I found another ancient coin and would like a little info on it. The holder is marked Gordian III, Hadrianopolis mint in Tharce, and "RARE" on the back. It's about 19mm and bronze. So with all this info I still don't really know what I have. Mike.
It's I'D'ed right. Rare? not really. Same type: http://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/nn_...olis_thrace_t__r__nemesis/569802/Default.aspx
It's a nice coin . One of the great things about collecting ancients is that there are so many affordable "rarities", especially if you break it down into mints and little details (for Roman Imperials). Whether your coin is truly rare, I don't know... but it is still a lovely ancient coin, rich with history.
Gordian III AR Antoninianus Gordian III & Providentia Gordian III, Cappadocia, Caesarea-Eusebia Gordian III & calathus with five grain ears Gordian III, Syria, Decapolis, Gadara Gordian III & Galley w. Oarsmen
It's a cool coin and affordably priced---I'd buy it for $30.00 right now (i.e.it's better than the example in the link).
Cities in the Roman provinces like Thrace were allowed to produce bronze coins for local circulation. Almost all showed the current emperor on the obverse and a reverse type selected by the town. Some, like Hadrianopolis, had very many designs. Some may have shown a statue on display in the city museum or a god that was special to locals for some reason we do not always understand. Relatively few were made and fewer survive so the coin can be called rare in the sense that there may only be a hundred of them still around but there are so many types that there are not that many people fighting over them.
It's Varbanov 3937. That's Nemesis on the reverse, holding rod and bridle, wheel at her side. It's not any rarer than most provincial types of Hadrainopolis, but the grade and preservation are quite nice.
I want to thank everybody for telling me what I have here. You guys are really quick to respond and full of information. Regards, Mike.
