I bought a lot of three ancients and have begun attributing them myself. These two were fairly simple but I'm stuck between two choices on both. The reference I am using gives the same description for both so I need some expertise to tell the difference. The first is a Gordian III antoninianus which I've narrowed to RIC 64 or 65. My gut is it's 65 as it resembles the style of all the examples listed, but the description is exactly the same! So, what is the difference? Here's mine. The second coin I'm mainly looking for reassurance as I'm new and a worrier. It's a beautiful Philip the Arab antoninianus that's either RIC 65 or 106a. I'm leaning to 106a, right? There's no altar to the left? Either way a beautiful coin with some nice edge toning. As always, thanks for your help! I don't post a lot on the ancients forum as I'm mainly lurking around and learning! I did hit a milestone this week though. I now own 20 ancient coins!
The Gordian III is RIC#65...With the reverse legend CONCORDIA MILIT. Ref...wildwinds example of RIC#64.. IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right. CONCORDIA AVG, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae. This reverse was supposed to change to CONCORDIA MILIT when FEL was added to Gordian’s obverse legend in late 239. The old reverse die was not immediately retired, and survived to be used with the new obverse legend
Yep 2nd coin is Philip the Arab RIC#106a...With obverse legend IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG...........RIC#65 has IMP PHILIPPVS AVG......I can understand your hesitation as one of wildwinds examples is mis-placed. BTW.....Very nice coins and glad to hear your accumulating more.
Thanks @Spaniard for the info. I'm getting a bit more confident in some things. Luckily with the internet and the fine folks at CT I'm progressing nicely.
