[ancients] more from TIF's Folly mixed lot

Is that crust on Trebonianus, or is it a fouree?

 

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Your Septimius is from his first year 193 AD. The popular coins from that year are the legionary series but there are a few other types. I like the portrait work from 193 Rome mint and collect them as well as the Eastern mints. 193 denarii are not rare but tend to be made from better metal and with better workmanship than later Septimius. There are several different portrait styles.

I'm not sure what the material is but plaster casting was once extremely common and still has its adherents who prefer casts to photos. I used to trade casts with a UK collector and am troubled by the fact that I have not been able to find them since I moved in 2003. There are so many boxes in the attic. A century ago the standard procedure was to make plaster casts and glue them up on a board so one photo could be taken (using a large view camera) all at once. These images of white plaster or yellow sulfur coins are not confused by surface coloring so you can see raised detail quite well. I prefer real coin photos but the technology of today has made that more appealing than it was in the days of plate cameras. The photo below is from a plaster cast of a very rare coin I really wanted but now resides in the British Museum. Behind Septimius' head you can see PESC from the original coin of Pescennius Niger that was overstruck. We used a clay called Plasticine to make our molds but your coin could have a much older material that got stuck in the coin being 'imaged' a century ago. If you want to try it, here are instructions:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=29974.0;wap2


I mentioned liking the 193 Rome mint coins and that they were not rare. Here are my four. I like the last portrait best.

 

Randy, it's crust. I wouldn't mind having a fouree or two. Was sort of hoping there would be one in this lot. Not something I'd seek out but if there happened to be one in a big group, that'd be fine. "Zombie coins", lol.

Here's the Treb. Someone with cleaning skills could probably improve upon this one.



Trebonianus Gallus, 251-253 AD
Antoninianus, 20 mm, 3.0 gm
Obv: IMP CAE C VIB TREB GALLVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right
Rev: APOLL SALVTARI, Apollo standing left with branch & leaning on lyre set on rock
Ref: RIC 32, RSC 20, Sear'88 2779, Sear5 9627

The previous owner's paper envelope labeled it thusly:

"Antoniniani, 256-261 AD, coated silver, rare" (no emperor's name, just this)

 

Thanks! Added that info to the database.

I may try that. I have various mold making materials but will look for Plasticine next time I'm in the States. I do have plenty of the rest of the materials... sometimes I invite friends over to get 'plastered'

Wow, I hadn't seen that one before. Might not have recognized him without the longer curlier hair. He looks a bit like someone else... hmm... Clodius Albinus?

 

Wow TIF, another dozen beauties...so far i think you got some bang for your buck...

 

Dang that's nice.

TIF's folly seems to be turning into "TIF's awesomely fun rarity hunt".

 

Had similar gunk on an ant. of Gordian III.

 

Very nice job cleaning those Gordians, Randy! You could probably significantly improve that Treb Gallus too.

 

Randy, exactly how did you get that gunk off? I've got a few ants that could use the treatment...

 

I am starting to wonder about the original description that started this thread.

"Approximately 93 pieces in lot. Comprised of mostly bronze coinage from throughout the Greek world, and silver and bronze issues from the Roman Empire. Of note is an AE Sestertius of Pompey the Great with a Janiforic portrait obverse, an AE Sestertius of Vespasian and a new style Athens Tetradrachm. Several pieces with rough or tooled surfaces. Also includes a copy Decadrachm. Should be examined closely. SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS.
VERY GOOD-VERY FINE."
Where are the junkers? Where are the rough and tooled other than the Augustus sestertius? I'm starting to share Vlaha's question which I'll paraphrase: "And you were complaining about what?" The cost of the lot worked out to under $20 a coin. So far we may have seen a coin or two worth $20 and a pile worth $50 to $100 unless the photos are failing to show problems. Out of 93 coins, we are nearing the break even point if the rest are worse than the Gallus.

 

Yes, it's turned out to be a big load o' fun

True though that I'm not interesting in keeping quite a number of them, but it really is thrilling to buy blind and then research the little treasures. My first buying foray in ancients was with uncleaned coins. They were all of so poor quality that I didn't enjoy it. This is more what I was after-- coins that are identifiable-- and since I can't just go dig up a bunch of old coins where I live, this is the equivalent thrill of 'discovery'.

I'm trying to estimate value as I go-- understanding that even with conservative estimates there are costs associated with selling-- but I'm definitely ahead in terms of theoretical value for the lot.

Once I get them all organized I'll see what I might part with, so if any of you see something you'd like to have, let me know.

Haven't posted the Pompey yet, will do that tonight. I think it's a Sextus Pompey.

 

No, my bad......not same reverse, I must have dreamt it!
Worth anywhere from £20 - £30 IMO, but on ebay could go for as little as £10 depending on how many are watching. If that helps.

 

Here's the Vespasian dupondius. Best guess is that it is Fides, RIC 1214. The figure looks virtually identical to the wildwinds example and I think I see a hint of FIDES left. What do you think?

Looks like this one's seen some tooling too.



Vespasian, 77-78 AD
AE Dupondius. Lyons mint? Lugdunum?
28 mm, 10.2 gm
Obv: [IMP CA]ES VESPASIAN AV[G COS VIII P P], radiate head right, globe at point of bust
Rev: [FIDES PVBLIC], S-C, Fides standing left, holding patera & cornucopiae.
Ref: RIC 1214, Cohen 168

Link to the wildwinds picture: http://wildwinds.com/coins/ric/vespasian/RIC_1214.jpg

 

I believe it was Doug who told me to soak it in lemon juice, Short soaks (15 min) fallowed by rubbing it with my thumb, rinsing it in water and repeat. I used a nylon brush at first too. Not something for billon or bronze.

The red crust that was left on the coin seemed to get what looked like BD.

 

TIF => I'm a wee bit jealous of your current cool-coin-endeavours ... sifting-through a whole lotta random, yet awesome coins!! (very neat)

=> we are all living vicariously through you, coin-sister!! (please keep 'em coming!!)