Hello. I couldn't stop myself posting this ancient Roman coin of Emperor Valens where the reverse exhibits one of the historic gladiators whom we used to watch in old movies, the like of Spartacus. I appreciate any comment on this thread. Charles
Thats not a gladiator, its the emperor dragging a captive: http://esty.ancients.info/ricix/type5.html But if you're using your imagination I suppose it could resemble a gladiator somewhat.
7Calbrey => quite a few of your coins have the same cool desert patina look about them (very pleasing to the eyes)
Steve.. I think that most of these desert - patina coins belong to the same hoard about which I already told JA about it. What do you think ? Charles
Desert patinas are like blondes - some are natural, some are fake. Some of them come out of a bucket and stay on the coin with the assistance of glue. There's no reason to think common, cheap LRB's are doctored, but the ancient coin trade is full of dealers that "improve" their coins, one way or another. There's a particularly egregious eBay seller in Israel that paints all his coins, for example, and he's probably just the tip of the iceberg.
I've never really been a huge fan of desert patinas. In some cases it makes coins look good but a lot of times for me its just looks like extra dirt that needs to come off, or at least thin to bring out the coin's details. I have a few with desert patina but those are coins that would look less attractive without it.
I agree that there is a pretty fine-line between a gorgeous desert patina example and a coin that would look better if the dude just removed all of it!! (that's why the "nice" desert patina coins look so cool) NOTE => I would never pay "big-cash" for a desert patina coin ... but there is certainly a place in my collection for a sweet lookin' reasonably priced example (know what I mean?)
