Finn235 Posted October 17, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 17, 2023 Got this one in a recent lot and thought I had a silver coin until I realized that it's Sear 1761, an "AE" follis of Constantine VII Byzantine is way outside of my wheelhouse - any insights into why this might be colored like this? Alloy cut with lead perhaps? 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ela126 Posted October 17, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 17, 2023 Interesting patina for sure, very uniform Looks like the core might be standard bronze/copper, you can see on the reverse the coppery parts peeking out. I know Alexandrian minted coins have high contents of lead in them. Circa early 7th century. Being this is earlier 9th century from constantinople, i doubt it. Seems to have been well cleaned at some point, the detains are quiet bold and unmasked by dirt. My journeyman guess would be some type of repatination effort after cleaning, could not say how recently though. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted October 17, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 17, 2023 Or I wonder if somebody tried to silver plate it at some point? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted October 18, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 18, 2023 That's weird. I am thinking it might be a lead cast? In which case it would be a modern fake. Anyway, it would be interesting to do a metallurgical analysis on it. What is the weight? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted October 19, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted October 19, 2023 On 10/18/2023 at 12:21 PM, Ancient Coin Hunter said: That's weird. I am thinking it might be a lead cast? In which case it would be a modern fake. Anyway, it would be interesting to do a metallurgical analysis on it. What is the weight? 4.17g on my scale. No sign of casting on the seam, plus the coin is double struck on the obverse. What do these typically weigh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sand Posted October 19, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 19, 2023 It may just be a light gray patina, on a bronze coin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted October 19, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 19, 2023 2 hours ago, Finn235 said: 4.17g on my scale. No sign of casting on the seam, plus the coin is double struck on the obverse. What do these typically weigh? Weight seems OK, probably not a fake at this point. But certainly unusual metallurgical circumstances, to be sure. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tejas Posted October 20, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 20, 2023 (edited) Is it possible, that certain chemical reactions have given the copper a silver-grey surface? I have the coin below, which should be copper, but seems to be good silver. I also have this coin below, which has been silvered at some point. The silvering is quite thick and shiny, but copper shows through at the rim: Edited October 20, 2023 by Tejas 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theotokevoithi Posted December 5, 2023 · Member Share Posted December 5, 2023 Nice coin. It is cleaned and patinated (moderate for a better colour than copper colour). S,Cl and heatιng. It can happen to the ground, but this is not the case. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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