Common Follis patina?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Johnnie Black, Feb 21, 2018.

  1. Johnnie Black

    Johnnie Black Neither Gentleman Nor Scholar

    Is it unusual or alarming if an AE Follis is this silvered? I’m drawn to the strike of Mars but don’t have enough experience with these to know if it has been doctored up a bit.
    EEF400A8-AD8A-45FF-B785-3FD592632997.jpeg
     
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  3. Ajax

    Ajax Well-Known Member

    I think it might just be black patina but the lighting is making it look silver.
     
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  4. Victor_Clark

    Victor_Clark all my best friends are dead Romans Dealer

    Yes, the coin is fine. Bronze coins from Lodge frequently look like this, he shoots with a pretty bright light right on the coins...you can see more of the light reflecting at the top on the obverse and reverse.


    Folles from this period were normally silvered, though you usually find them without.
     
  5. Johnnie Black

    Johnnie Black Neither Gentleman Nor Scholar

    Thanks Victor.
     
  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Black coins are hard to photograph. If we put on enough light to see detail, some will say the photo does not represent the coin properly but when you look at a black coin or brightly cleaned silver coin what you see is mostly the glare from the surfaces rather than the surfaces themselves. This photo looks like what we call axial lighting or the result of a ring light. With either, light bounces straight back into the lens and makes a record of the shiny little mirror.
     
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  7. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    A similar effect on my coin with glossy black patina.
    11160471_945192425514808_1813171480_n.jpg
     
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  8. Roma

    Roma Active Member

    it isn't so unusual to find silvered follis, In years I have had many of them. For example this is a specimen from Severus II fully silvered. As Doug writes below, dark coins are hard to photograph but with the right setup silvered are more easy.

    follis_severoIIcesare_genio.jpg

     
  9. Johnnie Black

    Johnnie Black Neither Gentleman Nor Scholar

    I didn’t act fast enough. Someone snatched this one with a quickness. Thanks for all the responses nonetheless. I need to sulk for a minute.
     
  10. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Wow, come to think of it, and forgive my Roman Imperial ignorance; This is my only silvered Follis that I have...

    upload_2018-2-23_9-2-35.png
    RI Constantine I CE 306-337 Æ Follis 19mm 3.2g Siscia CE 326-7 AVG Laureate R - PROVIDENTIAE AVGG Camp gate 2 turrets no door star RIC 200
     
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  11. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Here is my silvered Constantine campgate type:

    cons1.jpg

    cons2.jpg
     
  12. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Also, a follis of Maximinus Daia with a black patina with highlights:

    maximinus1.jpg

    maximinus2.jpg
     
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