MESEMBRIA THRACE

bronzemat

Havent got any new greeks in a very long time. Made a low offer on this and got it, gotta love old stock.


MESEMBRIA THRACE, (2ND CENTURY B.C.)
Æ17
O: Diademed female head right.
R: ΜΕΣΑΜΒΡΙΑΝΩΝ, Athena Promachos advancing left holding shield and brandishing javelin, crested helmet inner left.
Mesambria (Nesebar, Bulgaria) mint
5.1g
17mm
SNG BM 284 ff., SGCV I 1677, SNG Cop 660, SNG Stancomb 236,

Mesembria (Mesambria) was a Doric settlement on an island at the Black Sea coast. Today a man-made isthmus connects it to the mainland. The modern name is Nesebar, an important seaside resort. Several ancient churches and ruins are preserved on the peninsula.

lordmarcovan

Mesembria sounds like it would be a fun place to go metal detecting, particularly if the bronze always came out with nice earthen patina like that.

Zohar

Are these coins generally cleaned or left crusty?

bronzemat

Depends on the dealer or person who finds or sells them. Some collectors like the "sandy patina", others prefer it all gone. I happen to like sandy patinas. There isnt usually a premium for it.

Zohar

So this is basically how it was dug up less some brushing?

bronzemat

Sometimes, depends on where it was buried and the soil conditions. Most of them are cleaned to some extent. The dealer told me I could clean this further but I like it.

Usually distilled water is the way to go and some picking & then changing the water daily.

nicholasz219

Great coin Bronzemat! I'm kind of half and half on the patina. If it comes with it and looks good, I'm leaving it. But a nice coin without it is fine too. I haven't tried my hand at cleaning one of my own.