My First Ancient Coin!

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by CoinBlazer, Jan 5, 2019.

  1. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Picked up at my LCS. Attribution has been a tough one for me. All I'm aware of is it is Roman Bronze and I think it is a late issue. It has been fun researching this. Comments and questions welcome

    Roman Obverse.jpg reverselrb.jpg
     
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  3. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Awesome. Hint: these late obverse legends typically begin with DN (Dominus Noster, or “Our Lord.”) The emperor’s name will begin with the third letter.
     
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  4. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Excellent! Another hint: the reverse photo is upside down.
     
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  5. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Welcome to good times! You could say that emperor was not a "Val"iant fellow. Though his brother sometimes was called great.
    Ps; Your reverse appears to be upside down.
     
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  6. ValiantKnight

    ValiantKnight Well-Known Member

    To make id'ing easier for you it would help to take it out of the holder.
     
  7. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

  8. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    It has to be Valens, Valentinian, or Valentinius;. I'm getting somewhere.
     
  9. Ryro

    Ryro Trying to remove supporter status

    Very nice! Looks like the obverse says, DN VALENS PF AUG. Nice advancing Victory reverse...can't read the mint though...
     
  10. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

  11. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    @Gavin Richardson @Severus Alexander @Ryro @ValiantKnight

    I believe I have found my coin on wildwinds (copied and pasted attribution)

    Valens AE 3, Cyzicus. AD 364-378.

    DN VALENS PF AVG, pearl--diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right.
    SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory walking left, holding wreath and palm.

    Mintmark SMK Gamma.

    RIC IX Cyzicus 11b; Cohen 47.
     
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  12. Ocatarinetabellatchitchix

    Ocatarinetabellatchitchix Well-Known Member

    What will also help you to get the precise attribution is to compare the size and weight of your coin with other similar examples.
     
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  13. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    I believe you have the emperor and reverse type correct. Good work. That mintmark seems to be awfully long for Cyzicus. Are you confident in those letters? I just can’t tell from the photos.
     
  14. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    Lots of these were struck at Siscia. Constantinople and Rome are also represented pretty well. Cyzicus seems scarce for this issue; i’m not sure they were struck there at all, although I am no expert on these types. @Valentinian is.
     
  15. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

  16. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    Oh,about that. I still don't really know much regarding the mintmark. It was just a wild guess
     
  17. Gavin Richardson

    Gavin Richardson Well-Known Member

    I bet it’s the first officina of Aquileia. I’m seeing SMAQP. SM=Sacra Moneta. AQ=Aquileia. P=Primus, or first workshop of that mint.

    But admittedly hard to tell from the photo.
     
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  18. ancient coin hunter

    ancient coin hunter 3rd Century Usurper

    I think you are very close to nailing down the exact attribution. Congrats on your first ancient.
     
  19. CoinBlazer

    CoinBlazer Numismatic Enthusiast

    you were right
     
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