Postumus Antoninianus

Nearly put in a bid on this, but the crack put me off :)

Ive been looking for a good Postumus portrait - my current example is a very rare Postumus dupondius which has been clipped by a plough in history - nice portrait, good size, but the coin itself isn't the best looker.

Decided to work out which mint it is, came out with this ID: RIC V-II Lyons 93; Sear 10998.

I might try a little 'experiment' with this one. Acetone, when left in daylight, becomes slightly acidic (UV light causes Acetic acid to be produced in small small amounts, enough to cause long term problems to copper). Its got a low surface tension, could flood the fields, cool it, put it under UV lights and see if I cant lighten the fields ever so slightly to bring out the bust (or, conversely, lighten the bust, but it might be harder).



I personally like having the odd crack. A cast of a crack is often filled so its a good indicator that a coin has been struck. It also lets you know how good the silver is (pure silver being a little softer doesn't crack so severely but billon is often susceptible to it - theres a big old crack in my Saloninus).

I liked this one, too but the (quoted) postage, to Oz, was too high.

Some (U.K.) sellers quote GBP9.80 (because the BUYER pays it), and some quote GBP2.50. ($14 difference)
Higher postage = fewer bids and less money. Will the sellers never learn?

Its nicer than I expected. The billon is very murky (the sellers photographs are angled to catch the light and make it look more like silver) but the coin itself is in absolute mint condition. Not a sign of wear on it, well struck with just a tiny area of hair not being fully struck (though the die is a little 'clogged' by the design here, I dont think theres much more definition to force out of it). The lettering is slightly worn but the bust is very sharp, so I reckon the die has been recut (a couple of letters also seem to have been sharpened). The reverse die has worn lettering and some features are a bit worn, but I reckon this die has also had a small touch up, perhaps not as recently.

Clearly from a well protected hoard, its got a little luster left to it between the letters.






Pictures dont do that obverse justice (these are taken on a phone).