Roman Silver Ingot

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by robinjojo, Sep 9, 2020.

  1. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    I recently picked up an interesting silver bar, or ingot, that was produced between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.

    The ingot appears to be of Roman origin. It weighs 36.9 grams, which puts in the range of 10 denarii. The dimensions are, 34 mm long, 15 mm wide, and 11 mm high.

    There is a stamp that was applied after the casting. There are letters present, but due to the very dark patina, they are somewhat difficult to decipher. They appear to be "AECS".

    This ingot is an interesting example of how Romans stored their wealth. Given the really dark patina on this example, it is probable that it came out of an archaeological find, but where and when we'll never know, which is a shame, since information on any associated objects found with it would help to date it and perhaps even narrow down where it was produced.

    Does anyone out there have more information? Please post your ingots and hacksilver pieces.

    From the estate of Guy Clark.

    D-Camera, Roman Empire, silver ingot, 10 denarii, ex Guy Clark, 36.9 g., 9-9-20.jpg

    Also, greetings from sunny California, at 2 PM.

    Greetings from sunny California, 9-9-20.jpg
     
    Edessa, red_spork, TheRed and 16 others like this.
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  3. J.T. Parker

    J.T. Parker Well-Known Member

    Yikes! Jojo...and I thought I had it bad 'afearin' TX Gulf Coast hurricanes.
    Take care of yourself and yours
    I like the ingot & find it an interesting historical piece.

    Addendum: I knew Guy when he 1st started his musical career here at Houston's Jester Lounge. I was a senior in HS and ended up being the photographer for the JL.

    J.T.
     
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  4. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Thanks.

    I must say the sky looks closer to Mars than Earth.
     
    +VGO.DVCKS and Inspector43 like this.
  5. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Very scary. I have 4 grand children and 6 great grand children up in the Vacaville area.
     
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  6. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    I think they're safe, at least in terms of fire, but the air quality throughout the Bay Area and Central Valley is very bad. In fact the air is lousy for much of the western US.
     
  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    For those interested, here's a link to the British Museum for a Roman ingot (very large at 353.40 grams), found at the Tower of London in 1777:

    https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_OA-247

    upload_2020-9-9_15-38-27.png
    The ingot's description includes: "It was found in 1777 with two gold coins of the emperor Arcadius (AD 395-408) and one of Honorius (AD 395-423), and dates to the end of the Roman period in Britain. The site, later to be occupied by the Norman Tower of London, lay inside the south-east corner of the Roman city wall, and it is possible that it had been a late Roman military stronghold."
     
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  8. PlanoSteve

    PlanoSteve Well-Known Member

    That's a sweet hunk of silver...hope someone can add to the provenance of this piece!

    Hope everyone stays safe out west! I was aware of the fires in Cal., but saw satellite photos this morning of the devastation in Oregon also...entire towns burned to the ground. I lived through the hurricane in Port Aransas last month & that was a wild ride, but nothing compared to what you folks are going through. Be safe & aware! ;)
     
  9. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    Smoke was terrible yesterday so that at noon the sky looked like it does before sunrise here in the Bay Area. Nice ingot.
     
    Inspector43, robinjojo and +VGO.DVCKS like this.
  10. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    Actually the air quality at ground level wasn't too bad, especially compared to other areas. The smoke that is causing the orangish cast is in the upper atmosphere. Still, this is an ominous sign of what is becoming the "new normal".

    Getting back to the silver bar/ingot. Are there any other examples out there for comparison? Is there a website that discusses silver production during Roman times?

    Thanks
     
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