Question on dirt removal

USAFRETWI · March 2, 2011 10:34AM

Back in 1991 when I was stationed in southern Italy there were 3 of us in my shop that had detectors...had a Whites that I ordered from the Sears catalog. One of the guys I detected with got hooked up with his landlord that had an orchard outside of San Vito. This orchard had the typical waist-high stone walls around it, and busted pottery everywhere. The landlord had said we could keep everything we found and didn't seem too interested in the coins we dug up. We offered anyway and he refused. This place was one of those once in lifetime hunts. We found coins dated B.C. and after with the majority being around 900-1200 A.D. It was totally crazy, we spent months out there, every time the farmer would till up the dirt it was like starting all over. I would be picking up old Roman counter weights, flintlock hammers I know???? and just tossing them aside (duh) wish i would of kept them. Anyway, between the three of us we pulled over 250 coins, mostly bronze and a few silver.....no gold. I found 4-5 coins with no detector at all, just laying on top of freshly tilled dirt. Snuck them back to the states in my household goods, even then they were considered State property. We went to an official Government dig in a town nearby.....we left the detectors in the car or we would be busted. Kind of funny and sad at the same time, the Italians were using backhoe's looking for the Roman Elite burial sites ( I guess people with money back then were buried in a tomb with their valuables to have in the afterlife). We would walk in that field, bones and skulls everywhere.

Anyway here is a coin that came out of the field near San Vito in southern Italy (heal of the boot) Air Force had a small base called San Vito Air Station. Anyone have suggestions to get the dirt off? Italians seem to think Olive Oil, this coin was dipped for 6 months straight but as you can see it didn't help much.

Ken

OnTheHunt · March 2, 2011 12:03PM

Looks fine as is.

Steve

mayor1 · March 3, 2011 11:01AM

Can't help with the cleaning but always nice to meet someone who has been to San Vito. I was stationed there in 65-66 with the 6917th. My first 2 children were born in downtown Brindisi, we lived in Spechiolla. Small world isn't it!!

Bailathacl · March 3, 2011 12:49PM

That coin has a very nice earthen patina -- I wouldn't change a thing, it looks as clean as it needs to be already.

lordmarcovan · March 3, 2011 3:02PM

<< <i>had a Whites that I ordered from the Sears catalog >>

My first "real" detector was one of those.

Don't you dare mess up the patina on that coin! Looks great as it is! Besides, that way it keeps a little bit of the Italian earth that nestled it for a millennium.

USAFRETWI · March 3, 2011 10:57PM

Mayor, I was there 89-93 and went back in 2000 after it was closed for a few years, they opened it back up for a tdy only base. Was really sad, everyone was in the dorms which were really nasty because of everyone coming and going. Base housing was just left to rot. We were going into the schools for carpeting and parts, just ripping it all out (I was in Civil Engineering) the roof of the chapel had collapsed and was on the floor. I'm in touch with a few Italians over there and their telling me if there is a fire they just let it burn. All the money and time we put into that place, what a shame. Best assignment I had in my 20 years. Really miss the food........

Ken

determined · March 5, 2011 2:56AM

The dirt accents the devices and makes them stand out and easy to see. Especially on the obverse. You would lose that if you remove the dirt.

I had an ancient coin in similar condition. When I removed the dirt I didn't like how it looked and still regret it. Lesson learned.

So personally I would leave it as is. The dirt goes along with the coin's age. It's a nice looking coin.

Question on dirt removal

Comments