Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

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Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#1 Unread post by ShellMac »

Hello

I have bought a tray of old coins and I have no clue what I have bought.

Can anyone offer any advice?!?!

Thanks
ShellMac
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#2 Unread post by Paul »

:welcome:
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#3 Unread post by Daniel »

Welcome to the forum!

I would be glad to help you with these coins but need images of both sides. Thanks.

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#4 Unread post by ShellMac »

Ok! I'll send the front and then the back of that coin!

Thank you. I'm so excited about my find!!!
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#5 Unread post by mhonzell »

Howdy and Welcome!

In the first set of pictures you may have a Greek coin in there.

You have some Roman Imperial coins there. The first one is an Antoniniani, the second a Aes, and the third...??
(I'm interested in the third one as it may actually be older than the first two.)

The first two are likely from around 250-360AD. And, are fairly common for Roman coins.

The fourth, well I don't know right off, but it has a Byzantine characteristic to it. (About 1200 AD.)

Those large thick coins on the paper plate look like they are Hadrians.

Unfortunately, with these coins, the details are usually pretty worn down, so to make an accurate assessment, the photos have to be pristine. Try to fill the frame with the coin and if possible, turn off JPEG compression. Remember, I can't tilt a photo under a light to see the details better. Also, if you can provide any information from the coin it would help. For instance, measure the coins widest diameter in mm. Weigh the coin in grams. List any lettering you can read on the particular coin.

The most common abbreviations you will see on the obverse are:
D N
IMP
C
PF
AVG

Value is based on:
1. How rare is the coin? (Like America, the Roman Empire lasted a long time and covered a huge area, so most of these coins are common.)
2. How strong are the details? (From what I can see in the plate, most of these are in poor condition.)
3. Is the patina intact? (I see one or two in the plate showing a lot of copper, but the rest look pretty good.)
4. Is the coin round and struck well centered?
5. Is the coin breaking, or suffering from bronze disease?

Here is an example attribution for one of these ancient coins:
D1E1.jpg
O: D N CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C Bust right, bare-headed, draped and cuirassed

R: FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO
Soldier with spear in right hand, shield worn on left arm, horseman's shield on ground, attacking fallen horseman wearing a Phrygian cap
GSIS in ex.
Constantius Gallus, Caesar
28 Sept 351 - Winter 354AD
RIC VIII Siscia 351
Dia. 18.85mm, Weight: 2.45g
Rarity: C2



Lastly, with that many coins, you might want to post one or two in a thread until we get it identified and then we will move onward.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#6 Unread post by ShellMac »

THANK YOU so much for this information. When I get home this afternoon I will try for better pictures and only a few. I will specifically work on the third one so you may see it better.

Shelly

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#7 Unread post by mhonzell »

Just to save a bit of time, the second coin in the second post is Constantius II.
I haven't looked up the actual attributes, I just recognize the coin.

AE 4 (centenionalis), 347 - 348 AD
Obverse: DN CONSTANTIVS P F AVG / Diademed bust of Constantius II.
Reverse: VOT XX MVLT XXX in wreath. (Basically, this means: "I've served you well for 20 years, let's make it 30!)
Mint mark: SMANxx(I can't make out the xx part in the photo.)
1.39 gm., 15 mm.
RIC VIII 113 (Antioch)

Here's a Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) rendition of the same coin:
11-Constantius-II-Ant-113.jpg
The last 1 or 2 letters folling SMAN will likely be Greek letters. These specify which office in the Antioch mint made this coin.

Value: ~$10-$15


Some more info:
DN stands for Dominus Noster, or “Our Lord”.

PF stands for Pius Felix, i.e. “Dutiful and Fortunate”.

AVG is the abbreviation for AVGVSTVS, the honorific name granted to the first Emperor (Octavian) by the senate in 27 BC. In the Later Empire the title “Augustus” signified Emperor, and “Caesar” signified heir or second-in-command. So the gentleman portrayed on this coin must be an Emperor.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#8 Unread post by mhonzell »

Regarding the first coin in your second post... take a look at my avatar. (I've been trying to identify it for a long time, but mine has only unreadable text and almost nothing on the reverse. Your's may finally solve my problem.

