Well, this coin arrived today and I guess it's ok for what I spent. It's not terribly attractive, color-wise, and it exhibits some fine porosity. I do appreciate its size and weight though, so maybe it'll grow on me...
Struck in Viminacium,Moesia Superior (city founded by Gordianus III). Although most provincials do not share the Roman denomination names (e.g. sestertius, denarius etc) these series do. The large ones (like this coin) are also called 'sestertius'. One can find mid size bronzes, radiated head, called dupondius, equal the official Roman coins. Smaller denominations (mostly for Gordianus III) do exist also.
Thanks Rudi. Did the locals who used them actually refer to them as sestertii, or is that a modern convention?
What source are you getting this from? Personally, I agree with you. But I was not aware of any scholarly consensus.
Aah, difficult one... 99% of all provincials had a different name (we call them AE + size in mm); these series carried the Roman denominations name... I think (personal thoughs) this name-giving was done recently, because especially these series do have a wide variety in size, also in portraiture (radiated head, as an official dupondius). For each official type in bronze, struck in Rome, one could find an equal coin in Viminacium... In my opinion a modern convention yes.
It is commonly known, the Viminacium coinage equals the official coins struck in Rome at that time. Every decent reference book refers to the Roman denominations when it comes to the Viminacium series... Who started it ? Dont know... My guess : some 19th century scholar, maybe even before that time... (btw : dont shoot me if my English sucks, it's not my first language...)
RS: Don't apologize for your language skills. First they seem excellent to me. Many born English speakers have terrible grammar. Second, most Americans speak only English and manyof us who do speak another language, could never write a coherent sentence in that language or be confident in the spelling or grammar. As far as I'm concerned, no one should ever apologize for using a language other than there native tongue. I'm impressed with those of you who have the ability.
Oh, is he ? Great ! I'm from the Flemish part. Few miles from Antwerp. Btw : u got coins to trade ? What are u looking for ?
We've visited Belgium regularly since he's been there. Love Bruge, Ghent, Dinant, Boullion just to name a few. My son is in Afghanistan for now, but he can't wait to get back to Belgium (me too)
I don't really know. I'm on a Roman Republic craze right now. I just don't want to sell any of my coins, but I MIGHT trade for something I really like. So far I've traded two coins I like for coins I wasn't in the market. I think I shouldn't do that, should I. Anyway, I have my albums on CT. Take a look. There are many I will never trade, but if you see something, let me know. We can at least talk about it.
I already checked. I can find some silver and bronze of my interest... I'm into JC to Gordian III, provincials included. I only have very few Republican coins available. But who knows, right ? I'll get back at you after my beautysleep (it's 4am her now)...
Here's the pic that's going into my album. I decided to call it a sestertius in parentheses in an effort to please both camps. And I might write a short blog on Philip and his son, since I now have a large bronze of each. It turns out that unrest in Moesia Superior was a integral part of Philip I's downfall, so the coin has more historic interest than I first thought...