Trajan sestertius: your thoughts?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by The Meat man, Apr 26, 2022.

  1. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Hello all,

    I came across this coin recently and I want to make sure it's legit and not fake or doctored. The coin comes from a well-known dealer with whom I've dealt before, and I have no particular reason for suspecting it's a fake aside from my own inexperience, and the handful of pits here and there, especially on the reverse.

    Anyone see any red flags, or does it look good to go?

    35mm, 24.54g
    5sMAxzE687jBDoJ49eYkme8N2CwZK9.jpg

    Thanks!
     
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  3. ArtDeco

    ArtDeco Well-Known Member

    Why is there the same pitting on the surface throughout the coin? That looks a bit strange, but everything else looks good to me. Pretty sharp details for a Sestertius.

    Is that a banker's mark hole in the "Q" of SPQR?
     
  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    That pitting, looks like the aftermath of bronze disease in the past. Besides that good detail.
     
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  5. Clavdivs

    Clavdivs Well-Known Member

    Here is my much more worn version of this coin... pitting and all..

    upload_2022-4-26_13-46-20.png
     
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  6. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    A victim of bronze disease, which has now been treated.
     
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  7. robinjojo

    robinjojo Well-Known Member

    The coin looks as if it was improperly cleaned, removing much of the original surface. Perhaps there was bronze disease, or maybe the rough dark deposits obscured much of the coin's design. After the cleaning, the underlying surface shows signs of corrosion. Again I don't know if the corrosion is old or due to active bronze disease. There are also some scratches on the obverse, to the right of the portrait.

    I think the coin is legit.
     
    ArtDeco likes this.
  8. furryfrog02

    furryfrog02 Well-Known Member

    I like it. Old bronze disease and all.
     
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  9. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks everyone!

    So do you think that the rough areas at 7 o'clock on the obverse (and 11 o'clock on the reverse) are also scars from BD?
     
  10. romismatist

    romismatist Well-Known Member

    Yep, looks like it.
     
  11. kevin McGonigal

    kevin McGonigal Well-Known Member

    Why would there be a "banker's mark" hole in a brass coin?
     
    sand likes this.
  12. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    Yes.
     
  13. ArtDeco

    ArtDeco Well-Known Member

    LOL, good point.
     
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  14. octavius

    octavius Well-Known Member

    Handsome portrait, good weight. Looks genuine to me .
     
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  15. Julius Germanicus

    Julius Germanicus Well-Known Member

    Authentic and beautiful Sestertius. I like the yellow orichalcum tone a lot. Here is mine to compare:

    .png
    IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS VI PP -
    Laureate bust of Trajan right, slight drapery on left shoulder
    SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS, S C across fields -
    Felicitas, draped, standing left, holding up short caduceus in right and cornucopiae in left
    Sestertius, Rome, 214-216
    25,72 gr / 34 mm
    RIC 672 var. (different bust type). Cohen 352 var. (different bust type), BMCRE -, Sear -, Banti -, Woytek 534b
     
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  16. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    Very nice! I also like that soft yellow tone.
     
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