favorite patina on coins

What is your favorite patina? I always like the patina that is dark and multi layered and attached to coin edges while preserving the details. A good example of such patina is these Umayyad coins. It is also a great proof for authenticity to see such patina on coins.

 

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Hmm, I can't say I've known anyone else who likes horn silver and encrustations on their silver coins rather than just tolerating it, but to each his or her own!

It does lend them a look that would likely be reassuring to non-collectors and non-experts (I'm not disparaging your knowledge-- just commenting that Joe Blow off the streets would probably recognize the coin's age because of these surface findings). I don't mind some horn silver and encrustations but would prefer coins without them. Sometimes it's not in the way of things and often the presence of these deposits allow me to acquire a coin for less money.

 

I see, you are talking about the black spots? Horn silver?

I do have one coin with some black deposit on the reverse. M. Junius Silanus denarius.



Can't say In particularly like it, but it doesn't bother me.

 

I have a silver coin that is nicely toned - an antoninanus of Phillip I. Probably the best tone of any coin in my collection.

 

I agree most collector does not like these. But seeing many good fakes out there these are always a good assurance for me. It is extremely hard to make a good encrustation , sure they can attempt but it will be obvious in hand and with a little rub it comes off. The genuine ones are so attached to the metal as result of ages in the ground that are hard to take them out easily. Also it has the added advantage of acquiring them with cheaper price.

 

This is my favorite foreign "toner" because it not only happens to be 90% silver, but it is also the year I was born.

 

I am not a big fan of dark spots. Some of my coins are spotted, but I have not cleaned further out of fear what might be below the spot.


The right didrachm was harshly cleaned, but still had dark spots. I did not want to remove the spot to find a pit.

 

My favorite definition of patina:

“The surface of an object that has grown lovely through use and the passage of time”

 

The Oxford Dictionary defines patina as: a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.



My favorite coin sporting an attractive patina is the Byzantine bronze 40 nummi coin above. Justinian I, struck in Year 13 (AD 539-540), 42 mm, 23.23 gm.

 

I think we all like a nice green patina.


Justinian, Byzantine emperor 527-565.
40-nummia. Very large: 39 mm, 20.77 grams.
Mintmark: θVΠO for Theopolis, the new name of Antioch, on a large follis of year 13.
Sear 218B.

The reform which yielded this new, larger, coin started in year 12 at Constantinople but did not begin at Antioch until year 13 and no coins of Antioch were issued in years 14 or 15 (probably due to the invasion of Khusru). The mintmark switched to Latin in year 16. (There were no coins at Antioch in years 17, 18, or 19 either). So, this short-version mintmark was used only in year 13 making this a one-year type.

For more about Justinian's coins at Antioch, see:
http://augustuscoins.com/ed/interesting/Justinian.html

 

gold and blue toning:

 

I'm green with envy .

 

Two best of mine :


Syracuse Agathokles 317-289 BC
SYPAKOSYWN. Head of Kore left
Bull butting left, two dolphins and linked VA in field
6.0 gr, 20 mm
Ref : Sear #1195 var



Hadrian, As - Rome mint AD 126
HADRIANUS AVGVSTVS, Laureate head of Hadrian right
SALVS AVGVSTI COS III, Salus standing left feeding snake arising from altar. SC in field
11.24 gr
Ref : RCV # 3692, Cohen # 1357

Q

 

Well, since this thread has moved beyond dark spots on silver coins (horn silver), here's some of my t more thoroughly toned silver, and some of my parinaed coins.

Silver



Non-silver

 

Cool patinas wow!

 

Always liked this coin’s patina

This is the Satrap that ALMOST killed Alexander III of Makedon (later the Great) at the Battle of Granicus. Instead Cleitus lopped off his arm just as Spithradates was lowering his scimitar onto Alexander:

Persia Spithridates Achaemenid satrap of Sparda-Lydia and Ionia- 334 BCE AE10 1.20g wearing Persian headdress - Forepart galloping horse r Klein 367, Cop 1538

 

I too like green patina(!):


Anonymous Roman Republic, 217-215 BC
AE Uncia, Rome mint
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma left, one pellet behind.
Reverse: ROMA above prow right, one pellet below.
References: Crawford 38/6
Size: 25mm, 14.53g
Struck and circulated during period Hannibal was “at the gates of Rome”.


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
Orichalcum As, Struck 115-116 AD
Speculated to be struck in Rome for circulation in Syria/Antioch.
Obverse: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GERM, radiate bust of Trajan right, with slight drapery.
Reverse: DAC PARTHICO P M TR POT XX COS VI P P, S C within laurel wreath.
References: RIC 647, McAlee 509
Size: 23mm, 7.05g


Septimius Severus, Ruled 193-211 AD
AE23, Pisidia, Antioch
Obverse: L SEPT SE-V AVG IMP P, laureate head of Septimius Severus right.
Reverse: ANTI-OCH G-ЄNI COL CAЄ, Genius (or god Mên?) wearing modius, standing facing, head left, holding branch and cornucopiae.
References: SNG Cop 30, Krzyznowska 39 var. (obverse legend, as Krz 43)
Size: 23mm, 4.2g

I like Green with Tan too:


Michael IV
AE Class C Anonymous Follis, Constantinople Mint, 1034-1041 AD
Obverse: +EMMA-NOVH L, Three-quarter length figure of Christ standing, facing, holding up his right hand in benediction. The book of Gospels in his left hand. IC – XC in fields.
Reverse: IC – XC / NI – KA, Jeweled cross, with pellet at each extremity.
References: Sear 1825
Size: 29.5mm x 24mm, 6.7g


