How to get rid of/stop oxidation on a coin?

Oh, don't get me wrong, I LOVE better coins. I'd rather wait around for a nicer example if I can. But its not always possible, and certainly not the only way to go. Sometimes, the only way one can acquire certain types of coins is if they have problems. It turns into a rather delicate dance - thats half of the fun of collecting!

Here's an example:


Its a silver siliqua of Constantine II, obviously damaged. A passable example would cost me $350. I got this for $15. Worth it? I think so. Can I resell it? Maybe, maybe not. But now there's a coin in my collection that would not otherwise be there.

 

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Just wondering how rare is the coin stainless is looking at , and how long on average to find a better one ?
rzage

 

yes money. what can we do without it. yet what we can do with it? i never really had to pass up a coin for lack of money but thats not true for everyone i agree. i would still advise collectors to choose wisely no one can ever buy all the coins on the planet its a matter of choice whether you would have 25 of those or one of the 350 and the answer in most cases will determine your collection. the time for all of us will never come again

 

Assuming its a Dyrrachium drachm or a Vespasian denarius (as I would guess), its not very rare at all and he can find a better one very quickly. I'd really need to see full pictures of both sides to say.

 

the coin is a Gorgon, my dream coin for the past 5 months, They are fairly common , but have a big demand so they can go for a pretty penny.

stainless

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180285894245&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=008

please don't make a bidding war with me..lol

stainless

 

Its better than this one
http://www.vcoins.com/ancient/vaughncoins/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1538&large=0

If you can get it for under $40, then the price is right. Besides, I'm still fairly sure that stuff will lift right off.

 

Is that the one where if you look at her you turn to stone ? cool . Or is that the Medussa ?
rzage:thumb:

 

This is probably a stupid question , but if can come off easily why didn't the seller take it off .
rzage

 

Medusa Gorgana

 

probably not worth their time.

 

To say one should not buy a so called 'problem' coin is good advice for the person who just wants to buy a coin and place it in their collection with no effort on their part save hitting the bid / buy button. I have often bought what some might call problem coins only to find the problem is very minor in the end and just a little work on my part left me with an outstanding coin. If I didnt want to buy 'problem' coins I would never buy a batch of uncleaned ancients that are often riddled with problems. I have also bought a few modern coins that has a few problems, after some TLC they are just fine. But since I DO buy problem and uncleaned I have some coins that, to be honest, are outstanding examples of the type.

But the advice 'dont buy problem coins' IS good advice if you do not want to take on the problem. On the whole I look for problem coins that are still in relatively good condition, that is, they have a problem but it has not completely destroyed the coin. I have gotten great coins that would have been out of my price range that way...coins I wouldnt need to 'trade up' for...not that I would do that anyway.

I tend to see collecting and conservation as one and the same. When you buy and ancient coin, it is a treasure that is in your care and it is your job to protect and conserve it if need be. To me it is part of the world of coin collecting.

 

stainless...I am still not completely convinced that isnt just hardened dirt still stuck to the coin. I think the picture is B&W so one cannot make out different colors. Maybe contact the seller and ask what color the build up around the bull is? Maybe ask the seller what he thinks it is.

 

I think the problem here is I know nothing of ancients , where cleaning or conservation are the norm , since I only collect mostly US Type coins that's what I know and in that world problem coins are usually a problem that wont go away , in my world even the word cleaning is taboo , even though I have dipped a couple of coins . So maybe in the future I'll try to refrain from giving advice unless it comes with the disclaimer that it is only my opinion , and listen and learn more about your world .
rzage

 

Certainly my own advice comes with a disclaimer that its just one mans opinion and I am just a collector. I collect both modern and ancients and I will not write off a nice coin just because there is a bit of a problem or it needed a bit of TLC. I am also cheap so if someone doesnt want a coin that is in great shape with great eye appeal because it MIGHT have been cleaned, I will take it for cheap...in the end, you do what you like

 

You're right on again two of my more favorite coins are so called problem coins , an 1828 1/2 cent in MS and a 1864 MS Indian both have been cleaned the IHC you can hardley tell , the 1/2 cent I,m hoping it will retone because it was harshly dipped , no hairlines just an unnatural color , since I have no intention on selling my coins like you I'll buy anything I like .
rzage

 

yeah, I have a good many coins I am waiting to retone...

I toned some coins by just carrying them around in my pocket and handled them some (NO!!!!! DONT TOUCH A COIN!!!!), a sweaty summer palm tones great... Check out these pres dollars I carried around for a few weeks:





if you ask me, they look 1000x better.

 

They are rarities , ciculated presidential coins , probably worth a small fortune . LOL
rzage:smile

 

Oh yeah, everyone will have the ugly shiny coins and I will have the nicely toned ones that look so nice. We can charge two dollars a coin plus shipping and handling. I think we have stumbled on a new eBay business. Sweaty Palms Rare Toned Modern Coins (No refunds)