Worn But Not Worthless

I have no problems with coins that are worn, as long as they are smooth. It is roughness I do not like. Wear, to me, means use, that these coins passed through the hands of thousands of ancient Greek or Roman people, maybe. even a few barbarians. Think of all those people you are physically connected to from that wear. Think of all the things those coins bought, wine and bread in a taverna, admission to a good seat in an amphitheater, a new chiton or tunica, a final offering for a one way trip on the River Styx. Here are some of my more worn coins, in time from a just after his death Julius Caesar issue denarius, to copper asses of Tiberius and his son Drusus to a beautiful brass sestertius of Nero, to a well worn but splendidly smooth green patinated sestertius of Julia Domna. From the anvil of Moneta to my collection, through the hands of people I never met but who touch me every day.

 

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Thanks. Its one of the most dramatic coins I have ever seen and remains one of my favorites despite the wear (which just makes it more appealing to me). In my opinion few coins compare (to me, anyway) but of course we all see different things with coins.

 

Augustus As struck in Lugdunum:



Worn but lovely severed head.



And a couple RR denarii giften to me by @AnYangMan for Saturnalia:

 

My pick from my collection is a bit later than the rest. It is a trachy minted by Isaac Comnenus of Cyprus , he stole Cypress with forged documents and ruled from 1184 to 1191. I think he was a coin collectors because in his short rule he created 18 different types of coins, all in the same denominations of the Byzantine Empire. He gets defeated by Richard the lion heart. His coins are plentiful in design but rare in the marketplace.

This one has the coolest depictions of St. George I have ever seen, little pot bellied fellow with chubby cheeks. SBCV-1991 30mm Btw he was a warrior Saint.

 

Most of my coins have a bit of wear to them, but this one combines wear and patina in what I think is a really eye catching combo.

 

Here's a cool Commodus As I picked up from bing not to long ago. This was my first coin of the year. Only my second coin of commondus and one of only a few of the As denomination in my collection.


Commodus, As, 181 AD

O: M COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVG, laureate head right R: TR P VI IMP IIII COS III P P S C, Commodus driving a quadriga to left Rome mint, 10.5g, 27mm RIC 319

 

I don’t know what it’s really worth as I can find only one sold at auction in the last 15 years, but I was lucky enough to grab one for cheap. The left facing bust is the rare part.


Probus 276-282
AE Antoninianus
21mm 3.43g
Siscia Mint 277
OBV: IMP C PROBVS P F AVG
Radiate, cuirassed bust left.
REV:ORIGINI AVG
She wolf right, feeding Romulus and Remus.
Mintmark: // XXIT
RIC 703 variant R3 (unlisted bust type)

 

One of my favorite coins of Faustina II is worn but I think it adds greatly to the appeal of the portrait!

 

Great coin @David Atherton