A common coin in uncommon condition

Q (come on, show off !)

 

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Alas, that is what comes with my photography skills. Someday I’ll have to do some photo-editing, but our computer is practically ancient. I guess I can crop the image.

 

What a wonderful thread that celebrates the glories of the 'mundane'.

Here's my contribution.


Vespasian
AR Denarius, 3.21g
Rome mint, 79 AD
RIC 1058 (C). BMC 251. RSC 554.
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, l.
Rev: TR - POT X COS VIIII; Capricorn l. : below, globe
Ex Berk 138, 1 June 2004, lot 224.

 

Here is a late Roman AE4 from Antioch with the black-and-tan patina often found on coins of that region.


13 mm (small). 1.52 grams. 6:00 die axis.
Theodosius 379-395.
RIC IX Antioch 56c, struck 379-383.

 

The original intent of this thread defined 'uncommon condition' as very exceptionally nice but it works both ways. There are coins that are hard to find worn. When a debasement event made the previous types worth a premium causing them to be hoarded, we have trouble finding worn ones making EF the commonly seen grade. Poor metal caused Antony legionaries to remain in circulation for centuries while Nero's debasement part way through his reign makes it harder to find slick coins of his early period than of his later. In the US, the 1964 Kennedy half dollars were hoarded by fans to the point that few were spent until it became obvious to most people that all the silver bearing coins were to be saved in favor of the new clad ones. As a result, most exist today in EF or better while older silver comes in all grades.

I had a friend who owned the worst known Athenian dekadrachm. It was smoothly worn to VG or so. These large coins did not circulate so most approach mint state. I can only assume it served as a pocket piece for a wealthy gentleman or maybe even was a family piece handed down through generations. Who among you has a dekadrachm in your change pocket? It would be in 'uncommon' condition.