Bought a couple without any attribution - Maybe a Caracalla double denarius & a Ptolomy bronze?

On Father’s Day we attended a small coin show where we found two ancient coins tucked-away in a non-ancient dealer’s token inventory. (BTW, I also grabbed an old Nixon political button that is written in Hebrew). The only thing written on the ancient coin flips was $15 on one & $5 on the other. Now that you know the story, here are my questions about these two:

#1 Caracalla Denarius:

Initially I thought the coin was Antonius Pius but then settled on Caracalla. (Like I'm the first one to do that). Thus far I couldn’t find this Caracalla in the fake reports. Dating the coin is proving to be a real hassle and also I’m not finding the exact coin on Wildwinds. Therefore, I’m getting worried that it may be a fantasy coin.

My Sear book says that Caracalla begins being depicted with a beard in 209. It’s pretty clear that he has a beard on my new coin. However, the coin clearly states COS II which is supposed to be 205. Also the coin clearly states TR.P.VI which should be 203. The final enigma is that the weight is 5.15 like a double denarius (antoninianus) which was supposedly first introduced at the end of 214. WA DA YA THINK? Am I looking in the wrong book? PLEASE GIVE ME SOME GUIDANCE IF YOU CAN. Here is the coin label I’ve prepared assuming that the coin is real:

Caracalla 198-217 AD
AR Double Denarius (Antoninianus)
5.15 grams, 19.7 mm
Obv: Caracalla Laureate head right
ANTONINUS.PIUS.AVG.GERM.
Rev: Caracalla standing in toga facing left
Sacrificing from patera over tripod
P.M.TR.P.VI.COS.II.P.P.
Grade: a good VF or better including great
centering and sharp strike with all
legends clear.
Other: Caracalla was a bad boy that had his brother Geta killed. Caracalla was ordered killed by Macrinus in 217 AD. From private sale, 6/17.





#2 Ptolemy or maybe some Alexander bronze?

This one was $5 and chunky. I’ve certainly had $5 worth of fun trying to attribute it. Unfortunately, I still don’t know what it is. In fact, I haven’t got a ticket on the clue bus.

The weight is 5.83 grams with a diameter between 17 mm and 18.3 mm.

Do you folks think it is a Ptolemy I or II bronze or perhaps it is some odd type of Alexander bronze coinage? I need more books & I certainly appreciate your help.

 

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While I'm no expert on Ptolemaic bronze coins, #2 strikes me as a Ptolemy I-II Hemiobol. The style of eagle on the reverse and the obverse portrait would fit the denomination. The weight and diameter of your coin also are within the range for that issue.

I would recommend the PtolemAE Project website (ptolemybronze.com) as a great place for information.

 

The reverse was not used by Caracalla but is known for Severus Alexander. The weight suggests it is not a plated piece so we are left with unofficial ancient and modern fake. If you have the opportunity to show it in person to a Severan specialist, there might be a better answer. My guess (nothing more) is modern.

 

Also note that an official antoninianus ought to have a radiate crowned portrait, not a laureate crowned one.

 

an interesting pick-up.

 

OK.

The enigmatic Caracalla that made no sense to me really doesn’t make any sense. I’ll try to remember to take it with me to the next large coin show & search for a Severan expert. Those Severen experts are always lurking around large shows.

I also picked-up a good Roman Denarius on Father’s Day. It’s a Q Anonius Balbus that weighs 3.90 grams. I’ll post it in a subsequent thread.

Thanks to everyone for the assistance.