I wonder if fellow members could help me ascertain if this coin is genuine. The main reasons for this are its weight, which is light at 7.0 grams. These usually weigh in at circa 8.35 grams. And secondly, the surface of the coin seems a bit unusual. The surface looks rough but feels glossy, almost as though it had been sprayed with lacquer. The edge is difficult to photograph as the coin is very thin but I think it so thin that a casting seam is improbable. I looked at the fake website at Forums and cannot find a match . None of the fakes there are from the Nikomedia mint, anyway. I know it is impossible to verify a coin from these images, but is there anything that stands out as obviously fake? Thanks for any help.
This in itself is not so unusual. Excavators, dealers and ancient coin restorers are known to apply coatings to preserve the coins from oxidation and to maintain their patinas. Some dealers are even known to apply honey and put the coins in the oven to create a seal. Note: I once tried this particular method without success but really I just didn't know what I was doing.
Hard to tell. It looks like maybe it had a natural roughness to it from being stuck in the soil. Perhaps somebody cleaned it and then applied something that would create a patina. A couple of things I don't like on the reverse are the mintmark (seems off slightly) and the stars. I'm sure more practiced eyes will be along to offer additional help.
I have noticed that the stars appear mushy but could you elaborate on what you mean the mintmark being off slightly? Thanks.
The letters appear almost "modern" as opposed to ancient. I suppose the thing to do would be to look at other examples of the same mintmark and compare. The capital A in particular is troublesome since a lot of times the top of the A is not "closed".
Interesting. Would the tool and die maker, the celator, who made the mint mark have been the same at the one engraving the inscription? I am trying to compare that to the other writing on the coin. I will try to find another coin from Nicomedia to compare the lettering of the mint mark. Thanks for the response.
My example of this coin (from the Arles mint) weighs 7.0 grams as well. I don't think the weight alone should call the authenticity of your coin into question.
Better photos to be sure...here's an example of a Nicomedia And another: And another from Coin Achives:
Thanks. I had seen the one with the A (officina?) mark but it seems to have been filled so I could not compare this A with my own. I am at a loss at what to do about the one I posted and questioned. I purchased it from a local shop where I do a good deal of business and I really like the guy. I know he will give me a refund but I paid $150 for it and if I return it as a fake, or even just a questionable coin, he will not offer it for resale and he will get stuck for it. I don't want to do that unless I am pretty certain that it is fake. I am not trying to desperately convince my self that the coin is authentic but trying to make sure it is not authentic so he does not throw away or destroy what might be a genuine coin. Thanks for your response.
Here is mine: 8.67 grams. RIC Nicomedia 121 Note the palm(?) branches on either side of "NIKB". This and the other coins show more feathering than the OP coin. I think the surface corrosion suffered by the OP coin could have lowered the weight of a genuine coin to 7 grams. The surface has too many problems for me to hazard a guess as to whether it is cast.
JULIAN II Majorina OBVERSE: D N FL CL IVLI-ANVS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right REVERSE: SECVRITAS REIPVB dot, bull right, two stars above, palm branch-CONSPA-palm branch in ex. Struck at Constantinople 3 Nov 361 - 26 June 363 A.D 7.95g, 29.48mm RIC VIII 164
The serifs on the mint mark letters did not show up very well in your first photo, giving the letters the "modern" appearance that concerned ancient coin hunter. Your second photo is much better, and the letters look more typical in this photo. Here's a link to a photo of a similar coin from the Wildwinds page for Julian II (http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/julian_II/t.html): http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/julian_II/_nicomedia_RIC_121_A.jpg . You will notice that the A in SECVRITAS is closed, making me even more confident that you coin is genuine. I see no reason to question its authenticity. Enjoy your coin; it's a nice example of an interesting type.