This aureus of Constantine the Great is described as having “some light smoothing”. I am asking amateur questions here, so pardon me: a) Where exactly is that aureus smoothed? Can you eventual post a picture of the same type coins so I can compare it. b) Can anyone posts a photo of a smoothed Byzantine Solidus so I can see how they look like as I am more accustomed to Byzantine solidus rather than Roman aureus. (I could not find any on google) c) Why do people smooth their coins and destroying its’ value? Do people do it these days or was it a practice for some decades ago?
Smoothing is bad because it is an attempt to either repair modifications on the coin or trying to modify the coin. I think 95%+ of collectors prefer unaltered coins, and depending of the severity can really damage the value or make it uncollectable. I personally prefer unaltered, cleaning is ok but once the metal is tampered with it won't touch it.
Smoothing is very very popular on coins from the Black Sea. Makes finding original unmolested coins very challenging.
There are several on acsearch.info, but here are a few to compare. I wish at least one of them were mine.
Unless it is a highly desirable rare coin that I NEED for my portrait series, i wouldn't tolerate smoothing. I have some tolerance for light smoothing if we're talking about an Antinous medallion, or the rare 5th century emperors. Smoothing brings these coins into my price range.
The fact remains that coins would not be smoothed except for the fact that experience has taught practitioners that it will increase the amount they can get for the coin. I know many of us have smoothed coins that we do not realize have been smoothed. We all hate sloppy work but many people like pretty coins and a professional surface job will sell well to someone if not to the purists among us. Our attitude is very interesting when you consider what is done to oil paintings and sculptures including ancient ones. Recently the local museum 'adjusted' the repairs of their full length statue of Caligula and improved the way the parts fit together. Few ancient statues are in one piece and they vary in workmanship on restoration. We coin fans are unique among appreciators of ancient art that we can get picky about things like smoothing, repairs or assembly from parts. Anyone want to talk about dinosaur skeletons? Their situation makes our marbles look 'mint state'. old new
