Should I Patinate This Ancient Coin

I was about to patinate the Constantius II you see pictured above when I was struck by the beautiful color and luster of the patina. I asked myself the question, “why patinate?” Why should I darken an already beautiful coin? I think the coin is remarkably beautiful in form, color and sculptural quality as is. Why should I darken an already beautiful patina?

Allow me to digress a bit. I salvaged the coin from a deeply encrusted lump of “concrete” and I had to zap the coin much longer and with more power than I normally use in zapping. Consequently the coin is much brighter than coins I usually get from a zapping session.

Was I simply trying to satisfy some preconceived notion we have about how a coin should look? I think so. I was influenced by what I had “learned” from others. I was not satisfying MY aesthetics! As an artist I already knew the coin was incredibly beautiful! In fact, I was trying to satisfy some anticipated notion of what others would think if I did not darken the surface of the coin. I was dealing with issues I had long ago dealt with in my painting and printmaking. I had learned to be free as an artist and I had learned that I could not be concerned with what others thought and have the joy I should experience as a creator. It took me years to free myself from the bondage of caring what others thought about my art. That was the point at which I really began to enjoy my art more than I ever had

What great freedom I experienced when I finally reached that plateau! The plateau I experienced as a free artist. The same principles apply to my coins. I cannot allow others to dictate to me what is good and what is bad. That is my decision based on my personal aesthetics. I now feel free from all this tom-foolery about the Holy Patina! I do know what I like. That is the truth. Please respond with your opinions. I only hope you can experience the joy I now feel!