The first is Ptolemaic, possibly Ptolemy I or II - the diameter and weight would clarify the denomination. The second is a dupondius of Nemausus. The portrait on the third is possibly Marcus Aurelius or Lucius Verus. I can't make out the lettering because the pic is a bit blurry. They all look original - nothing wrong with the style, but they've been overly-cleaned, as the the bare bronze is showing in many places.
Friend found them in his grandfather's garage and gave them to me. I assumed that they were over cleaned. Any value here?
JA has called them all correctly and he's also right about being over cleaned. There might be a little value in the Ptolemy and maybe a little for the other two, but not much for all three.
Value is extremely subjective, even more so among collectors of ancient coins than moderns. Because of the over-cleaning, I would not be interested in them. However, another collector might not be bothered at all. Anything can and does happen on eBay. If you want to sell them, that would be the place.
They look authentic at first glance, but higher resolution pics, plus the weight and diameter of each coin would be needed for a better assessment.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I will post higher res pics tonight, along with the weights and diameters. I am fairly new to coin collecting, especially with ancients like these. You said there is little value in the three of them. Does little value refer to $5.00, or $100.00? Thank you again, great forum!
Under $20 each. The Ptolemy may have more potential depending more on the size. The bigger the better is the case in these. I have one that is only 36mm/46g for which I paid under $15.
All look real to me, too. I don't see #1 (Ptolemy) or #3 (Commodus - name at left) as all that bad but #2 (Nemausis) is pretty close to worthless IMHO. However, due to condition, I would not argue with the under $20 number unless #1 is really large. Bing's 46g. coin is not as clear as yours but worth more than a 20g one, There are 90g / 46mm coins that would be worth $100 in ugly shape. I suspect #3 is an 'as' (under 10g) rather than a sestertius (twice as big and more costly but still not much over $20 in this shape). In general ancients are priced according to eye appeal. If a coin looks like it is 2000 years old, it is not going to be in high demand unless the type is a very special one that all of us are dying to own.
The third one should be a copper as of Commodus. You can read the legend M COMMODVS on the left and just about make out ANTONINVS AVG on the right. We could better tell if it's authentic with clearer pics and the coins weight and size. It's overcleaned as others have said, but if authentic I believe it's a rare issue.
Victor, you could use this occasion to become an ancient-coin collector and follow this friendly web community on this site for a while until you are hooked or not. Or, if you just want to realize their value, put them on eBay with a low opening bid and the descriptions others have given you. Include their diameters. Then sit back. Rest assured you will get what they are worth.
