Valentinian

In the 1990s I was a serious collector of imitations and wrote many pages of a large website about them. This thread prompted me to upgrade, with better photos, the page of imitations of coins of Claudius. http://augustuscoins.com/ed/imit/imitclaudius.html Eventually I will upgrade the other pages, too. Now I am using recent digital photos, but in the 1990s when the concept of web sites was just beginning I was using scans! Many of the linked pages do not yet have the scans replaced with photos. For the main page of the site, see: https://augustuscoins.com/ed/imit/index.html I have not kept it up to date, but if you are interested in scholarly references, see my page of references: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/imit/imitationrefs.html Here is a Roman Republican imitation found in Spain. It is a small imitation of a Roman Republican semis. 18-16 mm. 3.06 grams. Ripollés and Witschonke Studies in Ancient Coinage in Honor of Andrew Burnett, page 107 "Group F" "First third of the 1st C. BC." #83 p. 77 and plate 9 on page 105 is this coin. For more imitations like this semis, see my page (upgraded just now): http://augustuscoins.com/ed/imit/imitationrepAE.html

The famous Claudius invaded Britain in AD 43. After the conquest his well-known copper as coins were imitated. Here is an original followed by an British imitation. 28 mm. 11.12 grams. Claudius AD 41-54. Minerva brandishing a spear right, shield in left. 24 mm. 4.81 grams. I bought this from Baldwin's in 1992.

@voulgaroktonou, thank you for the history. Also, the coins you showed are splendid! Leo V, 813-820 Silver miliaresion. 24 mm. 2.10 grams. Sear 1628 "Jesus Christ conquers" "Leo and Constantine, by the grace of God, emperors of the Romans." 22 mm. 5.34 grams. Sear 1629. Leo V alone, struck 813. Sear 1630. 23 mm. 5.62 grams. Leo and Constantine Another one. Sear 1630. 21-18 mm. 4.25 grams. The next image shows that Sear 1635 comes in different sizes: Struck at Syracuse. Sear 1635. Left one 22-20 mm and 2.67 grams. Right one 18-17 mm and 3.28 grams. Also from Syracuse with the common green patina. Sear 1636. 19-18 mm. 2.42 grams. Leo V in loros Constantine in chlamys. 20 mm. 2.80 grams. Sear 1637, at Syracuse. Some of the reverse legend is legible COҺS

You could try offering them in our NF "Cabinet". As others have noted, most firms don't want to deal with low-value coins. They can buy nice ones by the hundreds. For example, Leu auction 24 had over 400 group lots: https://leunumismatik.com/en/auction/39/ If it doesn't come up, click on "Archive" and then auction 24 and go to "Group lots" near the end. Many individual lots consisted of over 100 coins each.

That type has the head as large as can be and still fit on the flan. 19 mm. 3.78 grams. L. Memmius, 109-108 BC, with description as the first coin in this tread. Also, Sear Roman volume 1, 181. I bought this one from John Jencek on vcoins in 2010.

Most Michael I coins of Syracuse are on flans too small for the dies, leaving much of the already-abbreviated legend off the flan. Michael I, 811-813. 19-16 mm. 2.59 grams. Sear 1624 (which is very similar to 1625, but the reverse legend is different) This type, "Michael alone," has his image on both sides and legend supposedly M IXA on the obverse and M IXA on the reverse -- Michael on both sides. Sear 1625 looks much the same but the reverse has legend ΘE (upper left) OΘTΛ (down the right), usually off the flan, for his son and nominal co-ruler Theophylactus. DOC 3.1 Michael I, 9, which is very similar to 10 (Sear 1625).

There is a lot to learn about ancient coins at my site here: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ I would not recommend buying the first Augustus denarius you showed us. It is a great type, but that example has too many "problems." I doubt you would remain happy with it for long. It is common and offered in many auctions, so that is not the last chance you will have to buy that type. Look around first.

Nicephorus I, 802-811. 24-23 mm. 6.88 grams. Sear 1606. DOC 3.1 Nicephorus 4, struck 802-3. 22 mm. 5.49 grams. Nicephorus on left and Stauracius on right. Sear 1607. DOC 3.1 Nicephorus I, 5 "803-811" 19-15 mm. 2.15 grams. (Smaller than the above coins) Struck at Syracuse. Nicephorus/Stauracius Sear 1612. DOC 3.1 Nicephorus 11. This type is very similar to a type of Michael I, DOC 3.1, Michael I, 8. Usually, as here, the legend on the right which could tell them apart is off the flan. However, the vertical "N" at 11:00 on the obverse (just to the right of the crack) allows the attribution to Nicephorus.

I was on a 2023 MacBook Pro. We also still have the problem that the right column of this thread is wasted as blank space because of this column heading at the top right: Short threads don't seem to have this problem. I am guessing that when a thread gets long enough this unfortunate feature kicks in. If there is a parameter for how long the thread needs to be to put that on the right side, set it to a million!

