Revealing/Preserving the Image on Coins
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2016 2:47 pm
I am currently investigating a fen edge field, where local tradition says the Militia garrison from a nearby Napoleonic prisoner of war camp, used for musketry practice.
The farmer has picked up 100+ musket balls over the years and I have collected another 100+ recently. They are all the same calibre (.69) so right for the Brown Bess. A local archaeologist is helping me plot the finds as there is a distinct pattern, which may be significant.
I have found several copper coins but only two of them have any image left at all. The peat soil is acidic and very harsh on copper coins. The two are barely discernible as George III halfpennies, one of which I think is 1806.
I can only see the image when the coins are wetted to a particular extent. As soon as dry, they just look like dark brown metal discs. I have cleaned them with water and a soft tooth brush only.
Is there a way that I can get the image to stay visible ? I have read the section regarding do/don't use olive oil etc. and am a little confused.
Advice would be appreciated please.
The farmer has picked up 100+ musket balls over the years and I have collected another 100+ recently. They are all the same calibre (.69) so right for the Brown Bess. A local archaeologist is helping me plot the finds as there is a distinct pattern, which may be significant.
I have found several copper coins but only two of them have any image left at all. The peat soil is acidic and very harsh on copper coins. The two are barely discernible as George III halfpennies, one of which I think is 1806.
I can only see the image when the coins are wetted to a particular extent. As soon as dry, they just look like dark brown metal discs. I have cleaned them with water and a soft tooth brush only.
Is there a way that I can get the image to stay visible ? I have read the section regarding do/don't use olive oil etc. and am a little confused.
Advice would be appreciated please.