New to Ancient Coins, Need Help

I am new to ancient coins, I have some questions about these two coins, Thanks

1. Do they look authentic?
2. One weighs 4.2, and the other 3.4g, is this much difference normal?
3. And one coin is very Shiny, and the other is much darker, almost like they are two different metals, and is this normal for the same coin?

Thanks

 

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Run of the mill Gordian III, they are common as dirt. These are OK and typical for the weight to be all over the place.

 

1. Yes.
2. It's OK. The lighter one is quite worn - it was probably buried in the ground, and struck on a smaller flan to begin with.
3. They're the same type of coin, but not the same coin. The first one obviously weathered some abuse. The second is better preserved. There's nothing wrong with the first coin - it's just not particularly desirable.

Here's one of my ants of Gordian III, of similar type (different reverse legend that lists the emperor's titles)...

 

Thanks, What are some cheaper not so common coins I should buy, being im a bigginer

 

These coins are about 1800 years old. There was variability in manufacture, circulation wear, as well as burial conditions and cleaning. ALl of these factors can have major affects on the coin, and taken together can produce drastic differences.

Ancient collecting does not have the luxury of simply weighing and measuring coins to verify authenticity. We have to employ a holistic approach, using these as possible indicators but never proof of anything.

 

These are popular since they come in silver and high grade for a low cost. Similar ones would be Severus Alexander. I wouldn't worry too much about "what to buy". Educate yourself here, and see what YOU are interested and possibly could afford. Thousands of different ways to collect ancient coins, and no "right" way. It all boils down to your interests and knowledge. THe more knowledgable you are the better you will always do whatever you collect.

 

Coins that fire your imagination. It doesn't matter whether they're common or not. Do the devices intrigue you? Does the history of the coin compel you in any way? I've got a bucket-full of common coins that I appreciate no less than the rarities.

 

Thanks Guy's I'm glad I joined this site, I only buy silver coins, and my favorites are the Greek one's, like Apollonian Pontika

 

To cue off of medoraman, here's a very common denarius of Severus Alexander that I think I paid $20 for. What's not to love?

 

This common and inexpensive ant of Gordian III has a marvelous portrayal of Apollo with his lyre...

 

Here's a common ant of Postumus with a fantastic portrait...

 

Nice! Is there a website other than ebay that is good to buy coins from?

 

double post

 

Welcome Tracrm16. The guys have said it all. The main thing here is to enjoy what you collect. We can help, but ultimately what you collect is your decision.

 

Check out this thread.

 

Why limit yourself to silver? Check out the incredibly detailed helmet on this common follis of Constantine the Great...

 

welcome aboard tracerm! nice looking gordian iii coins, the second one is very nice.

my only gordian iii silver is somewhere in between in quality..

 

Coins were often debased back then in terms of the metal composition, too (by the mint). Couldn't this account for some of the color/weight difference? Most of the later Roman silvers I see have a darker look and I always attributed it to this.

 

It depends on the emperor. The ants of Gordian III are generally of a very high fineness. The OP coin looks like it was struck on a smallish flan and accrued some mineral deposits. A cleaning would likely reveal a shiny silver coin.

As the 2nd-century wore on, the ants did indeed become more and more debased.

 

John means third century of course, but I agree. By the 270's or so a "silver" coin contained maybe 5% silver.