what is up with all your positivity? Please give a generous offer to @limmle let's see how honest you are in your generosity lol
Thanks to everyone who's commented on my Plotina. It's reassured me that my coin is OK. At worst it's had a tiny but of "work" which seems hardly noticeable. I love Ancient History and I love collecting ancient coins. When I bought it, I was thinking about the story of Plotina and her important role in the succession of Hadrian, and the opportunity to own a piece of that story, not about re-sale value or investment (so sorry everyone - the coin is not for sale). Having said that, its always good to know whether your coin is genuine or not and the fact that its a relatively hard to get coin being offered at a good price helps sweeten a deal. I have a budget limit so Im happy to buy historically interesting coins which aren't in great shape. I recently acquired this Trajan Circus Maximus sestertius. It's in very worn condition on the reverse, but I love the coin because of authentic historical representation. Again, I'd never afford one of these in EF or VF condition. TRAJAN AE sestertius. Rome mint, 104-107 AD. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head right. Reverse - [SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI], The Circus Maximus, seen from outside, with partial view of the interior - obelisk of Augustus in the center, and metae at either end of the spina; on right, lap-counter, SC in exergue. RIC 571. 33mm, 23.3g.
Coins of this very desirable rare type -- SEE: "Plotina Sestertius" consistently sell for multiples of 4 figures in VF condition, and some well into 5 figures in XF condition. The more you know.. Consider yourself educated on the matter now. Read more. Post less.
Just ignore @ernstk (I've since this thread pressed the 'ignore' button - press his name, and look for 'ignore' in the user screen). Imho, it's the exact same coin, but something happened to it between 2016 and 2020. It's difficult to judge based on photo's alone, but there might have been bronze disease on it (2016) that's removed in 2020, see examples below: 2016: 2020: 2016: 2020: note how the S from S C has a more pitted appearance; overall, the appearance of the coin is more pitted and rough. I would not be surprised if they treated the coin for bronze disease, and then coated it with a wax. This is not wrong per se: it avoids the destruction of a coin. However, I would definitely be on the lookout for new instances of bronze diseases. Also, I would apply acetone to the coin as to remove the wax (if any).
Thanks so much for this detailed information. Really helpful. I’ll keep my eye out for bronze disease (I’ve had the coin since February, no trace as yet). Why is it a good idea to remove any traces of wax? I have some pure acetone and will try it if you think it worthwhile and won’t damage the coin.
@limmle ..Nice pick up!.......Agree with the consensus, same coin, ex BD and has had a little bit of work done to it....Must say though whoever worked on this coin new what they were doing and did it with a lot of TLC...... Difficult and rare little lady to find...Congrats. I have one but nowhere near as rare as the OP coin.....With my low budget I never thought I would ever own a coin of hers....Luckily sharp eyed @Finn235 spotted this one at an auction missattributed as Agrippina II...... Plotina, AE18 of Gordus-Julia, Lydia. 98-117. Magistrate Poplios. Obverse..ΠΛΩTEINA CEBACTH, draped bust right Reverse..EΠI ΠOΠΛIOY ΓOΡΔHNΩ, Zeus seated left, holding patera and sceptre. BMC 18.
I hit the ignore button too. This would be poorer place if all the contributions looked like a CNG catalogue.
I think I would leave the wax alone. Nothing to be gained by removing it. BTW, can you remove wax with acetone? I would think xylene would be a better choice.
The Forum ancient coin site has an excellent area with many examples of fakes - if I suspect a coin that is the first place I go - more often than not they have examples if it is fake coin I am considering purchasing