These are three Roman coins I've had in my collection for years. I don't collect ancients, but think these are really neat because of the design and history behind them. I don't remember where I got them, but I have descriptions on the 2x2's that I wanted to run by the experts to see if they're accurate. One question that does come to mind is are all these Denarii, which I guess was the basic Roman denomination in the day. 1. Roman Republic / Coelius Caldus (53 B.C.) CR318 1B-A (reference designation?) 2. & 3. Roman Imperial Era / Faustina Senior (140 A.D.) Wife of Antonius Pius, Mother of Faustina Junior / Sear 1369 / Cohen 291. 4. & 5. Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.) Sear 1774 Thanks for your help! Bruce
Here's the reverse of the first coin. It didn't load the first time for some reason. By the way, all three coins are about 19mm. Bruce
CR = Crawford which is a standard reference for Republican coins. The Septimius Sear reference is not correct according to the two versions I have but that is a problem with Sear since there are old numbers and new numbers and many coins not in the books so just quoting a number can be confusing. New Sear 6466 is closer but that listing reads PM TR XIIII COS III PP which is a typo for PM TRP XIIII COS III PP as seen on your coin if you look closely and see the X. Sear is not a reference I use much. The others are OK but I believe anyone quoting reference numbers from books they don't own or have not checked are setting themselves up for error. With ancients, catalog numbers can be confusing since people deal with uncatalogued thousands of uncatalogued variations in so many different ways. As far as I can see in the photos, all appear to be genuine silver denarii which were the common denomination of their period.
Thanks dougsmit, I appreciate your input. Roman coinage has always fascinated me, but I've always spent my hobby dollars on American coins and tokens. Bruce
That's quite a neat ancient collection you have got yourself there. Very cool stuff! I know very little about Roman Republican Denarii, but that one looks pretty with a nice head of Roma facing left on the obverse. The Faustina Sr. coin looks to be in pretty good condition, with some good detail on her portrait.... she certainly was a ... handsome ... woman in many of the portraits of her found on coins. Great collection, Roman coins are alot of fun to collect, and wonderful for the history. Maybe you will add to your collection some day.
The local coin shop I go to always has a decent selection of Roman coins, so I probably will buy a few more. I love the history of them. Bruce
Bruce the chariot on the reverse of the Roman Republic coin is called a "Biga." DS, Is there a cut off year for the David Sear books. What year did he change the numbers ??? I am currently using the 4th edition with revisions up to 1998 ??? Is this one current enough to be quoting numbers to others ???
There are at least three different Sear number sets so quoting his numbers to others is not easy. His books have information but only the new set has enough types you can expect to find matches. I never use his books for numbers but like them for the reign introductions and introductary materials.
