Just starting..

after spending years with US coins, I am just starting to research ancients (I am a novice but eager to learn and I thought CT would be a good place to start). I have these 2 specimens (both in very bad shape) and want to start my research to figure out what they are. Any pointers on where to start would be great.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Those are challenging. The bottom one is a Roman provincial coin. It has a Greek language inscription. I am unsure of the particular emperor on the obverse or which city may have issued it (it would say on the reverse, but it's illegible).

 

The top one looks like Claudius to me.

 

The bottom one is a Black Sea region - Moesia Inferior city. Possibly Markianopolis for Elagabal?

 

..i concur with the top being an As of Claudius..bottom is possibly Elagalabus or Sev. Alex provincial....welcome to ancients where the most fun is had..

 

Welcome to CT Ancients, @bernard55 !

 

Welcome. The top one you can identify as Claudius with SC reverse. The bottom one could be a few kiddos. But I don't think a positive ID of which one is possible.

 

Thank you for the warm welcome and the pointers. I've been trying to find them by reviewing pictures at http://numismatics.org/search/department/Greek but I must say that it's not easy. What are the best site(s) to use to start the process? I also tried www.coinarchives.com and found this as a possibility https://www.coinarchives.com/66aa97ff8f5b9ed78ab642b07b9e1d33/img/noble/124/image03136.jpg but given the quality of my specimen its really hard to tell.

 

https://www.acsearch.info/search.html

 

could this be this Claudius? http://numismatics.org/collection/1944.100.39383?lang=en

 

..that's him man...

 

I found these 2 sites to be extremely helpful when I started getting into Ancients myself. I would recommend keeping them bookmarked.

https://www.wildwinds.com/

and

https://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm

 

I can make out the V on the obverse. and if you hold the coin the right way in the light you can see the leg/back/head and arm. the V lines up with the shoulder. Love this site: https://www.acsearch.info/search.ht...s=1&thesaurus=1&order=0&currency=usd&company=

 

The top reverse needs to be rotated 1/4 turn clockwise. You can see AVGV on your coin (right side of mine below). The Claudius portrait is unmistakeable. I believe the Elagabalus ID is at least 98% likely. Here is an unpopular fact. It is easier to learn to ID coins that have just a bit more detail than yours. For example, my Claudius below is far from a high grade coin but will teach you what you need to know to ID coins like your Claudius. I suggest buying one step better coins for early practice. When you get some practice, you can return to the really hard ones if you so choose.

 

after reviewing many Elagabalus photos at www.forumancientcoins.com I'm leaning toward https://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=574&zpg=28502 as I can faintly make out matches on both sides.

 

I predict you will make a fine collector of ancient coins.

 

OK, guys, I have another. This time I've looked around to all the sources you pointed me to and can't figure it out. any hints?

 

Sometimes I'll browse VCoins for assistance by using the 'search feature'.

It can take a bit, with limited info to go, but a search with 'Islamic' brought this 'results' up.

https://www.vcoins.com/en/Search.as...cords=100&SearchOnSale=False&Unassigned=False


ISLAMIC COINS. UMAYYAD CALIPHATE

temp. Marwan II, Silver Dirham, al-Samiya 131h, (Klat 431).

Weight : 2.82 g.
Size : 24 mm.

I'm unfamiliar with Arabic. I understand that this is not an exact match to your coin, but close. Perhaps a search of 'Silver(AR) Dirham' coins might narrow it down.

 

that provides me the direction. You are great. thank you!