So we went to the coin show today and four eagles followed us home.

My daughter (who just turned 8) and I went to a local coin show this morning. She has been becoming more interested in ancient coins than any of the other types that she collects. She became especially interested in Roman Alexandrian coins when I explained some of the history to her. What's not to like about the blending of Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures?

She is a strong persuader and we came home with these four coins. I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out which emperors are on them. My greek is pretty rough but I believe that #1 may be Tacitus and perhaps #2 & 3 are Aurelian. #4 is a total mystery to me. I was also wondering if anyone knew of a good online source to help learn more about them and eventually attribute them. Thanks.

 

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Nice grabs. These can be bought inexpensively, its the silver ones that tend to get expensive.

 

Excellent choices! I'm avidly collecting coins of Roman Egypt, fueled by owning Keith Emmett's reference book.

Coin 1: Tacitus, CE 275/6. Emmett 3972(1), rarity rating R1(most common)
Coin 2: Aurelian, regnal year 6 (CE 274/5), Emmett 3927(6) R1
Coin 3: can't quite make out the name or year, will look more carefully later
Coin 4: also unable to determine. The year will remain unknown due to damage.

 

Thanks for the help. At least I was on the right path in trying to figure them out. I will have to track down a copy of Emmett's book.

One thing about these coins that appeals to me is the way they portray the emperors. They tend to be less idealistic and flattering. The portraits often seem brutish and unsophisticated. I wonder if that was a commentary on how the Egyptians viewed their Roman rulers.

 

While I agree with your ID's of the first three I am really bothered by #4. I might guess Trebonianus Gallus but I really do not know. Is it by chance heavier than the others?


It really makes me happy when I hear of a child interested in dad's hobby. I wish I had an heir who wanted my collection when I'm done with it.

 

#4 does weigh more than the others. It weighs 9.6g compared to #3 7.6g. Both coins are essentially the same size. I would guess that the added weight indicates a higher amount of lead in the alloy.

Thanks Doug, I am really fortunate. There aren't many kids that are thoughtful and patient enough to participate in collecting coins, especially ancients. I really enjoy sharing my hobby with my daughter. We have a lot of fun with it and even drag my wife to our coin club meetings with us!

In regard to the issue of your collection and heirs, I am sure that most of us would be willing to put ourselves up for adoption if that were an option.

 

No kidding.

I was lucky my grandfather had a small amount of coins and was the one who actually got me into collecting as a whole. It wasnt ancients though and part of me wishes he was still alive so I could see what he would say and heck, maybe get into them too.

 

I offered to take my kids to the last coin show I went to, didn't get any takers.
I think they would rather do long division.

I hope one of these days they find it interesting.

I recently found out my uncle collects united states coins. Until a couple months ago I never new he collected. I sat down with him and checked out his stuff. I'm going to bring him an ancient coin next time I see him.

 

Always nice to hear kids having interest in collecting things whether they be their parents interests or something else.

 

I'll send you the adoption papers.

 

Very cool, great start to your collection..