[TD="class: info"][/TD] VF Gold Solidus DN HONORI-VS P F AVG - Pearl diademed, helmeted, and cuirassed bust facing slightly right, holding spear and shield CONCORDI-A AVGGI - Constantinopolis seated facing, head right, with foot on prow, holding scepter and Victory on globe RIC X 201 Depeyrot 73/1 Ex CNG Nathan
Beautiful piece of history , I can imagine all the things just one of those could have bought , I know no common man ever touched one and wonder what it's worth was compared to todays dollar .
Yes, I often wonder that myself. I know these seldom changed hands in that time. They were struck 72 to the pound, but I don't know what it would be as far as something like a daily wage goes.
Just a rough guess , probably a couple years wages for a comon free man . Hope somebody who knows chimes in .
Regarding spending power, another member referred me to this article: http://dougsmith.ancients.info/worth.html
Anytime. If you have a voracious appetite for more of this, there was another recommended article/link in the thread: What Was The Purchasing Power Of A Constantine The Great Bronze. http://www.tulane.edu/~august/H303/c...Diocletian.htm
Thank you very much, the information is very interesting. I think I will be doing some more research on this! So, for anyone who doesn't want to look through the article, the quick answer is about a 1 1/2 months pay for a cavalryman. Definitely makes it more valuable to me owning this coin knowing how treasured it would have been to the original owner. I would imagine someone carefully buried it for safekeeping, but never came back. Perhaps a soldier, killed in battle? We will never know, but it is an amazing feeling holding it in my hand. I am only 18, so hopefully I have plenty of time to acquire more gold pieces, I really like them. Nathan
A very impressive sum of money , does anyone know the relative relation of value between a god and silver coin of the same weight ?
Gold coins are nice! Here is a silly reason for getting a gold coin: Last April, after visiting Istanbul and Justinian's great church, the Hagia Sophia, I had to get a gold coin of Justinian. Justinian - AU Solidus Obverse: Helmeted and cuirassed bust facing three-quarters to right, holding spear over shoulder and shield DN IVSTINI-ANVS PP AVG Reverse: Angel standing facing, holding jewelled cross and cross on globe, star in right field VICTORI - A AVCCC B (Oficina B) CONOB in exergue (Constantinople mint) Struck: AD 527-537 Size: 21mm Weight: 4.43gm Catalog: Sear 137 Ex. Harlan J. Berk, Chicago The Constantinople Mint for gold coins was supposedly located in the Great Palace, which is now gone. My visit to the location of the Constantinople bronze coin mint: http://www.cointalk.com/t205471
I believe the link in my prior post from the professor at Tulane has that info. It appears to be 24 silver for 1 gold.
lol, yeah, I remember when I thought the same thing. Well, I am 18, in college, living at home, and making all my money selling ancient coins. Since I don't have many expenses, I am capitalizing on the situation that may well change when I get married :-D Nathan
