Some Time Outdoors With Some Coins

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by furryfrog02, Apr 6, 2020.

  1. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    While FFIVN and his sister were out playing on the swing set, I decided it was time to take a few of the coins that I had less than stellar pictures and try to get something better.
    Well, the pictures are marginally better at best but at least the kids and I got some fresh air. Not looking forward to tomorrow when we are cooped up all day due to the rain...


    Thrace, Chersonesos
    Silver Hemidrachm
    386-338 BC
    Obverse: Forepart of lion right, head reverted
    Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; monogram beside pellet in one sunken quadrant, amphora in the other
    Thrace, Chersonesos.png


    **This one was not attributed correctly when I bought it but I believe I found the correct attribution on wildwinds**
    http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/ionia/ephesos/ACC_ZR1429.jpg
    Ephesos, Ionia
    AE16
    Magistrate Apollonides
    280-258 BC
    Obverse: Bee
    Reverse: AΠOΛΛΩNIΔH, Stag grazing right, quiver above. Unlisted reverse type for this magistrate
    ACC Art. zr1429
    Ephesos, Ionia.png

    Sicily, Syracuse
    Hiketas
    287-278 BC
    AE 24mm
    Obverse: Head of Zeus Hellanios left
    Reverse: Eagle on thunderbolt, star to left.
    Hiketas Sicily.png


    Faustina II Denarius
    Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right
    Reverse: AVGVSTI PII FIL, Venus standing left holding Victory and resting hand on shield set on a helmet
    Faustina II Denarius.png
     
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  3. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Good to have fun outside with the kiddos! The photos turned out fine!

    Here's my Faustina II with the Venus Victrix:

    Faustina Jr AVGVSTI PII FIL Venus denarius.jpg
    The reverses aren't quite die matches, but I'm convinced they were done by the same engraver.
     
  4. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Beautifully diverse selection!
    Man, I love the Chersonesos lion coins. And yours appears to have some iridescent toning.
    Here’s mine. A real guy and a fouree:
    8EFA59F8-0619-4339-B478-1FB5E0026564.png BBFAA098-8878-4163-ADF9-E207940F43AD.png
     
  5. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    @Ryro My lion is actually really bright silver. So bright in fact, I think the surrounding backyard colors reflected a bit in the coin haha. It is a really hard coin to get a decent picture of.
    Your fouree has a great mane!
    @Roman Collector , our reverses are definitely very similar. Our obverses however, are definitely not. Yours looks like a woman, whereas mine looks a bit like a cartoon drawing of a woman :p
     
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  6. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I have found that taking pictures of my coins in direct sunlight do not come out well. Too bright and reflective. When I decide to image my coins outside, I wait till it is cloudy or that I am in the shade where the sunlight cannot reflect. Even with overcast skies, the angle is important. Just my two cents worth.
     
  7. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    Yeah I was trying to stay in the shade because the sun was too much. It helped a bit but not much. Perhaps a better camera than my iphone 6 would help too!
     
  8. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Try again during an overcast day. You might find the images are much better.
     
    dougsmit and furryfrog02 like this.
  9. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I will try tomorrow!
     
  10. Justin Lee

    Justin Lee I learn by doing

    It's great to spend some time outdoors these days, and with such great companions!

    I've always admired these Thracian lions, but only recently picked myself up my first, then the second followed pretty quickly.
    [​IMG]
    Cherronesos, Thrace
    Circa 480-350 BC
    AR Hemidrachm
    Obverse: Forepart of lion right, head turned back.
    Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square with a dot and palm branch in each of two opposing quarters.
    References: Sear 1602-1606, BMC Thrace 10, McClean 4081


    [​IMG]
    Cherronesos, Thrace
    AR Hemidrachm, Circa 400-338 BC
    Obverse: Forepart of lion right, head turned back.
    Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating shallow and deeper sunken quarters, with a dot and selinon leaf on stem (wild parsley or celery) in each of two opposing quarters.
    References: Apparently unpublished
    Very rare symbol.
    cf: CNG E-Auction 104, Lot #37;
    NN Auction 67 (7/1/2018), Lot #57


