FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Provincial Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Cloudcuckoo on February 11, 2017, 01:15:48 pm

Title: Puzzling Emerita Augusta As. Unusual flan.
Post by: Cloudcuckoo on February 11, 2017, 01:15:48 pm
I would be very grateful if everyone could cast their expert eyes on this puzzling coin that, I've had for a while. The ID is straightforward enough, but what lies behind the central dimple on its obverse? It's clearly an old bore hole. I see no reason to assume it to be anything other than ancient. It's well patinated with natural deposits within. The flan shape, with its bevelled/conical edges, is more similar to that of some Ptolemaic AEs from c.260BC till the late 2nd century, than is usual of these Emerita types. I'm not sure how likely it may be that the mint at Augusta Emerita would have been using Ptolemaic flans from up to two centuries earlier though. Certain other mints from the Eastern Mediterranean created superficially similar flans much later. Either way, I can see no clear indication of an overstrike.

I suppose it's entirely possible that the dimple, which I have not seen on any other coins from Emerita, might have been created by someone on a whim, after the coins production.

Any thoughts? I was tempted to post this on the Greek discussion board, once any reaction here had ended, considering there is a possibility the flan's origins could lie in that direction.


AE As, Tiberius. Emerita Augusta. Roman Spain. 14-37CE. 27mm, 13.30g.
Obv. TI. CAESAR AVGVSTVS PON. MAX. IMP. Laur. bust. of Tiberius left.
Rev. COL. AVGVSTA EMERITA. City gates, two towers and walls.
Ref. AB-1056. Burgos 578. RPC 42.
Title: Re: Puzzling Emerita Augusta As. Unusual flan.
Post by: SC on February 11, 2017, 02:58:30 pm
Interesting.

Nice coin by the way. 

I have a couple of coins from CAE, and about 20 others from other cities in early 1st century Hispania, but none have a dimple.

Yours looks like it was done post-strike.  I am not sure that the edges would be that clean if it was on the flan before it was struck.

I wonder if someone started to "hole" it then stopped.  Holed coins are known from this era, and while many have clearly been pierced with a nail, some of the thicker ones, like this, have drilled holes.

Shawn
Title: Re: Puzzling Emerita Augusta As. Unusual flan.
Post by: Cloudcuckoo on February 12, 2017, 02:49:13 pm
Hi Shawn,

My own gut feel, when I put my wishful thinking aside, is that the truth is probably less interesting than I had hoped and along the lines you suggest. The aborted bore hole explanation was my first thought too. After that the curious similarity in the flan to a Ptolemaic AE, captured my interest. Perhaps a little too much!

Many thanks for taking a look at it.
All the best,
Derek.
Title: Re: Puzzling Emerita Augusta As. Unusual flan.
Post by: Meepzorp on February 15, 2017, 09:21:06 am
Hi folks,

I have a similar example (scroll down, fifth coin):

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/meepzorp/rp_spain_emer_erca.htm

Meepzorp
Title: Re: Puzzling Emerita Augusta As. Unusual flan.
Post by: Meepzorp on February 15, 2017, 09:24:03 am
Hi cc,

The flan shape and style (beveled edges, etc.) are consistent with these issues. As you can see from my example, it has the same flan type.

Meepzorp