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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Roman Collector, post: 3625940, member: 75937&quot;]I think these odd denomination coins of Tomis on the Black Sea are interesting, so I pick them up when I can. The first of these examples is a new acquisition.</p><p><br /></p><p>In many cities of the Black sea region, coins of 1 assarion, 2, 3, 4 and 5 assaria were struck, bearing as digits Α, Β, Γ, Δ and Ε. Coins with intermediate values were also issued. The denomination value on these examples is marked by letter Δ together with a semis sign &lt;. Letter Δ, being the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, stands for the value of 4. The half of assarion was marked by a semis sign, &lt;, so these coins were worth 4½ assaria; these signs may appear separate or ligate, depending on the issue.</p><p><br /></p><p>The coins of 4½ assaria are specific to Tomis, while the design with confronted busts was in widespread use throughout the eastern Roman Empire. A possible explanation for this odd denomination is proposed <a href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/thrace2.html" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.forumancientcoins.com/dougsmith/thrace2.html" rel="nofollow">here</a> [USER=19463]@dougsmit[/USER] &#039;s page. The value of 1 denarius was, officially, 16 assaria and the coins may have been used when converting the local bronzes into silver denarii. Moneychangers typically bought and sold denarii at slightly different rates. For example, a denarius might be bought at 16 assaria and sold for 18 (or four of these 4 1/2 coins).</p><p><br /></p><p>I can’t think of a more plausible explanation, and I think Doug’s explanation is more than reasonable.</p><p><br /></p><p>Post your coins bearing numerical denominations, fractional denominations, bizarre denominations, or anything you feel is relevant!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]972281[/ATTACH]</p><p>Gordian III, with Tranquillina, A.D. 238-244</p><p>Roman provincial AE 4.5 assaria, 12.80 g, 28.2 mm, 7 h.</p><p>Moesia Inferior, Tomis, A.D. 241-244.</p><p>Obv: AVT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC // CABINIA TPA / NKVΛΛINA, confronted laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right and diademed, draped bust of Tranquillina left.</p><p>Rev: MHTPOΠON-TOV TOMEΩC, Hygieia standing right, feeding serpent from patera; Δ&lt; (ligate) in lower left field.</p><p>Refs: AMNG I (Pick) 3534.</p><p>Note: Easily confused with the more commonly encountered Moushmov 2288, AMNG 3535, which does not bear a mark of value and may have been tariffed at four assaria.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]972283[/ATTACH]</p><p>Gordian III, with Tranquillina, A.D. 238-244.</p><p>Roman provincial AE 4.5 assaria, 28.92 mm, 15.89 g, 7:00.</p><p>Moesia Inferior, Tomis, A.D. 241-244.</p><p>Obv: AVT K M ANTΩNIOC ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC // [C]ABINIA (TP)AN / KVΛΛINA, confronted laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right and diademed, draped bust of Tranquillina left.</p><p>Rev: MHTPO ΠONTOV TOMEΩC, Nemesis standing facing, head left, holding arshin (rod) and sling, wheel at feet; Δ - &lt; (denomination) in fields.</p><p>Refs: AMNG I 3537; Varbanov 5701; Moushmov 2279; Cf. SNG Cop 305.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]972282[/ATTACH]</p><p>Gordian III, AD 238-244, and Tranquillina.</p><p>Roman provincial Æ tetrassarion, 12.51 g, 26.6 mm, 12 h.</p><p>Moesia Inferior, Tomis, AD 241-244.</p><p>Obv: ΑVΤ Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡΔΙΑΝΟC ΑVΓ·CЄ // ΤΡΑΝΚVΛ / ΛЄΙΝΑ, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian, right, facing diademed and draped bust of Tranquillina, left.</p><p>Rev: ΜΕΤΡΟ ΠΟΝΤΟV ΤΟΜΕΩC, Homonoia standing facing, head left, wearing polos and holding patera and cornucopiae; Δ&lt; (ligate) in left field.</p><p>Refs: AMNG I 3545; Varbanov 5693; Moushmov 2276; SNG Cop --; BMC --; Lindgren --; Sear --.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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