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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,809 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Hello all. I'm looking for information on a coin that was found by my father. We believe it to be Roman as it was found near Cirencester, UK. Which is well known for its ancient Roman past. One side of the metal coin, possibly copper, is to far damaged to ascertain a date or emperor portrait but the other side is clear enough to make a figure holding a staff or horn of some kind on his shoulder and maybe a world by the top or some sort of coin purse. He possibly has a helmet on and wings on his back. There is writing around the edge but he nor I can make head nor tail out of it. We are both keen amateur historians and would to like know what a community of people think about this coin, and if you know what we don't. Thanks very much for looking and any theories or date or even figure names would be fantastic. Tom  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
 Any idea of the weight of the coin. Would it be possible to add a picture of the other side and if possible the edge of the coin, please. It may not be roman, it could be a token or something else. |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Hi thanks for replying so quick. I'm currently away from the coin, my father has kept it with him. He has just weighed it for me and it was around 6 grams he says. The image is of the back, it is possibly corroded and damaged or if it's a token may never have been an image on the back. It's not very thick, around 2mm max, you could very well be right with a token maybe. But any knowledge you have is more than what I have. Thanks very much.  |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I not so sure it's an ancient coin but I do see what looks victory advancing. I can't figure out whats she holding. I'm thinking it's some type of token.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Mmm Victory usually wears a longer skirt!
It might be better off in another forum. There does appear to be some sort of legend.
Tom, you might try soaking the coin. Get some distilled water (or de-ionised water for car batteries) and chuck the coin in. Every few days, clean with an old toothbrush. Change the water when it gets cloudy. Eventually (days/weeks/months) you might be able to read the legend. It is a nice piece of history whatever it is.
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New Member
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Thanks very much for your help everyone. The victory advancing is a very good avenue for me to investigate. Excellent forum. Is it possible for me to transfer to another forum then. Apologies for the wrong forum. We thought maybe it could be Mercury because of his wings but minus his staff and snakes, we will keep investigating. My father has large collection of coins or tokens found in the area, we will attempt to upload and keep up the investigation.
We will try to clean it up further and see what we get.
Thanks again.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
Well you never know, maybe it is Mercury. There does seem to be a staff/pole or something laterally in front of him. The thing he is holding might be a basket of snakes! The board is very slow at the moment, keep checking back to see if somebody has any ideas, and good luck!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Edited by philadelphian
05/25/2014 5:04 pm
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New Member
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Wow. Your right. Did not see that coming.
Glad we know what it is now though. Happily we can be sure that there is roman coins in the collection. But this is not one of them.
Thank you
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Feel free to post any others, we'll certainly help where we can. Ill go read up on Cirencester...the name itself tells us that it was roman - Cester or Chester in a town or cities name means it was once home to a Castra, a Roman Fort. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Good eye Phil, would have never found this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4981 Posts |
oh my, I would have never guessed that in a 1,000 years! props to philidelphian! |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I am suspecting that it may be a bale seal check of much more recent times, and perhaps made from lead or a lead alloy. The colour suggests this. There may be an included alloying metal to stiffen and harden it. Try to bend it with your fingers ONLY.
I know of no Roman coin deliberately made with a hole.
What is the diameter, thickness and weight?
We would need to know more about the environment in which it was found. Lead would not be able to long resist an aggressive ground burial environment.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,809 |
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Posted 05/25/2014 4:22 pm
