Hi Colleagues: This coin is a new style for me; I've found that the reverse portrays "Priestly implements"...jug, sprinkler, etc. The obverse has a bearded face...most intriguing. The letters are sharp but I struggle to interpret them and cannot find the sequence in my little handbook. Can anyone venture a guess whether the text names this ruler and what his name might be?
Carinus AE antoninianus, 282-283 Should be RIC 155 or similar. That's if the mintmark is ZKA. What is the mintmark in the exergue?
Thanks for insight. All I know about the mintmark is that it starts with "Z". I am worried that my cleaning is starting to threaten the integrity of the coin, but I might brush at the exergue a bit and see if I can sense more letters.
Ah, cool. I've always been a fan of the 'priestly implements' type coins. Here is one of my favorites of Herennius Etruscus from AD250. Sadly a bit of a weak and off center obverse strike, but the reverse looks great in my opinion. obv: Q HER ETR MES DECIUS NOB C rev: PIETAS AUGUSTORUM
Most of the sacrificial implements types that I have are imitations of Tetricus: Struck Imitation of Tetricus I/Tetricus II Sacrificial implements type c. 270-273 […]TRVIICVS[…] Bearded head r. […] VC Sacrificial implements Struck Imitation of Tetricus I/Tetricus II Sacrificial implements type c. 270-273 AD [...]CVS CI[?] Bearded, radiate head r. Stylized sacrificial implements The reverse resembles one of the 'Elder Things' of H.P. Lovecraft!
Really nice specimans Those examples are fantastic!!! Now I hope to find another. Not sure how widespread this design is. Thanks for intriguing responses.
Ardatirion, nice imitations. It's interesting to see how corrupted the stylized priestly implements look. markw - This style of reverse exists on the coins of many different emperors, so you should be able to find some nice examples, depending on what time period you are looking for.