The price is ridiculous--maybe 40 times what it is worth.

Refer to the above post for the history. Irene takes precedence over Constantine VI on this common type: 18 mm. 3.13 grams. Bust of Irene facing. Smaller bust of Constantine VI over M flanked by X and N Sear 1598 Silver miliaresion. 21 mm. 2.14 grams. IhSUS XRISTUS ҺICA (Jesus Christ Conquers) COҺ/TAҺTIҺO/SSIRIҺIЄ/CΘUbA/SILIS+ (Constantine and Irene, by the grace of God, rulers) Sear 1595 DOC 3.1 Constantine VI 4b struck "780-797" I don't see how to fix the fonts to come out a single consistent size. Here is the menu that came up when I wrote this: Sometimes a menu gives me the option to pick the font size. I don't know why it sometimes doesn't.

Leo IV (775-780) with Constantine VI (from 776) 23 mm. 4.35 grams. Reverse: Facing busts of Leo III and ConstantineV. Sear 1586 24-23 mm. 4.78 grams. Leo IV (775-780) with Constantine VI (from 776). No legend, but there is a solidus just like this obverse design with an identifying legend. Reverse: Facing busts of Leo III and ConstantineV. Sear 1587

Constantine V, 741-775 His first AE issue from Constantinople was remarkably small in diameter. It is hard to tell sizes from photos, but it is much smaller than most "M" pieces of other emperors: 20-18 mm. 3.16 grams. Sear 1555 DOC 3.1 Constantine V 6a, page 303, plate IX dated "741-(?)" The next type of follis has Leo IV on the right as co-ruler and Leo the third, small, above an M on the reverse. 20-16 mm. 2.76 grams. Also quite small. Sear 556 DOC 3.1 Constantine V 11, 4 photos on plate IX, none nicer than this one. "751-769(?)" He also issued coins from Syracuse: 16 mm. 2.40 grams. (Even smaller than the Constantinople coins.) KWNS for Constantine down left (Right-side legend off the flan. It should say ΔECΠ for despot like the reverse does.) Standing figure of Constantine ΛEON for Leo down the left ΔECΠ for despot down the right. Standing figure of Leo. Sear 1568 DOC 3.1 Constantine V 18, "751-755" plate X. These are usually crowded like this one (or more so) and often have a hard green patina like this one which is typical for coins of Syracuse.

Some types of Leo III come both small and larger. Sear 1514 is a case in point. The first one, in poor shape, is only 18-16 mm and 2.28 grams. The next one has the same design and Sear number, but is much larger at 27-25 mm and 9.44 grams. The name of Leo is legible and some of the name of Constantine (V) on the reverse. The next one is much different. It is Sear 1531 from the Syracuse mint. 21 mm. 3.80 grams. ΛΕΟΝ down left (mostly illegible) ΔECΠ (despot) either side of Leo standing. KWNS down left ΔECΠ down right, either side of Constantine (V) standing. Struck 725-732 according to DOC

Wow! That must be the finest extant. It is incomparably better than the DOC, Hahn MIB III, Grierson, and Berk/England coins. Whitting and the BN don't illustrate one. D'Andrea et a. 725a is bold, but much smaller and missing the left branch (tooled off while smothing?). This coin is the one that comes up first under Sear 1496 at https://coins.labarum.info/en/catalog The coin is amazing!

Tiberius III, late 698 - Summer 705 The Syracuse mint was very active. Sear 1395 may be the most common type and it comes in various sizes. First I got a small 17 mm example, 2.56 grams. It is easy to identify even though it lacks an obverse legend. Above the "M" is a monogram for Tiberius with at least the T, B, E, and P clear, and ɣ at the top. Palm branches on on either side. Here is a coin with the same Sear number but 26.5 to 24 mm instead of the smaller 17 mm. 3.96 grams. Same monogram. It is supposed to have the mintmark SCL in exergue, but it is missing on both coins. Sear 1395. DOC 2.2 32, page 638. two photos on plate XLII, one small and one larger, neither better than these. MIB III Tiberius III 79, page 273 and 2 images on plate 45, neither better than the second one above. These poor coins are about as good as the published examples in DOC and MIB III, then you know copper coins of Tiberius III tend to be in poor condition. (However, I think we have a NF member who can show us something nicer.)

