Extreme Coin Makeover - Trajanus Terriblanus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by hotwheelsearl, Nov 5, 2020.

  1. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    This Trajan sestertius cost $25. It was complete encrusted in oxides and minerals. I thought I could release it from its tomb.

    there was a distinct layer of iron oxide, under which was a layer of gray (something). Maybe it was lead to smooth out the surface? Who knows, but it was an attack on two fronts.

    Process:
    1. Sodium thiosulfate for the iron oxide deposits
    2. Sodium hydroxide for the mineral encrustations
    3. Vinegar for general purposes

    After the above treatments, I tossed it back into thiosulfate and promptly forgot about it. 3 days later I fished it out, finding that I had started to pit even more than befor. Whoops.

    at least the color looks reasonably natural. Hopefully it’ll tone up in 20 years
    8B55D313-8513-451E-A378-6707AEC0ECA9.jpeg
    513C7EDB-4A54-42C5-8A34-F2A543DA8EE0.jpeg

    Can anybody attribute this? I tried Apollo with a caduceus but didn’t get any matches.
     
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  3. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

  4. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

  5. singig

    singig Well-Known Member

    IMP Shogun likes this.
  6. IMP Shogun

    IMP Shogun Well-Known Member

    Nice one! With singig's ID I can read that SPQR and probably more if I had it in hand. Send it to me :)

    We may be sharing the same artist's work, and Optimo had not gone to Dacia yet:

    [​IMG]
    Trajan, Bronze As, Rome 99-100 A.D., RIC II 410
    IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM P M
    TR POT COS III P P S C
     
  7. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    I’ll tell you what. One for one trade, how about it?
     
  8. IMP Shogun

    IMP Shogun Well-Known Member

    1,900+ years ago that'd be a layup!
     
  9. Herodotus

    Herodotus Well-Known Member

    TBH... The obverse is an improvement -- as the cleaning brought out some better details in the profile(he looks like he's cracking a smile).

    However, It looks as if the reverse was adversely affected.

    I suppose, a worthwhile gamble for the price of a family-size pizza, I suppose.

    Thanks for doing these experiments and posting the results.
     
    hotwheelsearl likes this.
  10. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    I agree that the reverse took the short end of the stick. I believe that me forgetting about it and leaving it soaking for 3 whole days was quite detrimental. Before that 3 day session, the reverse was much less pitted and better lookin.

    live and learn, I guess. $25 for a Trajan sesterius is still good I think no matter the condition
     
  11. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    I think this is the dupondius version of the OP - Pax stomping on a Dacian. It won't win any beauty contests either.
    Trajan - Dupondius Pax & Dacian Apr 2020 (0).jpg

    Trajan Æ Dupondius
    (103-111 A.D.)
    Rome Mint

    IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER [DAC PM TRP COS V PP], radiate bust r., with aegis / SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI SC Pax standing left holding branch & cornucopiae; foot on Dacian's head and shoulders.
    RIC 505 var. (no aegis).
    (11.15 grams / 27 mm)
     
  12. Roerbakmix

    Roerbakmix Well-Known Member

    Sodium thiosulphate dissolves AgCl and AgBr, but as far as I know, it doesn't do anything with iron oxides? Care to explain your procedure?
     
  13. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    That’s awkward. I don’t know, I just know that in the past I had two silver coins covered in what appear to be iron oxides, orange colored rust. No other chemical put a dent except for thiosulfate.
    I just assumed it worked in iron, at least it does for me
     
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