Does anybody know what this is?
RedneckHB
Posts: 19,348 ✭✭✭✭✭
Size is about same as a half dollar.
0
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https://www.civitasgalleries.com
New coins listed monthly!
Josh Moran
CIVITAS Galleries, Ltd.
<< <i>It's a bronze follis of Tiberius II Constantine from 578-582 A.D. Unfortunately, it appears to have bronze disease. >>
DARN, I WAS JUST ABOUT TO SAY THAT!!!
"I has a bucket." - Minazo.
Minazo the LOLRUS, 1994-2005
<< <i>
It's from the Byzantine empire. Constantinople mint, officina delta (mint branch office No. 4). ANNO GI means "year 7", dating this coin to 580/581 AD. The large "M" is the denomination-mark; M is the Greek number 40, and there were 40 nummi to a follis.
A very nice specimen, clear and readable, except for the verdigris - the pale green fluffy stuff on both sides, which can slowly spread and turn the whole coin into a crumbly mess if it isn't treated or sealed up nice and airtight.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD.
<< <i>What is the best way to remove or neutralize the verdigris? >>
A much-debated question. Down the bottom of this old thread there's a few pointers. Personally, I've used:
Olive oil - takes a long, long time - patience! - I've got a quadrans of Claudius that's been sitting in oil for a few months now. I'm making progress.
The potato method - tried it only the once; didn't work too well for me.
Lab-grade concentrated ammonia - worked like a charm on a modern copper token, and much faster, but many purists are probably grinding their teeth right now at the thought of coins swilling around in industrial chemicals. I'd be reluctant to try ammonia on an ancient coin with the uncertainty about it's composition, and I wouldn't recommend anyone using heavy-duty ammonia without a heavy-duty ventilation system.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD.
Thank you.