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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,930 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
Last Sunday I was asked to bring several identified Roman bronzes to class pursuant to discussion in the class. Several of the children were very interested in seeing nearly 2000 year old coins. Since my LCS has 30-40 LRBs in execrable shape that they have been desperate to get rid for some time, I picked up 13 to distribute to the children at my church (including one in college). All things considered, I thought it would be nice if we could identify -- at least somewhat -- what each coin was when I gave it away. So I am leaning on the inexhaustible knowledge and discernment of the CCF community to help me identify (if possible) these fragments and badly worn remnants of a long-past currency. First up: 16.6 mm; 1.92 grams   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2637 Posts |
#2: 16.1 mm; 2.19 gr.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
#3: 17.4 mm; 1.62 gr.   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
#4: 14.6 mm; .56 gr   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
I could believe this reverse of #1 might read "REIPVBLICAE" - as perhaps in " SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE," with a winged Victory...Perhaps Valens?  Edited by Kamnaskires
05/31/2016 8:56 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
#5: 15.9 mm; 1.85 grams   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
#6: 14.4 mm; 1.21 grams   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Wow, these are pretty far gone, unfortunately. The globe and spear are clear enough on the reverse of #5...and given that the figure is clothed, I assume that rules out Jupiter or Sol (aren't they usually depicted with no clothes?). I'd guess Julian II for that one, but that's just a shot in the dark...way out of my comfort zone here.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Yeah, pretty far gone. Difficult to say for sure who they might be.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
949 Posts |
I agree with Bob that #1 belongs to one of the Valentinians with the SECVRITAS REPVBLICAE reverse. ----- #2 has a rather clear soldier and horseman for a falling horseman reverse and I'm guessing the obverse is for Constantius II. ----- If we correct the rotation of the reverse on #3 I think I see the beginning of the FEL T[EMP] falling horseman reverse. Since the tail pieces and a single rosette of a diadem survive on the obverse, I would guess it is Constantius II.  ----- #4 appears to have a residual TES from a mint mark for Thessalonica. Possibly another falling horseman, but I am not at all sure about that. It is at least as possible that it has a Virtus and captive(s) reverse. ----- #5 has the SPES REPUBLICE reverse, for either Julian II as Ceasar, or Constantius II as Augustus. ----- The obverse of #6 looks like the veiled figure of Constantine from his memorial issues, possibly with the quadriga reverse (hand of God) if the figure on the left is driving a quadriga. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
If we correct the rotation of the reverse on #3 I think I see the beginning of the FEL T[EMP] falling horseman reverse. Impressive spotting and deductive reasoning, Irbguy! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6130 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Russian Federation
5178 Posts |
Quote:
I can't quite make out the pics on my phone, but that site should help. Maybe the coins are more clear in hand? I agree, much of the problem is awful pics (badly compressed ones, at that, if the pixelation is what I think it is). Not that the coins themselves are that much better. I do also agree that the first coin is a Securitas Reipublicae of Valentinian (almost certainly Valentinian I, the known types of Valentinian II do not fit the legend break), and the second coin is a Fel Temp fallen horseman (I wouldn't explicitly identify the emperor, but Constantius II seems likely). |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
Thanks to all for their assistance. Since the remaining coins are even less apparent, I think I will simply distribute them unidentified. Perhaps there will be a preference for larger coins -- if so, so be it. Thanks again.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2637 Posts |
LRBs all happily and gratefully received. Thanks again for all the help.
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,930 |
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Posted 05/31/2016 8:23 pm
