This happens a lot - I see something on eBay, I have only a vague idea what it is, but bid on it anyway if the price is right. Here are the seller's description and photo: Philip I. 244 -249 AD. Double Denarius 11 grams The bidding was ferocious, as you can imagine for such a beauty, but I secured it for $9.50. Based on what I could see of the reverse, I figured it was a Flavian something or other. No way was it Philip I or a "double denarius." When it came in the mail, I was happy to see it was Nerva - my first imperial issue for this ruler. At one time, I am guessing it had a heavy black patina, which had been partially (yet harshly) stripped away, leaving a stark contrast between the black fields and copper devices. If you are going to harshly over-clean something, this is the way to do it, rather than reducing the whole thing to a shiny disc. The seller photos make the cleaned areas look somewhat toned - they are not - the copper is quite raw looking. But the problem was, the "conservator" didn't get to Nerva's nose. What's the point of a Nerva as if you can't see his nose? After thinking it over for a couple of weeks, I decided to give cleaning a try. I always read the cleaning posts on CT with interest, but I am too lazy and impatient to actually try such a thing myself. But a nose would really improve this coin. I justified this decision because the coin had already undergone a harsh cleaning - I would not try this with an undisturbed patina. So I went at it with oxalic acid - also known as "Bar Keepers Friend": Using a surgical-grade Q-tip , it took me about a minute of gentle scrubbing to bring the nose out. To my surprise, I managed not to turn the field around the nose shiny as well - which is what I figured would happen. I did a little scrubbing on the neck as well. Note the Q-tip's discoloration. I don't see any scratches - at least nothing worse than the other cleaned areas of the coin. I am much happier with the coin now - the schnozz on Nerva is magnificent. Fortuna's arm and rudder needs some work too, but I think I'll stop while I am ahead. Nerva Æ As (97 A.D.) Rome Mint IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P [(II?) COS] III P P, laureate head right / FORTVNA [AV]GVST, S C across field, Fortuna standing facing (or left?), holding rudder and cornucopiae. RIC 83 or RIC 98 (as) See notes. (11.03 grams / 26 x 24 mm) eBay Nov. 2020 $9.50 Attribution Note: Obverse legend unclear; it could be either one of these: RIC 83: ...TR P COS III P P RIC 98: ...TR P II COS III P P Fortuna described as facing forward for RIC 83 in Wildwinds; elsewhere facing left. So there's my cleaning story. Feel free to critique my "methods." And keep those cleaning & scraping stories coming - I do enjoy them.
Your future as a nasal surgeon seems promising. I would suggest stopping where you are since the contrast as it is is as good as you will get.
Nice! The coin turned out better. I have some experience with oxalic acid. I noted that, if the solution is heated, an oily blue/greenish patina will appear that's quite difficult to remove (that is, on silver coins). Did you use a buffer to stabilize the acid? E.g. natrium bicarbonate? Otherwise, the acids will continue to do their thing, which especially on bronze, is not really a good thing.
Yikes. My "methods" are very kitchen sink level! I rinsed off the Bar Keepers Friend with water. What is natrium bicarbonate? Will a Coca-Cola work? I've cleaned the battery terminals on an old Triumph I used to have with Coke and that worked. Thank you for the head's up on this, Roerbakmix. Really, I have no idea what I am doing.
I bet the coke would get some of it off. This is what I do, I'll include the instructions here. In a jar, combine one cup vinegar (or lemon juice) and 1 tablespoon salt Pour the solution into the jar Add the coin into the jar And then when you remove the coin and wipe it with a cloth or paper towel, it should look shiny. Again this is just my opinion, let me know how it works out!
Even back in high school the whole acid/base thing confused me. I'll try the baking soda, Coke only if I see white crust forming ala my old battery. Thanks to all for the suggestions.
Great job... not really a coin of Nerva without the nose!... do we think that way about a feature for any other Emperors?
Congrats for the cleaning job! I think you got the best possible result. I only have 1 coin issued in Nerva's time (quadrans with modius and caduceus) but I need to get one with his portrait, such a nose can't be absent in my album.
