Coins You Bought Unattributed

Thanks! A bit of patience, a bunch of time on eBay, and a good eye can turn up some really interesting stuff. Many of my pieces, especially the obscure and niche types, were mostly attributed by other members in various coin communities, so I've had a lot of help along the way as well.

 

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Some more...

These were all unattributed from a couple lots of RR denarii in Naumann lots, back when nobody bid seriously on group lots - unattributed, but they still went for like $40-50 per coin







These were all from the most insane lot I ever purchased from eBay... I think it was like 10 coins for $700, unattributed and sold by this power seller who only sold lots averaging $1,000 each.

Augustus posthumous sestertius (now lives with @jamesicus)


Caligula AE As


Nero Claudius Drusus


The rest of the coins were nothing special, really.

Picked these two Claudii from a Roma lot earlier this year - relatively inexpensive lots, I think $10-15 per coin?

A nice brockage


And who doesn't need a Libertas?

 

Truly amazing, @Finn235. It would be interesting to hear how long ago this was. My acquaintance with Naumann is decidedly limited.

 

Nice thread and cool coins!...
I picked up this little AE4 (12mm) a couple of years back for $10 with no ID.
I initially thought it could be a Valentinian II or III but couldn't get anything to fit.
With the help of some collector friends I've got it tagged as ....
Arcadius, contemporary imitation. DNARCA-DIVSAVG (or similar). Note the usual "PF" is missing. The reverse prototype is SALVS REI-PVBLICAE, perhaps Nicomedia with staurogram in left field and (S)MN(A/B/gamma) in exergue.

 

An interesting thread. I'd say half or more of the ancients I buy are unattributed off eBay. The challenge figuring them out, I've come to find, is a lot of the fun. And bargains are to be had.



Crete, Knossos Æ 28
(c. 40-30 B.C.)
Kydas, magistrate
Laureate head of Zeus facing right, thunderbolt before chin / [K - Y] / Δ - A / Σ , in three lines across field, eagle standing right, open wings.
RPC I, 224, 934; Svoronos 142; SNG Copenhagen 388.
(9.78 grams / 28 mm)

"...in the 30s B.C. Crete seems to have been governed by the confederation of the Kretaieis, under the supervision of Kydas the Cretarch. The whole 'dossier' shows a person by this name appearing on inscriptions, on coins and also mentioned in Cicero (Phil. 5.13)...." François Chevrollier.
Published in Roman Crete: New Perspectives by Jane E. Francis, Anna Kouremenos.

This Roman Republican denarius I recently posted elsewhere was unattributed as well:


Roman Republic Denarius
P. Accoleius Lariscolus
(43 B.C.)
Rome Mint
Diana Nemorensis draped bust r., / Diana Nemorensis cult statue facing, supporting bar; grove of five cypresses; left figure holds bow, right figure holds [poppy].
Crawford 486/1; Accoleia 1.
(3.39 grams / 17 mm)

 

Hi All,

This was sold as "a 19th century imitation of a Matidia Drachm of Egypt or an imitation Paduan Æ." I didn't exactly know what it was when I bought it, but it was obviously not a Paduan and I doubted it was an imitation.



JULIA MAMEA AE Drachm, Year 10
Size: 32 mm
Weight: 21.2 g
Axis: 00:00
OBV: Julia Mamea draped bust facing right. Legend: IOYMAMAI[AC]ЄMHTCЄB[KCTPA]. Border not visible.
REV: Helios & Selene busts facing right. Helios with radiate crown and aegis, Selene with crescent moon tiara. Palm frond in right field; in left field: LI. Border not visible.
Refs: Emmett-3248.10 (R5); Geissen-1880 var: For reverse; DAT-4553?: Bad image, otherwise unlisted by him; Milne-3038

Note: See Geissen-1880 for similar reverse of Antoninus Pius (Year unreadable).

- Broucheion

 

This was a good thread idea, most collections on a tight budget depend on these unidentified, misidentified and (often) undervalued gems.

Manuel I Megas Komnenos of Trebizond, sold as Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria:




Theodore Mankaphas or Theodore Branas, as unidentified trachy:




Isaak of Cyprus, as a generic Byzantine trachy:





The Asen Brothers: Alexios and Ioannes, as Despotes of Anaktoropolis, Christopolis and Thassos, sold as a generic Palaiologan trachy:




Ioannes Komnenodoukas of Thessalonica, sold as generic Byzantine bronze trachy:

 

About a year ago I bought two lots from CNG, the first was described as a mixed lot of antonianii, containing Magnia Urbica, Carausius, "and others".

Didn't mention that "others" included Macrianus, Quietus, and Marius.



Same auction, I bought a lot of "mixed provincials" without attributions -



More details - https://www.cointalk.com/threads/antoninianii-lot-has-cng-gone-insane.345038/page-2

 

I have enjoyed the challenge of identifying Late Roman Bronzes as much as having the collection. It was an easy way to get started and brought be to this forum as well.

Double win.

 

Wow, @Finn235. Amazing. Yep, you better believe I looked at your thread about these. Just Amazing.

 

The only coin I bought unattributed:






Well, it was attributed: 'Greek coin, ca. 80-50 BC', if you want to call it an attribution.
It is Syracuse, Agathocles (317-289). Not a rare coin, but scarce perhaps. The reason I bought it is that all other specimens I've seen have a trident and the legend, if at all, on the obverse. Never came across a triskeles or a reverse legend on this AE issue. So I guess that makes me the happy owner of one of those really rare coins that nobody really cares about
I know it's worn and not really a looker, but hey, I like it... And I care about it.

 

Nope, @Ignoramus Maximus, That's Stuff. And I'm only getting as far as its imitating Corinth staters (thank you, AR).
...Is it really legal to do this?