Ancient LRB Bargain Bin

Since delving into the Ancient Coin niche of the hobby I've been pleasantly surprised by many things. Right now I'm focusing on Roman Imperials, mostly LRBs, and I'm really shocked by how many really nice coins are available for bargain prices.

I recently bought some unattributed coins for less than $20 bucks apiece. I keep asking myself "How can there be so many really beautiful coins, many almost 2000 years old, for such bargain basement prices?" I suppose, like anything else, it's a function of supply and demand. I surmise there are relatively few collectors of ancient coins, and there are large numbers available due to the fact that these coins were minted in large numbers. The advent and proliferation of metal detecting technology for the masses has also undoubtedly led to many hoards that have been discovered in the last 50 years. Granted some of the coins in this category aren't in the best condition. But they're still easily attributable.

The dealer I purchase from gives me a discount since they're unattributed. According to him, once he's taken the time and trouble to attribute a coin, he'll double the price on these cheap ones. For me conducting the attribution is half the fun. I've gravitated towards wildwinds ancient website as my primary reference. I think this guy is giving me good deals in order to cultivate a relationship, he knows that I may start off with less expensive coins, but that eventually as I again experience I'll step up in price...and he's right.

Anyhoo...here's my latest batch of 15 dollar "bargain LRBs." A Maximianus I, three Constantines (appropriate to have the first Christian Emperor for Easter Sunday), and a Probus. Crossed another milestone...my first camp gate!

 

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A couple more from the same purchase.

 

Last one. Another Probus. My first duplicate of an Emperor, but I couldn't pass this one up for 15 bucks!

 

All these are easily identifiable with online resources. They look a little overcleaned/polished but are basic oins that a new collector will benefit from the practice of handling and researching. These are so very much better than those part legend ugly uncleaned things we see here so often with ID requests. I agree that the dealer should double his price if he does all the work. While an old collector could ID these in ten minutes (for the group), a beginner or non ancient dealer might spend several times that. Time is money to the dealer but time is good practice for you. ID them, post the results and expect corrections from others here if you miss any of them. That is part of the fun.

 

First? Maybe, but two of the others you show are the same emperor. $15 is not cheap for these so don't feel like you are cheating the dealer.

 

Thanks for the comment Doug. It's my intent to attribute them. Altough for me to do all five it may take the better part of a week! I'll post what I come up with. I'm already having a devil of a time with the Maximianus Follis. I've found several coins on which the legends and design are a dead match. But am struggling with the mintmark. To me it looks like an "S Dot" But can't find anything similiar in the references.

 

I like em Phil. :hail:

 

Your attribution skills will come in due time, and you are correct. Attributing the coins is half the fun. As Doug said, don't feel like you are cheating this dealer. I think the coins may be slightly over-priced, but not significantly so. If you run into trouble with the ID of any coin, just ask. There are many of us who enjoy the hunt for the attribution. All in all, I think you have some decent coins to work on as a beginner. You are also correct, that as time goes on you will gravitate to better and more expensive coins.

 

Nice => good lookin' haul, brother Race ...

:high5:

 

Race nice pick up, looks like you got some tonnage...:thumb:

 

The primary online resource I use is Wildwinds: Reference, Attribution and Valuation for Ancient Greek, Roman and Byzantine Coins.

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/


I back it up with a couple of sources

"Ancient Roman Coins and Their Values" 1988 version in one volume by David Sear

"ERIC II" "Encylopedia of Roman Imperial Coins II", by Raisel Suarez, the pdf version

 

I suggest you look into Helvetica's pages for LRB coins. Very comprehensive and easy to use: http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/coins-ric.htm

 

Try this: http://www.catbikes.ch/coinstuff/coins-ric.htm

 

Attributing coins is somewhat difficult at first and then will get easy. I can probably attribute one of your coins in about 1-5 minutes now days. At one time it took me an hour or more, sometimes a couple of days.

I suggest reading this page. It will help you with the needed terminology to attribute coins. You need to know some of this information to use those Excel spreadsheets by Helvetica.

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Roman Coin Attribution 101

 

This page isnt bad
http://www.tesorillo.com/aes/home.htm

 

Alright, here's my stab at attributing the first coin:

Maximianus I; ca 295 AD
AE Follis, 27mm/9.4 g, Siscia Mint
OBV: IMP C MAXIMIANVS P F AVG, laureate head right (large headtype)
REV: GENIO POP-VLI ROMANI, Genius standing left, modius on head, naked except
for chlamys over left shoulder, holding patera and cornucopiae, star-SIS in ex.
(RIC 95b)

the only thing that doesn't quite line up is the mint mark, but I think "S Star" is also Siscia

 

Probus AE Antoninianus. Ticinum mint, 277-279 AD.
OBV: IMP C M AVR PROBVS AVG, radiate cuirassed bust right
CONSERVAT AVG, Sol standing front, head left, right hand raised in salute & left hand holding globe, TXXQ in ex.
(RIC 348 F, Cohen 179.)

 

I believe the attribution for your Maximianus is incorrect. I think it is possibly Rome mint (P,S, Q, T star) making it RIC VI Rome 94a. I'm not 100% positive on this ID, but Siscia seems out of the question.

 

I would these are basic coins. I also agree with Doug you aren't cheating the dealer at $15 per. I know I am cheap, but the one thing I would advise you sir is to pay attention to surfaces. Clean smooth surfaces many times are as important as details showing.

OTOH, they are nicely centered, with full flans, and that is worth a lot too.

I am just trying to say for the same money if you look hard enough you can find nice surface coins of similar condition. You know me, I am just cheap.

Btw, did you know the reverse on your Maximianus was referring to the "genius" of the emperor? All of the tetrarchs issued such coins, trying to tell the population they are in great hands because we are all so brilliant. Still, its better than issueing campgates. Looking back through history, its never a good sign in a civilization when they are bragging about how strong their walls are. The last gold coins of Byzantium had the walls of Constantiople depicted on them.

Again, I wasn't trying to demean your coins at all. Just pointing out the importance of surfaces as well. Maybe today you cannot get coins in that shape also with nice surfaces for $15. That is the problem with collecting coins for a while, new prices just get hard to grapple with.