I got this coin back in December, and upon receiving it I just dipped in acetone to remove the dirt and the green stuff. Seller's image, the ugliest coin I bought for 100 bucks! So to make it worth my money, I decided to do a proper cleaning, I again treated it with acetone, used lemon juice and scraped the encrustations and dirt with toothpick, then again treated it with acetone and lemon juice, finally dropping it in an aluminium foil covered bowl containing hot water & sodium bicarbonate, after it cooled down I lightly cleaned it with a steel wool (I can hear you guys cringing ). And this is the result, I didn't go full on scraping the tarnish as I wanted to have some contrast for the imagery. Commemorative coin of Uttama Chola (970-985 AD), shows the conquest of the neighboring kingdoms of Chera, and Pandya, depicted as the royal emblems-Cholan tiger, flanked by the Pandyan twin fish to its right, and the Cheran bow behind the tiger, all under the single rule symbolized by the umbrella, flanked by two lamps on the either side to denote auspiciousness. And the legends in Nagari states, Uttama Chola.
Hi Jay, you might want to soak it a while in sodium thiosulphate. The black deposits are likely silver chlorides, which tend to dissolve well. On top of that, it will add a pleasing (very thin) dull-grey layer. For a work-through, search my posts for horn silver.
agree, but I've been looking for this coin ever since I started collecting ancients, in particular the Chola dynasty, and their conquest types are hard to come by, so when I saw this coin offered by an Indian seller I jumped the gun! just a couple of weeks ago Vcoins posted a same variety, although for double the price!
I bought a double Fanam with a rare belt buckle style. It was the only one I could find on the whole internet.I waited for over a month to finally receive it, and saw the picture was adulterated and coin was cleaned. I was mortified. I couldn't even leave feedback cause I didn't want to get involved with the dealer. Well shipping coins from India I am now very wary of cause its too complex to even return. But be patient you will eventually find the right coin for you.I have yet to find another in the style which I purchased, but make sure you know your seller.
I have a link to the belt buckle styles of the 1808 double fanam if you're interested. Once you get bit by the desire to collect the types, the condition can seem less important. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/images/568929819dd71.jpg
That's the square buckle..but it looks like another variety style.There are various unusual versions of the style. The one I got, I don't have a picture handy, has an empty dotted buckle, the clasp of it is just a dotted circle. It might even be unique, then again could be a fake too.
A $100, did you get fries and a drink with it. Just kidding, to each their own, if you like it that's all that matters... Good luck
I am a bit surprised by the sour reactions on the price of the coin. Jay clearly appreciates these coins, if he thinks it’s the right price, why question him (without, if you really want to question him, any offers to prove the opposite)? moreover, it cleaned up rather nice.
it's YOUR coin it's what YOU like, it's what you enjoy, Glad you are happy with the results, the coin looks good.
$100 to then take steel wool to it...gulp! Actually looks pretty nice, some age will add an attractive skin.
It's your money, to spend on what you want, and to decide how much you want to spend. It's your Coin to decide if you want to clean it, or not. It doesn't matter what I think, all that matters is what you think. I don't collect that type of coin, so I know nothing about it. But, I've looked for certain coins that I do collect, and have bought some that I was wanting, for more money than you spent, and in worse condition than yours. And, I was pleased. So, if you're pleased, you got a good deal. By the way, I prefer the cleaned one, too.
