Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM  (Read 1338 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« on: October 08, 2021, 10:33:30 am »
Hello friends of the ancient world!

Thank you for inclusion in this nice forum. I would like to introduce myself briefly in a few words.
I was born in a city founded by Emperor Augustus. From an early age, I was interested in the
legacies of the past, the ones, that are still visible.
So it happened, that I also worked for a few years in cooperation with the voluntary monument
preservation department. This included scientific evaluations and localizations of settlement areas.
One of the main tasks was the identification and determination of Roman coins.

Nevertheless, I stayed with numismatics. An exciting and versatile hobby.

I look forward to many informative and instructive discussions with you.

As a debut, I am releasing the following numismatic delicacy for discussion.
5,23g, ∅ 27mm

best regards

Ralph

Offline SC

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 6068
    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2021, 09:57:49 am »
Welcome Ralph.

What is the material of this item?

It appears to match RIC-IX-Rome-6(a), the silver heavy miliarense from the Paris collection.  However, it does not look to be silver.

There is no known bronze coin to match.  There is a very rare VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM from this era, however, it is a much smaller AE4, has the standard Victory advancing left with wreath design and has no mint mark.  It is also only known for Valens (RIC-IX-Rome-31(a) / LRBC-II-741) and Gratian (RIC-IX-Rome 31(b) / LRBC-II-742). 

In addition, the ROMA mint mark was not used on any bronze in this period.

I also see numerous indicators of it possibly being a cast.

SC 
SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2021, 10:57:05 am »
Hello Shawn,

Many thanks for your response. That helps me a huge step further. I got
the coin from the dissolution of a decade-long collection by an experienced colleague.

In fact, it is a silver coin with a thin, but even layer of horn silver.

At that time, a numismatist named it just like you, as RIC 6a. With rarity R5.
That would have been my next question, whether if a second one is known.
According to your description, another example is known in Paris. That is interesting.

I have also never seen the spelling of the mint Rome in this way. Are there any other
late Roman types with the mark "ROMA"? So far I have only known this from denarii
of the republic.

best regards
Ralph



Offline Pekka K

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 7336
  • ...one coin at a time...
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2021, 11:55:40 am »

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2021, 12:41:54 pm »
Thanks very much Pekka, I've been looking for a comparison picture for days.

In principle it would not be a problem, to remove the horn silver. With the right
method, it would be a matter of 2 minutes. I am sure, that afterwards the details
would come out a lot better. Perhaps the flow lines created during embossing could
also be seen.

On the other hand, there is a high risk, that such a cleaning could also go wrong.
The obv. looks ok for me, a slight embossing crack, but on the rev. it seems an
small old antique damage on 11 hour to be.

I'm torn here and there.

best regards
Ralph

Offline Ron C2

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1055
  • Qvod perierat adhvc exstat nvmmorvm
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2021, 01:02:06 pm »
Op, you have the coin in hand, but to my eye, it looks recently cast.
My Ancient Coin Gallery: Click here

R. Cormier, Ottawa

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2021, 04:56:52 pm »
Hello Ron,
in fact, the surface looks a bit rough, so that one could think of a casting.
A look at the edge should bring the answer. The coin is coated with a thin but
even layer of horn silver. Also known as Chlorargyrit or silverchlorid.
A mineral from the mineral class of "halides". It is a grayish layer that can build
up over silver over the time. The substance underneath is often in good condition.

best regards
Ralph

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2021, 04:56:52 pm »
There is an easy way to remove this mineral, but I don't dare to do this piece.
Ancient coins usually have a lot of time.

best regards
Ralph

Offline SC

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 6068
    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2021, 10:43:10 am »
Yes, and you never know what the condition is underneath.  Might not all be as good as the bits showing through.  Probably a good idea to leave it for now.

It appears to be an extremely rare coin - with only the Paris and Berlin examples documented so far.

According to RIC this was the first of several issues.  All the others had more standardized mint marks - like RP.  This makes me wonder if your first issue with the unusual ROMA was a medallic issue for a specific purpose.

I know almost nothing about the medallic issues of this era though Curtis Clay does and might see this message.

SC
 
SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Offline Laurentius

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 69
  • Laurentius
    • My Gallery
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2021, 01:31:31 pm »
Shawn, I will gratefully follow your recommendation. So it will be preserved for posterity
as a rare piece of evidence!


best regards
Ralph

Offline SC

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 6068
    • A Handbook of Late Roman Bronze Coin Types 324-395.
Re: VICTORIA AVGVSTORVM
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2021, 08:47:09 pm »
We look forward to other interesting posts Ralph.

SC

SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity