Greetings All! I bought this coin on ebay for 8 dollars. I have small financial possibilities, so acquiring sestertius of Augustus is bordering on a miracle. It's very worn all in corrosion, has been cleaned before, but I'm proud to be able to hold this piece of history in my hand. What do you think? Augustus A.E. Sestertius. Rome Mint 16 BC. C. Gallius Lupercus, Moneyer. Obverse: OB CIVIS SERVATOS oak-wreath between two laurel branches. Reverse: C GALLIVS C F LVPERCVS IIIVIR A A A F F Legend around large SC. References: RIC 377. Size: 32mm Please share your sestertius of Augustus, Robert
Any coin of the first emperor is a nice addition. I don't have any of his sestertius, but got this really worn coin last year when I got started on ancients, it portrays Augustus minted under Tiberius. And I saved up and got a nice quinarius this year!
Augustus Ae Sestertius 16 BC Asinus Gallus Moneyer. Obv Inscription within wrath flanked by two palm branches Rv Large SC RIC 370 21.66 grms 34 mm Photo by W. Hansen Despite all his efforts in advertising his policies on the precious metal coinage, Augustus paid little attention to the potential offered by his aes. Thus on this coin we see only the reference to his victories , the palm branches which of course led to his being awarded the corona civica for saving the lives of his fellow citizens. However even though he did not appreciate the potential for propaganda afforded by this large and impressive coin his successors eventually did.
In my opinion, the green surface of the OP coin looks as if battery acid has been used, which is typical of tourist fakes from Egypt, Morocco and other countries. I would have doubts about the coin....
Thank you for your opinions, but looking at the style and shape of the letters and the rubbing, I thought the coin is original. Maybe cleaned in acid? I am also asking other forum members ( @Bing @JayAg47 @Terence Cheesman @Archeocultura @Andres2 ) for their opinion on the authenticity of the coin.
Hard to say from the image, but I'm inclined to say authentic (just don't take my opinion to the bank - it's not worth much).
For comparison, this is an imitative cast medal of a Renaissance invention, it has, in my opinion, the exact same patina. Please note that there are no Roman coins of this type:
My budget Sestertius of Augustus: DIVVS AVGVSTUS – Laureate head of Augustus right IMP NERVA CAES AVGVSTVS REST around large S C Sestertius, Rome 96 a.D. 34 mm / 20,4 gr Cohen 570, Sear 3076, RIC (Nerva) 136, BMC (Nerva) 149, CBN (Nerva) 141
@Bing @cmezner @Alwin thank you for your feedback! Next time I will watch out for such a patina. Although I still have a little hope that the coin was only uncomfortably cleaned with acid It's good that I didn't spend a fortune for her. Greetings! Robert