Roman coin Valens 364-378 AD

So I found this roman coin. Not sure of the denomination but I got it from a pawn shop for $20. I thought it was in good enough condition that I couldn't go wrong. Anyway the obverse reads D(ominus) H(oster) Valens P(ius) F(elix) AVG(ustus). And the reverse reads: Secvritas Reipvblicae and COH at the bottom. Could anyone verify its authenticity and value?

Thanks
Larry

 

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Looks real to me. The price is a bit high though, I'd say about $5. I'll give you an attribution in a moment.

 

i agree, it looks very real and probably only about a 5 buck coin or so unless it's some rare variety or something like that....i'm not super familiar with the type (or any type for that matter).

it's still a nice little coin, good color as well. if that's your first ancient, welcome aboard!

 

Valens, AE3. Arles. 364-378 AD.

OBV: DN VALEN-S PF AVG, Pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right.

REV: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm branch. B in left field. Mintmark TCON.

REF: RIC IX Arles 9B, Type: VII(C).

Sorry about the delay. I had to set up Excel on this PC and a few other things to attribute the coin.

 

Your coin is a fairly common one. The variety is common. I have one as well.



Valens AE3. 364-367 AD. Siscia, 2.4g, 19.15mm

OBV: DN VALENS PF AVG, Diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right.

REV: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE, Victory advancing left, holding wreath & palm, dot ASISC in ex.

REF: RIC Siscia 7B, Cohen 37

 

Yeah. I hate to pile on, but $20 is a bit high, but perhaps $5 is a bit low. My guess it is worth $8-$10 tops.

Don't let this discourage you. Next time check in with CT Ancients before you buy. We'll give you our opinions anyway.

 

Thanks for the info. I should probably stay away from ancients as they are pretty hard for me to ID without handy resources or you guys. If any of you know about 18th century Russian coinage please take a looks at my other thread on the Catherine II Rouble.

Thanks again

 

Trust me, you can learn how to ID them if you're interested. Most common coins will be easy once you get the hang of it. Not only would we ID some coins but we would show you how as well. Don't let the difficulty daunt you.

 

Welcome, Swervo513 => I think your coin has nice eye-appeal (I like the green patina)

... the hook has now been set (I hope that we hear from you again)

 

I definitely agree with Bing, a $10 dollar coin at best, and in better-than-average condition.

Practice, practice, practice.

There are tons of FREE resources online at your disposal to assist in identifying ancient coins, including this forum. You will rely on these a lot at first (like training wheels), but with enough practice and time, you will be able to identify many coins pretty much blindfolded (as long as they are in a good-enough shape that is). You will still usually need to go to a few of these resources for technical stuff like reference numbers though. No need to be hesitant to ask any questions along the way. Collecting ancients is no different than other coin series with the fact that you will need to do your research (I'm sure you didn't learn all what you know about 18th century Russian coinage overnight, right?).

 

Bronzes of Valens and Valentinian are tough in grades higher than VF. The minting was rather careless. I stumbled across this one last month last month and had to buy it, just because of the condition...

 

I like buying locally in NY but this is not the first time I have been fleeced on an ancient. The lack of dates throws me off. This probably won't be my last ancient purchase but I am going to be more careful buying ancients from now on. I would still like the collect one denarius from each of the Caesars. Thanks again

 

You weren't fleeced that badly. The coin has an attractive patina, many strong elements in the devices and inscriptions, and clear mint and officina marks. It's a respectable example for any collection.

 

Like VK said practice, practice, practice.

But other than that, look at the style of the piece.

Oh yes, and this is useful for late bronzes:
http://www.romancoin.inf/#Identifying Common %20Late%20Roman %20 Bronze%20Coins

 

Lets not blame ancients here. Is a Pawn Shop the place to go to get a fair deal on anything or is it a place where they know nothing and price accordingly? If you want a coin of Valentinian and dynasty, you will have to be careful to separate the more expensive really high grade ones from the cheap only slightly less attractive ones. It is not usually so much a matter of date or type (except for a few real rarities) but a matter of eye appeal and strike quality. IMHO the OP coin is a $10 obverse with a $25 reverse. Unfortunately the sides sell together.

I just reviewed the recent closings of Valens on eBay and saw only a couple that I believe were a better deal than yours at $20. Most did not sell. Valens is a common emperor and demand for less than great looking coins is not strong. In particular, yours is not the most common mint and has decent legends while most on eBay were Siscia and ugly. I still would not pay $20 for the coin but that is because I don't want that exact type right now and I don't pay retail for many coins because I'm a cheapskate. When it comes to rip-offs, most of the recent eBay closes were much worse. eBay has become something of a pawn shop where you can find great deals or great rip-offs. I bought an eBay coin tonight for $23 postpaid. When I post it here, I wonder how many of our number will say I was a fool buying it?

 

I'll bet no one here will. You seem to be the scholar among us and not many will question the wisdom of the teacher. There are many coins you post where I wonder what made it catch your attention. But then you explain your reasoning and I know I find myself saying "aha". I'll look forward to seeing it.

 

I am a bad choice as a teacher when it comes to the price to pay for a coin. I see things that interest me but what sells and is likely to return a profit is what appeals to the most buyers. I wish more people here would explain what it was that made a particular coin appealing. Too often I fear it was that they wanted to buy a coin and that was the first one they saw. Many of my choices are only for slightly better reasons. I worry regularly why none of you outbid me for some of the coins I buy but I hope you all take a vacation from bidding for the next few days so I can get another one to start off my New Year.

 

I agree with Bing. Doug, I wouldn't question your expertise when it comes to ancients. I notice my coin has a B on the reverse different then most other coins of the same style that I have seen. What is the mint on this? And I believe I did forget to mention what attracted me to the coin. The patina and strike made me feel this coin was authentic. I am nowhere close to an expert so I was happy to come to that conclusion. In addition to that, I thought the price wasn't so terrible that even a loss wouldn't hurt. In some ways I took a gamble and figured if it was rare I had something to gain. I do not sell coins so I was not looking for a profit. I just was hoping to get a good deal on a possibly rare coin. Also it was desirable being the only ancient at the shop. While pawn shops like this one are probably not the best place to buy coins I have found a great deal on two coins I bought there which keep me coming back. One was a 7th century Sassanid coin and the other was an 18th century Rouble, both were posted in this forum if you would like to see them.

 

B is for the officina (workshop) of the particular mint at Arles. On coins of this time, there is a the mint mark in exergue (bottom of coin). Then there is a Greek or Roman letter(s) somewhere on the coin for the officina of the mint. Sometimes there is no workshop mark.

 

I would agree with others. Pricing ancients is much harder than modern coins. Even when one becomes comfortable with them, and fairly knowledgable, you will find huge price swings.

As an example, I collect Domitian quadrans with a rhino. Maybe hoard is a better term, but whatever. If you study these for a long time you still notice there is not much rhyme of reason to pricing of these, with coins of the same grade having asking prices anywhere from $100 to $500.

Just a matter of practice. Btw, don't get discouraged. You are talking to quite a few "old hands" here about ancients. Do you like the coin? If so, is the price of a decent dinner, (or less), worth it to you? Then relax. I am as cheap as the next guy, but don't sweat $20 purchases. Everyone's heart here is in the right place, though, trying to save you some money. I personally find buying group lots of coins like this the most cost effective method. Look at some decent online auctioneers, (not Ebay really), and you will find some great group lots pretty cheap. The problem with lower value coins is each has a "dink with it" factor, meaning to even HANDLE the coin the dealer wants a certain amount of dollars profit.