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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,079 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I wasn't looking for a Roman coin in particular but while searching I did come across a very nice Phillip the Arab I just couldn't pass up. The price was right and had been lowered several times. Why was no one interested in this coin? I don't know but man, I like it. I really like the nice fields and full heavy flan. The folks selling the coin on the 'bay apparently used a x-ray spectrophotometer to analyzed the constituents of the coin. The also mentioned that they had a state calibration certification for the scale used. Seems interesting so, I said "why not, the coin is pretty cheap." Analysis says.... Ag = 69.47% Cu = 28.88% Pb = 0.84% Au = 0.41% Zn = 0.40% Check it out. I confirmed the attribution as Rome, Italy Philip The Arab AR Antoninianus 24 mm x 4.3 grams Obverse: IMP PHILLIPVS AVG Radiant, draped, cuirassed bust of Philip I. Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG-Tall thin cippus inscribe with COS III in two lines ref: RIC 24c, C193 Note: Celebrates the thousand years since the founding of Rome.Superb XF condition.  Edited by Ancientnoob
10/26/2014 7:19 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
An excellent coin with super detail and well centered strike. I don't have one of these 1000 year types. I really like this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
The coin and its significance are reason enough to buy it. The metal analysis bumps it up to extremely cool!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Yea while on my numismatic journey the other night I stopped in Rome and believe it or not a celebration. I like all of the ancient empires but you have to get a Roman just out of respect.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
3626 Posts |
I don't have one of these yet. Super cool Noob. I think Ben will be jealous as well :)
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Pillar of the Community
3772 Posts |
Is the title a give away to your true age? Hinting at your vampire heritage?
Beautiful coin,
interesting reverse.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
@ Medieval- You wouldnt be the first person to pick up on that.
@ ALL - Glad you like it. It will sit nicely with Shapur I. I am looking at getting an XF Valerian I with the Orient reverse. Anyone got one?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
291 Posts |
Beautiful coin and great analysis.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
and my.. Vijayasena Dated AD 242 164 SE  and...Isvaradatta Dated Reg.Yr. 1 also 242 AD  |
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
Nearly 70 % silver during the 3rd century ? Me thinks that is not right.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
With non-destructive testing you're only going to get the composition of the surface, which is probably much higher in silver than in copper than the coin as a whole.
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Pillar of the Community
Italy
1790 Posts |
That's what I was thinking. This Beauty is probably in the 35-45% silver range.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2480 Posts |
I'd guess that many ground conditions produce the same result as purposeful depletion gilding (using weak acid to remove copper from the surface of sterling silver, leaving the silver :: higher silver content of the surface)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4973 Posts |
Edited by chrsmat71
10/27/2014 12:26 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
I wish I would have been into coins a few years ago when I was in college. I got my degree in materials science engineering, and I could have easily put together a project and gotten some Mass Spectrometer time to study compositions over time, and (a coin would have to be sacrificed but it would be fun to know) throughout a single coin
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,079 |
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Posted 10/26/2014 6:56 pm
