Hello everyone, i just acquired these 2 ancients for 10 dollars total.. what are y’all’s opinions and thoughts?
The 2nd one is an antoninianus of Tetricus, the Gallic emperor who ruled from 271-274 A.D. I can't make out the first one but I would guess that it is a first century A.D. provincial coin.
I would not be interested in the top coin even for $5. But the Tetricus has a nice portrait and alone is probably worth $10.
The first one is going to take a little work to identify, but I think the laurel wreath on the reverse will help you narrow it down. You might be able to clean it up a little bit, too, which might make it a little easier. If you have a brass-bristle brush, you might try brushing the coin lightly with it.
The first one is a Roman provincial coin from Antioch in Seleucis and Pieria, Syria. The reverse has several lines of legend, most of which obliterated on your coin but you can still make out the city name: ANTIo XEΩN. I'm not sure who is on the obverse but suspect it is Tiberius.
I'd be inclined to give away the first coin to someone more appreciative of it than myself. I agree with Gavin that the second one alone is probably worth the price.
I commented about using a brass brush and someone objected saying it would leave brass particles behind and then commented that they used a steel brush. Thoughts?
@everythingnumis —I think it's a good deal. The top coin could be used for Verdi-Care experimentation. The lower one is worth the price of the two.