accidentially posted this in the world coin forum today. but hey guys, I picked this coin up from a flea market for 15 $. I was out with the woman and in a spending mood, so i said sure and did it. he said 3rd century AD. It looks a bit shiny or polished to me. Almost too good to be real. can i please get your opinions and help identifying it ? thank you very much.
Its real. $15 is a little bit much for a very common emperor and being off center. But its emperor Tetricus I.
I have never seen Tetricus I with MARTI PACIF reverse, which is not to say it doesn't exist, but I think this is a coin of Claudius Gothicus. I believe I see DIVS in the obverse legend. Or maybe Aurelian?
WOW, that is REALLY off center. Crazy isn't it?? A modern 'error' coin would usually have a decent premium to it...but I suppose $15.00 for a small common bronze already has that factored in, intentionally or not. I don't recall seeing any other 'Ancient' quite that far off center before...but I'm sure there are quite a few. Oh, Oh, I think JA may be correct.....
Definitely Claudius. Tetricus has a better beard like Victorinus but not nearly as good as Postumus. Claudius has the chinstrap.
I hate to be different, but it looks very much like one of my Quintillus coins: QUINTILLUS AE Follis OBVERSE: IMP CM AVR CL QVINTILLVS AVG , radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right REVERSE: MARTI PACIL, Mars walking left, holding olive branch, reversed spear and shield. X in left field Struck at Rome, 270 AD 2.8g, 19mm RIC V-1 Rome 25 corr
It's a Claudius II, 268-279. Quinitillus (270), his younger brother, has about the same profile, but curlier hair.
I'm with JA, Mikey, Whiz, and Valentinian-- Claudius II. I can make out "...DIVS AVG" on the obverse (note that sloppy engraving on these coins often causes letters to look wrong/alike: "A" may look like an "H", etc.)
I like error coins but with ancients, off center is not an error until the thing is half off the flan. This degree is just sloppy workmanship and reduces the value of the coin a lot. While the ID is certain, any coin that fools so many reasonably skilled collectors is not something that we fight over when one goes to auction. Of all places to buy coins, a flea market is about the last I'd recommend to a beginner but this one is almost certainly genuine.
Bing said "I hate to be different, but it looks very much like one of my Quintillus coins:" Quintillus has curly hair and Claudius has straight(ish) hair.
I must have too much time on my hands (although I AM retired now LOL) and I still agree with Doug's last two posts.... My one available photo of Quintilis (Bi Double denarius) suggest it is not a match...... Well, enough of this....
Looks Legit - There's a lot worse ya can do with $15 these days like a Bad afternoon at Taco Bell & the even worse evening constitutionally speaking
welcome to ancients tobiask! for just taking a blind shot at a flea market, i'd say you did well. i think you'll be surprised by the type of ancients you can get for an affordable price. but as DS says, don't press your luck at the flea market!
Hm, I hope Doug didn't hear you say that. I know it's just a joke, but why does Taco Bell get such a bad rap? Our kids love Taco Bell, so once in a while, when we're in the mood for fast food, that's where we go. None of us have ever gotten indigestion, in years of eating there.
I don't think it's indigestion of which Sev was speaking. But hey, I go there once in a blue moon. There are some mighty fine taco trucks in the area I'd much rather visit.
