FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Numismatic and History Discussion Forums => Roman Coins Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Julianus of Pannonia on May 24, 2012, 04:09:13 pm

Title: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: Julianus of Pannonia on May 24, 2012, 04:09:13 pm

Today I bought the following coin of Decentius.

I was wondering about the coin-metal, because it seems to be of massive silver or a very good silver-alloy.

Data:

Decentius
OV: Cuirassed bust with bare head to right.
Leg: MAG DECENTIVS NOB CAES / B in left field
RV: two victories stg. vis à vis holding shield inscribed with:  VOT / V / MVLT / X in 4 lines
Leg: VICT D D N N AVG ET CAES
Ex: R P
Rome
Ø 25 mm / 4.47 gramms


In my opinion it could be perhaps:

RIC VIII / 215 which would be a Miliarense. / Or it could be: Dies for the similar existing Bronze coins used on a wrong flan / alloyed-metal

Would be nice to get some ideas and / or help to identify the true nominal of this coin.

Regards,
Simon

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: Victor C on May 24, 2012, 05:53:38 pm

Your coin is a bronze issue with a silvery appearance... this happens sometimes.

While not completely pertinent to your coin, I will quote what I said about silver on the surface of a coin --

Quote from: Victor Clark on March 23, 2012, 09:38:47 am

There are other ways a coin could have a silvery surface. Corrosion may also promote a silvery surface on a coin. Lead corrodes very easily, and as it is displaced, silver can be deposited on the surface. Various  methods in the cleaning process can also give a coin a silvery appearance, such as heating a coin or even washing a coin. Lead can  be removed by prolonged washing, leaving more silver on the surface.

I have had a coin look more silvery after heating, perhaps something similar happened to your coin, or it is simply the result of the alloy mixture.

I will also post a coin of Constantius II that has a very silvery appearance-- but it is a bronze coin.

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: Julianus of Pannonia on May 25, 2012, 02:48:49 am

Thanks for you answer Victor,

So maybe i should halfen the coin and do a metal analyse.  ;D

In my opinion your coin looks to me more like a cast one.

Regards,
Simon

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: ionutbd on May 25, 2012, 03:54:59 am

I think is not a cast coin beacause the flan cracks looks ok.
I have also a couple of braze coins with that silver look.
Regards,
Ionutbd

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: Julianus of Pannonia on May 25, 2012, 05:52:32 am

Quote from: ionutbd on May 25, 2012, 03:54:59 am

I think is not a cast coin beacause the flan cracks looks ok.
I have also a couple of braze coins with that silver look.
Regards,
Ionutbd

There is no flan crack visible on victors coin.  ;)

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: ionutbd on May 25, 2012, 06:26:34 am

on julianus. my mistake.

Title: Re: Decentius silver coin? !
Post by: HELEN S on May 25, 2012, 04:24:06 pm

 

 a little writing about your coin


Decentius as Caesar. (350-353 AD). Bronze centenionalis (4.61 gm).
Rome, c. January 351-August 352 AD. MAG DECENTI – VS NOB CAES,
bare-headed, cuirassed bust right, B behind portrait / VICT DD NN
AVG ET CAES, two Victories holding wreath, within which VOT V MVLT
X, RB in exergue. RIC 215, officina B=2 (S). Bastien 481 (4
specimens). Extremely fine