Here is the before and after results of cleaning this Probus / Mars Ant. This was done with a distilled water soak alternated with wet toothpick mechanical conservation over the course of 3.5 days. I have found that a big thing to remember when mechanically cleaning is to always work with water on the area you are working on. Also, use tiny circles. This Probus caught my eye mainly because of the reverse and I like silvered ants. The coins remaining desert patina was not very appealing to me (especially the on the obverse) so I decided to clean Probus up a little. Although there is still small bits of dirt here and there remaining I am happy with the results. What do you think? BEFORE: AFTER: Feel free to share your before and afters along with the conservation method used.
What, no soaks in lemon juice for 5 hours? Just kidding. You used the gentle approach, were patient, and as a result you are rewarded with beautiful results.
Well said, Sallent. I probably would not have done anything to a coin that good looking but you were wise enough to stop when you did and not ruin it.
Silvered ants are particularly difficult to clean. A coin like yours would probably intimidate me, and like Doug, I probably would have just left it as is. But your careful, patient approach really paid off, and I think it looks much better now. Congratulations on a job well done.
@YOC cleaned this Postumus for me. I did a terrible photo, but you can still see his results. At the time, we thought it was a Bronze, but found that it was a SILVERED Ant. Cool: RI Postumus 259-268 CE Antoninianus Cologne Providentia And, here is a PROBUS: RI Probus 276-282 CE Ant 21mm Riding Horse
Nice job! I would have been too timid at first and then too impatient. Does the silvering look flakey or solid to your eye? I worry that some silver coating will flake off during cleaning. I know RR fourrees have that problem, but I do not know about Ants.
Nice conservation job!! What was your cleaning method? I think the best answer is that it depends on the coin. I the case of the OP Probus the silver remained intact without flaking. With harsher conservation methods such as metal picks the challenge is usually much tougher to not damage the surface while removing the grudge.
