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<p>[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 5041776, member: 110226"]Since I started this thread in September, another coin arrived from Spain.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is a drachm of Ptolemy IV Philopator, Alexandria, 222-205 BC, weighing 66.15 grams.</p><p><br /></p><p>Aside from its weight, which is impressive, although much heavier examples of this type exist, the coin is notable for its patina, which my photo does not truly reflect.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here, the mineral deposition, or rather alteration, has given this coin a rich overall dark brown/green patina. Further, in the recesses, where moisture accumulates, the color is a deep green-blue. This green-blue actually extends, almost like a gradient over parts of the coin, creating a most pleasing combination of colors.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is my photo of the coin:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1202067[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the same coin as photographed by the seller:</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://img.ma-shops.com/an/pic/1834_gena17.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>Lighting makes all the difference. The coin is naturally rather dark, but with the right angle and light source, which I believe was likely a fluorescent source in this case (not filtered light, as in the case of my photo), the contrast becomes more dramatic, showing the cuprite (brown) and the malachite grading to azurite (green-blue).</p><p><br /></p><p>Artificial toning cannot replicate the subtle combinations of mineral oxides, and only time and chemical processes can create the wonderful colors and combinations on our treasured ancient bronzes, as amply shown by the excellent examples posted in this thread.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="robinjojo, post: 5041776, member: 110226"]Since I started this thread in September, another coin arrived from Spain. This is a drachm of Ptolemy IV Philopator, Alexandria, 222-205 BC, weighing 66.15 grams. Aside from its weight, which is impressive, although much heavier examples of this type exist, the coin is notable for its patina, which my photo does not truly reflect. Here, the mineral deposition, or rather alteration, has given this coin a rich overall dark brown/green patina. Further, in the recesses, where moisture accumulates, the color is a deep green-blue. This green-blue actually extends, almost like a gradient over parts of the coin, creating a most pleasing combination of colors. This is my photo of the coin: [ATTACH=full]1202067[/ATTACH] Here is the same coin as photographed by the seller: [IMG]https://img.ma-shops.com/an/pic/1834_gena17.jpg[/IMG] Lighting makes all the difference. The coin is naturally rather dark, but with the right angle and light source, which I believe was likely a fluorescent source in this case (not filtered light, as in the case of my photo), the contrast becomes more dramatic, showing the cuprite (brown) and the malachite grading to azurite (green-blue). Artificial toning cannot replicate the subtle combinations of mineral oxides, and only time and chemical processes can create the wonderful colors and combinations on our treasured ancient bronzes, as amply shown by the excellent examples posted in this thread. Thank you.[/QUOTE]
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