So, you can identify ancient coins?

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Valentinian, Jan 29, 2017.

  1. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    No spoilers!
    Don't spill the beans right away!

    Here is an ancient coin that took me a while to identify:

    516165s800.jpg
    21-20 mm.
    Considering it is pretty clear and the general time period is easy to determine, this one was harder than it looks, and I don't mean you have to find the precise RIC number. If you can get the ruler you are doing well enough.

    I'll give the identification in a few hours.
     
    chrsmat71, Bing, Johndakerftw and 2 others like this.
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  3. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    The combination of lettering style and the legend and portrait looking less than familiar really makes this an ideal coin for a quiz. The denomination and reverse does help narrow it down to just a couple of rulers.
     
  4. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I gave it a go thinking it wouldn't be too hard. Wrong :D
     
  5. Brian Bucklan

    Brian Bucklan Well-Known Member

    I have had this coin and went through the painful ordeal of trying to identify it. Fortunately a search for the reverse type gives it away.
     
  6. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    page 185 - never seen one but some of his Provincials make this legend look simple.
     
  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

  8. akeady

    akeady Well-Known Member

    Found it, though the obverse legend wasn't at all obvious for me!
     
  9. alde

    alde Always Learning

    I know it's some old dead dude.
     
    Johndakerftw and randygeki like this.
  10. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

    Got it. I have a nice portrait of this guy that I posted recently.
     
  11. Valentinian

    Valentinian Well-Known Member

    Okay, here is the answer.
    It is a coin of Volusian with an unusual obverse legend
    IM C V GAL VEND VOLUSIANO AVG
    minted at Antioch. Antoniniani of Volusian from Antioch are not common and enough different that they can be hard to make out when a few key letters are somewhat encrusted.

    RIC Volusian 234c, page 185 [Doug cleverly gave the page number which proves he found it.]
     
  12. Severus Alexander

    Severus Alexander find me at NumisForums

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