The spikey crown (known as radiated) indicates that the coin is worth two of the original coins. It is called an Antoniniani, or two Denarii. One Denarius was a days wages, at some point. This one is likely from around 270 AD. Due to its brokenness, it isn't worth anything, but is interesting.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#9 Unread post by mhonzell »

The Sextans with Head of Mercury looks to be from 194-190 BC. This is the Roman Republic age and not the Imperial age of the empire. I cannot make out any details in the photo. But, it is the smaller size of the possibilities. (~18mm, 6g) This would be worth about $75-$100 if you can make out the word ROMA on the reverse and actually see the two pellets above the helmet and below the ship.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#10 Unread post by mhonzell »

Based on what I can see of the third coin in the second post, this is Caracalla (197-204 AD.) I was initially hoping for Julius Caesar, but the reverse appears to be a crescent moon with three stars. (It could also be Geta or Markion or Faustina) So, I need better details.

The moon and stars depict the alignment of the planets and moon during the "Star of Bethlehem."
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#11 Unread post by ShellMac »

This is the coin with the cressent moon on the reverse.

Does this help any?
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#12 Unread post by ShellMac »

Here is the first coin from the 2nd post.

On the reverse it looks to have a 5 and a 1??????
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#13 Unread post by ShellMac »

The back
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#14 Unread post by ShellMac »

Better pictures.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#15 Unread post by ShellMac »

I like this with the 3 stars.
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#16 Unread post by mhonzell »

Unfortunately, the camera appears to have focused on your hand. I can read your fingerprints quite well when blown up, but the coin becomes fuzzy.

Try laying the coin on a flat surface and then lowering your camera to the coin until the coin is as big as you can make it and still be clear.

I'm still leaning that the reverse text states MARKIONOPOLIS. So, this coin becomes:

Diadumenian. Æ 17 (Assarion). A.D. 217-218. He was a child Caesar after his father was killed in battle.
Markianopolis

Obv: M O ΠEΛΛI OC ANTΩNINOC. Draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: MAPKIANOΠOΛEITΩN . Crescent within which three stars.

Ref: BMC 41; Moushmov 602v.
Dia. 18mm Weight: 2.5 g .

Example of this coin in better? shape:
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#17 Unread post by ShellMac »

Ok. There are so many coins but most are covered in dirt. Any cleaning secrets?
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#18 Unread post by ShellMac »

I'm going to try a real camera, rather than my phone.

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#19 Unread post by mhonzell »

Constantine the Great
333-335 A.D.
RIC VII Sisica xx
Dia. 18.86mm, Weight 2.75g
Rarity: R1

O:VRBS ROMA, helmeted bust of Roma, left, wearing imperial mantle
R: Romulus and Remus suckling from wolf, two stars above
SIS in ex. (I'm guessing at your mint mark.)

Another example of the same coin from a different mint:
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#20 Unread post by mhonzell »

I'll have to look at post 14 later.

The photos as displayed are pretty good. When blown up, not so much.
That "5" and "1" on the back are "S" and "P". Looks like Minerva/Pax/Victory holding an eagle on her right hand. Can't make out what's ni the left hand.
Lettering on the front appears to contain "LLI" and maybe an "A" or "E" after that. My coin has "SH?" or "SA?" Could be "S AVG." That may be enough to find it.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#21 Unread post by mhonzell »

OK, I think post 14 coin (and my avatar) is:

O: GALLIENVS AVG (Gallienus : August 253- September 268)
R: VICTORIA AET : Victoria (an angel) stands facing left, holding wreath in right hand and a palm leaf in the left hand. Letters S and P on either side of her.

Siscia mint (Sisak, Croatia)
RIC 5A #586

I found that this coin is listed as Common in RIC, which means it might be in the $10-$15 range for the condition we have.
It took both of our coins for me to figure it out.

