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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,143 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
I purchased a group of coins on ebay to get this one because it presented an interesting numismatic mystery that I have not been able to solve. It's big (33 mm. and 17.00 grams) and very worn. It looks to be a Roman provincial coin, but I can't be 100% sure. I think the emperor is Trajan, but it could also be Domitian. I can barely make out IANOC on the left side of the obverse, which could be part of the name of either. There also appears to be the Greek letters CTIA or ETIA at the 6:00-7:00 position on the obverse just behind the base of the bust. The reverse design has two figures standing. They appear to be female and wearing long robes. They are facing away from each other. I have checked VCoins, Wildwinds, Coin Project, Sear and all the other resources I have and can't find anything close to a match. The style is more Imperial than Provincial, but the obverse legend I can see looks to be Greek. Any leads for me to follow? Thanks. This one has me stumped.   Paul Bulgerin
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Sorry Paul but I can't make out enough detail to even venture a guess.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
1194 Posts |
The letters at 6/7 h are the beginning of the inscription . Maybe it is CEBA of CEBASTOS ,only Augustus and Tiberius had coins beginning with this letters .I know Tiberius had coins with the legend : CEBASTOC TIBEPIOC .
another possibility for the legend is CEYHROC for Severus , but the bust is not good in this case .
A third possibility is the bust as represenation of the Senate : CYNK(L)HTOC : .
This are the possibilities I know , I would look for Tiberius .albert
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3098 Posts |
Albert,
Thanks for your suggestions. I did think of Tiberius, as well as every other non-bearded early emperor. I'll do some more research.
I'm going through all my old dealers' catalogs today hoping to find a match. I'll certainly get my money's worth out of this one, just from a time and research point of view, but that's one of the enjoyable things about collecting ancient coins.
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Quote:
The reverse design has two figures standing. They appear to be female and wearing long robes. They are facing away from each other. My first thought is the Dioscuri, nude (although they are clothed in the 2nd pic below), as is seen on the reverses of some issues (Alexandria, Orthosia, Flaviopolis, etc.). I'm quite possibly wrong, though. Lots of wear there.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
Dioscuri is certainly a possiblity, although a quick search didn't result in any matches.
I've also come across a number of coins that have Asklepios standing with someone else, as well as a few that have two Nemeses standing, facing away from each other.
A search of the coins of Flaviopolis show the more "Imperial-like" busts than your typical provincials.
I've gone through my dealer's catalogs: Freeman & Sear, Burke, Gemini and Triton, Tom Cederlind and Pegasi, but no luck there.
The mystery continues!
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
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A search of the coins of Flaviopolis show the more "Imperial-like" busts than your typical provincials. True of some of the Orthosia, Caria issues too, like these big AE's of Trajan (20.61 g) and Hadrian (21.42 g). But no legend match...at least no "C" at 6:00. Tough one you've got there. Let us know if you get it.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
701 Posts |
Certainly a tough one you have there Paul  My initial thoughts were late 2nd - early 3rd century, with the Reverse having the Emperor crowning a Deity or standing next to one. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/...d_BMC_31.jpgStylistically the Reverse is similar. I can also see that there are a couple of letters at 9 o'clock on the Obverse which may prove helpful, my eyes are not so great but they look like KO, MO, NO or maybe the O is an Omega ? Those kinds of letter formations would work fine for the time period I suggested. Hopefully this helps rather than hinders. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I'll take some more photos today under different lighting to see if I can get better details.
I appreciate everyone who has joined in the hunt!
Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
Here are some more photos taken under different lighting. They do show the obverse legend better, but don't do much for the reverse.    Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
I might have a candidate! Trajan from Smyrna. Nothing like going through "Roman Provincial Coins" online, coin-by-coin. But I'm not anal-retentive! Right size and reverse design. The legends seem like they might be close. Not sure if my coin is laureate or bare-headed. http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/1965/  Paul Bulgerin
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Well done, Paul! I think you may have gotten it. Impressive detective work.
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Moderator
United States
34418 Posts |
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Impressive detective work. High praise from our master coin figurer-outer himself!  "If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
701 Posts |
Well done Paul  I cant believe that I didn't see in your original post the reference you made to the legend  It would have shortened the fun though so probably a good thing I missed it. |
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Moderator
United States
23731 Posts |
Great detective work on IDing this one.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,143 |
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Posted 09/23/2017 10:16 am
