Oldhoopster

Thanks for the input. I'll get better pics, weight and dimensions when I drag it back out. (have a few health issues that are making it difficult to dig things out of storage, so it may be a while)

Thanks. I tried propping the phone on a can and zooming, but still need to practice and work on the lighting.

I picked this up at a large show about 15 years ago. I think it's ok but wanted some opinions from knowledgeable ancient collectors. Hope the pic quality is good enough. Thanks

I'm not a geologist or mineralogist, but it reminds me of Stibnite (antimony). That might be a place to start. Just a guess from something that stuck in my memory, so I could be completely wrong.

From the Oldhoopster cluster of stuff for a Sunday night. Two of my oldest coins.

You're a little off topic, since this is an ancient coin collecting forum, but I can provide some help. Your coin is a misaligned die error (MAD). This differs from a true off center in that only one side is struck of center. Normally, these are common, but yours is more extreme than usual. IMO, it's collectable and would probably retail for approx $5-10. It's not worth grading, however. As @DonnaML mentioned, there are other coin forums out there that concentrate on US coins (collectors universe, NGC, coin talk and others). Your questions about US coins will get a much wider audience on those sites. BTW, take a little time to check out the threads here. There are lots of really cool ancient coins posted. You may find them interesting.

I look at the great pics people post, try to figure out the legend, then check it against the reference write up. Since I've been following the medieval monday thread, I've noticed a major improvement in reading the legends. Plus it gives me the opportunity to look at a wide variety of attributed coins. The more you look, the more you learn and remember. Thanks

I just want to thank everyone for posting the pics and write ups. I've increased my knowledge of medieval significantly. Looking at the legends, then matching them to the write up has really helped me recognize the lettering fonts (much easier than using Walker's Reading Medieval European Coins for me) I've been dabbling in this field for about 10-15 years, but mostly low end pieces that I try to attribute (with minimal success). I do have some good references like Grierson's Coins of Medieval Europe and Medieval Europe Coinage volume 1, Lhotka's medieval series Reprints from the Numismatist, and Roberts' silver coins of France. Maybe its time to sit down with the books again Don't be surprised if I dig out and post my 2 dozen Low end Freisacher Pfennigs for attribution help. About 15 years ago, I found a copy of Corpus Nummorum Austriacorum Band 1 for $100 but didn't pull the trigger. Big regret to this day

Closest I have. Gordy on the left

About 15-20 years ago, I started putting my junk box finds and accumulations in binders. The hope was that it would jump start some interest with my 3 kids. They are now in their 20s and have no interest in coins. I probably have more money in the binder pages and 2x2s than I do in the coins. Most of the binders shown on the middle 2 shelves are misc world coins. I actually wore out a stapler getting in 2x2s Also have about 8-10 2x2 boxes with the pre-1850 (approx) stuff.

Some early engraver is going to hell with that portrait of a Saint. ☠️👿 👺

Good restoration on nice looking tile

I have few dozen cheap (lower to mid grade but not horrible) Byzantine coins that I bought in the early 2000s. I used the Sear reference for attribution and it worked well for most things (except really scruffy trachy). I also enjoyed all the volumes in the Sayles series.

Oh, to have your problems 🙃

Low end examples. Sorry for the pic quality

A heavily reduced Zirconium Oxide cooled from a melt of approx 2100C. That was a fun R&D project. Never could explain why some of the surfaces turned golden (oxynitride maybe)

Mica I collected at the Little Pine Garnet Mine in NC

Ferns fossils that I found in Western PA

I think this may be from Thrace Edessa with Tyche seated on the reverse (based on some help from about 10 years ago) but I was never sure. The letters seam to be a mix of Greek and something else. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry, but the pics leave a little to be desired

In the early 2000s, I used to buy low end bulk lots on eBay. I posted some of the low end stuff here. Also have middle of the road VG-F Denarii as well. Maybe not the best as a collection, but I got a lot of practice attributing the using RIC, Sear, and Van Meter. Also have lots of low end LRB that I attributed with RIC (that was a challenge). But I Learned a lot about the coins and history, so even if the they aren't very valuable or desirable, it was worth it to me

A few more horrors from the "Oldhoopster Cluster"

I don't see why other countries don't implement similar programs. Its a win for the finder, it protects significant rare pieces for museums, archeologist can get info and excavate the site if warranted, and collectors have the opportunity to acquire and study the coins. Win win all around

Lots of worn horrors in the "Oldhoopster Cluster". Some samples.

If you read the "metallurgical analysis", you'll find it is nothing more than an opinion based on observations. There is NO analytical data. The writer says Metal: Silver in the report. He doesn't say how he determined this? He says there are thick layers of silver sulfides and chlorides. WHERE IS THE DATA? Or is it just an observation? Then he makes the conclusion that since sulfides and chlorides are present, the "piece had settled for a long period". Apparently, the author knows nothing about artificial toning. Remember, without data you're just somebody else with an opinion. Members have demonstrated high levels of credibility regarding ancient coins. What are the credentials of your Forensic Metallurgist? He obviously has offered NO metallurgical data, so all he has given you his numismatic opinion. I'm sorry, but I believe you wasted your money on this report. I would be embarrassed to send that to a client without any supporting data

I like the jeton. I used to work for Saint Gobain