    Here's my right-facing Zeus Hellanios~but no star...
    [​IMG]
    Syracuse, Sicily
    Hiketas II, Ruled 287-278 BC
    AE Litra, Struck circa 283-279 BC
    Obverse: ΔΙΟΣ ΕΛΛANIOY, youthful laureate head of Zeus Hellanios right.
    Reverse: ΣΥΡΑΚ-ΟΣΙΩΝ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, with wings spread, A to left.
    References: CNS II, 168; HGC 2, 1449; SNG ANS 799


    Here's my Faustina II sestertius with the same reverse legend as your denarius. Your's has an interesting, unique portrait.
    [​IMG]
    Faustina II, Wife of Marcus Aurelius
    AE Sestertius, Struck 145-161 AD, Rome mint
    Obverse: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, Bust of Faustina the Younger, draped, right, hair is elaborately dressed in horizontal lines with ringlets down front: it is coiled in a chignon on back of head.
    Reverse: AVGVSTI PII FIL, Spes, draped, standing front, head left, holding up flower-bud in right hand and gathering up fold of skirt in left, S-C across field.
    References: RIC III 1371
    Size: 30mm, 23.5g
     
  11. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    As Bing said: Try again when there is no glaring sum. When the kids are enjoying sunshine, dad and coins should be in the shade. Too much contrast ruins more images than flat light in the shade or on a cloudy day. I do suggest setting the color balance of the camera manually if you camera allows it. If you have a covered (dry) porch or open garage door, you might be able to shoot under a torrential downpour.
     
  12. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I haven't really had a good experience in direct sunlight. (See this shockingly blue coin of Theodosius).

    theodosius1.jpg

    theodosius2.jpg

    Better indirect lighting with a very careful positioning of the camera/phone. I've practiced some and gotten better at it.
     
  13. Marsyas Mike

    Marsyas Mike Well-Known Member

    Interesting post. I've been trying to improve my photography without building a professional lighting set-up (because I am lazy and my camera is old and I don't want to get a newer one).

    Outside direct sun is still my favorite lighting "system" - but as Bing and several others mentioned, it tends to be too "reflective" especially on silver or overly-cleaned AE. Here are some recent efforts:

    A new Commodus denarius in direct sunlight and on a cloudy day. Both photos are unsatisfactory. Note the two different interpretations of what CVPP stands for - opinions welcome!:

    Commodus - Denarius Victory 2 shields Mar 2020 (0).jpg
    Commodus - Denarius Victory 2 shields Mar 2020 (0c).jpg

    Commodus Denarius
    (186-189 A.D.)
    Rome Mint

    M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT, laureate head right / VICTORIAE FELICI, Victory
    walking left, holding wreath over two shields set on a low base inscribed C V P P.
    RIC 196; RSC 952; Sear 5721
    (3.02 grams / 18 x 16 mm)

    "The cippus inscription 'CVPP' is short for 'Clupeus Virtutis, Pater Patriae', and shows Victory placing a new clupeus virtutis (shield of Virtue, for Commodus'
    supposed bravery and virtue) alongside the Augustan shield of Virtue awarded...in 27 BC." (Vcoins, Incitatus Coins)

    "...inscribed CVPP for Consul V Pater Patriae..." (Numismatica Ars Classica auction 91, lot 31)

    And yet with some toning and/or crud, a silver coin photographed in direct sunlight can look okay (by my standards). Another Commodus:

    Commodus - Den. Hilaritas Nov 2019 (0c).jpg

    For a bronze coin with patina, I much prefer direct sunlight because it shows the colors best - and the colors on these are a big part of the appeal for me.

    Here's a Thessalonica AE - the obverse colors really appeal to me - the reverse was partially stripped so the obverse/reverse don't really match (I much prefer the blotchy red/green/ bronze obverse). Not a pretty coin, but the colors came out pretty accurate on this photo:

    Macedon Thessalonica - AE Artemis Mar 2020 (0).jpg
     
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