What are the chances ?

[hooverman]

Picked up a group of Romans this last week, not very well cleaned but in the group were three mules of Constantine I all die matched!

Odd issues as well, Ticinum mint with a Caesarum Nostrorum reverse.

[Vincent]

Incredible...or as Dr. Spock would say to Captain Kirk...1,680,000 to one...thanks...we probably will not see it ever again.
Did you purchase these from the same lot?

[Merinda]

It looks like the bottom coin is overstruck ? Can you tell what the under type is, and whether the other coins are also overstruck ? I am curious as I have a couple of cons that are clearly imitations, but which appear to be overstruck on official coins, so I am wondering whether these fall into the same category

Kind regards

Allan

[hooverman]

Incredible...or as Dr. Spock would say to Captain Kirk...1,680,000 to one...thanks...we probably will not see it ever again.
Did you purchase these from the same lot?

Yes these are from the same group, I've just bought some more so we will see what turns up .

[hooverman]

It looks like the bottom coin is overstruck ? Can you tell what the under type is, and whether the other coins are also overstruck ? I am curious as I have a couple of cons that are clearly imitations, but which appear to be overstruck on official coins, so I am wondering whether these fall into the same category

Kind regards

Allan

Hi Allan,

I've had a look under the scope and it looks like it could be a jump. The only visible section of the legend is '...ANT....' The other two appear to be a single strike.

These could be barbarous, I've compared them to an official coin and they are of poorer style. Obviously the reverse legend didn't feature on the wreath VOT X series at Ticinum.

[Merinda]

Thanks Hooverman - I thought the letters under the bust could be the remains of a mint mark, but just a double strike by the sounds of it

Agree that they look barbarous, eg. The poorly aligned reverse text and the flat style of the bust

[areich]

Are you absolutely sure they're ancient? They have some of the characteristics of the pressed Late Roman fakes from 2009. I don't remember where but recently I saw another coin that was not part of the original set of fakes but had the same look.

[hooverman]

Are you absolutely sure they're ancient? They have some of the characteristics of the pressed Late Roman fakes from 2009. I don't remember where but recently I saw another coin that was not part of the original set of fakes but had the same look.

In the hand I can see no reason to doubt them at all, though I will admit to being initially very cautious.

The pitting on the first issue extends to the legends, the second has minor chatter on the reverse, the third has jumped.....

There appears to be some oddities in this group, the first I have, the second is on its way and needs some better pictures.

These are of course among standard issues.

[leetoone]

Funnily enough, not unusual. I have had a number of coins from hoards that come from the same dies. They 'stick' together for a while and grow apart as they circulate. When you think about it, if you get nice shiny coins in your change they came from the same bag or roll and were probably struck from the same die. Over time they separate.

So if they were put in the hoard close to the source then this is not a surprise.

Always nice to come across them though.

 

[hooverman]

Good points Lee, I have come across everything you have said but these coins were in a much smaller group.

[L.e.]

Are you absolutely sure they're ancient? They have some of the characteristics of the pressed Late Roman fakes from 2009. I don't remember where but recently I saw another coin that was not part of the original set of fakes but had the same look.

I share your doubts...the style is very strange and different from that of the IV century constantinian bronze (look for example at the V of reverse legend).
We have here two oddities: mule coins and all from the same dies...