Licinius I Aureus Siscia

[Mario L]

Hi there!

As a new-by in the field, I have question to the experts around.
I have a gold coin, that I need an opinion for, since I do not have an idea about if it is valuable or just can be melted for the gold.

Would be happy for an answer. Many thanks

[mix_val]

If it is genuine, it is extremely valuable and worth far more than its weight in gold.  You should get the coin appraised.

[SC]

The obverse is not far off genuine style, but the Jupiter on the reverse is horrible and looks nothing like the style of any other Licinius solidus you can find an image of.

SC

[Heliodromus]

The Jupiter is certainly odd, but here's a RIC 18 from Vienna that is all but identical (not a reverse die match though). The draped obverse would be unlisted.

Ben

[curtislclay]

Ben,

What makes you think the those two rev. dies are different?

[Heliodromus]

The O and N of iovi cONs .. appear to be different sizes .. but maybe that's just the strike ?

Ben

[Teutoburgium]

Hi all,

It looks to me as the same obverse die for both coins.

Teutoburgium

[Heliodromus]

I can see it now - the O and N just look different due to the lighting - a bit of an illusion.

Ben

[Mario L]

Hi everyone!

Thanks for the answers so far.

I did not find that one from Vienna online - as you said (Cognius), it has 1:1 reverse. Is is from an auction or museum?

The obverse still worries me - will it make it an unique fake or an unique real aureus?

I don't have the literature sources to check it, so I am so far relying on pics form the internet.

[Mario L]

... forgot to mention .... just measured the weight - 5.28g... should be also OK according to what I found around (5.3g for aurei from that time)....

[SC]

Wow.  I had not seen that example either.  What an ugly Jupiter, but nice confirmation for the coin.....

SC

[Pekka K]

Die failure shows that this coin was minted some time after the Vienna coin.

Pekka K

[Heliodromus]

Hi Mario,

Yes, that comparision coin is from Vienna national museum, and from the die failure that Pekka noted your coin is from same die but not a copy of the other one. Everything about your coin looks good to me - interesting to see that obverse. Certainly don't melt it! 

Ben

[Mario L]

Hi again!

I also noted the die failure in the Vienna National Museum coin, just it is smaller compared to my coin.

Thanks to all for the help.  

So one coin saved from melting  


Have a nice evening/day

[SC]

Any genuine ancient gold coin will always be worth more as a coin than as bullion. 

SC