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Replies: 22 / Views: 2,749 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Hi Guys. Ive just inherited some roman coins. Well actually quite a few & have absolutely no idea what they are. Im not 100% sure if they are totally identifiable & have no idea if its gold bronze? I'm assuming they are bronze. Any help would be so much appreciated. Thanks guys 
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
First one, top left, seems to be a Brass Sestertius of Antoninus Pius. Second seems to be a Brass Sestertius of Hadrian. Third seems to be a Brass Sestertius of Antoninus Pius. They are all well worn, maybe by circulation, being in the soil, overcleaned or all three.
Fourth seems to be a Brass Sestertius of Marcus Aurelius, in far better condition than the previous three.
Fifth looks like a Semis of the Julio-Claudian era. Sixth looks like a Bronze Dupondius.
You are free here to post individual photos, of each side of each coin. That way we can better judge each coin, as we can via the internet.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
549 Posts |
Yes, they are "bronze" (which is often brass with a golden color, but in ancient-coin collecting the term "brass" is rarely used, even when correct) Roman coins. Left to right, they appear to be Marcus Aurelius, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius (pretty nice). It is a group of second century coins of the "good emperors". The second row has a reverse so we don't know the emperor and one that I am not sure about, but it might be a young Commodus. Size matters and if I guess the scale right the top ones are sestertii (sestertius is the singular form).
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
 I agree with previous comments but I think the furthest right coin is a reproduction piece. The design is too crisp for its condition and there seems to be a seam. The others are pretty nice though. big and chunky.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
 to the community.
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New Member
 United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Thank you guys. I can assure you these are not reproductions lol. I cleaned them which probably wasn't the greatest of ideas. All was found metal detecting in a old roman village in uk.
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New Member
 United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Forgot to mention. Thank you so much guys I really appreciate all of your help, I have way to many of the bloody things grrrRrr. But hugely interesting. I dont think I better clean the others. Again thanks so much guys
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
579 Posts |
Well you can clean them it is just a matter of doing it properly (which there are many conflicting opinions on). Ben and chrsmat71 are good resources for cleaning. I dabble but haven't had any great success' as of yet.
Nice coins though!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Yeeeeah, id stop cleaning them like that! The proper history and value can be maintained with some more...gentle methods.
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Pillar of the Community
Mexico
1304 Posts |
wow, what a fun adventure getting to know those coins! Enjoy!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
The Lot in the photo do not need any more cleaning, and some again have been overcleaned.
Me & Ben are in the UK, I am in London, what "Roman village" site was this, out of interest?
Obviously they were found individually, rather than at once, which would be a Hoard find and need reporting to the local Corner's Office.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
(Im a south of london, out of the way of most roman stuff) Wow! I see some really nice coins in there. I've highlighted some real lookers in the photo, could we get some better pictures of them? Ill explain a couple. The big high detail 'fat guy' looks to be Magnentius. I dont have one of him yet and when I've looked I've seen few that nice. The reverse could be pretty nice - theres a popular Chi Rho reverse. Theres also one which I reckon could be the work of London Mint. another is a high grade tetricus which you dont see often - and a high grade constantinopolis which people love. What do you plan to do with them? 
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
That's good to hear! A history of properly handled antiquities and a picture in a first post! You are welcomed to CCF, and we regret that your grandfather did not find us. This is a good hobby, you are never 'out of money'. I look forward to your participation. 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3444 Posts |
I think it might be advisable to re'bury' your coins in a flower pot for a year (or two) they are not happy the way they are right now.
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New Member
 United Kingdom
20 Posts |
Hi Ben. Its not a Chi Rho reverse. I have attached a picture for you. (not very good) sorry! I think I am going to keep these little beauties for the kids as it was my granddads 55-60 years hard work with metal detectors etc on his farm. 99% of all the stuff he found went to the museum all the unwanted stuff which was found to be insignificant and found bit by bit he was aloud to keep. Shame I didnt learn anything about it from him! Especially with him being a field director on various occasions on digs. He used to tell me stories about chasing night hawkers (illegal metal detecter people) off his fields lol! 
Edited by Richrich3849 04/30/2013 04:25 am
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New Member
 United Kingdom
20 Posts |
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Replies: 22 / Views: 2,749 |