Another coin I cannot ID

While Tesorillo's ID pages are remarkable thorough, one shortcoming that he doesn't list all mint marks, he only abbreviates the mints. He does have a key to his mint abbreviations, but not all of the variations of how the mint marks appear on coins.

Here's a page from Forum Ancient Coins showing a more complete list of mint marks as they appear on these Roman coins:

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Mint Marks

 

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The diameter is 15mm, but the obverse is not readable

 

The first coin is probably from Cyzikus, based on what you wrote about the mint mark. The second coin is a DIVO CLAVDIO commemorative with a CONSECRATIO eagle reverse.

I am also going to generate a bit of controversy--hopefully not a flame war ("anyone who disagrees with me is WRONG!WRONG!WRONG!")--by suggesting that eBay is actually a good place for a beginning collector to learn about and acquire ancient coins (did someone hear a collective gasp?), provided that you stick with late Roman bronzes (LRBs) and don't spend more than, say, $10 or $15 on a single coin. There are probably hundreds of LRBs for sale or auction on eBay in decent condition and with legible inscriptions in that price range.

 

This is the best of the mint angle I can get:

 

Kinda looks like SMK Epsilon = Cyzicus mint

 

SNK are clear to me as Trumps victory, the last letter is a bugger...
To me it looks like a "C" OR "E"

 

What I meant is that its not very clear, but it is what it is....

 

I think the last letter is epsilon. ε

 

Yess...most likely.
.... and the second letter in your oppinion. I mean I can see it and I thought this shot showed it.

 

Looks like SMK epsilon to me. What Bing said.

 

Thanks, but it is N, not that it makes any difference to me. It is much obvious difference than A&H.

 

I know it looks like N but it is M.

 

I know it is easy to believe you have the first known example of something special but the fact remains that SMKE is a very common mintmark and SNKC has never been seen before except by eyes unwilling to realize that 'fonts' used back then were different than those popular today. It is very common for the second hump of an M to be more narrow than the first and many look a bit like N. The E in this period is usually curved like we write a C rather than square. Below is a completely different coin from Nicomedea using the mark SMNE. Note the M and N are very similar but the M rather blobs together on that second hump. The E is lunate and even raised just a bit which is not all that unusual. Your E is raised a bit, too. All this will make more sense if you handle a few thousand of these things.

 

Thanks Doug,

Maybe if I were younger and more lightheaded would I have thought something that you are implying I think now. Here these little fellows are in abundance.
I understand there is no such mint mark and I accept that.
I appreciate everything received here as I am just learning and I especially know what it means to take time to read someones post, contemplate on it and take time and effort to research and reply. Forums are about sharing and I would never abuse or disrespect that.
I am just firm in my believes and in believing that what I see is what it is(I believe I have good eyesight).
Your sample is much different from mine(although I get the point), Wether it was lousy M or intentional N you can judge by wether the diagonal line from left to righ goes strait to the bottom of the right vertical line, or it lands higher up(like in your example).

Regards

 

@Makanudo I have only been collecting for 3 years and I still get stuck reading some legends. It does take time and practice to get your eye in. The engravers also made mistakes on occasion. It can be infuriating at times, but just hang in there, all of a sudden, the penny drops

 

Live and learn, hehehe...
It would be easier if I had a microscope.

 

I'm not so sure about that...

Sometimes I can discern legends better in smaller pictures. When enlarged too much, surface irregularities can make things look misleading and weird.

Something low tech which can help: make a rubbing. Use tracing paper and a soft pencil. You'll see the high points without the background "noise".

 

Thanks.

That does work.

 

Dont want to start another thread since there are many requests for help already.
If anyone cares to comment I am gratefull.

 

I'm not certain that it is Severus Alexander but I believe it is the type shown in the linked page.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/sanic2.html