Teal? Turquoise? Seafoam green?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Justin Lee, Mar 13, 2018.

  1. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    I've got this one Greek bronze that has this delicious greenish-blue candy coating on it.

    20180312_232041.jpg
    Pella, Macedonia, ca. 187-31 BC, AE20
    Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos right.
    Reverse: ΠEΛ-ΛHΣ, above and beneath bull grazing right; monogram below bull between legs.
    References: SNG Copenhagen 266-74; Moushmov 6453; BMC 20

    Are you someone who knows what causes it? Is it the copper in it? Please enlighten me...

    Do you have a coin with a similar "candy coating" patina that makes you think if you lick it you can taste the rainbow? Or maybe you have a Hershey's chocolate coin? Please share them...
     
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  3. David@PCC

    David@PCC allcoinage.com

    Far out! I don't know exactly what causes colors like these but I've seen quite a few different shades.
    Don't adjust your monitor, this one is as red as it looks and is the main reason I'm keeping it.
    ri188.jpg Constantine I
    Siscia mint
    321 to 324 AD
    AE 3
    Obvs: CONSTANTINVS AVG, Laur right.
    Revs: DN CONSTANTINI MAX AVG, around wreath enclosing VOT XX. ЄSIS
    19mm, 3.5g
    RIC VII 180
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2018
  4. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    the patina on that coin look stable and old. in soaking this one to remove the green i got new blue. probably not healthy for the coin but it sure it purdy!:) blue pruta  my 1st bought collectors coin 004.JPG blue pruta  my 1st bought collectors coin 002.JPG
     
    dlhill132, chrsmat71, Ajax and 10 others like this.
  5. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Nice patina.

    Heres my lime flavored Pius
    002.jpg
     
  6. Sallent

    Sallent Live long and prosper

    Rhodos on Isle Rhodes AE 10.jpeg

    I think we all have at least one coin with thick colorful patina. This one is actually a tad bit darker in real life.
     
  7. Andres2

    Andres2 Well-Known Member

    @Justin Lee , the different colours of the patina is due to the copper mix alloy and the soil it was buried in for long periods of time:

    P1160914bv.jpg
     
  8. Mike Margolis

    Mike Margolis Well-Known Member

    coinboughtsveruspatinarevargues.jpg IMG_0927.JPG View attachment 751884
    This above coin is of the famous Argues volcano. The reddish patina shows off the lava flow. I know it is a real patina since the seller did not know what the coin was depicting. My "avatar" is also a special patina called "brilliant". Not sure totally if it is natural though. If it is it is the most beautiful I have seen. They are often faked these days( and in the past) to bring a higher price and make them more appealing.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Mar 13, 2018
  9. Alegandron

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

    PATINAS:

    GREEN
    upload_2018-3-13_7-11-57.png
    RR C Curiatius f Trigeminus 135 BCE Æ quadrans 18 mm 4.8g Rome Hd Hercules lionskin 3 plts - CCVR F ROMA prow Victory wreath 3 plts Cr 240-4a; Syd460b

    DESERT
    upload_2018-3-13_7-13-20.png
    Seleukid Demetrios I Soter 162-150 BCE AE 17 serrate 16.8mm 3.9g Antioch on Orontes mint Horse Hd L - Elephant Hd R- SC 1646 SNG Spaer 1299-1304

    MULTI-COLORED DREAM COAT
    upload_2018-3-13_7-14-43.png
    KYRENAICA Kyrene Æ25 9.6g 250 BCE Diademed Zeus-Ammon r - K-O-I-N-O-N; Silphium plant; monogram SNG Cop 1278 BMC 16-19

    CALICO
    RR Anon AE Quartuncia 217-215 BC Saturn Prow BRN Cr 38-8 S 624.jpg
    RR Anon AE Quartuncia 217-215 BCE Saturn Prow BRN Craw 38-8 Sear 624

    RED SPLOTCH
    Sicily Kamarina AE 15mm 3.4g 420-405 BCE Athena Owl Lizard 3 dots Sear Gk 1063.JPG
    Sicily Kamarina AE 15mm 3.4g 420-405 BCE Athena Owl Lizard 3 dots Sear Gk 1063

    LIME
    Judaea Pontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus.JPG
    Judaea Pontius Pilate 14-37 CE - Prutah TIBEPIOY KAICAPOC Lituus
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2018
  10. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

  11. GerardV

    GerardV Well-Known Member

    If these were modern coins they would be considered ruined. Here, they're a sought after prize for a lot of us.

    Gotta love the ancients!
     
  12. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I love the various colors of patina: ANONYMOUS Roman Republican 1.jpg Augustus 18.jpg Alexander Troas.jpg Agrippa 2.jpg Augustus 19.jpg
     
  13. ancientone

    ancientone Well-Known Member

    Nice blue patina @Justin Lee! I'm always on the lookout for cool colors.


    b10.jpg
    cgh0003.jpg
    f1.jpg
    h2.jpg
     
  14. Ed Snible

    Ed Snible Well-Known Member

    All of these colors are great. Here is one of mine with a color I like:

    47861.l.jpg
    LYCAONIA. Iconium (as Claudiconium). Hadrian (117-138 AD). AE. Weight: 2.36 g. Diameter: 17 mm.
    Obv: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС ΚΑΙСΑΡ. Bare head left.
    Rev: ΚΛΑΥΔЄΙΚΟΝΙЄωΝ. Perseus standing facing, head right, holding harpa and severed head of Medusa.
    Numismatik Naumann, Auction 45, July 3rd 2016, lot 536

    Sometimes collectors make claims that the colors come from various named minerals. Does anyone have a table of the typical patina minerals and their colors? I cannot find one.
     
  15. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Here's my minty flavored Larissa from Thessaly with a frosted horseman reverse!
    20180313_183624.jpg 20180313_183715.jpg
     
  16. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    Some pretty coin colors!

    Here's my crazy blue Constans!

    100_5978.JPG
     
  17. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Here's a random greenie from my collection.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  18. dadams

    dadams Well-Known Member

    My only Greenie:

    [​IMG]

    Vergilius, Gargilius and Ogulnius. 86 B.C. AE as (25.5 mm, 9.42 g, 12 h). Semuncial standard. Rome mint.
    Laurete head of Janus, I above / H / VER · GAR · OGVL , prow of galley left.
    Crawford 350a/3e; Sydenham 722d. aVF, thick green patina.
    Ex. RBW collection; Agora Auctions 44, Lot 139; Ephesus Numismatics
     
  19. Mike Margolis

    Mike Margolis Well-Known Member

    upload_2018-3-13_20-3-15.png Didn't see many sweet black patinas so here is a Marcus Aurelius posthumous sestertius with whitish highlights bearing an eagle aloft to the heavens.
    diosccapscoinbought2.jpg
    Another Black earthy shiny beauty:
    AE17 5.00g. 17mm.
    Pilei of the Dioscuri surmounted by stars.
    Thyrsus; DIOSKOYRIADOS across fields.
    SNG Copenhagen 102ff.
    Nice glossy dark patina with some earthen fill.
    Triple-struck reverse.
    Struck during the time of Mithradates VI Eupator. Kolchis Dioskourias Before c. 70 B.C. AE17
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2018
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