I am surprised that some obvious major categories for nice coins at low prices have barely been mentioned: Greek copper coins, Roman provincial coins, Byzantine coins, and especially late Roman bronze coins which include three broad subcategories: Coins from the tetrarchies (AD 284 - c. 313), Constantinian-era coins (306-363), and coins of Valentinian and later (AD 364-450). Tetrarchal coins can be both large and in nice shape for under $50. Constantinian-era coins can be in excellent condition under $25. Coins from Valentinian and later (AD 364 - 450) can be in super condition under $50. All coins below were won this year in auctions. All prices below include shipping, usually prorated over several coins won in a single auction. First is a scarce Galerius as Augustus (AD 305-311) follis from the Cyzicus mint. 27 mm. (A US quarter is only 24 mm, so this is a large coin.) $48. Next is a similar follis of Maximian (286-305) minted at Heraclea Thracia. 28 mm. [$37] I got it for the bull neck. If you want a higher grade tetrarchal follis, you can get one under $100. This next coin, of Galerius as Augustus (which makes it scarcer than his coins as Caesar) is from the Heraclea mint. 30-27 mm. It came from a major auction. [$94] Next is a very high grade AE3 of Gratian minted at Antioch. 19 mm. (The size of a US cent.) [$29] Look at the detail in the hair and on the reverse figure's drapery! [It could easily have cost twice the price.] Here is a website that lists and illustrates all late Roman copper types from 364-450: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/ricix/ Most of those reverse types can be found in very nice condition under $50 and in average condition under $20. There are other categories of inexpensive coins that are, nevertheless, very interesting. I omit the large categories of Greek AE and Byzantine. Here is one in the "Roman provincial coin" category. I like it for being from an important city near the eastern frontier of Rome. I collect coins that illustrate the conflicts between Rome and Persia: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Persian/Persia.html and if you read about those conflicts you might come across this city, Cyrrhus, in northern Syria. 28 mm. Emperor Philip I, AD 244-249, facing left in a radiate crown. 6-column temple with the city name below. [$39] Next is one more very common type. Licinius, 308-324. 21 mm (The size of a US nickel.) Bust of Licinius right. Jupiter standing holding Victory on globe and long staff, eagle with wreath in its beak below. SIS for the Siscia mint. Lovely orange highlights [$20]

If you have to have only one, that's a great one!

Leontius, late 695 to late 698. This thread allows Justinian two days and Leontius two days, which seems disproportionate. I could show additional Justinian coins, but I have only one Leontius and it is in terrible shape. Ragged 19-16 mm. 2.68 grams. Emperor standing facing, holding akakia and globus cruciger Large M with monogram above and SCL (for Sicily, Syracuse) below Sear 1344. DOC 2.2 Leontius 18, page 619, plate XL. (Their four are larger at 21-23 mm.)

@lrbguy, you are "Late Roman Bronze Guy". Nice coins! The silver is excellent, too. There is a lot to be said for collecting late Roman bronzes. Here is one more of Constantius II: 21 mm. 3.80 grams. FEL TEMP REPARATIO Emperor on horseback galloping right spearing two kneeling foes N in left field RЄ in exergue RIC VIII Rome 154 "R2" "348-350" Sear V 18221

Thank you very much for the references. I'll read the articles. Here is an obol from Lampsakos in Mysia: 11.8-8.8 mm. 0.789 grams. Janiform female archaic head Helmeted head of Athena left SNG France 6.1, Lampsakos 1127-1131. "c. 500 - 450" SNG Danish IV Mysia 184-186. "C. 500-470 BC" SNG von Aulock I 1290 "1st half of 5th C. BC" Sear Greek II, a minor variety of 3880, lacking only an ornament on Athena's helmet. By the way, the my image was so large it made the coin look much larger than it is, so after inserting the image I double clicked on it which brings up a menu which allows changing the size of the image in a post. I reduced it substantially so it looks more like the small coin it is.

Here is one of the large pieces: 37.5 - 36.3 mm. Constantine IV Sear 1173. DOC II.2 Constantine IV 77. Not many of these are well-struck. For that matter, not many of his other types are well struck, either. The coins of @vougaroktonou are amazingly nice.

Okay. I added it to my page: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/references.html They were already discussed on my site, but on a different, more-detailed, page of reference works: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/catalogs/Byzantine.html This repeats most of the first page, but has additional references that are not on that first page because that page is for beginners. The more you learn, the more you will appreciate the coins you have and the better prepared you will be to buy more. Numis Forums will help you learn, but books have advantages such as well-selected organization and commentary. Plus, they are books! Books are cheap compared to coins. I strongly recommend getting a least a couple of books that I discuss on my page.

His well-known "soldier spearing fallen horseman" type from the coin reform of 348 began as a large AE2, but within ten years became much smaller: The one from Antioch on the left is 25-23 mm. The one on the right, also from Antioch, has the same design, but is only 17 mm. The large one is dated by RIC to 350 and the small one to 355-361. FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier spearing fallen horseman.

I have a website, "Introduction to Byzantine Coins": http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/ The reference works for Byzantine coins are listed with annotations here: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/references.html In short: Sear (be sure to get the second edition) is essential for collectors. Whitting, Byzantine Coins, is the most fun and enjoyable. Grierson, Byzantine Coins, has, by far, the most through discussion. It has over 1400 good B&W photographs, but may be too advanced for a beginner. Read the rest of the comments here: http://augustuscoins.com/ed/Byz/references.html#books