Got in 1 book and 2 coins today (Crusader)

[the_Thing ®]

Alex Malloy sent me a copy of his 2nd edition of Coins of the Crusader States, which he was gracious enough to inscribe, along with 2 coins to get my collection started. First, on the book, I didn't realize crusader coins were as "complicated" or I guess I should say varied as they are. Should be enough to keep my collecting interests busy for a life time anyway. The first coin he sent me was Bohemound III, billion denier 1163 -1201. The second coin was Philliip of Taranto billion denier 1307-1313. This silver coin has a very dark, almost black patina. I'm not used to collecting medieval or ancient silver. Is there something to cause this black patina? I'm assuming the silver is tarnished? Has some slight encrustation (which I prefer, as to harshly cleaned). I'll try and get some pics later, but i'm not sure if my digital camera will do the job very well. Also, for those who don't know, Malloy is auctioning off the Harry Scherzer colletion of world coins. He sent me a nice catalogue of the collection. If you are into world coins, I would suggest you ask him for a copy.

[JamminJ]

I'm not used to collecting medieval or ancient silver. Is there something to cause this black patina? I'm assuming the silver is tarnished?

 

The patina is in fact tarnish, silver coins from many hundreds of years ago are usually not blast white. Bilion is very low grade silver which was alloyed with something else - copper usually.

 

Has some slight encrustation (which I prefer, as to harshly cleaned).

 

I've read that ancient collectors will soak coins in olive oil to help loosen encrustation. I've not tried this myself, but it may be a useful path to investigate.

 

Also, for those who don't know, Malloy is auctioning off the Harry Scherzer colletion of world coins. He sent me a nice catalogue of the collection. If you are into world coins, I would suggest you ask him for a copy.

 

Any link available? I'm not familiar with Malloy.

 

Looking forward to the pictures!

 

-JamminJ

[JamminJ]

First, on the book, I didn't realize crusader coins were as "complicated" or I guess I should say varied as they are.

 

One of the reasons the coins are so complicated is due to the breakown of central authority in medieval times. When there's just one central government there only one authority issuing coins. However, back in feudal days every two bit count, margrave, duke and lord would bang out at least a few coins to show how important he was.

 

-JamminJ

[the_Thing ®]

Hey JJ, Malloy has been around since I was a kid, well over 25 years. He deals mainly in ancients, but, like his current auction, world coins too. I've used olive oil to clean unidentifible (due to encrustation) Byzantine coins before, with excellent results. Cleans up the encrustation, while leaving a nice, original patina. Only one draw back to olive oil though, count on it taking about 6 month of soaking to work.

 

Alex G. Malloy

[JamminJ]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.

 

Only one draw back to olive oil though, count on it taking about 6 month of soaking to work.

It took 800 years to get the crud on the coin, 6 months does not sound like an unreasonable amount of time to gently lift it off.

 

It also means you should get started right away!

 

-JamminJ