Post your favorite ancient "problem coin"

My collection has more problem coins than non-problem coins in it but that is down to the nature of some of my collecting focus.

So how about two of my coins, each with their own problems....despite these evident problems I am still more than happy to give them a home.

Coins with a II COS ending to their reverse legend for Septimius Severus from Emesa are all rare (and I do not use that term lightly in this regard). In addition to this, there are only three known examples of coins from this mint with the obverse legend also ending in II COS, all from the same obverse die and all with II COS reverse types. I own two of these examples and Curtis Clay owns the third. My Spes coin below has a nasty cut mark through the end of the obverse legend but die comparison confirms the reading. My Fortuna coin has many, many evident problems too.

Septimius Severus denarius
Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG II COS, Laureate head right
Rev:– BONAE SPEI II COS, Spes standing holding flower and lifting skirt
Minted in Emesa, 194 - 195 A.D.
References:– RIC -. RSC -. BMC -.
2.53g, 20.31mm, 0o

The only known example of this reverse legend and reverse type.



Septimius Severus denarius
Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG II COS, Laureate head right
Rev:– FORTVNAE REDVCI II COS, Fortuna standing left holding rudder and cornucopia
Minted in Emesa, 194 - 195 A.D.
References:– RIC -. RSC -. BMC -.

The second known example of this reverse legend and reverse type. The other from the same die pair illustrated below and in the collection of Curtis Clay.



The following image shows the other example of the Fortuna type. These are plaster casts of the Curtis Clay example of the coin and my Spes example.



Martin

 

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"Sulla's Dream." Not much actual wear really, and reasonably complete for these, but pitted and corroded. A dreadful coin, truly unpleasant, although I've gotten sufficiently used to it that I can look at a picture without making my eyes bleed. I should've returned it, but inexplicably didn't. It is a plate coin in Harlan's 100 Greatest book, so I guess there's that to redeem it.

 

And sadly, you won't own it, unless you find a way to ahem liberate it from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston where it now hangs out.

 

Problem coin, eh? ... hmmm?

ummm, well it's gotta be my poor ol' fake Claudius example (*sigh*)




... so pretty

 

Yeah, lol. That would be a problem.

 

Since Martin opened the box for problem Septimius, I'll show one.

This is an Alexandria mint Legionary with full reverse legend (unusual in itself) LEG III IT AVG with a good size chunk out of the neck. I assume this flaw allowed me to buy in in the CNG sale of the late Roger Bickford-Smith's duplicates (his good coins went to the BM but he never told me he had two of these). The common legionary of Alexandria (below) reads LEG III IT AVI. G coins are rare (show yours, Martin). The provenience to Roger's collection means a lot to me and probably few others to this is one I'll die with without doubt.

The common AVI:

 

At Doug's request. Here is my AVI and my AVG.

 

It seems we hang around where problems are the norm. Perhaps we should try something really hard. Is there an Alexandria without problems? I think the one below is my best but it is nothing approaching mint state.

 

I think my latest purchase is a much better example of a "problem coin" than my previous post in the thread, but I didn't have it at the time(and I still don't have it in-hand). Most collectors might see it as junk because of the wear, the roughness and the flan problems, but it was part of at least 3 of the best Republican bronze collections of recent memory so there must be something special about it, right?

This is a very scarce sextans from the "Bull and MD" series, and I don't use "very scarce" lightly - during this time period, sextantes were only minted in very small numbers and all are relatively scarce. So even with its problems, I think it's a great problem coin.

Image used with permission of FORVM - another image can be found from Andrew McCabe's collection here - by the way, the page he links in the description is worth a read if you have the time

Roman Republic Æ Sextans(6.5g, 19mm). Anonymous(Marcus Durmius?), 189-180 BC. Rome mint. Head of Mercury right wearing winged Petasos, •• above / Prow of galley right; bull standing right and MD above, •• before, ROMA below. Crawford 142/5, Sydenham 299d. Ex. Andrew McCabe, Ex. RBW, Ex. Goodman(CNG 45, lot 1333)

 

Another coin with evident problems.....

