Detecting in Italy...Lord any Ideas?

USAFRETWI

I found this coin among others back in the early 90's. 3 of us went out to this field for many months and pulled out over 300 coins. Talk about once in a lifetime. Found coins dated B.C. through 1400, a lot of Roman I believe because of the (SC) but cant make out who it is on them due to crust. Busted pottery everywhere. Everytime the farmer tilled up his orchard it was like starting all over again. Found 4-5 coins just sitting on top of the ground didn't need the White. No gold, I found one silver, this is the best Bronze I found. Think it's a Constantine the X (Constantine with Zoe on the front). Any ideas? Tried soaking it in Olive oil to clean up the Obverse, still cant get the crust off.

ricko

Very good... detecting in Europe and England is very exciting... so much to find. Cheers, RickO

lordmarcovan

<< <i>Think it's a Constantine the X (Constantine with Zoe on the front). >>

Sounds convincing enough to me, but since I know zip-o-la about Byzantine coins, I have no idea. I think you're barking up the right tree, though. Have you posted this on the W&AC Forum?

"Wow" pretty much sums up my thoughts about you digging something like this.

lordmarcovan

BTW, PLEASE post some more of the coins and stuff you found!

dougdann

Great coin. I like the way it is. Wouldn't clean it anymore.
Congradulations on the nice find.

Doug

lordmarcovan

He's right, y'know.

That is NICE "desert" patina, and you don't wanna remove it.

Leave it be just as it is. That kind of patina actually commands a premium from some ancient coin collectors (including yours truly). I like desert patina because it makes a nice contrast between the fields and the design highlights, much like cameo frost on a proof coin does.