Maximinus I Thrax denarius question

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by derkerlegand, Jun 24, 2015.

  1. derkerlegand

    derkerlegand Well-Known Member

    [​IMG]

    Weight: 1.83 g. - is that normal for this issue?
     
    Collect89 and Orfew like this.
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    No, 1.83 grams is very light. However, it still looks genuine. I imagine it is very porous and fragile. I recommend you do not test this theory by attempting to bend it--it would probably shatter.

    You can read more about coins of Maximinus Thrax here:
    http://esty.ancients.info/Maximinus/Maximinus.html
     
    Mikey Zee likes this.
  4. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    It seems light, but I do not think it is abnormal. I only own one Max I denarius which weights in at 2.83g. I think your coin looks fine.
     
    swamp yankee likes this.
  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Its light but the coin looks OK. Many of his coins were on the light side compared to severus alexander.
     
    swamp yankee likes this.
  6. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    They style and fabric look authentic. It just got struck on a light flan.
     
    swamp yankee likes this.
  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    While there is a good variation in flan weights that are perfectly normal, one a gram low does make me worry that the coin might have leeched metal out in the time it was in the earth leaving abnormally porous metal. The reverse i particular has a textured look that could mean it was harshly cleaned or naturally exposed to harsh elements. While I do not believe this weight alone is reason for a fake fear, I still would avoid such a coin more in fear of it being fragile. Don't drop any coin. Especially, don't drop this one.

    With ancients, we have grades like VF but sometimes a more important 'grade' is found in a modifier like 'good metal'. Wear is not the worst thing that can happen to a coin.
     
    medoraman and Mikey Zee like this.
  8. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    I agree with everyone else who has posted already---it looks perfectly fine, just a bit light and probably quite fragile.....treat it with care...
     
  9. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    I concur. While its possible this coin was just struck on an abnormally light flan, we should see some evidence of it either too small or weaker strike. Neither of those are apparent, so I also suspect it was a spot find and much of the metal has been leeched away through the centuries.
     
  10. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    I have read in a book on Roman coinage that by this time period the denarius was accepted and trafficked at a value irrespective of its metallic, intrinsic value, that is, by then the marketplace no longer expected that the amount of silver in the coin determined its value in commerce, hence a widely varying weight (and composition).
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page