I got this for $15 at a shop I frequent, I don't know a lot about it, I know that it is of Victorinus, that it was minted 265-270 AD, and it is from the breakaway Gallic empire. It weighs 2.7 grams. The pics are not the best. Any ideas on value, more info, etc?
cool one. I'd guess $20-$30. VICTORINUS AE antoninianus. IMP C VICTORINVS P F AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right. Reverse - INVICTVS, Sol advancing left with whip. RIC 114, Cohen 49
Here are some similar coins for sale at the excellent FORVM ANCIENT COINS: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=758 I agree with Randy with his estimate ($20-30). I was surprised to see a gold Victorinus on wildwinds.com RIC 10v Victorinus, 269-271 AD, AV Aureus, Cologne. IMP C VICTO-RINVS P F AVG, laureate head right / LAETITIA AVG N, Laetitia standing left, holding wreath and anchor. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/ric/victorinus/t.html Yeah! :too-cool-for: guy
Consult this for addition reference and dating, its the same type and issue as yours: http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=183213
Do you think this is a good book for ancients? http://www.coinsupplyexpress.com/030709362x-whitman-sku-32336.aspx
I havent read that one so I cant comment on it. but Wayne G Sayles books arent bad. Also, you might find this helpful: http://dougsmith.ancients.info/book.html
For what it's worth, I've never heard that book mentioned by any collectors of ancient coins, so it's neither a standard reference nor a particularly respected introduction. Usually, Wayne G. Sayles' books are recommended for beginners, though I felt that I had learned most of what was in the first volume online from sites like Doug Smith's (linked by Randy) and http://www.forumancientcoins.com/moonmoth/ancientcoins.html by the time I got around to reading it.
There is nothing wrong with Klawans if your book budget is $11 but I agree with the idea that what you will learn from a book under $100 is probably available online for free. Right now I am in the process of reworking some of my website pages. My favorite (and free) beginner's pages start here but I suppose some will skip the Greek and go straight to Roman if that is what they are buying: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/voc.html I would appreciate a note from anyone finding typos or other errors. I seem to find one every time I look and know I'm missing others.
I'm not much of a fan of the Sayles books, but some of the other ones are pretty good. I find Sear's books (Roman Coins and Their Values, etc.) useful, even taking into account that every edition I've ever read is quite old. I also understand that Vagi's book is quite good, although I haven't read it and need to get myself a copy.
I read it twice. IMHO this is a great book to begin understanding the depth & scope of ancient coin collecting. It is well worth the $11. This $11 book will show where your coin fits into the whole scheme of ancient coins of the world. [Of course, there is much to be learned which is far beyond the scope of this good book].
