Large Apollo size Roman Phalera Disk Coin made in billon and is debased metal

Description: Large size Apollo head Roman Phalera Disk Coin made in billon metal which is a debased metal. The Romans used billon mostly in late empire coins but it’s use continue until the Middle Ages. Although it looks silver, it is 75% copper and 25% silver or less and other mixed metals. However, any Roman coin produced in billion, was usually only 2% silver, although it still had a silver look. The ancient Greeks were the first to use this silver looking metal mix which started in the 600 BC time period. However, the Romans used this billon metal the most as they started to debase their own silver denarius coinage and their silver tetradrachms in the provinces starting as early as Nero. This was done by putting more and more bronze in it over time as each emperor melted down the denarius of the p[revious emperor and debased it more and more. This was one way they made money. This practice was called debasement. The United States also does this on itd silver looking nickels which are 75% copper and 25% nickel. Some silver and manganese was also used from time to time.It may be possible to remove the corrosion by using electrical current in a bath and a car battery charger. I have done this before myself on a few ancient coins about three decades back. It can also be hand cleaned to some extent. Soil conditions or what it was buried with most likely what caused the corrosion. Although it is most likely the other based metals that reacted for this corrosion, it is known by myself and other ancient coin collectors that ancient Roman silver coins can also corrode due to a process called crystallization. I have owned three silver denarii with this issue in the past.

Price: 589 USD

Location: Houston, Texas

End Time: 2024-12-16T21:55:29.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD