Underweight ancient

I have a bronze (I think) follis Licinius that according to the RIC and the sale info should weigh 3.2 grams but weighs at 2.74. It's 23 mm as it should be but light. Any thoughts?

 

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Ummm, do you happen to have a sweet picture of this coin, my friend?

 

Hard to say. Perhaps wear can be reason enough for a .5g difference. But also, the standards at the mints during the reign of Licinius I were not as stringent as earlier in the empire.

 

It looks to me like the coin has been worn sufficiently to account for the difference in weight.

 

Any suspicion that it may be an unofficial issue?

 

Ummm, do you also happen to have a photo of the flip-side?

Well, the good news is => it doesn't look like a fake (to me, anyway) ... but it isn't exactly a top-drawer museum example either ...

I bought this example for $44 bucks (delivered to North Thompson, Manitoba) ... so there are opportunities to buy better looking coins than the OP example (I'm just sayin')

=> good luck either way, my new ancient co-collector!! (Go Licinius, Goooo!!)

 

BTW, this coin is not Licinius I, but rather Constantine I believe. It would help if you can post images of both sides.

 

The reverse is worse than the obverse. I paid $6.50 for it on eBay. I ain't gonna hang it in the Louvre.

 

Ummm ... well, I'm fairly sure that's money well spent on some sort of ancient coin, brother!! (Bing sounds like he might be correct ... he's pretty smart for an old fella)

 

I love ancients for a bunch of reasons but mostly because I get to touch them and hold them. No slabs for this ancient dawg!

 

A Big Mac is $6.50 nowadays ... I think a cool 2000 year old coin is a far better use of your cash (well, assuming that you're not starving at the moment ... then maybe I'd relook at your investment?)

 

NOTE => don't be afraid of posting your potential purchases "before" you pull the trigger (we're pretty good with our ethics => I can pretty much guarantee that the regulars won't scoop-up your OP question-coin) ...

It is far better to ask, if you're not sure, than try to back-pedal and return your lousy fake!!

... ummmm, oh and you could always contact us "personally" with a personal message (warning though => yah, I am probably gonna say "go ask Bing, Doug, or Batman") ...

Good luck, JBG

 

It's Constantine I, not Licinius, and without knowing the reverse type, I can't look it up in RIC for an approximation of the weight. But it is not a counterfeit - just a worn, corroded, and heavily cleaned coin. All of those things could easily add up to a light weight.

 

I'm thinking about bidding on this one....thoughts?

 

Here is the reverse of the Licinius/Constantine?

 

when i searched on the "coin project" I got this hit...
IMP LIC LICINIVS P F AVG, laureate, cuirassed bust right / IOVI CONSERVATORI AVGG NN, Jupiter standing facing, head left, chlamys hanging from left shoulder, holding Victory on globe & leaning on sceptre, eagle with wreath left. •TS•Ã• in exergue. 23mm, 3.48 grams. Mint of Thessalonica. RIC VI 59, minted 312-313 AD.

 

Constantine I, IOVI CONSERVATORI type, RIC VI 61b. A 0.5g variance is not at all unusual for these coins, nothing to be concerned about.

Not Licinius: the obverse legend is clearly IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG.

 

Why are you askin' me?




just jokes

Ummm, but honestly, I still ask these other dudes for verification!! (I'm sure that someone will step-up and give you peace-o-mind, one way or the other)

=> sounds like you're having fun chasing these babies, eh? (yah, they're super cool)

Ummm caution => they're highly addictive, my friend!!

 

Thank you!