I just got back into coins recently after a long hiatus. I figured I would share a few of mine higher end pieces. I look forward to learning from everyone and seeing your pieces.
What changes have you noted over the 'long' time? Do you see anything in the hobby that has improved?
At first I was like "oooh that's a nice Probus!"...then I scrolled down and was like "oooh I REALLY like that Pius!" I really like the 3rd one also but I am terrible at identifying these. Something Egyptian, billon tetradrachm I am assuming. Can someone clue me in as to who it is?
I think the hobby has excelled in the ways of the internet and online information and sales but I also believe that this has hurt many businesses that chose not to or couldn't adapt. Being I collect not only ancients but also US and world coins I can help but have noticed the huge swath of counterfeit pieces that have entered the market of all areas and its damage to the field with the lack of government(s) controlling them. Then again having the laws and enforcement are two different animals.
No. Look at the obverse legend. It begins AVTK which is the title equivalent in Greek to IMP C. Following that is the ruler name in Greek. The second letter is lambda or Greek L which looks like A without the crossbar in the middle. Two more letters over we see delta or D in Greek. The last three letters are CEB using C which is termed the 'lunate Sigma' and is what we call S. Greek used K for what we call a hard C and sigma (including the then popular lunate form, for S and the sibilant C (as in celery) CEB abbreviates Sebastos which is Greek for Augustus. Teach ffivn the Greek alphabet and ask him what ruler of the period this is. Carinus would be KAPINOC. What is this coin? This is my Carinus but he used an MA for Marcus Aurelius between A(autocrator) K(Kaisar) and the K starting his name. These take a little practice but it will come with a little learning of the Greek letter forms.
