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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,662 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
First off, let me admit I know virtually nothing about this numismatic genre. In fact, these are the first two ancients I've ever purchased (I got to cherrypick them out of a bag of very rough specimens bought by a reputable dealer). I've always rather thought that the quantity of such that've survived is well nigh miraculous, and the ease with which they might be reproduced is something I'd rather not think about. In any event, I'd like to find out what precisely I have here and whether there'd be any sense whatsoever in having them authenticated/certifiied. I'm actually somewhat concerned that the larger specimen is not so old as I was at first thinking. And of course, if either of these are likely not genuine, I'd certainly want to know.     Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
The first coins seems to be an antoninianus of emperor aurelianus.
The second is a coin of emperor Valens or Valentinianus
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4883 Posts |
Now that I've examined the legends (at least what's left of them) closely, I believe Aurelian and Valens would be reasonable assignations. There are tremendous online resources for identifying these that I hadn't supposed existed. The list of Aurelian issues is especially lengthy, but I ought to be able to pare the possibilities down by the fact that the bust is facing left, and the name has a preceding "C" (for "Caesar" I presume) both characteristics tigether being a less usual configuration so far as I can see, but I'm not finding a good match
Colligo ergo sum
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Well you got to start somewhere. When I first started collecting ancients I bought and un-cleaned lot. The first coin that I cleaned was an Aurelian. What a thrill that was to be able to ID a Roman emperor. I had the fever than and stuck with ancients. I hope you get the fever and these aren't going to be your only ones.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
The second one is absolutely a Valens, it's a dead ringer for one I have in my collection. Welcome to the ancients! I hope you stick around and enjoy some of history's finest treasures!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
567 Posts |
Here are some quick pics of the Valens I have, to show you just how similar they are!   Edited by Arael
09/02/2015 9:16 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Thank you, Paul, I think you've nailed it so far as the emperor is concerned, and the image accessed via the link you've posted is certainly close. In the very extensive catalog I've been independently looking through, I can see many obvious similarities to my specimen among the various Probus issues' motifs, but I think I'd have to be even luckier than usual to stumble upon exactly the right one.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I'm sure it's a SOLI INVICTO reverse with Sol in a facing quadriga. I've rotated the photo of your coin's reverse 90 degrees clockwise and put it next to a coin of this type. You can see Sol's figure with his right arm raised. LI INV from SOLI INVICTO is clearly above him. As for the mint, you'll have to do some cleaning to figure that out. I hope this helps you with your attribution.  Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4971 Posts |
welcome to ancients LC....and good eye PB...i couldn't make out that reverse at all.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Well, I'm also tremendously impressed by Paul's recognition of the reverse design. In poring over the catalog I've downloaded, I see strong similarities between my specimen and what's identified as RIC 863, with nothing else especially conforming. But as I said, I'm an utter novice with regard to this kind of item, just employing my general numismatic skills at this stage.
With that last statement in mind, while there's obviously encrustation that might (and perhaps ought to) be removed, I'm going to have to do some serious research into methods for cleaning (I'd prefer the term "conserving") such a piece before attempting anything of the sort. It may well be a low value coin, but I certainly still wouldn't want to ruin the first I'd ever bought.
Colligo ergo sum
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
Cuss, you must know that ancient coinīs dies were all hand-made, so you donīt must expect to find two "twin" coins
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Pillar of the Community
Spain
629 Posts |
In fact, in ancient coin collecting "twin coins" usually are "fake coins"(with some few exceptions, of course...)
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Cuss, there are all sorts of methods for conserving these coins but the safest is to soak the coin in distilled water (not tap water! You can buy distilled water from auto stores since it is used to fill certain kinds of batteries) since it has no impurities it leaches the mineral deposits off the coin (very slowly) but cannot do it any harm.
After a good long soak you can scrub with a toothbrush, change the water and repeat.
Some people have had joy with olive oil too, but this is slightly acidic and so not as gentle as distilled water is. (though it is still pretty gentle)
Best to leave the power tools and electrolysis for the real hard cases ^^
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4883 Posts |
Well, I always have distilled water on hand for determining specific gravities, so that's easy enough. I'm certain I have olive oil in the kitchen cabinet as well, but I'll approach this project in baby steps out of an abundance of caution.
Colligo ergo sum
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,662 |
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Posted 09/02/2015 8:28 pm
