I recently purchased a small coin collection the majority being Silver. In the mix were a couple of ancient coins. The larger of the two I have not come across before and it looks a real mess. Has this coin been struck twice? Apologies for the poor images but I hope you can make sense of the images.
These are three other ancient coins I have no idea as to their identity so if any one can help please get in touch.
The first is a large Byzantine follis. 2. Constantine I’s sons. Commemorative of Constantine I’s death. Mint Mark SMANS 3. Constans. Gloria Exercitvs reverse. Mint Mark SMTSA, Thessalonica mint. 4. Gallienus antoninianus. FORTVNA REDVX reverse
Thank you very much, I honestly had no idea. I can now label them correctly. In regards to the large follis has this coin been restruck? The lettering is such a jumble and at different angles.
Likely so. Many of those early folles were overstruck. Yours has a very nice depiction of Christ. Most I see have a worn smooth face.
@Chris Sivorn Welcome to CoinTalk There is also an Ancient Coins forum here on CT. Next time you have questions regarding Ancients you can also create your threads there.
It is indeed puzzling piece. This one took a bit of head scratching and time as the host coin looks like an anonymous follis. However the portrait of the emperor could not be struck on a coin from several years in the future. The reverse at first glance appears to be an anonymous follis. It is in fact a follis of Nicephorus II, Phocas 963-969 (Sear 1783) struck over a follis of Constantine VII joint reign with Romanus II (Sear 1760). It took a bit of coin rotating and backtracking detective work for me before I figured it out. Thank you David Sear, and the Dumbarton Oaks Collection. Chris, that is a very fun coin hold onto it and dazzle your friends. Byzantine coinage can some times be a challenge. I love puzzles.