasty defect/corrosion and the cleaned coin may not be worth much more than the uncleaned coin. I'd probably leave it as is or sell it to someone willing to take the gamble and with the skills to clean it properly. Very important...if you want to clean it yourself please do research and ask questions. Once you comit yourself to cleaning, you can't undo any damage caused by improper cleaning techniques.
I like that coin a lot, but I'm a cheapskate and probably wouldn't pay more than $12 for it. Not sure I'd clean it - I kind of like it the way it is. I agree that if it did clean up successfully, it could be worth a lot more. This Spring I bought a denarius of Julia Domna that looks a lot like the OP coin - with silver like this I'd ask whether it is really silver, or a base-metal "limes" denarius? I suspect limes of My Julia D (the weight is 2.83 grams and what little of the metal I can see beneath the black looks bronze to me). I still really like my coin, but I also like that I paid $4.50 for it. If a limes, the style is quite nice. The OP coin has a nice look to it as well - I especially like the portrait. The whole "limes" situation confuses me - there are some good posts elsewhere by folks who know a lot more than I do.
Wow is right. Is that the same coin? Remarkable cleaning job. If it's a common reverse type, I would not be surprised to see that coin listed on VCoins for between $75 and $150. If it's a scarcer reverse, that number goes up. That's 5-10 times the original value I would've assigned to that coin. What a difference a good cleaning job makes!
Excellent job!! It cleaned up just as I hoped it would---CONGRATS!!! It seems to be similar to this one...but this example sold for $155.00 hammer at Roma and your example is probably a slightly lower grade (about VF?): Caracalla AR Denarius. Rome, AD 199-201. Laureate and draped bust right / Emperor standing left, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear; at feet, captive seated left. RIC IV 45; RSC 590. 3.75g, 19mm, 1h. Good style, Near Extremely Fine.
The difference is night and day. Great job with the cleaning! I'm curious to know how you did it, as well.
It is cleaned chemicaly with apple cider. Sometimes I need to use glycerin. Duration of cleaning process was day, or two. It is need that coin is from good finding, not ruined in the soil.
ie. a hoard coin silver cleans well regardless as it does not corrode and the oxidisation process is less harmful to the coin than with copper etc
