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 Replies: 52 / Views: 2,997 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
no your doing good jangofett, I have to run to the post office soon so go ahead and take over.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4253 Posts |
Quote:
the next coin is a constantius II campgates with open doors and 4 turrets.
CONSTAN_TINVS AVG
Laureate head right
VIRTV_S AVGG,RIC VII, 291? Spot on. Sorry I missed your answer earlier. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Have a bit of a question. Say you have a coin with SMKD as the mintmark, and it matches the coin to a certain RIC # (lets say 120). RIC 119 coin is almost the same coin but has SMKG as it's mintmark. Thing is, RIC 119's bust looks exactly like the bust on your coin, but your coin is RIC 120. Even though the bust may be somewhat different, would it still be RIC 120?
BTW thanks jessvc1
Edited by VisigothKing
10/25/2011 3:55 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
We have to remember that even with coins made at the same mint, there were different die cutters at each and within each shop. So, busts will vary even from shop to shop within the same mint.
JW
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Oh ok I understand. Because with your Constantine I RIC 73, I have that same one (CONSH, same kind of bust) that I posted a while back, maybe you remember, and I saw that 73 (CONSH) had a different-looking bust than my coin. Then I checked RIC 59 and saw that the bust was exactly the same, but the mintmark was not (CONSA). But I attributed it anyways as RIC 59. So when you said that yours was RIC 73, I got a bit confused. But I understand now.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
I was just wondering is there a good book to buy on these coins?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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I was just wondering is there a good book to buy on these coins? Yes, there a a lot of good books, but I'm going to go up against conventional wisdom and say that I find searching on-line to be easy and fast. I have a set of RIC and a set of Sear, plus others, and I rarely go to them any more. I have books entitled Dictionary of Roman Coin Inscriptions, Legions of Imperial Rome, Reading and Dating Roman Imperial Coins, A Price Guide to Roman Base metal Coins and a Price Guide to Roman Silver Coins. Plus on and on. These books were my only guides prior to the internet so I had to have them. But believe me when I say it is much quicker and more complete for me to check the internet. I wouldn't give up my books, but I find I'm relying more and more on this internet thing (even though its probably only a fad  ). JW Edited by Bing
10/25/2011 7:07 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
I agree 100% with JW except that I am firmly of the opinion that anyone who feels it is necessary to have and quote catalog numbers should own and use that book itself rather than relying on salvaging numbers off websites or other books. The advantage of online resources that you can question your sources and expect someone else to point out when there is a matter of dispute. In some cases this will reveal where there has been an update since one standard reference was published; in others it will point out where you need to do your own research to decide which of the two responses received is more likely to be correct. No numismatic book, no author and no online source should be accepted as gospel truth but should be used to guide you to understanding.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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No numismatic book, no author and no online source should be accepted as gospel truth but should be used to guide you to understanding Hear, Hear. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Answers:
1. Probus, Rome, RIC 155
2. Constantine I, Constantinople, RIC VII 73
3. Constantine I, Arelate, RIC VII 233
4. Constantine I, Nicomedia, RIC VIII 18
5. Constantine I, Arelate, RIC VII 291
6. Constantine I, Treveri, RIC VII 303
7. Claudius II, Siscia, RIC 193
8. Claudius II, Rome, RIC 14
9. Gratian, Siscia, RIC IX 26a
10. Gallienus, Rome, RIC 163
11. Tetricus II, Treveri, RIC 270v
12. Constantius II, Siscia, RIC VIII 194
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Good thread  - IDing these coins down to a RIC number can appear very daunting to beginners but with the right tools (Like the sites JW posted) it can become a very quick and easy process. Personally my first stop is always FAM and Helvetica's RIC tables, for the 3rd century onwards this resource can't be faulted. I agree that the internet is the best place to start - as good as the info is in RIC the books present that info in a very poor way, it can be a very time-consuming and frustrating way to ID coins. I only use them for confirmation of numbers now, ironic as its their numbers I'm seeking. Quote:
No numismatic book, no author and no online source should be accepted as gospel truth but should be used to guide you to understanding. I agree - I would also add that although the internet can be a great resource it can also be very mis-leading. You will find a huge amount of mis-attributed coins on the net, it doesn't take long to realise which sites you can and cant trust. As far as confirming RIC numbers goes its a pretty quick process so if anyone needs / wants it doing simply post the coin (picture), state what you think it is and ask the question. I'm sure those who have the books (myself, JW, I'm sure Doug will have and a few others) will be happy to help out. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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I'm sure those who have the books (myself, JW, I'm sure Doug will have and a few others) will be happy to help out. More than happy. I love attributing coins, so just give me a chance (and let me beat bobbyhelmet to it once in a while ) JW |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
It seems very difficult to ID ancient coins, that's why I'm finding this thread very helpful indeed. Although, I have no books currently, I may get some later when I can.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
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It seems very difficult to ID ancient coins Truly, attributing ancients is not all that difficult. After a while of seeing the coins, it's fairly easy to identify the emperor and the reverse type. Then it boils down to mint. After that it is just the nuances that will make the differences in the RIC attribution. If you can read just about any part of the obverse/reverse legend, there are sites that will narrow your search based on a partial legend. http://www.dirtyoldcoins is one of these sites. As we have said, having the books is nice and will help to confirm what you have found on line. As bobbyhelmet said, RIC is laid out in a way that makes it cumbersome to search. Before you invest in the research books, try it on-line first. After a while of collecting then you may want to invest in the books (they can be expensive). Stick around for a while, we'll help teach you how to attribute these babies. JW |
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Posted 10/25/2011 3:42 pm
