The 5 good emperors

Marcus Aurelius - a provincial with Greek legend M AVPHLI ANTWNIN... but I'm drawing a blank on the reverse legend which should name the city. Is this a denarius size silver coin or a bronze?

 

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Yeah Ripley looks like you have a nice Drachm or possibly Didrachm there, like doug asked, the size would help to determine. But that is definitely Greek writing and not Latin..... Nice coin, looks like Minerva on the reverse...

 

Well the coin is denarius size. As for the reverse, I always leaned toward Felicitas holding a cornicopian and caduceus.

 

We are talking about the one you posted above that, not the one with the hole..... that is Felicitas, and it is a Denarius.

But the other one, you posted above sounds like a much less common Drachm.

 

Oh OK, yes it looks to me that it is Minerva advancing with a javelin and holding a shield. Must have been a frontier war going on, as there usually was. :thumb:

 

Did you buy that coin thinking or being told that it was a Denarius?

 

Cant contribute since I dont own any of those emperors. Still all great coins in this thread.

Eventually I will acquire some....

 

Yes Rex, I have been learning as I collect. So glad you folks are sharing your knowlege. Been collecting the ancients for about 2 years now. I find it the most enjoyable part of collecting coins from all times and all places.

 

I haven't been able to find any silver Drachmai of Marcus Aurelius that have a Minerva reverse, it's a very interesting coin you have.... so I don't know where exactly this coin is from....... Hopefully someone does.

 

I now suspect this is a coin of Mesopotamia related to Sear Greek Imperials 1689 but a different reverse. It is listed as a denarius but I have not previously seen that term used for a coin with Greek legends. Sear suggests Carrhae or Edessa as a mint city but these are probably educated guesses.

This is just a fine example of one of a million types of ancient coins. Some we know well and some are a mystery to all but a few specialists. I'm not one.

 

Hm interesting stuff doug, so you take it that it's a full silver Drachm? it looks it to me, but I am unfamiliar with these mints. I think its a pretty cool coin, I always liked that pose of Minerva.... with the noticeable argive grip on the sheild, very cool coin.

 

Verry cool looking coins! Awesome that they are soooo old! I am wondering how much are these all worth? They look awesome and I would love to have some ancient coins. In fact i just posted a thread about a guy that is selling ancient roman coins and I am wondering which ones to get etc. can you help me? here is the thread: http://www.cointalk.com/showthread.php?t=164181

 

Thank you DS, your knowlege and help is much appricated by this ametuer. Rex I will take wieght & measurements of the Greek denarius and put up soon.

Lemme see if I have any more of the "Good Emperors" laying around.


Well here is Lucius Verus who ruled with Marcus Aurelius, seems he did not mess things up. So here he is. The reverse of this particular coin is very interesting to me. It once again looks like a Greek representation of Ajax. What do you think ??? :smile

 

OK Rex, the Greek denarius wieghs in at 2.6 grams. Dimensions 16.6 mm by 2.25 mm.

Alas, it seems I have lost my only Antonius Pius to proper identification. However, I have gained an interesting Greek Marcus Aurelius. As the Fatman in the movie "The Maltesse Falcon" once said "Well you can always get another son, but there is only one Maltesse Falcon." So my quest is on again, I must rangle up a real Antonius Pius now.

http://bogart-tribute.net/films/falcon.shtml

 

Jason, a good place to start are the coins of Constantine the Great and his family. These can be very inexpensive and a good place to start. Have fun.

 

Here's my Marcus Aurelius, as posted on an earlier thread about bronze disease. I have since brushed it off, lightly scraped off the green with a sewing needle (very gently!), and soaked it in sodium sesquicarbonate for a few days. That seemed to take care of all the green powder that was forming; I hope it's for good!

I also have an Antoninus Pius, but I don't have any good photos of it yet.

 

Nice recovery job on the denarius Bluegill.

 

Thanks, looking forward to it

Its amazing to see everyone's coins here and know they are so old! I cant believe it LOL I will hopefully have some to share soon

 

Before & After.... Nerva 97 AD.

 

Here is a blotchy Hadrian.