Need help on this Ancient.

I have had a bag of ten encrusted ancients for many years and finally got around to cleaning this one. I have no knowledge whatsoever on these so really need some guidance. This is the best I can do for a photo. This is, at it's widest about 5/8". There appears to be a horse on one side, the other side I cannot make out. Thanks for any help on this.

 

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Oh my. That could be almost anything! Is that bare corroded and heavily cleaned metal we're looking at, or is it crust?

 

I know, it was one of those impulse buys and a curiosity factor going on. I like projects and thought after cleaning them it might yield something identifiable. Well, only $2.00 for the lot.

 

Sorry Tommy, it's too far gone for me to even make a guess.

 

That's okay, it was a bit of fun anyways. I thought maybe the animal might be something but from what I see you folks post, this seems to be a common theme. It's too bad the other side did not yield anything.

 

It's bare metal with a touch of corrosion. I used baking soda after soaking in vinegar.

 

Well, I think the other side is a bust facing right, but there are literally hundreds of ancient types with an obverse bust and reverse horse. Without more clues, it's impossible to narrow it down.

 

It's some type of late Roman bronze, almost certainly. That's probably about all that can be said.

 

Thanks so much.

 

Good eye, TIF. I agree. Late Roman.

 

Just to add a little levity, is that a giraffe?

 

It does seem to resemble a giraffe LOL

Seriously, I think TIF and JA have said all that can be about the ID of the coin.

 

That seriously does look just like a giraffe, even to the tail running straight off the back.

Speaking of which, don't you think the Romans would have liked to brag about the extent of their empire and maybe have a coin with something as exotic as a giraffe on the back? I'd imagine many Romans in the European part of the empire had never seen one before. I know Steve wants the giraffe coin to add to the critters collection.

 

You betcha.

 

Hmmm, Didn't Gallienus have an animal series on his coins????

I recall numerous animals, but not a giraffe---and what's a hippo-camp?

 

Horse front, serpent back. Popular in Phoenecian coinage.

 

Here's the Phoenecian equivalent to Herakles, Melqart, riding a Hippocamp with a bow, like a boss. (not my coin)

 

Gallienus Hippocamp:

GALLIENUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
REVERSE: NEPTVNO CONS AVG, hippocamp or Capricorn right, N below
Struck at Rome, Sole Reign, 267-268 AD
2.2g, 17mm
RIC 245

GALLIENUS
Antoninianus
OBVERSE: GALLIENVS AVG, radiate head right
REVERSE: NEPTVNO CONS AVG, hippocamp or Capricorn right, N below
Struck at Rome, Sole Reign, 267-268 AD
3.9g, 20mm
RIC 245

 

That is one exceptionally cool coin!!! Whose coin is it? File photo...Auction ??

 

That hippo-camp strongly resembles the horse/giraffe on the coin that started this thread...

Bing, a long while back, I 'almost' started a series of those animal themes on the coins of Gallienus----but one thing led to another.....