This probably isn't the way to do this (posting different coins all in one thread) but these are all from this weekend and if any in depth discussion is required, I'll start a new thread. These are all "budget-priced" coins but with interesting images/designs that I liked. (If I sniped any of these from anyone here......sorry.) I'm using the sellers' pics and descriptions with may or may not be accurate. It'll be a week or two before I get them to examine them more closely. I also bought three auction items that normally I wouldn't touch but the sellers came highly recommended by a friend and these items will become a winter project (we have looooong winters here!) Any criticism, corrections, advice or information is gladly welcomed. Roman Imperial bronze coin of Constans from 337 - 350 AD. OBVERSE – DN CONSTANS PF AVG, diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left holding globe REVERSE – FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier dragging young barbarian from hut tree 20.2 MM AND 3.49 GRAMS. Sear 3976, RIC 103 Valens AE3 FRONT/ DN VALEN-S PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right. BACK/ GLORIA RO-MANORVM, emperor advancing right, holding labarum and dragging captive behind him. Mintmark: palm branch BSISC. Siscia Mint. Struck 364-367 AD. Ref: RIC IX Siscia 5b, type iii. [FONT="]SILVERED Constantine I AE3[/FONT] FRONT/ IMPCONSTANTINVS MAX AVG, helmeted, laureate & cuirassed bust right. BACK/ VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT/PR in two lines on altar, PLN in ex. London Mint. Jovian AE3 "Vows in wreath" FRONT/ DN IOVIANVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left. BACK/ VOT V in wreath, "I promise five good years." HERACB in ex. Heraclea mint. Struck 363 - 364 AD. Ref: RIC VIII, 108 (s) Scarce, page 439 - LRBC #1912 - Sear '88 #4036. Gordian III Antoninianus FRONT/ IMP GORDIANVSPIVS FEL AVG radiate bust right, cuirassed. BACK/ SAECVLI FELICITAS Gordian standing right holding a spear diagonally with a globe in the other hand. Antioch Mint. Struck 242 - 244 AD. Ref: RIC IViii 216, page 216; Cohen 319, Large 23 mm. Uncleaned Mixed and uncleaned Romans. I know what I'm in for.... Maybe one or two decent coins and the rest culls or slugs. A friend of mine has purchased several batches from these two sellers over the last couple of years and has pulled out a few beauties (don't ask me what they are, I can't remember), enough that he actually made his money back selling the ones he didn't want and still kept the best of the bunch. I'll post the cleaning process when I start on these (haven't received them yet). These cost me about $1 per coin:
Funny, I was gonna bid on that constans but my $ went to those women I previously posted, aint that like a lady? ;p Hopefully you get some good stuff on the uncleaned ones. Ive noticed alot are the fallen horseman, standards and some other common ones. Definitely keep us updated on them.
I'm won't be disappointed if there's only a couple of goodies out of the bunch of uncleaned. I know they fall in the same category as "Unsearched rolls" and I'm sure they've been checked out fairly closely. But for a few months worth of entertainment, I'm going to give them a shot. I could spend the money on a couple of movies and dinner out but this will give me far more lasting enjoyment and experience.
Exactly, you might get lucky & you may gain some experience that might take you to a whole new level of interest with ancients. Ive looked at those "uncleaned" and thought of doing it also. I love immersing myself with coins but I also have a impatient streak. From reading older threads on here and asking around, it seems like its more a waste.
I'll comment on the Constans since I consider it the pick of the litter. When the coinage reform of 348 brought out FEL TEMP REPARATIO coins in three denominations the two emperor brothers did not agree on what designs would be used. For the high value denomination, Constantius II liked the Falling Horseman but Constans used the galley scene. For the middle denomination, Constans liked this hut scene while Constantius II prefered two captives and no hut with his soldier. The left facing bust signified the middle denomination. You should not pass up the chance when offered one of the less common mismatches where the mint used the obverse of one brother with the preferred reverse of the other. The odd thing is that each mint striking huts used a different variety of tree. You can ID the on part legend coins by comparing leaves with more clear coin. Yours is Aquilea (a mint I do not own in a hut). Some trees were similar but still different while others were very distinct. I'll show a Constantius II from Thessalonica and a Constans from Heraclea. Compare the leaves on these three and watch sales for other variations.
I spent a few years dabbling in archaeology and spent hours counting and sorting individual fish scales from campsites, re-assembling crushed pottery and sometimes human skeletal remains... so I guess I have patience. This'll probably be just a one-time thing to satisfy my curiosity and to document the process and the results.
I noticed that when looking at a few other sites but there was no explanation for the variations. Thanks, again!
Funny, I was going to bid on that very Gordian III AR Ant, I recognize it by the flan crack. I ended up missing the auction, you got quite a good price on that one ikan. Great stuff mate. Keep up the goodwork
Well, if we're bidding on the same auctions, we're probably sharing the wealth because, i've missed a few as well and you may have gotten them.
Could be, could be. I have been wanting a good Antioch bust Antoninianus of Gordian III for a while, I like the cuirassed bust used, such as in your example.
