I posted this yesterday in regards to the uneven patina. I went ahead and gave it the ole college try on attribution, but I ended up being split between a variety of female deities that all have a similar arm positions. What I consider to the be the most likely candidate is RIC 777, Diana reverse Other options are: RIC 750, Felicitas Or Fortuna What do you think? I see no trace of a cornucopia or a sceptre, but then again that patina is pretty well roached where it matters.
Upon closer inspection, the obverse die seems to be a closer fit to Felicitas rather than the others. I still am unable to clearly see what's in the left hand, but it could well be a scepter.
The portion with the left hand of the reverse person is completely gone. Could also be Clementia http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2_3(2).hdn.1443-1445 or as you noticed, Felicitas. http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2_3(2).hdn.2108-2111 I sure understand your curiosity to properly attribute it. I have an Antoninus Pius As, worse than your Sestertius, and I spent hours and hours analyzing the reverses of various coins. But unfortunately I'm sure mine is a lost cause.
Thanks for the Clementia lead. At this point I could be just about anything. Catalog: Hadrian with female deity (uncertain) reverse
It looks to me like one can se the staff on the right of the reverse which makes me believe it is RIC 750, Felicitas
Or it could be Diana as @hotwheelsearl mentioned, as initially I thought I can see the bow .... or the Clementia I found ... Frankly I think the attribution "Hadrian with female deity (uncertain) reverse" is the best you can do. One of my first ancient coins, from a time when they were just a curiosity. Entry in my catalogue - Antoninus Pius (?) with unknown reverse. I love attributing coins, it's one of the greatest pleasures in this hobby, but in this case after hours and hours and hours of searching I just gave up. Funny thing is that when I first saw it, knowing nothing about ancient coins, all I saw on the reverse was a tree. Now I know the deity is probably Fortuna or Felicitas on my coin, but I don't think it can be attributed properly.
That's brutal. I would almost be tempted to subject it to an acid treatment (similar to lifting dates off of Buffalo nickels), but that would probably do more harm than good.
I don't think anything can be saved from my coin really. But I keep it - it is an ancient coin with history in it, although it's value is close to nothing Also I suspect your Sestertius was artificially toned. But I don't think cleaning it will reveal any relevant details...
Felicitas gets my vote - the "pole" of the caduceus seems apparent on yours. As for cleaning, again, I wouldn't, because I prefer splotchy patina to stripped.
It's possible to one day ID it! I had this Crispus for MONTHS before I finally identified it as RIC VII Cyzicus 10 E. Looking back, it's obvious that there is "RIS" on the upper obv, but at the time (brand new collector) I had NO idea where to start.
Felicitas seems to have too much drapery that mine doesn't have; but then the Diana has a S-C letters that are much larger than thinner than the Felicitas... But the portrait matches Felicitas better than Diana! AHHHHH
It's clear then, if you cannot decide between Felicitas and Diana, then it HAS to be Clementia. Or Fortuna
I am not sure, but I think @JayAg47 and @Roman Collector were meaning my Pius coin, as now I think I see the remains of a rudder on the left field.
Thank you both, it is clear now for mine, quite surprising. Unfortunately there are many Pius asses with head facing right and Fortuna on the reverse, so attributing down to RIC number is not possible, but it's more than I could think
