Well I Finally Gave In

I hope you ancient guys are happy. I finally bought a couple of ancients. I dont want to look like a moron, but correct me if im mistaken somewhere. I attributed both coins, I believe accurately, but this is my first time and im not completely sure I know what im doing. So here ya go

My first ancient:


DOMITIAN, equestrian type denarius

Domition as Caesar AD 69-81, AR Denarius
Rome, AD 77-78, 2.53 g., 19mm
RIC 242
O: Laureate head right, CAESAR AVG DOMITIANVS
R: Domition in full armor on prancing horse, COS V below


This one is a little tougher. Second purchase:


CONSTANTINE I, AD 306-337, AE3 follis
Thessalonica, AD 318-319, 2.38 g., 17mm
RIC VII 31
O: Laureate, curassed bust right, CONTSAN_TINVS AVG
R: Legend surrounded by laurel wreath, VOT XX/ MVLT/ .XXX./ .TS. delta.


I think I did that right. Im stil learning what all the different attribution numbers are but i think im getting there. I have been using wildwinds, so hopefully my attributions are correct. Thanks for baring with me.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Good for you!

Those look very nice. Lots of history with both those rulers.

John

 

Even worn, I really like the Domitian. You are stuck on the dark side now. Good luck.

 

Well, it's not the dime a dozen minerva reverse on that Domitian, so that makes it more interesting for some here. I personally like it.

 

I can't comment on the LRB because the legend is too unreadable on my tablet. It looks like there are more letters in the legend then what you wrote here. In my records I record the entire legend.

So Domitian and Constantine huh?

No Domitians here but here's a Constantine to join yours:


Constantine I, AD 306-337
AE, follis, 3.51g, 20.5mm; 12h; Trier mint, AD 332-333
Obv.: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG; helmeted, cuirassed bust right
Rev.: BEATA TRAN-QVILLITAS; globe set on altar inscribed VO/TIS/XX above, three stars
In Ex.: dot PTR dot
Ex. Langtoft hoard

 

Yeah i had a hard time reading it. The seller had it attributed wrong. His attribution was for one that didnt have the delta on the reverse. Im pretty sure my attribution is correct and according to wild winds that was all the wording in the legend, i think. But like i said im new to ancients so i could be wrong.

 

Congrats and welcome...VERY nice examples!!!

Here's an example of the Denarius of Domitian you posted. I purchased it from FORVM ...and I attached the link for your review:

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?param=&vpar=135&zpg=80666&fld=


As far as I can tell, your attributions are correct.

 

I'm thinking it should read:
IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG

 

Youre right i just looked at wildwinds again they do say IMP. That makes sense thank you

 

The obverse legend on your Constantine coin is IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, which is RIC VII Thessalonica 27. The RIC number is not assigned according to workshop, which on your coin delta. This issue was struck from five workshops, so your mintmark can end with A, B, gamma, delta or epsilon, though RIC records only gamma and delta for RIC 27.

 

Don't worry! After you handle a few of these the letters will jump out at you. Get ready to struggle with H and A. Those can be tough. For me, my first purchase was a lot of 12 LRBs that were unattributed and it really was fun looking them up and trying to attribute them here they are:

 

You did better than me on my first go.
Nice picks especially for firsts.
Welcome to the dark side. So you know there's no going back now!!

 

Ah i see thank you. I didnt see the delta for RIC 27 in wildwinds so i just assumed.... But thanks, still have more reading to do.

 

My problem is that im not satisfied with just one thing. I collect US, World, currency, counterfeits and now ancients. However i want to stick to Roman and work for a 12 caesars set in silver. That may take awhile though.

 

Victor Clark is the man with these. His website is really informative.

 

I don't think collectors find a focus but that a focus finds us. At least you have a large sample size. As time goes on you'll find yourself more interested in some things than others and won't want to spend your money.

 

Have no fear. I'm a beginner too and I've been treated very well here.

 

welcome to ancients @Evan8

 

To be fair I collected moderns per se, 1800'- mid 1900''s world & Liberty Eagles for about 25 or so years. I started to bore, then around April/May this year started collecting ancient. So yes I'm still very new to this. The only moderns I may still pick up here & there are ones I'm still missing from those types/sets.
Eventually you'll figure out what you want to do. The choice is yours

 

I collect modern U.S.military trade tokens - I mean we're talking Cold War era for the bulk of my collection though tokens from WWII, intra-war, WWI, and the Spanish-American War have found a home with me. Heck, I have a bunch of POGs that are still in circulation!