Here are five Roman (AE-3/4) issues which just came out of a H2O2 bath where they've been for the past 6 weeks. They were in pretty bad shape and have a little way to go yet. I just wanted to show you what Hydrogen Peroxide can do to encrusted grime and concretion. The larger photo next to the right corresponds with the #1 (top left) coin in the groups and has a nice (apparent) Victory with a Chi-Rho. I suspect the 1st (top left) and the 5th (bottom right) are Byzantine issues. Tak eCare Ben
Well I can see two or three Constantius coins in the pile and the really crusty one that you have posted in the larger pic has a reverse that reads SALVS REI-PVBLICAE which wasn't used by too many emperors.It shows Victory seated right on cuirass, pointing one hand at a shield inscribed with the Chi-Rho as she balances it atop a column with her other hand,which would make it THIS:http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/bigp...doxia/RIC_0103.jpg&ruler=./ric/eudoxia/i.html Eudoxia,daughter of Valentinian III and wife of Arcadius...nice find,and NO I don't have one.
Coin #2 is a "vota" probably of Constans and minted in Nicodemia, RIC viii 56, Constans AE4. 347-348 AD. D N CONSTANS P F AVG, diademed head right / VOT XX MVLT XXX within wreath, SMNG• in ex. the "G" being the upside down "L" or Gamma. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/bigp..._RIC_viii_059.jpg&ruler=./ric/constans/i.html
#4 (and possibly #3) look like good old Constantius II, FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C ,both have the GLORIA EXCERCITIS reverse.two soldiers, helmeted, standing with spears & shields, facing two standards between them.Can't read the mint though.http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/bigp...vII_084.jpg&ruler=./ric/constantius_II/i.html Just thought I'd save you a bit of time...
Well not a lot else to say to that LOL Not the worst looking ones I have seen either LOL De Orc :kewl:
Now how on EARTH did you get that one? You're right of course,you can see his figure standing on the reverse and the "LOR" in GLORIA ROMANORVM but nothing else..good job.:thumb: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/theodosius_II/RIC_0392.jpg
No problem Bone, By the way,the first coin I attributed to Eudoxia,probably her mother-in-law Aelia Flacilla, consort to Theodosius I and mother of Honorius and Arcadius,since she also used this reverse.Actually,it's more likely Flacilla because Eudoxia is always shown with a rather prominent halo over her head and I can't see any traces of it on your coin. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/bigp...IC_054.jpg&ruler=./ric/aelia_flaccilla/i.html
Hello, Because I've got one, with this specific facing portrait. Have a look at the attached pic.. Cucumbor
Yes, that's the one (Theodosius II) which is SLOWLY cleaning up. I've lightly brushed them and now have placed the lot in O-Oil until after the Christmas Holiday. Just a quick dip Ben
Very nice Cucumbor.I have a couple of Theodisius II coins but nothing that nice.I didn't notice the portrait was facing and in fact,now that I look at your coin,I believe the figure on the reverse of Bone's is also seated and the legend that is visible is NOT LOR from Gloria but COR from CONCORDIA.Good call there. Bone,I'll be interested in seeing the final result,post-olive oil.
Nice grouping. I'm especially interested in Flacilla. When I was in England about 10 years ago, I went to the Oxford Coin Auction (I can't remember the name) and bid on my first Roman coins. In the lot that I purchased were a couple of crusty bronzes. Well, to my surpirse, one cleaned up very nicely. It was Flacilla with an English mint! Currently, I'm trying to clean a buch of coppers from Greece and Room. They've been in olive oil for over a year, and its a slow process. Some of the details are starting to show through. I'll post some pics in a little bit. But first, how does the peroxide thing work? I've always understood peroxide to break down to water in relatively short order. But hey, I'm willing to experiment on some even more obscure coins lol
Theo II is the most common facing portrait, and so is easy to identify once you've seen it more than once. #2 - I'm pretty sure it reads TIVS PF AVG, which would make it Constantius II, RIC VIII Nicomedia 49 (SMN gamma)
Sorry....it wasn't Flacilla, but Hadrian...my mind must be slipping...However, this was my first Roman.... On this coin, there is evidence of contemporary gold plating. I guess its an original 'raketeer' nickel.
