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 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,440 |
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New Member
Germany
5 Posts |
Well, I've been having a great time today. I've used many links and threads to help figure out what I have in this big batch of coins. However, I found this one and it's a little unusual. This might not be the correct part of the forum for it, but you'll let me know I'm sure. Dimensions Weight: 20 grams Diameter: around 3.1 cm Depth: just under 3 mm Material: appears to be brass or bronze Any ideas?   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
This appears to be Roman, and I think Roman Provincial. From the weight and size, I would say it is a Sestertius or a medallion of some sort. I don't recognize the portrait off hand, but give me some time and I will see what I can figure out. Perhaps someone else will know as well.
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New Member
 Germany
5 Posts |
Oh, that is so cool! Thanks so much, jwharper! I've just gotten chicken pox in my 40s and I really needed something interesting to happen because I'm on quarantine right now.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
I'm kinda stuck. The reverse you posted is 90 degrees off so I've turned it. It appears to be at least three and possibly four horses and an eagle with spread wings on top of a rostrum of some sort. Perhaps a Quadriga, but so far I haven't found a match.  |
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Valued Member
United States
209 Posts |
That is different looking. I can't recall ever seeing or noticing an open mouthed bust on a roman coin before. Now I am curious about what it is too.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1045 Posts |
Kind of has a Gordian III feel to it, but just a guess.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
That is what I thought, but can't find anything like it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Thanks Doug. This was driving me nuts all day. That is definitely the reverse if not the correct obverse.
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Moderator
 Australia
16867 Posts |
I'm thinking this one might actually be a "tourist copy" of one of these medallions, rather than a genuine ancient item. There are just too many red flags:
- complete lack of ancient patina
- big thick rim
- crude details
- extremely porous fields
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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New Member
Germany
5 Posts |
That is distinctly possible. The man whose locker this came from was slightly sketchy. Also, looking at your link, I don't see any evidence on my coin of a dotted border. It is all quite solid. I would think that at least some of the dots would stay intact. Is that a correct assumption?
FYI on provenance: the man whose storage locker this came from was editor for Newsweek magazine in the Middle East and North Africa in the late 60s early 70s. So, I am sure he encountered many places where a fake would be up for sale.
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Replies: 10 / Views: 1,440 |
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Posted 09/18/2012 12:11 pm