A "better" example of the legends:
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#22 Unread post by mhonzell »

This is a PDF download of a PowerPoint presentation describing every concept of cleaning ancient coins.

The Art Of Cleaning Ancient Coins by Kevin R. Sandes
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#23 Unread post by ShellMac »

Thank you! They are going to take an oil bath for a week and then I'll go from there. My coins are pretty dirty so I hope this will break the dirt down.

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#24 Unread post by mhonzell »

Instead of a dental pick, I purchased a set of "picks" used to carve candles. Much cheaper, just as effective.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#25 Unread post by ShellMac »

Oh cool, that's a great idea. I see this becoming an addiction for me... Just don't know where I'd find some more coins like these. I doubt I'll ever buy from eBay, the ones I bought where from an estate auction.

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#26 Unread post by mhonzell »

Once you've cleaned a hundred, or so, you'll probably back off some and start buying them already cleaned up.
It is fun and exciting to uncover these treasures, but it is also a lot of detailed work.

Take a look here:Forvm Ancient Coins

The real trick is learning to identify them.
You will likely need to get a scale: small, that can weigh down in the 0-10 gram range with two digit precision. That's about $10 on eBay.
And something to measure the diameter of the coins in mm. Any common ruler can do this, but see through works best, or a set of calipers. Calipers on eBay run about $10-$15.

Lastly, you need the resources to identify them. That link above is a great start. If you really start enjoying it, then you may want to find a good book on Roman Imperial Coins. The books can be somewhat expensive. So, let me know if you reach that point.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#27 Unread post by Paul »

m, check this out
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#28 Unread post by mhonzell »

Not to hijack a thread, but that's pretty impressive. 1878 Maranville Coin Tester.
Don't forget this one for American coins of 1879:
1.jpg
Or the pocket size Gold coin scale. (Even tests For'n gold coins)
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#29 Unread post by ShellMac »

Coin after oil bath.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#30 Unread post by ShellMac »

And another cool one!
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#31 Unread post by PetesPockets55 »

Looking great!

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#32 Unread post by mhonzell »

You are doing really well!

The first coin... I'll have to break out the book.
But, you can see the pointy crown implying a Antonianias (2 Denari)
The hole was put in by the owner to put it on a necklace or bracelet.
Carus, Sept 282 - July 283
Obverse: IMP C M AVR CARVS P F AVG
(I can just make out CAR_S PF. All versions with VIRTVS AVGG have the obverse above.)
Reverse: VIRTVS AVGG
Made in Rome : KAG
Example:
Virtus.jpg
The second coin is Valentinius II, 17 Nov 375 - 15 May 392 AD.
Obverse: D N VALENTINIANVS IVN P F AVG
Reverse: VOT V MVLT X
Made in Siscia : ASISC

Example:
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#33 Unread post by ShellMac »

That is so cool! I was going to quit cleaning them and take them to someone but I don't think I have anything of value. They are old and rough.

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#34 Unread post by mhonzell »

You can usually sell the lower grade ancient coins for about $3-$6 each, if you sell them as a lot containing all the coins in one gripe. Those interested are looking for a cheap set to practice on.

My lower grades are usually relegated to being gifts for youth, or I donate them to a history teacher in elementary schools.

On the other hand, these are the perfect ones to START learning to clean. You can damage them without affecting their value. The CARUS coin would likely improve by using a bamboo skewer, candle scraper, or brass brush. (Depends on your patience.)

Valentianus probably won't improve.

I would buy the Markianos and Gallienus off of you at those prices. (Because, I already figured out what they are. They are not likely to improve much by cleaning.) widegrin
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#35 Unread post by ShellMac »

What's this?

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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#36 Unread post by ShellMac »

Forgot attachment. Sorry
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#37 Unread post by ShellMac »

Then I have a bunch of these.
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Re: Coins from an auction and I have NO clue

#38 Unread post by ShellMac »

This is cool too!
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