I need help please.. Pic of unknown coin included

Trinketts · June 11, 2005 4:09AM

A freind of mine from work told me about a coin his wife had found on the beach in Florida 35 years ago... He brought the coin in so I could take pictures of it... I know nothing of ancients.... this could be a repro for all I know.... but two things about it.... it is cold to the touch... and has a decent weight for it's small sice.. smaller than dime.. Thanks

Darkhorse · June 11, 2005 4:11AM

Looks like a typical coin of Constantine the Great. I had one like it, albeit less corroded it seems. Paid $30 for it, but that was a long itme ago.

Aethelred · June 11, 2005 4:23AM

I believe that is one of Constantine's sons. Common fare with a value of about $5, but a very interesting bit of history. I wonder how it made it to a beach in Florida?

1jester · June 11, 2005 4:27AM

I too find it very strange that it was found in Florida. Maybe some tourist dropped it long ago? We could speculate quite a bit, but I doubt this mystery will ever be cleared up.

Trinketts · June 11, 2005 4:30AM

I didnt think it was a reproduction because of the wieght and cold nature of the metal.... He will be pleased to know it has history.

Trinketts · June 11, 2005 4:32AM

What would the approximate dating be on a coin like this?

1jester · June 11, 2005 4:33AM

I believe it dates to about 340 AD or so; I don't know the specific dates of his reign.

lordmarcovan · June 11, 2005 5:41AM

Constantine the Great died in 337. Of course, as mentioned, it could be one of his sons. It's definitely a fourth-century Roman bronze, and certainly looks genuine. It probably didn't spend long in the beach sand.

STLNATS · June 11, 2005 6:17AM

I can't fully read the obv legend, but it looks like Constantine I so this would be LRBC (Late Roman Bronze Coinage) #542 of the Rome mint, attributed to the period AD 330-335. The reverse commemorates "the Glory of the Army" with a soldier on either side of 2 standards.

I assume that this is a genuine This series (with 1 and 2 standards) is very common and I see these sell in this condition from time to time at $10-20. Perhaps a pocket piece that someone lost or maybe someone brought his collection out to the beach! In any case a nifty find.

I need help please.. *Pic of unknown coin included*

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I need help please.. Pic of unknown coin included