Commodus, Billon Tetradrachm, Milne 2680

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,317
Masis Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 946 Posts	Posted 04/09/2013 6:05 pm I bought this two months ago. Unfortunately it seems that about a quarter of the flan was broken off in antiquity, so the last part of the obverse legend is missing and part of the year date (LK) on the reverse is missing, as well as a chunk out of Cerberus. Giving it some attention, I noticed how the style of Commodus' beard resembles more the style seen in the later busts of his father, Marcus Aurelius, and imitated by Septimius Severus, like "icicles" as Furious Rufus would say. Most of the Billon Tetradrachms of Commodus that I have so far aquired have his beard quite short. Here is the info on it: Obverse: MA KOM ANTÏ‰ - CEB EVCEB, laureate bust facing to the right. Reverse: Serapis, seated to the left, holding a sceptre with his left hand and his right hand over Cerberus, seated to the left. LKÎ˜ in the upper left field. Weight: 9.90 g, Diameter: 22 x 25 x 3.2 mm, Die axis: 0Â° Mint: Alexandria, year 29 (LKÎ˜), struck between 188 -189 A.D. Reference: Milne 2680 Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 04/09/2013 7:23 pm Even with the damage this is still an excellent coins. The details of the emperors face and beard are nice and sharp. Report this Post to the Staff
Whizb4ng Pillar of the Community Canada 579 Posts	Posted 04/09/2013 7:33 pm Another beauty tetradrachm! I was already eyeing the ones on your ebay >< Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4973 Posts	Posted 04/09/2013 8:25 pm rugged but nice, I like it! Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 04/10/2013 12:57 am It seems to me that this coin was struck just below it's paste range. Report this Post to the Staff
maridvnvm Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 2100 Posts	Posted 04/10/2013 04:06 am A good looking coin depite the missing elements. Finding nice examples of Commodus Tets isn't easy. I have bought a couple of my own recently. A year 24 with the shorter beard and and Year 29 where you can certainly see the longer beard. I am just wating for the day I spot a Commodus Alexandrian denarius. They are out there but they are rare. Regards, Martin Report this Post to the Staff
Masis Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 946 Posts	Posted 04/10/2013 06:50 am Lovely examples Martin! Quote: It seems to me that this coin was struck just below it's paste range.-sel_69I Surely "sel_69I" not all your posts are of such vacuousness? Edited by Masis 04/10/2013 07:30 am Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 04/10/2013 09:04 am The 'paste range' of an alloy is the temperature range where the metal with the highest melting point has solidified, but the metal with the lowest melting point is still fluid. The alloy is said to be in it's temperature 'paste range' if the temperature is between the lowest and highest melting points of the metals which make up the alloy. An alloy that is in it's paste range is very soft, and is easier to stamp an image on it. Less die pressure is required, and die life is extended. Considering the fact that ancient coin dies took a lot of effort to fabricate by hand, die life is critical. Therefore heated blanks were often used. In the case of the coin pictured, I think that is was struck when BOTH metals which made up the alloy had already soildified. The blanks, if relatively thick, can become stressed under the extra striking force required to impress the images on them. It seems that some of the blank has spalled off, perhaps not long after striking. 'Paste range' is a term most often encountered with the use of soldering. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,317

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: World Coins and Currency Forums Forum: Ancient, Greek, Roman, and Medieval Coins

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.28 seconds to rattle this change.