FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Resources => Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help => Topic started by: Celticaire on July 31, 2019, 01:39:34 pm

Title: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on July 31, 2019, 01:39:34 pm: Hi all,

I'm very new to collecting ancient coins, so I am not yet very good at reading the inscriptions or identification when the inscriptions are gone. This coin is one that I got in an uncleaned lot from the Balkans. The diameter is about 12 mm, but I don't have a way to weight it. I'm pretty sure it's silver, although most of the surface is dark. Some of the inscription is still there to the right of the bust on the obverse, but I can't make it out. The bust faces right and has a laurel crown for sure. On the reverse, there is no inscription that I can see. I think the image is seated Jupiter facing left, and he definitely has a globe in one hand. Can't tell if there's a spear. Can anyone tell anything from this? I took the best pictures I could but it's such a dark coin, it's hard to make out.

Thank you in advance!
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: djmacdo on July 31, 2019, 06:44:00 pm: It looks like that might be good silver, and if so the coin could probably stand a cleaning. I would start with vinegar or some other mild acid to remove what I suspect is a lot of lime on the surface. After that, there are a variety of other techniques depending on the appearance then.

I think it may show Commodus on the obverse, but I am not certain.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Molinari on July 31, 2019, 08:21:40 pm: Nice find. Please keep us posted on your progress.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Jay GT4 on July 31, 2019, 08:37:05 pm: Should clean up nicely. I see Hadrian but not sure.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 01, 2019, 10:11:41 am: Thank you for the suggestions! I've actually soaked it in straight lemon juice for about 5 minutes, that was before I took the pictures. I'll keep working on it. I wasn't sure how far to push the cleaning out of fear of ruining the coin.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: okidoki on August 01, 2019, 10:52:54 am: Quote from: Jay GT4 on July 31, 2019, 08:37:05 pm
Should clean up nicely. I see Hadrian but not sure.
i would be surprised ;D
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: okidoki on August 01, 2019, 10:55:13 am: Quote from: Celticaire on August 01, 2019, 10:11:41 am
Thank you for the suggestions! I've actually soaked it in straight lemon juice for about 5 minutes, that was before I took the pictures. I'll keep working on it. I wasn't sure how far to push the cleaning out of fear of ruining the coin.

Hello Celticaire,

Welcome here, 5 minutes is rather sort

hot water on your coin with baking soda in alu foil

here some more tips

https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?board=8.0
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 02, 2019, 10:17:19 pm: Ok I’ve been soaking in vinegar and lemon juice, here is how it is looking now. Going to keep doing the same thing.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: curtislclay on August 02, 2019, 10:22:03 pm: Much clearer now, looks like Commodus / Securitas seated holding globe.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: shanxi on August 03, 2019, 04:36:49 am: 12mm ? not a typo ?

If so it's either a quinarius or provincial. (no traces of wings??)
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 03, 2019, 10:12:59 am: I measured it with the measurement function on my phone because I didn't have a measuring tape handy. I'll measure it again the regular way and get back to you.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 03, 2019, 08:59:34 pm: I’m revising the size of the coin, it’s 17 mm.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: shanxi on August 04, 2019, 03:56:01 am: Typical size of a Denarius
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 13, 2019, 09:03:04 pm: Well, this is the best I can do, I think. I haven’t made any more progress no matter what I try.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Molinari on August 14, 2019, 01:30:04 am: It looks great. Well done!
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Arados on August 14, 2019, 02:13:18 am: Your coin has cleaned up really well, congrats.
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: mauseus on August 14, 2019, 01:49:33 pm: Hi,

You have a very good result and shoud be pleased. Well done.

Regards,

Mauseus
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: djmacdo on August 14, 2019, 06:45:58 pm: Excellent--you have turned a piece of junk into a quality Roman coin. Bravo!
Title: Re: Silver Roman coin, Laureate Bust Right and Jupiter Seated Left?
Post by: Celticaire on August 15, 2019, 10:03:22 am: Thank you all, I am glad to know that I did a good job with it! Thank you for your help!