Commodus Coin Cleaning Chronicle

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by hotwheelsearl, Sep 20, 2020.

  1. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    This chronicle has been a long time in the making. After putting this rare Herculi Romano Commodus denarius through the wringer, it now looks a lot better than ever before.

    When I first got it, it was so discolored and rough looking that I genuinely thought it was a small bronze.
    Commodus RIC 253.JPG

    I threw it in vinegar, then lye, and still was unable to fully clean it. It still had a bit of horn silver and some iron oxide(?). I foolishly scraped at it with a screwdriver (what was I thinking) and left some nasty marks beneath the club.
    Commodus.JPG

    Finally, after a few soaks in Sodium Thiosulfate, here's the end result:
    IMG_E7044.JPG


    The final result is more pleasing overall, but has a dull, muted color. I suppose I could put it back into lye or vinegar to brighten it up, but this has been abused more in the past 2 weeks than the past 2 thousand years at this point.
     
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  3. Roerbakmix

    Roerbakmix Well-Known Member

    Well done, I remember this coin. Glad to have another introduced to the wonders of sodium thiosulphate:)
     
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  4. Victor_Clark

    Victor_Clark all my best friends are dead Romans Dealer

    people have used sodium thiosulphate for years with mixed results. I would have only soaked this coin in ammonia with periodic scubs.
     
  5. ancientone

    ancientone Well-Known Member

    Ammonia can give it that dull look too depending on the silver quality and length of soaks.
     
  6. Victor_Clark

    Victor_Clark all my best friends are dead Romans Dealer

    Yes...coin cleaning is iffy business; which is why I don't discuss it much on this board. You should never mess with a coin, unless you can accept it being ruined. There are things, however, you can do if the surfaces are dull after an ammonia soak.
     
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  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    I'd leave it alone at this point and let the coin re-tone.

    You've done a nice job restoring some of the coin's detail.
     
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  8. hotwheelsearl

    hotwheelsearl Well-Known Member

    I was trying to remember who it was who recommended it!! Thanks for your service
     
  9. Spaniard

    Spaniard Well-Known Member

    It's really improved the detail of the portrait!
     
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  10. singig

    singig Well-Known Member

    Bravo ! , it looks much better.
     
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  11. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Nice job. An interesting type for Commodus as well.
     
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