Seeking opinions on this denarus of Augustus Caesar

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by johnmilton, Aug 9, 2019.

  1. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I recently acquired this piece and thought that it is pretty nice. It's been dipped, obviously, but overall the eye appeal is quite good. Is this piece really nice for an ancient coin, am I missing something?

    Augustus Cae O.jpg Augustus Cae R.jpg
     
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  3. NLL

    NLL Well-Known Member

    I think it is a nice coin and certainly one I would buy. The only down side of the coin is the off centered reverse.
     
  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Beautiful coin, congrats.
     
  5. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    That's a gorgeous coin! Nice toning.
     
  6. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    Looks great!

    I wouldn't worry about it being cleaned or dipped.
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  7. lrbguy

    lrbguy Well-Known Member

    What is "dipped"? Dipped in what?
     
    Ryro likes this.
  8. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    There's nothing wrong with this coin, and it's in pretty darn good condition. I own an example, but it's chipped on the edge, and I'm proud to be it's custodian.
    Augustus 11.jpg
    AUGUSTUS
    AR Denarius
    OBVERSE: AVGVSTUS DIVI F, bare head right
    REVERSE: Bull butting right
    IMP X in exergue
    Lugdunum 15-13 BC
    3.7g, 18mm
    RIC I 167a, BMC 451. C 137, CBN 1382
     
  9. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    More recent coins get dipped in a mild acid solution to remove toning. This coin has the look as if it were done a decade or more ago with some toning, in this attractive, reforming.
     
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  10. red_spork

    red_spork Triumvir monetalis

    Obligatory: All ancient coins have been cleaned to some degree unless you just dug it out of the ground. You see a lot of coins that look like this and often it's just how the toning reforms after the coin is initially cleaned.
     
  11. Paul M.

    Paul M. Well-Known Member

    @johnmilton: this is a gorgeous coin, and one I would own if I were going to only own one Augustus coin. Gorgeous style, nice condition, stellar eye appeal. I can't really find much to complain about here.

    I wouldn't even count that against this coin. The only thing that's really missing is the letter X. Were the bull's head off flan, then I would definitely ding it for centering.

    This is very true, but there are greater and lesser degrees of cleaning, of course. "Desert patina" and "find patina" are definitely things.
     
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  12. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    Augustus Denarius RIC 167a Rv Bull butting r. 15-13 B.C. 3.69 grms 18mm augustusd44.jpeg
     
  13. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Off-centering don't bother me, I think it's a nice coin.
     
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  14. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    Your coin is absolutely beautiful. I would buy it in a heart beat. Ancient coins are expected to have been cleaned at some point.
     
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  15. Fugio1

    Fugio1 Well-Known Member

    Great coin which is almost certainly been out of the ground for some time since it was cleaned. The toning appears natural with different colors around the periphery, suggesting the toning was environmental. Although it is struck slightly off-center, it is nearly all there. If this was in my collection, I would cherish it for a long time and probably never consider selling it.
     
  16. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    This will be my only Augustus Caesar for a while. After I get the other emperors, I might go back and buy one with the comet.

    After Julius Caesar died, a comet appeared in the sky. Some thought that it was a sign that Caesar was leaving to join and become one of the gods. It made for some very good politics Octavian since he was the chosen successor to Julius.
     
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  17. Archeocultura

    Archeocultura Well-Known Member

    I might go back and buy one with the comet.

    Yes, but htese babies come with a price or a defect.... comet.jpg
     
  18. Jwt708

    Jwt708 Well-Known Member

    That coin is fortunate that none of the issues impair any major design element, how cool!
     
    Paul M. likes this.
  19. jamesicus

    jamesicus Well-Known Member

    Here is one of mine with an obverse Banker’s test Mark.

    [​IMG][​IMG]
    Denarius - Augustus - RIC, Vol. I, 38b (17 BC) - Spain (Colonial)
     
  20. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    Wonderful example @jamesicus
     
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  21. Johndakerftw

    Johndakerftw Mr. Rogers is My Hero

    Here's my beat up comet denarius. Love this one. I'm sure it would have a few tales to tell.

    Attachment-1 (1).jpeg Attachment-2 (1).jpeg

    Erin
     
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