I saw this coin and the CNG said graffito on it and was wondering if anyone could tell me what this is and where it is on the coin and what it says.
Never heard it referred to as "graffito," but that is the singular noun form of "graffiti," which is what certification companies normally put on the label (to my knowledge). It is referring to what appear to be intentional scratches behind (to the right of) the bust.
It's graffiti and it looks to be behind the back/neck area of Augustus, as for what it says, no clue. Looks like some simple scratches to me, but could have been done, in ancient times.
Grading companies use the term graffiti, when they see damage like scratches and gouges on a coin, which are random and unidentifiable.
It looks like, the graffito, is on the obverse, to the left of Augustus's head. Graffito is intentional scratches on a coin. Graffito usually lowers the aesthetic appeal of an ancient coin, and therefore it usually lowers the price/value. Unless the graffito is especially interesting.
There is always a nonzero probability, that any scratches are random. I estimate that the probability is very high, that the scratches are intentional, because the top scratches are in the shape of a sideways "V", and the bottom of the bottom scratches are in the shape of a "V", and the left bottom scratch curves, which is highly unusual for a random scratch, and the scratches are much deeper than any other scratches on the coin. However, I have no idea, why someone would carve such scratches on an ancient coin. One problem with scratches, is that it is difficult to tell, whether a scratch is ancient or modern. Often, graffito is in a pattern, such as an "X", or a letter of the alphabet. The scratches on the OP coin seem to have no purpose. Perhaps someone was writing on a piece of paper, and the piece of paper was on top of the coin, and the pen or quill scratched through the paper, scratching the coin. If that is the case, then I would call that graffito as well.
Hopefully someone can correct me. Thats a cool looking ancient. Centered reverse. I would search die records in the thousand years of auctions. a Silver Augustus.
it's difficult to say if this graffito is intentional. V and ... ? It seems to be very tiny. Here are some coins with graffiti : Philip Arrhidaeus, drachm (graf. on reverse) Theodosius II, solidus (graf. on obverse)
Hi All, Two of my earlier posts with instances of graffiti on coins. Can Anyone Read the Grafitti on this Ptolemaic AE? https://www.cointalk.com/threads/ca...tti-on-this-ptolemaic-ae.385266/#post-7844603 Can Anyone Read Arabic Graffiti on a Hystamenon Nomisma? https://www.cointalk.com/threads/can-anyone-read-arabic-graffiti-on-a-hystamenon-nomisma.364284/ - Broucheion