An uneven, off centre strike.

L Papius Denarius Serratus, Papia 1
Obv:– Head of Juno Sospita right, wearing goat skin tied under chin. Behind head, Compass
Rev:– Gryphon running right; in ex., L. PAPI.; in field, Drill
Minted in Rome from . B.C. 79.
Reference(s) – RSC Papia 1. RRC 384/1. RCTV 311.
Symbol variety – RRC 204. Babelon -. BMCRR -
3.85g. 20.41 mm. 180 degrees



A view of the uneven strike.

 

here are a couple of new coins of mine, this seems like a good place to post them. picked these both up in a small lot, had fun cleaning them up and attributing them.



Jovian, 363-363 AD
O: DN IOVIA-NVS PF AVG R: VOT V MVLT X, BSISC in ex., RIC VIII Siscia 426, 20 mm, 3.1g

not bad, has some thick layers of patina that obscure some of the otherwise decent details.




PROBUS (276-282). Antoninianus. Ticinum.
Obv: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG. Radiate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: FIDES MILIT / VIXXT. Fides standing left, holding standard in each hand. RIC 365. 24 mm, 3.4 g

also not to bad. wish the reverse wasn't so worn/weak, but nice silvering.

 

An off-center strike, which doesn't really bother me. A small X scratched at the bottom which doesn't bother me too much either.

It's my first serratus and I like the overall look. I also like that it can be dated accurately.

83BCE Silver Denarius.
Q.A. Balbus.
Obv.: Head of Jupiter.
R.: Victory driving Quadriga.
Minted by the anti-Sulla faction in the Roman Senate. Sear279.

 

Sorry H8, that coin's way too nice to qualify for this thread!

 

Super coin!!!!!!Thank you for the beautiful coins that I have, but I have them here to see you. Especially this silver coin I liked.

 

Thanks for sharing all of these really unique coins!

I think problem coins are pretty neat and hope I can someday add some to my collection.

Erin

 

Out of curiosity, what are the telltale signs this is a fake

 

=> well Sallent, I think that David Sear summed it up best ...





ummm, but it's still pretty cool, right? ... so yah, it is allowed to hang-out with the other coins (segregation is wrong ... it's not the coin's fault)

 

I just picked up these 2 " problematic" coins from my folder # 4. The first one is unidentified but does show a plowing scene on reverse. The second one belongs to Valens with Securitas on reverse and rated C3.

 

Well, I think I finally have a genuine "problem coin" or two. As you can see, this Maximian radiate suffered from corrosion near the mouth area of the bust while it was burried. However, the corision appears to have happened many centuries ago, because it is now completely covered over by an even thick layer of natural green patina which also covers the rest of the coin.

However, despite this "problem" look at that reverse and the amazing details on the Emperor's face and uniform, and on Jupiter. That more than makes up for any ancient cosmetic issues on the obverse.



Also, this one is technically a "problem coin" too. A beautiful example of a Scaurus denarius, but one has to admit it does have some strike problems around the edges. The dies failed to properly strike the flan for one reason or another...either due to damage of the die or maybe an improper strike. Who knows? You can see the weakness by Aretas' hand where the wreath is supposed to be, and also around the chariot's area on the reverse. Either way, I can life with that minor problem and this is still one of my favorite coins in my collection.

 

This coin is porous, has a chip on the reverse edge, but doesn't appear to come much better...anywhere. It's rather rare, so if you want one, you'll probably need to cuddle up to some "problems".

Octavian. 36-35 BC. AR Quinarius (13.6mm, 1.68g, 6h). Uncertain mint. Galley with rowers sailing right / Victory advancing left, holding wreath, palm frond, and rudder. Babelon Julia 132 (50fr), RIC I (1st ed.) 9; CRI 315A; Sydenham 1339; BMCRR Africa 38; King 83; RSC 94.



Speaking of cuddling up to problems. This is my new bulldog. She doesn't get along with my English Setter. There is fighting, stealing of toys, sometimes blood. She's a major problem right now and she's driving me friggin' nuts!

Thanks for listening.