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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,841 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
763 Posts |
My sister just got back from her honeymoon in Rome and she brought me back this gift:  I collect US coins and know nothing about ancient coins. Can anyone tell me a little about it? I know it is bronze and it was minted during Constantine I's reign but that is about it. If anyone is interested, she bought the coin from Diana Numismatica. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1316 Posts |
 ... I'm new to this to, but hang around there are some great Ancient collectors will get your info, Good luck ..... 
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2100 Posts |
CONSTANTINE I, AE3
OBV: CONSTANTINVS AVG, laureate head right
REV: PROVIDENTIAE AVGG, campgate with two turrets, no doors, star above, SMTSE in ex.
Minted at Thessalonica, 226-8 AD
Regards,
Martin
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Nice coin/gift.The mint mark SMTSE means:S M="sacred money", TS=Thesselonica, the E or epsilon= 5th officina. So it reads "The sacred money of thesselonica, 5th officina (workshop)".
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4253 Posts |
Stick around. You might find you like this area of numismatics. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Nice gift! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1549 Posts |
http://dougsmith.ancients.info/acmcampgate.htmlYou might find some interest in the above page's discussion of the reverse type. There are hundreds of minor variations of this reverse and some people specialize in them. Most of us are happy to have just one as nice as yours as part of a more general collection.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
763 Posts |
Thanks for the comments. I've learned a lot. I have thought about branching into ancients in the past, but I am not sure where to begin. Is there a good reference book to start with? I am very interested in ancient Greek and Roman religions so I would like to to start collecting coins with the gods and godesses depicted - I love the Athena coin in DVCollector's avatar.
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Valued Member
United States
422 Posts |
It may not be RIC, but I've learned alot about ancients when I bought the book, 'Ancient Coin Collecting,' by Wayne Sayles. I bought my copy used on Amazon, in perfect condition for about $15 bucks. It actually was a signed copy. It is a very basic book that will give you a good intro to collecting, the various emperors and kings, Greek and Roman and the history of ancient coin collecting and lots more. Other avenues are online and cover about anything you want to know. BTW, welcome to the forum! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2596 Posts |
Some good reading that will get you some useful info are the handbook to Greek and roman coins, David sear's roman coins and their values. The series 'Ancient Coin Collecting,' by Wayne Sayles. All these can be good starter books. ERIC II is a good reference book and the RIC books are more pricey but probably the best referance Books on the subject of roman coins.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I suggest going for as many Roman Emperors as you can, starting out. Many are very affordable and it's the easiest way to learn before moving on to other coins, should you still be interested.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
Nice Constatine I Campgate!  Constantine the first(great) has a cool history: http://www.roman-colosseum.info/rom...stantine.htmI only have one Constantine I which happens to very silmilar to yours. Your coin is in better shape than mine! Here is mine: Constantine I, 306-337 AD. AE19. Laureate head right. Reverse: Camp gate, Delta / Epsilon in rt. / left fields, SMANT (Antioch Mint)  
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,841 |
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Posted 06/03/2012 11:58 am
