Hello, I have this coin that I cannot identify. I have cleaned it up pretty good and still cant identify. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Constantius II SPES REIPUBLICE Bronze AE-3 Circa 357-361 I can't make out the mint mark, perhaps Sisca?
This is the last type issued by Constantius II before his death in 361 AD. The reverse reads SPES REIPVBLICE. They were issued by several mints both by Constantius II who was shown with laurel wreath on the portrait and his Caesar Julian II who is shown bare headed so you need no obverse legend to make the call between them. It was DNCONSTAN TIVSPFAVG. I'll show a coin of Julian II with bare head and from Cyzicus mint so the mintmark is different as is the style. The reverse type is the same. These are generally scrappy little coins. Full legend examples are not all that easy to find.
Thank you so much for that info, you guys are great. I have one other one that I can't make heads or tails on, I will load the pictures.
Sorry it loaded more than once. I am new to these ancients and really appreciate all the help. This one I got from france with shipping $15. I am learning by spending. This was a loss I believe.
This one is Constans, as Caesar, one of the sons of Constantine I, minted in Rome, in 3rd officinae, reverse is GLORIA EXERCITVS type, minted late in the reign of Constantine, ca. 330 AD, dont remember exactly now.
Yes, the Two Soldiers coins are common enough that most people would spend a little time and very little money to seek out one with better legends and details unless you were trying to fill out a set and this is the one you lacked. The type is available for so many members of the family from so many mints with so many minor variations that relatively few would pay $15 for this one even though it is a rare type and would not be easy to find any better. Does it matter to you that it is a Rome mint coin with a star between the R and T or is it just another two soldiers coin? If you could find a specialist looking for a Rome mint coin of the issue, you might be able to trade it for a really nice more common one. I'm not a specialist but I'd keep it. It will not send the kids to college but it is not a loss.
No it doesn't matter. These coins are brand new to me and my idea with these is to buy uncleaned as found lots and restore them. I have one that I have cleaned and I think the reverse is of 3 standards which I think is rare I don't know for sure but this coin also has a lot of green on it and soaking it in distilled water is not enough. I would love to try electrolysis on a low value coin to see if it works.
Try Victorinus. RIC 114 Victorinus AE Antoninianus. IMP C VICTORINVS PF AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right / INVICTVS, Sol walking left, holding whip, right hand raised, star in left field. RIC V-2 Cologne 114; C 49, Elmer 683; Sear 11170.
Yes he succeeded Marius and was proclaimed emporer of the Gallic Empire in Autumn 269 before the 10th of December by the troops in Augusta Trevorium (Trier). He was recognized in Gault and Britain but not in Spain. The Capital and main Mint of Victorinus Was Cologne, it is possible he also had coins minted in Trier. Early in 271 Victorinus was murdered by one of his officers, the Quartermaster Attitianus for reasons of private revenge.Victorinus had a reputation as a womanizer and had tried to seduce the wife of Attitianus. Soon after he was history. Thanks Bing you are great.
Oh dear. Electrolysis will destroy an ancient coin. I would wait until you you can properly identify a "low value" coin before you try it, and I would still think twice. If you really need to get it out of your system, maybe don't tell us. 'Tis a terrible thing to watch grown men (and ladies) cry.