I have had the worst luck finding almost nothing over the past few days. As some of you might know, I'm spending the week in Rome and brought my detector with me. There was this super nice couple that was from Ireland that let me detect on their farm. (this was a few hours outside the main city--where the Pope's summer residence is). So after two full days of finding liras and trash I finally found a roman coin. So in the past I have done 4 trips with my bounty hunter and she has done very well. But this time is amazing. So let's get down to business. I have some idea of what it might be.... Reverse: The reverse shows Pax, Fortuna, or Aequitas. But really looking close, you can see a cornucopia and a scale. So I am 90% sure the reverse is aequitas. Obverse: The emperor is bearded so he is after Hadrian. Most likely Marcus Aurelius or A-Pi. But telling by the face, I'd bet it's Marcus Aurelius. And I also see A-pi. But I can be wrong and it could be A-Pi, so tell me in the comments what it might be. So I'm sure you have skimmed the post so here's the coin: Heres the reference of what I think it is: Marcus Aurelius Date: AD 155 - AD 156 Denomination: Denarius Mint: Rome Obverse: AVRELIVS CAES ANTON AVG PII F: Head of Marcus Aurelius, bare, right Reverse: TR POT X COS II: Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in extended right hand and vertical rod in left Or it could be: Antoninus Pius Date: AD 138 Denomination: Denarius Mint: Rome Obverse: IMP CAES AEL ANTONINVS AVG: Head of Antoninus Pius, bare, right Reverse: PONT MAX TR POT COS: Aequitas, draped, standing left, holding scales in right hand and cornucopiae in left I want to hear your opinions. Your best finds detecting. Your Marcus denarius' or Anoninus denarius'. Send them my way!!! And if there's any way, feature this post Peter!
The early Marcus looks like A-Pi if a coin is worn down. There is also some ruins by where I detected that were built by him as well That is why I am considering Marcus.
Edit 2: I've just been looking at the pics....Is it possible that this could be an ancient counterfeit? It looks casted and there is bronze spots on the rim.
Larger and brighter pictures will help. Try cropping out the background. Weight will also be useful if you're wondering if it's a fourree. Also, it may not be legal to MD in Italy. Be careful.
I checked the laws. I'm detecting in a big group and half of them are Italians so they'll "protect me". I still got three more days so hopefully I won't get arrested and can find more stuff. It is legal to detect on private land with permission. But if artifacts are found with severe archaeological significance, they must be turned over to the police. Ie... the holy grail, etc. https://detectingschool.com/metal-detecting-in-italy/
You are wrong and so are your Italian friends. It’s legal to detect in private areas, but any find of archaeological significance belongs to the State and must be reported to the local authorities.
Any ancient coin is. I understand it sounds illogical, but consider the huge amount of antiquities dispersed in the past. You can legally possess an ancient coin only if you have evidence you acquired it legally (metal detecting isn’t).
I understand you are trying to be helpful, but can you reference your statements? It would be useful to link official information on this so that Colby can make an informed decision on next steps.
Of course I can, the only issue is the language. Italian law on cultural heritage provides limits on property on (among other) any “thing of numismatic interest” (not the holy graal). Here is the reference: http://www.parlamento.it/parlam/leggi/deleghe/04042dl.htm As I think nobody here wants to go through a complicated law text I also enclose the link to the most respected Italian numismatic forum (also Google translator can help to translate this text) in the part in which is displayed a warning about this legal issues: https://www.lamoneta.it/topic/30760-lamonetait-e-metaldetector/
