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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Insider, post: 3203517, member: 24314&quot;]Ken Dorney, posted:&nbsp; &quot;There is nothing unusual about this coin.&nbsp; I see no crystallization.&quot;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Sallent, posted: &quot;There is no crystallization and the coin is perfectly fine.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>Hopefully, thanks to Desertgem I think both of you and other members will now be able to see what I&#039;m referring to.&nbsp; It is not rare to see crystallization on silver ancients. In fact, a pattern of blocks is usually a good sign.&nbsp; However, I cannot recall seeing it on any bronze ancient.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>This is all I wish to add.&nbsp; The surface of this coin is unusual.&nbsp; When this type of crystallization (I named it &quot;Spider-Web&quot; in the 1970&#039;s) is found on a vintage 17th Century to 20th Century coin it was usually a sign that the coin may not be authentic.&nbsp; If a genuine coin on a cast planchet becomes chemically etched due to its environment, parts of its surface are eaten away and can mimic the spider-web pattern of crystals.&nbsp; I have several counterfeit ancients that are 20th Century counterfeits with this characteristic pattern.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Ken Dorney, posted: &quot;<span style="color: #ff0000">I&#039;m no metallurgist</span>, though there are some collectors who actually are (but I dont think they are on CT).&nbsp; Does copper and bronzes crystallize?&nbsp; I dont know, maybe, probably, positively?&nbsp; But its not what we would really think anyway.&nbsp; Most of what the article you point to is relegated to silver specifically.&nbsp; And in most experiences (strangely, there is definitely a PhD paper in there somewhere) with Greek silver fractions specifically.&nbsp; It rarely occurs in Roman coinage.&nbsp; Still, I dont see it on this coin, though there are some tiny marks which might suggest it.&nbsp; Who know?&nbsp; As I said I am not a metallurgist or chemist.&quot;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Yes, copper and bronze can crystalize - take a look at some cast counterfeits.&nbsp; However, the paper seems to back up my experience.&nbsp; I have not seen crystallization on any gold or bronze ancient.&nbsp; I&#039;m sure examples must exist but they must be rare!</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, try this...hold your right hand flat, palm down.&nbsp; spread your fingers.&nbsp; Do the same with your left hand.&nbsp; move your hands together so they overlap at an angle making a cross-hatch.&nbsp;&nbsp; Now look for a similar effect on the coin, especially under the horse.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Oops, I see the red circles.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie46" alt=":facepalm:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie10" alt=":oops:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie80" alt=":shame:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />&nbsp; Yes, we call that crystallization.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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