A Couple Of Barbs - Or Are They? - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 4 / Views: 934
Sap Moderator Australia 16849 Posts	Posted 08/04/2013 04:28 am Hi All, I bought from my coin club's tender sale the only ancient coins on offer: a couple of Roman radiates, described by the vendor as "Tetricus I" and "Tetricus II". To my eyes, they look like barbarous radiates rather than official coins. Example #1: This one looks the better of the two, with a clearly discernible "PAX AVG" reverse. It's the obverse I'm having trouble with; not only is the portrait cruder than I'd expect, but they've left the "P" off of IMP. I'm happy to call this one either way, I'd just like some expert eyes to confirm or deny it's barbaricity. Example #2: this one I'm more certain of; it is more nicely executed, but the legends make less sense. Obverse as near as I can read it says something like AVG C TETRICVS..., but the reverse, which bears a design I'd describe as "two bundles of sticks, one slightly larger and more humanoid than the other", reads nonsense: AOSTVSVS or something similar. I' sure it's a barb; any ideas what the reverse type is supposed to be imitating? Maybe VIRTVS AVG? All opinions welcome. 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 Report this Post to the Staff

Ben Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 4208 Posts	Posted 08/04/2013 06:28 am Both are Tetricus I, both are unofficial issues. I have one very similar to the top coin. Top one is a very good example - they've got the writing correct! Well rendered. Leafing througha hoard of the things makes it very easy to tell the real from the fake. The real deal is surprisingly well settled into the design. Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 08/04/2013 07:18 am Barbs were often, but not always, less in weight, and often, buy not always, thinner. There is not much to see in detail, but the skill exhibited by the die cutter makes my opinion lean towards 'barbarous'. I agree with BenByfield. At least, that is my 'gut' feeling. Edited by sel_69l 08/04/2013 07:30 am Report this Post to the Staff
Masis Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 946 Posts	Posted 08/05/2013 09:30 am Both busts are bearded. That rules out the young boy, Tetricus II. The "Unofficial Issues" tended to imitate the coins of Tetricus I. Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4971 Posts	Posted 08/05/2013 11:59 am i'd buy those at a coin club sale. Report this Post to the Staff
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