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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,349 |
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Valued Member
United States
224 Posts |
I have this coin that looks like it was struck with a hammer on the left side. No detail at all on the reverse. I can make out the letters PMTRPC, and I'm thinking Trajan, though those letters apparently are also on Titus. I think the bust looks more like Trajan. Your thoughts? And thanks for all the great info on this site!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
Trajan would be more likely; it's a little hard to make out the bust in the picture. Can you get straight-on images in natural sunlight?
The part of the legend is visible is present on many imperial coins until about the 250s. They are:
PM = Pontifex Maximus (chief priest of the Roman religion)
TR P = Tribunicia Potestas (Tribune Power, being personally inviolable while in office. Renewed annually on December 20; in effect used to count regnal years)
C would be for COS, Consul. A powerful position within the Senate, but not one that the Emperor would always fill.
By the designs of Augustus, there was no "emperor" but rather a single individual who could occupy several important Republican offices to maintain power for life. This became of increasingly lesser importance, and was rarely put on coinage after the fall of the Severans in 238. Diocletian formally ended the Principate in the 280s, and established the position of a bona fide Emperor.
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Valued Member
 United States
224 Posts |
Finn: Thanks for all the info. I have a lot to learn!
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Valued Member
United States
224 Posts |
Any guess as to why a coin would receive a strong hammer blow like that? It doesn't appear to be a counter strike.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
6514 Posts |
That would qualify as a "countersmash".  Check out my counterstamped Lincoln Cent collection: http://goccf.com/t/303507 |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Can you post a clearer picture?
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Valued Member
United States
224 Posts |
I'll see if I can get a clearer pic with my older iPhone -- only camera I have.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
Helpful hint
If you place the coin down on a dark surface the camera will be unable to focus on anything but the coin you are trying to image.
It will also do away with your thumb !
Even a dark pair of blue jeans will work
Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
05/15/2018 3:30 pm
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Valued Member
United States
224 Posts |
Thanks for the hint. I tried holding the coin because I never got good results taking photos on the kitchen counter. Which is WHITE! I'll try the dark background and repost.
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Valued Member
United States
224 Posts |
Well, no luck. Maybe my old iPhone 5 isn't up to it.
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
All of my pictures are with an Iphone 5... Taken on my kitchen table..  |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I think that this hammer blow may be as old as the coin itself.
Silver denarius images 1. and 3. look a bit 'iffy' to me, style of Aurelius' face looks a bit 'off'.
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Valued Member
Canada
266 Posts |
Quote:
Silver denarius images 1. and 3. look a bit 'iffy' to me, style of Aurelius' face looks a bit 'off'. A few more pictures..   |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
Thanks for the larger images. I have been too hasty. I have had a serious look at other images of M.Aurelius denarii on Google Images, and have had to re consider. Looks to be a rather nice example of C.30, R.I.C. 2, B.M.C. 1  |
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,349 |
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Posted 05/15/2018 10:42 am
