Bought a couple Ancient coins today

ajaan · December 27, 2015 6:21AM

I don't usually buy ancient coins, especially don't buy copper, but there is a 12 year old kid who sets up at our local coin shows. He wants to be a coin dealer and I usually try to buy something from him to encourage him. Today I bought these two ancients. I really don't know the value of them, I may have paid too much, if so, good for the kid. Any help in evaluation is appreciated.

Attributed by the seller.

#1 IMP Constantinus PF AVG Solis Invicto Comiti

#2 Constans PF AVG

Both coins are a darker brown than my images show.

Swampboy · December 27, 2015 6:44AM

Well done!

I recognize the Mint mark on the second piece.

TRE for Trier

I visit Constantine's throne room there last summer

JCMhouston · December 28, 2015 12:11AM

Very nice pickups ajaan.

ajaan · December 28, 2015 4:18AM

Anyone have an estimate on the value of these?

NiceCurrency · December 28, 2015 5:12AM

$5-$10 each

Constantine dynasty bronze follises (follii?) are the most common ancient coins

that said they are the perfect introduction to the hobby

Zohar · December 28, 2015 6:05AM

nicholasz219 · December 28, 2015 3:33PM

The top one is a London issue (PLN in the exergue is sort of merged into the end of "COMITI" of the legend; spacing was not always their strong suite). Typically, NiceCurrency is right, they are usually $5-10 coins a piece. The London pieces seem to go for a bit more, but you are talking like $1. Treveri is the same.

They are both nicely struck and fairly well centered. Depending on what the young man charged, I think you did okay.

nicholasz219 · December 28, 2015 3:49PM

Constantine I

IMP CONSTANTINVS PF AVG

Laureate, cuirassed bust right.

SOLI INVICTO COMITI

Sol standing left, raising hand and holding globe.

T/F/PLN

Issued: 310AD

Also, you can let him know that the reverse legend on the Constans is "VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN" which is a little less common. Epsilon is the control mark and TRP the mint mark from the Treveri Mint. AE4, issued 347-348AD. Aorta #1209.

Constans AE4

CONSTANS PF AVG

Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust, right.

VICTORIAE DD AVGG Q NN

Two victories standing, facing each other, each holding wreath and palm.

luckybucks · December 29, 2015 4:52AM

Nice ancient coins. Very nice !!

SYRACUSIAN · December 29, 2015 5:43AM

That's quite a coincidence. I too know a 12 year old accomplished collector, but who refuses to talk about his future plans, or at least if they will include numismatics, one way or another. I remember the first "real coin" that he got, a slabbed 1833 quarter drachma in MS64 ! I 've congratulated him and suggested to put it aside and keep it ,to remind him of these days in 30-40-50 years from now, let alone that the coin itself needed no upgrade at all. The only thing that escaped me, was that by the time I made the comment, he had already traded the coin for another, and the other for yet another with a bit of additional cash, so I was like commenting on the previous season's episodes.

Bought a couple Ancient coins today

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