Hello everyone. I am a novice in this area and this is my first post at CoinTalk. I have recently purchased (~50 USD, from a long-time dealer in a coin fair) a denarius of Hadrian (OBV: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, REV: PM TR P COS III, LIB PVB in ex., libertas seated with branch and sceptre). The coin matches some of the subtypes in RIC127 and RCV3502, weights 3.15g, has a black toning and is extremely shiny. I have thus a few questions about it, which I would like to clarify with the Hive Mind. 1) Is it common to have such a shiny coin among ancients? Was there an over-cleaning involved with artificial toning? Is that fine or should I return. To be honest, I like its very sharp and contrasted look that the glossy silver and equally glossy blackened surface give, but is this normally a no go for collectors that may explain its relatively low price? 2) The axis is 8h, slightly different from the 6 and 7h often found for this type. Is this an allowed variation? 3) While gently dropping it on a surface, the sound it makes is less metallic, as compared to a few other, more conventionally looking denarii that I have, but still close to another one, so I am still not convinced on what kind of evidence this may be. 4) Do you think this is a genuine coin? Thank you very much for your kind attention. The pictures are attached above.
Just from an image it's very hard to be certain, but I see nothing to concern me. I have several silver coins that have been cleaned and are very shiny. In fact, I bought a coin that was very dark so I lightly cleaned it with a solution of water and lemon juice. It is now as shiny as a new coin.
All ancient coins have been cleaned at one point or another. Keep in mind most of them have been dug up after being in the ground for many centuries. My guess is your coin was more or less solid black when discovered. Someone then rubbed off the black patina on the high points, creating the cameo appearance. Does this enhance or detract from your coin? That's up to you. I think it looks very nice and would be happy to have it in my collection. $50 is a reasonable price for that coin. The weight is what you would expect for a silver coin of that size, so I think you can be confident that it is silver. The difference in sound might be a result of partial crystallization of the silver. If so, stop dropping it. Finally, welcome to Coin Talk and a interesting and rewarding--but not addicting, no, no, I swear I'm not addicted--new hobby.
First laugh of the day!!! Congrats and thank you @gsimonel !! Welcome to CoinTalk @Alex22 !! I am not an expert by any means, but your coin looks 'normal' to me. By the way, I am very interested in tidying up ancient coins that have not been cleaned and my coins tend to take on that cameo effect that gsimonel described. I love that look. I am looking forward to seeing more of your coins. LaC
This skepticism and uncertainty is the safest attitude for a beginner as it leaves a lot of room for learning and understanding and less room for over-enthusiasm and wishful thinking. Coin is good, no worries. This time.
I have no reason to think from your photos and from the weight of the coin that your coin is fake. I agree with @gsimonel that the coin was probably very toned at one point and someone decided to clean it, emphasizing the highlights. This is not an uncommon practice and certain auctions, I've noticed, seem to have a fair share of such coins. For example, see these at BAC's current auction. Here's my latest Hadrian, which has a similar -- but more subtle -- cameo appearance: Hadrian, AD 117-138. Roman AR denarius, 3.16 g, 17.4 mm, 6 h. Rome, AD 121. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder. Rev: P M TR P COS III, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae and resting on column. Refs: RIC 86b; BMCRE 170-72; RSC/Cohen 1155; UCR 206; RCV 3521.
One more thing I forgot to mention. The means by which you acquired this coin--from a trusted dealer--also should reassure you. Even if this coin does prove to be fake--which I doubt will ever happen--a trusted dealer will always stand behind their product and refund your money.
Thank you all so much for the insightful and reassuring comments that taught me a lot!!! I already feel that become very much - ahm - "not addicted" - ahm - to this hobby, and it is great to discover there is such a welcoming community around it. At present I own 12 coins of different emperors, with the aim to, over time, collect one portrait coin of each (from Augustus to Romulus), and am trying to soak in all the information I can find from books and forums regarding the hobby and the history of the Roman Empire. Thank you very much.
Compliments on the coin and welcome to CoinTalk! As others have already said, there is nothing apparently suspicious about your coin. If I were you, I'd stop dropping it, though: due to crystallization, ancient coins easily break, and the "ring test" doesn't seem to work that well with ancient silver of varying purity anyways. My own Hadrian denarius, whose authenticity I am quite convinced of, shows surfaces and toning similar to yours: Hadrian, Roman Empire, denarius, 119–122 AD, Rome mint. Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head of Hadrian right. Rev: PM TR P COS III, Pax seated left, holding Victory on globe and branch. 18.5mm, 3.05g. Ref: RIC II, 95.
Thanks @Orielensis and @Ancient Aussie, I promise not to drop it anymore Thanks a lot @Orielensis for also showing your coin: very similar toning indeed.
