thenickelguy

I think that was answered in an excellent way @Heliodromus and thank you very much.

Just a simple question, I think I might have imagined the answer already but have to ask.

I recently posted a Fausta bronze and others joined in with numerous contributions of their coins.

Of course they had come from different mints with them being only different in the lettering in the exergue.

My question is, did the ruler send out a specific drawing of what design he or she wanted on these coins and the mints took it from there creating dies?

These mints are sometimes quite a distance from each other, yet the coins are remarkably alike except for the mintmark.

The only ancient I have in a slab is a Geta. It had remained there and probably will even though he was innocent. Caracalla should be the one locked up,

It's totally a decision you have to make. One thing for sure, it is protected from damage. If you aren't married to it, I think it would sell better in the slab.

I did scamper around and quickly read about the Greek Phaedra story. I think this is a story told a 1000 times 1000 in many relationships. I wouldn't put it past Constantine the Great to kill Fausta if he had his own son Crispus killed. I wouldn't put anything past these ancient people we collect on these old disks of bronze and silver. I never knew how ugly history was for these ruthless characters until I started collecting ancients. 

But ya know, things are different today yet they are the same. People can be very, very ugly and will be until the end of the world.

My money is on her being tortured in a scalding bath. I don't think she slipped on a bar of soap and the story grew bigger and bigger over time,  It just seems to me that it would have been perfectly normal for that to be the way it was.

I have to say, my little world is not ugly. I live a very nice and good life. so far

19 minutes ago, DonnaML said:

"I've always been skeptical of the story of the dire fates of Fausta and Crispus. I think it's just a bit too suspiciously close to the myth of Theseus, Phaedra, and Hippolytus."

I'll have to go read up on that story which I am totally unfamiliar with,

Roman Empire, Fausta 325-6, Bronze AE3
3.11g, 18mm
Head of Fausta right "FLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG"
Salus standing, facing, holding two infants. "SALVS REIPVBLICAE" "SMTSE" in exeruge
RIC 161
Thessalonika mint

When I first got into ancients, one of my earliest coins was a nice Crispus and when I read about him it blew my mind about family disfunction in ancient Rome. Back then I didn't know a Fausta from a Faustina.

Since then, I have read about the people on these old coins and the gods and goddesses. Murders, assassinations and persecutions seem to have been quite the way of life in the day. Just another day at the office.

I think I have correctly encapsulated the story in short order here.

Fausta was the wife of Constantine The Great. She bore him three sons and three daughters. Previously, Constantine I also had a son with Minervina named Crispus.

Whether Constantine I (The Great) was married to Minervina or not is unknown but that relationship with her ended when Constantine I married Fausta.
The popular belief is that Fausta was having an affair with her stepson Crispus and Constantine I had him executed. Shortly, he had Fausta locked in a bath that was overheated and she was kept there until she died.   Some say scalded.

Thessaly, Magnesia 196-146 BC, Bronze AE19
7.12g, 19mm
Laureate head of Zeus right
Centaur right, holding a branch. 
BCD Thessaly II 419 -> ???

I have been reading about Zeus and Centaurs lately and of course, learned far more than I knew. Greek mythology is pretty amazing to me and that is why I like the coins although my Roman coins make up the bulk of my ancient collection.

I add this little EDIT to mention, I am not sure about the attribution of this coin.

I think it could be Rogers 338 or Rogers 339 ???

1 hour ago, Phil Anthos said:

Lol

Phil gets the joke! Thanks 

I have looked around and besides post 2 above by @Deinomenid I have never heard of this coin type being called "lip money" or the history behind that. I would like to find some more info about this online. ( I tried without success )

I remember my grandmother would say . . .  Don't put that money in your mouth, you never know where it has been!

Ionia, Miletos Circa 500 BC, Silver Diobol
1.14g, 8mm
Forepart of a lion right, roaring head left.
Stellate pattern within an incuse square.
SNG Kayhan 468-475

I see these coins here and there. There are numerous variations, head of lion facing left, facing right, slightly different reverse details. It would be fun to assemble a collection of these types.

