At the bottom of this post I will name the ruler shown on this coin but invite those who are in need of ID practice to 'play the game' and see if you can name that face. The reverse right side legend is clear ΝΙΚOΜHΔΕΩΝ (Nikomedia) with the MH joined into a ligature. On the right (sorry it is less clear) is ΔΙC ΝΕΩΚΟΡΩ (NE ligate) honoring their two Neocourate temples. The figure is Hermes with two snake caduceus and purse. The obverse legend names the ruler but is more clear at left where the part of her name less familiar to many of us is found. CABEINIA is followed by the well known part of her name. Beginners, did you get it? Tranquillina, wife of Gordian III. Is there any interest in ID challenges here? We get a lot of ID posts from hard to read coins but it would be simple to start a thread for ID practice of clear coins if there was a demand for it.
I am very interested in Greek paleography and I found your coin to be very interesting, with its squared lunate sigmas and its various ligatures. Plus, I can't resist a Tranquillina. Tranquillina AD 241-244 Roman provincial Æ 24.1 mm, 8.06 g Thrace, Deultum, AD 241-244 Obv: SAB TRANQVILLINA AVG, diademed and draped bust, right Rev: COL FL PAC DEVLT, Marsyas as Silenus facing right, carrying wine skin over left shoulder and raising right arm Refs: Moushmov 3757; Youroukova 425, 4/II; cf. SNG Cop 549.
Fun! I didn't get it but I'll recognize her next time I see her! I do recognize many rulers by their faces - The nose knows! (in many cases) Thanks @dougsmit
I'm in! The coins I've worked on so far are a very small subset of what's out there. So, seeing different coins will be a huge help.
Sure @dougsmit !! I love the chance to test myself, although I don't always have time to ID them right away. And I even like the coins that are not so clear. In fact, I think I like those best!
Your Deultum reminds me of my desire for a normal legend on this city. My only Deultum Tranquillina confused Greek and Latin and used SEB (for sebastos) in place of the proper AVG as seen on your coin. More interesting is they used the Greek C in CAB at the left and the Latin S in SEB at the right.
TRANQUILINA: RI Prv Thrace Deultum Tranquillina 241-244 CE Æ 22mm 6.6 g Hermes purse caduceus SNG Bulgaria 1504-8
Yes. They are both fun and educational. Should it be one long thread or each "challenge" coin start a new thread? If the latter, maybe they could be titled with "ID challenge: ..... "
