favorite patina on coins

Some really nice coins here. A nice toning/patina is one of the things that makes collecting ancients so enjoyable and challenging. Especially with patina, it seems to take a thousand years or more to get some interesting colors going.

I have a rather strange blue (partial) patina (or deposit?) on a follis of Phocas I got a few years back. It seems to be inert. The photo is a pretty accurate depiction of the color.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I’ve always admired the nice even green patina in the Neapolitan half unit:

 

I also like green patina:


TRAJAN, SESTERTIUS, RIC Vol. II, Rome, No. 534, 98-117AD,
Obverse depiction: Trajan, head facing right, wearing aegis
Inscription: IMP CAES NERVAE TRIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP
Reverse depiction: Trajan galloping on horseback spearing a fallen Dacian soldier
Inscription: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI - in exergue S C

 

I love green to black patinas:

 

......... also dark brown/black with lighter brown highlites:


CLAUDIUS, AS, RIC Vol. I, Rome, No. 113, 41-45AD,
Obverse depiction: Claudius, bare headed, facing left, undraped bust
Inscription: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG PM TRP IMP PP
Reverse depiction: Personification of Liberty standing right: pileus (freedman's cap) in right hand
Inscription: LIBERTAS AVGVSTA - S C (left and right)

 

..... and I do have a soft spot for “milk chocolate” brown:


NERO, SESTERTIUS, RIC Vol. I, Rome, No. 356, 66-67AD,
Obverse depiction: Nero, laureate head facing right
Inscription: IMP NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM PM TRP XIII PP
Reverse depiction: Personification of Roma seated left on cuirass
resting elbow on shield and holding spear, helmet behind
Inscription: ROMA (in exergue) S C (left and right)

 

..... and I do like folles that retain their original silver surface wash - as long as it is not too blotchy:


CONSTANTIUS, FOLLIS, RIC Volume VI, Lugdunum, 17a (Invasion coinage)
Obverse depiction: laureate, bare neck, bust facing right
Inscription clockwise from bottom: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
Reverse depiction: Genius of Rome standing, facing left
Inscription: GENIO POPV -- LI ROMANI

 

This one is also really pleasant in hand. I need to get a better photo.

 

And this one, with the orange highlights, is one of my favorites too.

 

My two favorites... A nice blue and and almost black.

 

That's a really good point, OJ. Gordians do tend to come over-cleaned/too shiny. An otherwise unexceptional example can look much better with some toning. Most of mine are bright white - but I prefer 'em toned:



Gordian III Antoninianus
(243-244 A.D.)
Antioch Mint
IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, cuirassed and draped bust right. / FORTVNA REDVX, Fortuna seated left holding rudder and cornucopia, no wheel below throne (Rome).
RIC 210; RSC 98a; RCV 8613
(3.11 grams / 22 mm)

 

I like the greenish patina on Julian majorina:

 

I like the greens, reds, and multi-colors...

 

I'm definitely most partial to a sandy desert patina. But here are 2 other types of patina of which I wish I had more.

Darkly-toned silvering:


Hoard:

 

So many stunners!

I too, am partial to a good green patina, but alas don't have any great examples.

The black patina on this coin from Mysia, Pergamon (c. 200-30 BC. 17mm., 3.77g.
Laureate head of Asklepios right / AΣKΛHΠIOY ΣΩTHPOΣ. Serpent-entwined staff) is a favorite.
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=7009&pos=5

 

The unusually colourful patina on this drachm is a party on a coin.


A-Pi. EGYPT, Alexandria. AE Drachm. RY 8. Tyche. Ex stevex6 Collection

 

Heavy red patina on this double sestertius of Postumus, not exactly pleasing but definitely interesting.

 

My byzantine coins with many different patinas.

 

your picture making makes the coin
to dark