Hughie Dwyer Posted February 13, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) Hello all, Being new to collecting, I often encounter difficulties when trying to research my coins and the Empire itself. Usually, I work around them and everything works out fine. However, there has been one problem hanging over me for some time: Back when I first started collecting, I bought a lot of uncleaned/unresearched coins from the Late Roman Empire (not worth it in my opinion) and I have now come to the point that I feel I must properly identify them. I know the basics of each coin (e.g. the emperor, the obverse, the reverse) but finding the mints and the 'RIC value' seems impossible. At last, after many hours of research, I have come to the FORVM to ask for the assistance from more experienced members. I have a few questions: What do you do if you can't properly identify a coin? Can you always Identify a coin/a coin's mint? How do I know if I have identified the right emperor? This sounds like a silly question but, to me, most of the portraits look the same and some of the coins don't have a readable legend to go by. I will post pictures of the coins soon Thanks in advance for any help - it is much appreciated! Many thanks, Hugh Edited February 13, 2023 by Hughie Dwyer 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 13, 2023 This is just one of my problems: (sorry for the BAD photos) I have this down as a Valens but I am beginning to think that this could be Valentinian I or even Valentinan II. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 13, 2023 As our final examples, we have these: Here, both these coins have been cleaned with harsh chemicals before purchase and so obscuring much of the important writing. On the first, I have tried to discern the meaning but have had limited luck. As for the latter, I have almost given up. Many thanks for viewing, HD P.S. Please feel free to notify me of any problems/mistakes with what I have put. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted February 13, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted February 13, 2023 I think you are mostly right. Good work. It's hard with the "uncleaned" hoards to get much out of them. I started with those when I got back into the hobby in 2013. Lots of culls and coins which were featureless, like 60% of the one kilogram lot I purchased. If I had $2 for every FEL TEMP REPARATIO coin of Constantius II I received I would have made a profit on the purchase! This one reminds me of your Constans piece but is Constantius II from Antioch.... 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 13, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 13, 2023 Thank you @Ancient Coin Hunter! It's nice to know I'm somewhat 'on the right track'. You have quite a neat coin there too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted February 14, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 14, 2023 2 hours ago, Hughie Dwyer said: This is just one of my problems: (sorry for the BAD photos) I have this down as a Valens but I am beginning to think that this could be Valentinian I or even Valentinan II. Hughie, One of your coins may be the smaller version of this issue 😉. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted February 14, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 14, 2023 12 hours ago, Hughie Dwyer said: This is just one of my problems: (sorry for the BAD photos) I have this down as a Valens but I am beginning to think that this could be Valentinian I or even Valentinan II. This might be in fact Theodosius I. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 16, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 16, 2023 (edited) Hello again, Sorry if I'm asking too many questions. @seth77 Yes, I think that you are right. Looking at the obscured obeverse legend, it does seem to say 'DN THEODO-SIVS PF AVG' which matches up with him. @Al Kowsky Your coin indeed looks to be a much nicer version of mine. @Ancient Coin Hunter Our coins are quite similar! However, it is this coin that I am researching now. : I have it down as 'FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C' but actually the legend does not match up. I found this coin on Wildwinds.com and I believe it might have the same obverse legend as my coin: 'FL CONSTANTIVS NOB CAES' THIS IS NOT MY COIN However, there is no coin on any database that I have searched that has this obverse with my reverse. Is it possible that this could happen? Do you think that I am worrying over nothing? Many thanks for viewing, Hugh P.S. I will be researching this coin (as well as others) further and will update you on any progress. I have similar problems on other coins. I will hopefully update the BAD photos soon to see if that makes it any easier. Edited February 16, 2023 by Hughie Dwyer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seth77 Posted February 16, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 16, 2023 Consider FL CONSTANTIS BEA C or NOB C, for Constans. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 17, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 @seth77 Again, I think that you are right. Here is a coin I found on Wildwinds. This is not my coin. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 17, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 17, 2023 I seem to be getting a bit better at this. I have solved most of my original problems - but a few. Thank you all so much for all of the help! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 20, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 ...and maybe not... Sorry to bump this thread again but I have this coin where, once again, the legends fails to match up with what I have it down as. Again, I have this down as 'FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C' but this coin actually looks more like it says 'CONSTANTINVS ...', which made me think that this was actually a Constantine I. Anyways, as per usual, and help is always much appreciated and thank you for all the help that I have already received. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 20, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 For this coin: The obverse legend clearly states 'NOB C' at the end. It looks to me as if it says: 'DN CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C' There are only two similar legends on Wildwinds and they are 'FL IVL CONSTANTIVS IVN NOB C' 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiaora Posted February 20, 2023 · Member Share Posted February 20, 2023 The first coin is Constantine II, from Trier 1 hour ago, Hughie Dwyer said: ...and maybe not... Sorry to bump this thread again but I have this coin where, once again, the legends fails to match up with what I have it down as. Again, I have this down as 'FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C' but this coin actually looks more like it says 'CONSTANTINVS ...', which made me think that this was actually a Constantine I. Anyways, as per usual, and help is always much appreciated and thank you for all the help that I have already received. The second coin is Constantius Gallus 1 hour ago, Hughie Dwyer said: For this coin: 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 20, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 Thank you very much @Kiaora. I have updated my info. Hope these are as expected: 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted February 20, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 20, 2023 It might help to use Tesorillo for LRBs, as it’s a bit easier to narrow down by reverse type, mint and legend. Once you’ve done that, you can get an ID on Ocre. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughie Dwyer Posted February 25, 2023 · Member Author Share Posted February 25, 2023 Thank you everyone who helped me out. I am very pleased with the outcome. I thought that I should update you all on ow it has turned out. Please see the images below - enjoy! Thanks again, Hugh 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniard Posted February 26, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted February 26, 2023 @Hughie Dwyer..Very nice way to display your coin collection Hugh! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.