My son just moved from Poland to Belgium last week, and he had an opportunity to go out metal detecting with a colleague. They went to Gangelt, Germany just west of the Rhine river. Anyway, he had three finds in a couple of hours, so I will post each one separately. The first I believe I have attributed correctly, but I'm asking by CT brothers and sisters to double check me. These are not my images!!!!! LUCIUS VERUS Æ Sestertius Obverse: L AVREL VERVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right Reverse: TR P IIII IMP II COS II S-C, Victory standing right, placing a shield inscribed VIC/AVG in two lines on palm 33mm, 25.51 gm Struck 164 AD RIC III 1396 (Aurelius); BMCRE 1116 note (Aurelius); Cohen 249. I know this coin probably has BD, so I've advised my son to treat it. Of course, he wants to know how much it's worth. I'm terrible at guessing, so if anyone has an idea I appreciate it
Actually, I have a 5 week trip planned. We depart on Sep 7th and don't return till Oct 10th. My wife and I have rented an apartment in Mons, Belgium for the entire time, but we are planning some side trips. My wife loves to visit Monet's home in Giverny, France, so that is one trip. Of course, my son wants to take me on an MD trip at least once. Hopefully, I will be as lucky my first time out.
Very Nice find for a couple hours in the field ! Here's a similar Lucius sestertius, I paid 40 euros for it , RIC 1396 & 1456/7 are cheap in this condition in auctions. check out Coinarchives.
Such a trip? So jealous......joking, as always. Have a devil of a good time and don't forget to post photogs.........
I just visited Giverny a few weeks ago. It was crowded but idyllic; you will both enjoy it! It won't take more than an hour or two to see everything, in case that helps with timing.
Thanks @AncientJoe. We've been twice before, once in the Spring and once early Fall. Spring was much better. I get a little bored arter a couple of hours, but the wife likes it a lot as well as the neighboring town of Vernon. Also looking forward to a return trip to Brugges. If you haven't seen it, the dark Irish comedy "In Brugges" is funny, but the sights of the town are awesome.
We incidentally went to Brugges on the same trip as well! Well worth the visit, and I added an antique key from a shop there to my non-coin collection. And, we're still slowly making my way through the chocolate we brought back. If you're renting a car and are traveling on a clear day, I'd highly recommend the cliffs of Etretat. They aren't quite on the way to Brugges from Paris but you can stop off at Dunkirk as you travel up north for another historical visit. The cliffs were utterly stunning; just ensure you hold onto any food tightly: I had an aggressive seagull snatch a sandwich out of my unsuspecting hands!
@Bing Belgium is wonderful. I would recommend the town of Ghent. Wonderful food, great beer, nice people. Plus you can see the Ghent altarpiece. I did a trip to Ypres as well. As a Canadian I wanted to see the monuments and cemeteries of the Canadian soldiers. I visited Essex Farm where MCcrae wrote "In Flander's fields". The highlight for me of the trip to Ypres was the ceremony at the Menin gate. Every night at 8PM they have a ceremony at the gate. One of my ancestor's names is on that gate along with thousands of other names. Another interesting site id the cemetery at Vladso near Ypres. It is a German cemetery. All of the grave markers are black and there are 2 Kolwitz sculptures at the back the cemetery. I also visited several battlefield sites. It is eerie to stand at the edge of a crater made by an artillery shell more than 100 years ago. In the same area is the infamous 'trench of death'. The walls are not dirt anymore but you can still walk through the trench. It is an overwhelming experience. As I was walking through the trench I saw poppies growing out of the cracks in the walls. In short, there is enough of interest in Belgium to keep you very busy. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Oh wow, that's a great looking LV! I hope that BD gets under control quick, it's a super coins with a great portrait! I hope you dig ol' aureus over there! (but seriously, I hope you do).
I'm with Doug in thinking that what it's worth will depend on what's left after the BD is dealt with. If you manage to arrest the BD and clean it up a little, at the very least you'll have a great souvenir and an LV sestertius in beautiful style. Here's hoping your son manages to save it!
great find, bing..get detector and go to the field...l believe that you and your son will have more finds..good luck!!!
Please note that unauthorised metal detecting is illegal in Germany. You need a permission from the local authorities. Which is almost impossible to get for an amateur detectorist.