I have (what I believe to be) a Magnentius AE4., 1.87 gm. Obv: DN MAGNEN-TIVS PF AVG, laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, A behind bust. Rev: FEL TEMP REP-ARATIO, soldier spearing fallen horseman who is wearing a Phrygian helmet, sitting on ground, arm up, A in left field. Mintmark SARL. RIC VIII Arles 133; Sear 18790. (Note: The size and the visible obverse legend which states 'TIVS PF AVG' would make it Magnentius, and the obverse depiction when compared to Tessorillo would match AE$, 'ARL". 'Wildwinds' comments "This is the rarest 'Fel Temp' of them all." Is this true?
@Victor_Clark Thank-you. I thought it might not be, and that is why I put it up. I am not often right, and I am wrong again. Back to the drawing board.
@randygeki Thanks. I like your thinking, but Thessalonica 123 is an AE2 (above 20mm) whereas this coin is a definite AE3 (less than 20 mm). Thanks, anyway.
I wish I could post a photo or thread on here..... I have Fel Temp. I am an old US coin guy. Sister in law was clearing out some old family stuff and came across a cigar box of coins and oddities. Being the family coin guy I was called. Only piece that was really interesting was a Fel Temp and it resides in my coin safe now. I am not an ancient coin expert. But my gut tells me this may be a jewelry copy. Are there any obvious indicators a person would look for?... My apologies for the thread derail.
FEL TEMPS / Fallen Horsemen coins for the most part are not particularly rare and are thus inexpensive. I tend to think of jewelry reproductions as reproductions of pricey coins. All this is to offer an argument for the likely genuine nature of the coin. However, without a photo it is impossible to tell.
With any luck I will get the attention of a forum moderator to get me straightened out here soon. Thanks
Randy, if you can’t, just message me and I can send you my email and you can send me a pic. I’ve seen enough FH Coins I’m pretty comfortable assessing whether one is genuine on not. I can imagine a jeweler faking an Athenian Owl. Don’t really see it with a FEL TEMP.
Well dang... Apparently I cannot start a PM either. I can respond to a PM. Already did a transaction with a fellow here via PM. Just cannot start one
Here is Randy's coin. Looks to be a Constantius II FEL TEMP Fallen Horseman type from the second officina of the Cyzikus mint. I'm reading SMKB as the mint mark. I see no reason to doubt its authenticity. It's got honest wear. It's not especially valuable, but IMO it's certainly genuine. It's interesting that it's been holed. Maybe that's where Randy's thought that it might be used in jewelry came from. It would be interesting to see if the inside of the hole was patinized (i.e., had the same texture and color as the rest of the coin) or was different. A patinized hole would mean that the hole was made in antiquity. Maybe for jewelry, or maybe nailed somewhere for some reason. Hope you don't mind me posting the coin so others can weigh in.
One other consideration is that it is possible a rare coin of Magnentius could be ancient unofficial and not count. Rarity does not count when dealing with barbarous coins. Many (most?) of them are one of a kind. My small collection has two coins that would be great rarities if they were official but they are not. There are many barbarous coins of Magnentius. I would not pay big money for a Falling Horseman that was clearly Magnentius unless it also fit the style and details of the RIC recognized ones. Below is a Falling Horseman of Decentius Augustus. There is no such thing known in official but here it is whatever it is (or isn't?). DN DECEN TIVS AVGV (or was it intended to be Magnentius but omitted a letter???) The obverse of this Chi Rho reverse coin can not be read but the reverse legend has enough errors to flag the coin as unofficial. That is a shame since there are no known coins of the type from Siscia mint.
I truly thank your for your generosity and insight. You are correct. I had not thought to look in the hole and it does in fact have the same texture and color as the rest of the coin. Under my magnifier there is a slight green oxidation as well that I can also detect on the low lying areas of the coin.... Again, I thank you. I am engrossed in history when I handle my coins. I am a US coin guy by nature and envision pioneers and settlers when I enjoy my collection. It is just mind blowing to me that I am now handling history that is thousands of years rather than hundreds of years old!
I appreciate the welcome..... But keep that whole bug biting thing under wraps please. My wife ain't gonna be happy to hear that.