Reading coins with limited auction descriptions

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by rrdenarius, Feb 28, 2022.

  1. rrdenarius

    rrdenarius non omnibus dormio

    Several auction companies offer limited descriptions for their coins. The pictures are normally ok. A lot of these companies have low start prices and "good deals" can happen. Sometimes the pics can ID the coin, or in this case the scale weight.
    I am looking for uncommon Byzantine coin weights. I have some of the logical denominations (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8...) and am looking for some less common denominations (7, 9, 11...). A recent auction has a weight that is 52.46 grams (vs an expected weight of 50.1 grams for an 11 sol wt). The inscription should be N II.
    11 nu de or pic.jpg
    It is hard to read the seller's picture. A good imagination could read an I at the top of the obverse. A couple of rotations shows the denomination.
    11 N maybe demos.jpg
    It is a 2 ounce Commercial Weight = Γ B. A 2 ounce weight should be 54.6 grams. This one is a bit low due to corrosion.
    The dotted design is similar to other weights I have seen.

    It is interesting that the only 11 N coin weight pictured in pondera (https://pondera.uclouvain.be/artifact/3267/) has similar questions about its inscription.
    11 N maybe pondera.jpg
    13 Nomismata/Solidi, 2 Uncias or 11 Nomismata/Solidi
    Bronze, discoid in form with plain profile but with raised edge; centring point only on the obverse; double concentring circles engraved along the edge; measuring 35 x 6 mm and weighing 49.69 g; engraved on the obverse with the denomination mark Γ Ι which seems probably that it was engraved later; originally not inlaid. The reverse is blank. Its mass corresponds to an eleven-nomismata (nomisma of 4.51 g) or two-uncia (uncia of 24.84 g) but the denominational mark (Ι Γ) denotes to thirteen-nomismata (nomisma of 3.82 g). So, its weight does not strictly correspond to its denominational mark. Alternatively, it is highly likely that it is not a Γ Ι but rather a Γ Β then it stands for two-uncia. In this case, the left bar of the B is engraved deeply, while the two semicircular part of it may be incised lightly and thus it is not visible. This practice was known when the B is inlaid.

    Note, the pondera weight is more under weight than the one for sale. It is possible that it was less honest than the other.
     

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    Pellinore, Edessa, DonnaML and 5 others like this.
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