Ancient copper coins

[JeanK]

I have an ancient copper coin which I have not yet identified.
The coin has been soaking in alternately in olive oil and then distilled water.
Does anyone on LCR have knowledge of ancient copper coins, and if so, is there a place to begin about which country or realm if one knows the size and weight of the coin? This ancient is 15mm wide and 3 1/2 mm thick and weighs 4.5 grams.
Thank you for checking out this thread.
Jean

[mustbebob]

Jean,
I collect ancients, and also have a couple of books on them. A nice pic of the obverse and reverse might help me narrow it down. I am assuming it is bronze??

[JeanK]

Ancient coin pictures

Well Bob, you might find these a bit difficult to work with. I am still trying to soak off some of the gunk. This could be bronze but I do not know how to determine that on my own.
Thank you for asking...
Jean

[mustbebob]

Yes Jean. These are a little too corroded to make a proper determintation. I can tell you that the majority of ancients I have seen are from the Constantine era (about 300 AD)

[JeanK]

Yes, they are encased rather heavily. The first three pics I believe is the reverse and I am trying to determine the 'symbols' I think I am seeing by using pictures in books and the internet sites for comparisons. Can you think of any other way to get the encrustation to give way any sooner that say, mid-2015? Ten pound hammer?
Thanks Bob,
Jean

[mustbebob]

You can try electrolysis with a 9V battery. It has worked for me on occasion. However Jean, by looking at your coins, 2015 may be a bit optimistic. I have had about 250 coins sitting in olive oil for almost 3 years now, and once in a while I take a few out and they will clean nicely. Hopefully, you can find some nice ones like those below with lots of detail.

[1sgret]

Now those are nice. I always did like the hammered coins.

I have a couple of errors in ancient coins somewhere in this mess or at the bank.