Obverse legend: "ANTONINUS AUG PIUS PP TRI COS III IMP II" Reverse legend (in exergue): "[?]IC[P?][R?]AC[?]S" It seems to be a sestertius, 140-144 AD (going by the COS III), but as I don't have access to a copy of a good catalogue, I can't check the exact ID and the meaning of the reverse design. Help with identification would be really appreciated:
After searching google for a little bit, I was able to turn up a coin that resembles it: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s4237.html But clearly yours has more detail, with the aqueduct and cityscape in the background. Moreover, the obverse differs in the letter placement, with the -VS at the end of ANTONINVS carrying over to the right side of the portrait, whereas your coin has the entire word ANTONINVS contained on the left side. I would echo the poster above me that it seems to resemble Tiberis. But ultimately I am also stumped.
I was considering the possibility that it is a medal, rather than a coin. I can find nothing similar - all are the same type that you found - see http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?search=tiberis+antoninus&view_mode=0&sort=&c=&a=&l=
Can I ask a question? Where did you get this from? The reason I ask is something isn't feeling right. I am no expert in these, but the relief and the style on the reverse do not feel right. I think its for granted that this coin, if authentic, is a rare coin, but I simply cannot shake the "willy's" I get looking at it. Something is screaming in my head that something is not right. My first guess would be a its maybe a paduan or renaissance piece. Just my opinion sir, and an uneducated one at that. Chris
It was bought by my grandfather from Spinks in the late 1950s or early 1960s. I'm completely open to the idea that it isn't from the 2nd century AD. It does have a very high relief obverse for a Roman coin of this period, and it could be renaissance fantasy issue. It has some pitting on the obverse, which is consistent with it being cast. I can't find any similar pieces via the internet.
The coin is pretty obviously a medallion but I have not found the match. This example really looks like an aftercast copy and could well be a Paduan but I don't find it listed there either. Neither am I having any luck reading the legend on the reverse which would make it easier to search. I thought I owned the Toynbee book on medallions but can't find it. Anyone else ever own it?
