Die Axis Reference

I don't think any of the major works list die axis, though I don't know about RIC.

While die orientation for specific coins might be useful information, it usually doesn't help much in authentication and attribution. Many ancient coins have no "standard" die axis, an understandable situation given the method of manufacture, using hand-held dies. Some ancient coins appear to have been struck using dies attached to each other in hinged pairs, creating a consistent alignment for every coin struck with those dies.

I'm not aware of one place where weights and rotations of all coins are listed.

I have seen a few smaller scale studies on the subject though. Most recently a study of Constantines coins but I cant for the life of me find the link. Most of the best results seem to come from the studying of hordes.

I think your best bet is to search for equivalent coins that are for sale hoping weights and die rotations are listed. I would only use info that you get from reputable sellers for your decisions.

In my experience die rotations fluctuate massively and are not as useful as weights.

RIC lists weight ranges and die axis orientations in both the introductory notes section and the catalog listings for all coin groupings.

I do the same thing on my web pages, for example on my web page The British Invasion Coinage of Constantius you will find the following in the notes section:

# Reverse axis is 6 or 12 o'clock.
# Weight range is 10.5 to 8.75 gm.

James

Edit: I forgot to add that I include an actual size image (at normal resolution) and coin weight for coins I catalog on my web pages (the die axes being self evident).

It is a good site - I've used it a number of times.

jamesicus - do you have any theories about the use of fieldmarks on the London coins to commemorate Constantines battles, births etc? I've been reading up as it interested me but not sure I draw any conclusions, you undoubtedly have more knowledge than me on the subject so wondered about your thoughts.

Hi bobbyhelmet -- you wrote:

"It is a good site - I've used it a number of times."

Thank you -- I appreciate your visits very much.

"jamesicus - do you have any theories about the use of fieldmarks on the London coins to commemorate Constantines battles, births etc? I've been reading up as it interested me but not sure I draw any conclusions, you undoubtedly have more knowledge than me on the subject so wondered about your thoughts."

I haven't done any work on that, bobbyhelmet. I have probably read the same documents on the subject that you have. Please post your thoughts and conclusions here -- I am very interested.

James

One place with full axis and weight information is the series Coins of the Roman Empire in the British Museum. Unlike RIC, BMC is a list of the coins they own so the exact coin can be weighed and reported on. It is not at all unusual for two examples of the same coin to have two different axes. Some issues were very regular while others were almost totally random. Some issues are so regular that a coin not showing that axis is probably a fake but it is a mistake to get too excited about axis with most ancients.