can anyone help with unkown coin?

BXBOY143 · April 12, 2008 10:27AM

cannot find anything about this coin all i know it weighs 25.3 grams and has no real smell to it yea i know how weird that sounds any help would be greatly appriciated....pix below

Doogy · April 12, 2008 10:37AM

looks like gilt on base metal, which gives me pause

silverpop · April 12, 2008 10:37AM

it's roman dated to 70 A.D

I have one just like that myself but yours is in better shape

STLNATS · April 12, 2008 12:11PM

It looks like a sestertius of Antoninus Pius who was emperor from 138-161 AD. The metal is orichalcum (a type of brass) that gives a golden appearance. Looks ok to me, just worn and heavily cleaned giving the appearance of gilt on bronze where the bronze is the part that wasn't cleaned.

sumnom · April 12, 2008 12:15PM

Is it electrum?

Aethelred · April 12, 2008 12:31PM

<< It looks like a sestertius of Antoninus Pius who was emperor from 138-161 AD. The metal is orichalcum (a type of brass) that gives a golden appearance. Looks ok to me, just worn and heavily cleaned giving the appearance of gilt on bronze where the bronze is the part that wasn't cleaned. >>

What he said.

Sapyx · April 12, 2008 1:27PM

<< Is it electrum? >>

Nope, just brass - mostly copper, some zinc, maybe some lead and other elements. No gold or silver.

There would originally have been a legend around the outside of the reverse, too, but it's almost completely gone. Only a "O" left at the 9 o'clock position, and an "I", "T" or similar at the 4 o'clock position. That makes the reverse figure tougher to identify, but I think it's one of the "Provincial series" put out in 137 AD to commemorate some tax cuts.

I can't decide if the text in the exergue says "SICILIA" (for the province of Sicily) or whether the die-cutter was having a bad day and spelled "COS" backwards, making it "SOC II PM" or something like that.

Either way, it's something like Sear (millennium ed.) #4233, shown here on Wildwinds.

thestig · April 12, 2008 2:42PM

It may be OTHO. i posted some info to your other thread. link

BXBOY143 · April 12, 2008 3:30PM

what type of value does it hold? is it worth slabbing?

ProofArtworkonCircs · April 12, 2008 3:35PM

I think the big S C (for senate consulted ) shows it is base metal.

Sapyx · April 12, 2008 4:42PM

<< It may be OTHO... >>

It's not Otho, for two reasons: It clearly says "ANTONINVS AVG PP..." on the obverse, and Otho didn't make any bronze/brass coins. Or rather, the Senate didn't make any for him, as outlined below...

<< I think the big S C (for senate consulted ) shows it is base metal. >>

Correct. In the early Imperial period, the Senate retained control over issuing Roman base-metal coinage. Silver coinage was issued only with the Emperor's permission, and gold only issued at the Imperial mint.

<< what type of value does it hold? is it worth slabbing? >>

Collectors of ancients normally don't bother with slabbing. PCGS doesn't slab ancients; the only TPG that does is ICG, and most ancients collectors don't trust their opinions.

As for value, the CV for the one I posted above is listed at $240 in Fine; this one, however, would grade at Good or less. Still, probably a $50 to $100 coin, assuming my identification is somewhere near correct.

thestig · April 12, 2008 9:37PM

Good info, im just starting to take a interest in these very old coins.

I was wondering if I could stick around, and learn about these very old / Dark side coins?

A definition of dark side is what?

STLNATS · April 12, 2008 9:53PM

what type of value does it hold?

At a few recent shows, I've seen "you pick em" sestertius lots in this condition and lower go for $25-35 per. Altho harshly cleaned, this has an attractive portrait and the Sicily reverse, which seems correct given the attributes held by the figure on the reverse, might be worth a premium to a specialist so $50 or so might be a decent retail.

The no question that this is Antonininus and made of orichalcum. His was prosperous and fairly peaceful period in Roman history. There are lots of worn large coppers of the period reflecting the economic good times. A rule of thumb: good times, coins circulated producing lots of worn coins; bad times coins were buried shortly after coming out of the mint.

Also, on the reverse in addition to the "O" at 9 oclock is an "I" at 3 o'clock so is probably what is left of the consular reference: COS III or COS IIII.

Bjorn · April 12, 2008 10:44PM

<< Good info, im just starting to take a interest in these very old coins.

I was wondering if I could stick around, and learn about these very old / Dark side coins?

A definition of dark side is what? >>

Non-US coins... yeah, there is a lot to learn here I have found...

I would see it going for at least $50 due to the strong portrait, but probably not more than $100.

ProofArtworkonCircs · April 13, 2008 12:35AM

<<A rule of thumb: good times, coins circulated producing lots of worn coins; bad times coins were buried shortly after coming out of the mint.>>
Just like today. When you need to get money circulating, it is being hoarded.

BXBOY143 · April 13, 2008 4:09AM

thats cool i really appriciate all the info...i acutaully was given the coin by a friend a few mothns ago i lent a friend like 60 bucks and he had a few coins lying around he had mentioned so i say instead if paying me back the 60 what ever coins you dont want i will take and lone behold 2 days ago he stops by my house and says look what i have for ya....and presents me with this....he says he has a jewelry back full of older coins i can have, he just has to remeber where he put them

if and when i receive them i will be posting on here and again thanx very much for all the info just wanted to know what i was holding although i most likely wont be putting them on the market just like to know what type of value it actually held...best wishes to all...any more info ontop of what was posted will be more than appriciated

GOD BLESS!!

-PAUL

can anyone help with unkown coin?

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