as struck bronze coins

I was sat looking at ebay last night at about 2am. ( I know, but its therapeutic, right?), and spotted a French seller had just listed some lovely big old folles. I am guessing these came from a hoard at some point; in fact from the deposits, I know they came from a hoard. The last really good Galerius i bought cost me about $180, which I know is loads, but it is as struck and very very nice, although I did get into a bidding war. This one cost me $60 delivered (when it arrives) and I'll clean the deposits off and hopefully have another beauty.
I know the term FDC is not often used in ancients and when I use the term, I generally mean the coin is an absolute belter and has received no wear at all since it was struck. I love seeing these....and I am still on the look out for a BIG AE2 fallen horseman ''as struck'' (the last real beauty of the type sold on ebay for about $180, and they certainly fetch premium prices when they are the best of type. so I'll post a few which I think fit the bill and I'd love to see yours too.......
This is my latest, yet to arrive. (as I said, the green will all be going, so look through it for now)

Ruthless, scheming and manipulative, Galerius Valerius Maximianus, called Galerius to distinguish him from his co-ruler Maximian, tried to take over the Tetrarchy by appointing puppets as Caesars. He also initiated relentless persecution of the Christians. In the end, however, all his efforts proved fruitless. Early Christian historians claim that his slow, painful and humiliating death was punishment from God for his treatment of the Christians.

yum yum!!!!

 

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and heres another....

This one is as struck I believe..... but there were obviously issues with the strike. The obv die was obviously a little 'tired' and may have been replaced soon after this coin was struck..or the flan was cooler than required for a crisp strike. either way, I dont believe the coin received wear between being struck and being found 1700 years later. quite a feat.

 

Both nice coins YOC. The Galerius is extra nice, eh?

 

Very attractive coins. What's your method against the green?

 

Gorgeous for sure! You are right about the FDC grade....amazing that so many coins did survive all that time, still are perfect today. I have a Diocletian that almost looks prooflike, from 286AD.

 

Super pick-ups!!! Both appear to have been almost immediately lost or buried soon after striking for circulation....

 

Nice ones,

Here's a Galerius of mine. Although the strike is slightly weak on reverse, I think it's been struck from fresh dies and the obverse is particularily attractive (I put a clikable big picture for you folks to see what I mean)


Galerius, Follis Heraclea mint, 5th officina, c. AD 296-298
GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, Laureate bust of Galerius right
GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, , Genius standing left, holding patera and cornucopia, HTE at exergue
10.58 gr
Ref : RCV # 14372 (90), Cohen #78

Q

 

Beautifull Galerius! Nice portrait!

 

As always, I'm looking forward to seeing your post-cleaning pictures. My favorite tetrarchy Moneta reverse is this Constantius I.

 

GALERIUS
AE Follis
OBVERSE: MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, laureate head right
REVERSE: SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing left, scales in right hand, cornucopiae in left, ST. in ex.
Struck at Ticinum 300-3 AD
8.5g, 25mm
RIC 46b

 

I know I have one or two...here's one:


Constantius II
AE, 2.76g, 17mm; 6h; Alexandria
Obv.: FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C; laureate cuirassed bust right
Rev.: GLOR-IAEXERC-ITVS; two soldiers standing between two banners with dots, holding shield and spear
In Ex.: SMALB

 

Love the coins guys, they are all superb. cucumbor that heraclea is SUPERB!!!!! I want it. If you ever sell. ...Please give me a shout.

 

Fantastic OP-winners, YOC ... congrats!!

=> here is my only Galerius example ...

Galerius Silvered Follis
Date: 305-306 AD
Serdica mint
Diameter: 27.6 mm
Weight: 10.4 grams
Obverse: IMP C GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS PF AVG - Laureate bust of Galerius
Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI - Genius holding patera from which liquid flows and cornucopiae. [dot]SM[dot]SD in ex. D in r. field
References: RIC 12b

 

Wow, great coins all.

 

Ditto!

 

There is a major difference between 'as struck' and 'FDC'. 99.9% of ancient coins fell from the die at less than FDC but all were technically 'as stuck' including some that were only half struck. I agree with YOC's take on the wolf which is way short of FDC. There is detail missing on the wolf's hind leg which I believe is strike rather than wear.

I don't think I have an FDC coin. I have some that are nice coins but usually there is something that stands between a coin and perfection. For example, the coin below has a small flan clipping the reverse legend at the left so it never was FDC. There is a tiny bit of wear (perhaps 'cabinet friction') on the left victory's arm and leg so it is not even 'as struck'. The reverse die has a bit of clash damage but I could overlook that if it were the only thing keeping it from FDC status. This might be an EF under old standards and I do not care what a slabber would call it. It is 'good enough' for me.

 

hmmm, this is probably as close as I get to a "Total FDC Winner" ... but obviously and sadly, it has a couple of flaws that will keep it out of the Mr Universe competition ...

Constantius I AE Follis
Date: 301-303 AD
Diameter: 28.5 mm
Weight: 10.1 grams
Obverse: CONSTANTIVS NOB C - Laureate and cuirassed bust left, holding sceptre over left shoulder
Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI - Genius standing left, holding patera over altar and cornucopiæ; B right, PLC in ex. (Lugdunum mint)
Reference: RIC 167a
Other: Superb and bold portrait



... wow, but what a total stud-coin, eh?!! (it made my Top-20)

 

@YOC, you would have to wait quite a while...

Some others that might fall into the "fresh from the die" range :


Maximianus, Follis Aquilea mint, 1st officina, AD 301
IMP MAXIMIANVS PF AVG, Laureate head of Maximianus right
SACRA MONET AVGG ET CAESS NOSTR, Moneta standing left, holding cornucopia and scales. AQP at exergue, V in right field
10.35 gr
Ref :RCV # 13300 (100), Cohen #504, RIC VI # 29b



Fausta, AE3 Trier mint
FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG, draped bust right
SPES REIP VBLICAE, Fausta standing, holding Constantinus II and Constantius II in her arms,PTR crescent at exergue
3.0 gr
Ref : LRBC # 36, Cohen # 15v



Crispus, AE3 Aquilea mint, 2nd officina
CRISPVS NOB CAES, cuirassed and laureate bust right
CAESARVM NOSTRORVM, VOT/V within a laurel wreath, AQS. at exergue
3.22 gr
Ref : Cohen # 31,

Q

 

Beautifull coins, perfectly preserved and anyone should be proud to own them.
I think, when examining auction records, a minting flaw ie: (die breaks/off center x strikes/adjustment marks/die cracks etc.) are not held against coins grade. I have seen even CNG coins with cracks....mintstate/FDC grade. So, probably all of these would FDc/mintstate. If these above coins were slabbed they would likely be in MS-CHOICE/GEM grade. I will show a more modern coin which is milled, but has flan cracks....yet carried FDC designation from Nomisma auction house/San Marino.