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE25, Struck 116/117 AD
Syria, Seleucis and Pieria, Laodicea ad Mare
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΡΙСΤ ΚΑΙС СΕΒ ΓΕΡ ΔΑΚ ΠΑΡ, laureate head of Trajan right with drapery on left shoulder.
Reverse: ΙΟΥΛΙΕωΝ ΤωΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕωΝ ΓΞΡ, turreted and veiled bust of Tyche right, date M/KO (Caesarean year 163) before.
References: RPC III 3797-8
Size: 25mm, 9.8g


Syracuse, Sicily, Under Roman rule
AE20, Struck after 212 BC
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right.
Reverse: ΣYPAKO-ΣIΩN, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and scepter; prow to right.
References: HGC 2 1473, Calciati 239, BAR Issue 102
Size: 19.7mm, 6.5g

And I like Red and Tan:


Trajan, Ruled 98-117 AD
AE26, Syria, Seleucis, Seleucia Pieria
Obverse: ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙ ΝΕΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΡΙСΤ СΕΒ ΓΕΡΜ ΔΑΚ, laureate head right.
Reverse: СΕΛΕΥΚΕωΝ ΠΙΕΡΙΑС, filleted thunderbolt set on a pulvinar (cushioned stool or throne) of Jupiter (represented by the thunderbolt); Γ below stool.
References: RPC 3782, Butcher 47
Size: 26mm, 12.92g


Zeugitania, Carthage, 215-201 BC
AE Shekel, Second Punic War
Obverse: Wreathed head of Tanit left.
Reverse: Horse standing right, head turned left. Punic B below horse’s belly, Punic Ṣ before.
References: SNG COP 309, Müller 211, MAA 88f
Size: 21mm, 6.63g

And I also like Green and Red:


Antoninus Pius, Ruled 138-161 AD
AE25, Syria, Antioch Mint
Obverse: [AVTO] KAI TIT AIΛ AΔPIA [ANTѠNЄINOC CЄBA ЄVCЄBHC], Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: Large S • C, Δ below, all within laurel wreath of eight leaves, fastened with pellet at top.
References: McAlee 556, BMC 314
Size: 25mm, 11.7g

I like Milk Chocolate & Dark Chocolate:


Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius
AE Sestertius, Struck 161-176 AD, Rome mint
Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, bust of Faustina II, draped, hair elaborately waved in nearly vertical lines and fastened in a low chignon at back of head, down cheek, curls, right.
Reverse: FECVND AVGVSTAE, Fecunditas, draped, standing left, between two children and holding two infants in her arms, S-C across field.
References: RIC III 1635
Size: 34mm, 24.2g


Trebonianus Gallus, Ruled 251-253 AD
AE31, Syria, Antioch
Obverse: AVTOK K Γ OYIB TPEB ΓAΛΛOC CEB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Reverse: ANTIOXEΩN MHTPO KOΛΩN, Δ E above and S C below Tyche seated facing within tetrastyle temple; below, river god Orontes swimming left; above temple, ram jumping right, head left.
References: McAlee 1181, Butcher 507, SNG Cop 292
Size: 31mm, 17.84g

And I like nice toning on silver:


Augustus, Ruled 27 BC-14 AD
AR Denarius, Lugdunum Mint, Struck 2 BC-4 AD
Obverse: CAESAR AV[GVS]TVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE Laureate head of Augustus to right.
Reverse: AVGV[STI F C]OS [DESIG PRINC IVVENT] / [C] L CAESARES•, Gaius and Lucius Caesar standing, each, togate, resting hand on shield and spear, simpulum, left, and lituus, right, flanking, right and left respectively
References: RIC 210, RSC 43c
Size: 19.5mm, 3.6g


Julia Domna, Wife of Septimius Severus who ruled 193-211 AD
AR Denarius, Struck 196-211 AD, Rome Mint
Obverse: IVLIA AVGVSTA, bust of Julia Domna, hair waved and coiled at back, draped, right.
Reverse: MATER DEVM, Cybele, towered, draped, seated left on throne, holding branch in extended right hand and sceptre in left hand, resting left arm on drum set on left knee; to either side of throne, lion.
References: RIC IV 564
Size: 18mm, 3.04g


Plautilla, Wife of Caracalla who ruled 198-217 AD
AR Denarius, Struck 202-205 AD, Rome Mint
Obverse: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, bust of Plautilla, hair firmly waved and drawn down on neck, draped, right.
Reverse: VENVS VICTRIX, Venus, naked to waist, standing left, holding apple in extended right hand and palm in left hand, resting left elbow on shield; at feet, left, Cupid.
References: RIC IV 369
Size: 21mm, 3.24g

 

Gordian IIIs are so often shinned up that it can be hard to find a nice one not cleaned. Sometimes a silver-ish coin looks better dirty and toned.

 

This must be my favorite bronze patina, just a nice smooth equal colored brown.


Mithridates VI Amisos, Pontos Bronze Coin (80 B.C. - 70 B.C)
Obverse: Head of Mithridates VI as Perseus right, wearing Phrygian helmet.
Reverse: AMIΣOY, Pegasus grazing or drinking left, monograms below and left.
Reference: SNG BM Black Sea 1213-7
Size: 11.01g; 23mm

As of my silver coins, this must be my favorite patina, it is extremely cabinet toned. Even though I like 'silver' color, it is still a beautiful toning in my opinion.


Syracuse, Sicily - Pyrrhos AR Oktobol (278–276 B.C.)
Obverse: Head of Persephone to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves and pendant earrings; poppy seed behind.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΠΥΡΡΟΥ; Athena Alkidemos advancing left, brandishing spear with her right hand and holding shield aloft in her left.
Reference: SNG ANS 828-829. SNG Copenhagen 93-94.
Size: 5.20g; 20mm

 

@Justin Lee

I like my chocolate with almonds.

Chris