I just had to have one for now. Most of my lion head is on the obverse. Some you see are struck off center but this one isn't bad at all. This is a very tiny coin. I have a gorgon obol and this is supposed to be a tiny bit bigger but to me they look almost the same in size. Very small.

It looks really amazing in hand under a magnifying glass for being one of the worlds earliest coins struck. Photo makes it look more gray than it looks in person.

Here is a link to a site I found showing different varieties.

https://rjohara.net/coins/lion-sun/

Why did this come to mind tonight while posting? I dunno?

Wondering what it was attributed as and what exactly tipped you off about the coin to come to that conclusion?

I think I have found it as 

Septimius Severus Denarius, RIC 207, RSC 493, BMC 531

@DonnaML In the first post in this thread it appears that a very similar lot of these are shown maybe in the second image down? Odd I should stumble across it but for TV, I wonder where they got them for props for the mentioned TV show.

https://www.cointalk.com/threads/more-coins-on-tv-stuff.407889/

I really like when you people post ancient artifacts. Beautiful glass. Thank you.

Oh Thank you expat!

That is exactly what I wanted. I will just bookmark that page and get rid of my old bookmark where I sign in.

You're a good egg you are!

I can find the link (Sellers by Country) on a cellphone, but for a PC or laptop I can't. It seems it is a different layout.

My little cellphone is just used for browsing with my wifi. It is all too small and hard for my fingers to navigate.

I can't call anyone on it since I have no service and it doesn't get used for email so I can't send the page to my laptop email or copy and paste the URL.

I don't do a lot of buying but so far, I only shop Vcoins since most sellers there will accept  payment in check or MO. I don't have PP or other online payments. Sellers out of the US don't want  checks in US dollars.

PLEASE will somebody, reply here with the link for the US sellers only on Vcoins and I can bookmark it on my laptop. THANKS! 

On 9/20/2023 at 6:14 PM, DonnaML said:

Astonishingly, within 15 minutes of sending the email I mention above, I received a refund of 125 GBP via paypal, and the following email from Alessandra of LAC:

"you are right, we bought this coin from US dealer. I have just sent a refund by paypal. Sorry for mistake, but is a very good fake and was bought from a good and trusted US dealer. please send the coin back with normal letter, no tracking."

I guess this thread was persuasive!

I am glad for you. Glad you posted your concerns here, got your help and that LAC refunded you that money. This was a very educational thread for me and I am sure others present and to come in the future.

Rootin for you. That sure is a wonderful coin. I'd have a hard time parting with it if it were mine. The video is very revealing and a plus for inducing salivation. I hope all potential bidders look at the coin as closely as we did.

My brain never shuts off. I am sure I think about the Roman Empire at least 5 times a week but it doesn't come near the top of my list.

I think a lot about the end of the world several times a day but only for a short amount of time and say a prayer. I wonder if I'll be here or not at the time? I think it's a close call.

Bummer huh?

Thank you John, it is now LOL

( I'll double check but I bet you got it )

Donna, I hope that London Coins will honor a refund if this turns out not so good for ya. Even after this time has passed. Hope I helped. I will keep an eye on this.

Same dies obviously brought this one into existence. Wouldn't be too difficult for someone to tap the edge and shave off a bit for one to appear slightly different in shape from the next one. 

I have been looking, here appears to be a very close coin I found but the shape is different. Looks real close to me.

https://www.biddr.com/auctions/numismatiknaumann/browse?a=831&l=867558

If there are two almost exact coins, there would probably be more. We'll have to keep an eye out and do some scouting for others.

5 minutes ago, filolif said:

I definitely think they are two different coins based on the different nuances of each.

I agree! Nice animation. Is there anywhere on the edge that looks altered? like a pour source or seam on yours Donna?

I think yours is the real one. But I like ya Donna, so I am rooting for you more than from any knowledge I might have.