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ID this Roman bronze? sigma alpha lambda eagle?

jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I got this piece as a lone ancient in a larger lot of non-ancient stuff. I don't collect ancients, and I can't make out enough of the legends to punch into Google. At this point, I'm just curious what I have. Does anyone recognize enough to give me a pointer towards figuring this out?

The coin is bronze, 21-22 mm, 4 mm thick, 9.2 grams. Based on the thickness, I assume it's a fairly early piece before debasement really kicked in. I couldn't match the portrait to a Caesar, though, and if this is provincial I'm never going to figure it out on my own...

imageimage

Comments

  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Im thinking Claudius II, and the denomination is a tetradrachm. A VERY debased one.

    Claudius II ruled from 268 - 270 AD
  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ding! I think you've got it! I found some references that describe a piece that sounds like this one: "Claudius II Potin Tetradrachm of Alexandria. Year 1=268 AD. AVT K KLAVDIOC CEB, laureate draped bust right / eagle standing right, head left with wreath in its beak, LA to right" I can convince myself that that's what the legends say on this one.

    And yes, that's some seriously debased tetradrachm! Sheesh!

    Many thanks!
  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Glad I got it right considering I dont own any coins of this particular emperor.

    In that shape though they average about $40 if your wondering what the going rate is.

    Looks like it has some bronze disease forming at 8 o clock on the reverse. These things are notorious for getting them. Part of the reason I dont buy them from this time.
  • jonathanbjonathanb Posts: 3,752 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm not particularly looking to sell it, and $40 is enough to keep it out of my ever-growing box-o'-crap. Mostly I was annoyed that the legends were just on the wrong side of legible for me to figure out on my own. image There are some things that I have no hope of identifying. I'm glad this one wasn't in that category!
  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Its a nice ancient in general and most of the time legends on these are hard to figure out or off center.
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