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Author Topic: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4  (Read 1678 times)

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maximinvs

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Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« on: September 09, 2008, 10:38:13 am »
Hi list,
I thought I would share what appears to be a late 4th-5th century barbarous AE4, possibly modelled on Val'n II. The legends are very blundered and consist of little more that vertical strokes. What struck me about this particular specimen was the excellent style and workmanship, better than many official pieces of the period. Has anyone else seen this level of style on their barbs? Could it be official?
Thanks.
Regards,
Ian

Offline areich

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2008, 11:58:37 am »
A nice coin!
I'm really not qualified to comment but I doubt a coin with such a blundered legend could be official.

Andreas
Andreas Reich

Offline Steve Minnoch

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2008, 06:11:37 pm »
Some imitations reach a really high standard - although I am more familiar of those of the third century - in particular some of Gallienus and the gallo-roman empires can be very hard to distinguish from official pieces.  This is one reason I dislike the term "barb".

Steve

Offline Johnny

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2008, 07:06:58 pm »
I have a similar coin wich appeared in a post here... but unfortunately can't find it

here is a pic.  It has the same lettering style, and roughly  the same reverse .............BUT   not as detailed as yours

I never did attribute mine..  :( 


nice coin BTW

gavignano

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2008, 07:22:08 pm »
Hi - there are some very weird pieces this late, some that are considered official (e.g., some Theodosius AE4s), but I'm not aware of one with this badly of a blundered obverse legend.
However, the style on the reverse, while not looking the same as official issues, is quite pleasing IMO. - better details than many official issues!

Offline areich

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2008, 02:03:30 am »
Another thing, the coin looks like brass or is that not the colour in hand?
Andreas Reich

maximinvs

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2008, 03:51:26 am »
The photo is correct re color. Yes, it is a brassy metal.

Offline Glenn Simonelli

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #7 on: September 10, 2008, 07:55:37 am »
Not only is the coin brass, but the patina looks fake. Might this coin be modern?

Glenn Simonelli
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kerux

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #8 on: September 10, 2008, 10:06:00 am »
Here is one that was sold as "barbarous"...a bit porous, but the style was appealing.

Joe W.


Offline Glenn Simonelli

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #9 on: September 10, 2008, 10:15:22 am »
Yes, that is definitely barbarous. It is, of course, a different coin type.

Glenn Simonelli
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gavignano

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #10 on: September 10, 2008, 09:14:09 pm »
I think this coin is ancient, but may have been harshly cleaned to a "shiny", and then may have been artifically repatinated

Offline mwilson603

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Re: Fine style of a 'barbarous' AE4
« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2008, 05:41:59 pm »
At the risk of being contrary, I have had uncleaned coins that have cleaned up exactly like that.  I think it may be the type of metal, and the conditions that the coin has lain in for centuries.

regards

Mark

 

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