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Author Topic: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch  (Read 425 times)

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Offline Frans Diederik

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Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« on: December 06, 2022, 09:39:43 am »
This coin is on its way to me, so the pictures are not too big. At first sight it looks like an ordinary Urbs Roma type, but the bust of Roma is to the right and not to the left. The execution of it is superb and many details are visible, though the coin still has deposits. Note that the words VRBS and ROMA have changed place, too! The reverse is well executed, but not particularly spectacular SMAN :Greek_Theta:
All comments are wellcome!

Glad to be back after a long pause,

Frans

Offline Ken W2

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2022, 03:04:14 pm »

Hey Frans:  I think that's a way cool coin.  When I enlarge the photos the encrustations appear glossy, as if waxed over? Also, are those perhaps letters on the garmet in the area of Roma's right front shoulder ?  Would love to know the "provenance" of this coin.

Offline Dominic T

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2022, 04:50:47 pm »
Never seen that right bust type before; it’s even not on Dane’s spreadsheets !
DT

Offline Ken W2

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2022, 04:55:27 pm »

This may be in Caza's wheelhouse.  Perhaps he will weigh in.

Offline Victor C

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2022, 05:29:46 pm »
Congrats Frans on an interesting error and welcome back.
Victor Clark

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Offline Dominic T

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2022, 05:43:16 pm »
The only example I could find with the inverted legend.
DT

Offline Frans Diederik

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2022, 06:42:23 pm »
The inverted obverse text is a start!
Thanks!

Offline Lech Stępniewski

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2022, 09:57:06 am »
I believe that this coin is an ancient imitation. However, better than this example and interesting:



There are also official AE medallions with Roma turned to right. For example this one, unlisted in RIC but listed in Gnecchi



But I am not aware of obv. legend ROMA VRBS on any official coin (except for this engraver's error shown above).
Lech Stępniewski
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Offline SC

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2022, 08:11:46 am »
Intersting coin.  I look forward to more photos when you get it.

Lech's top coin, with its copy of a Trier mint mark, is typical of imitations from the West.

But your coin has really good style.  And imitations in Egypt at this time were primarily cast - maybe there are a few struck that I am not aware of but 4th century coins were being cast in their millions. 

The one Dominic posted is very similar.

I wonder if it was just poor quality control at the mint.  A mint full of Greek speakers and trying to run 15 officinae.  Maybe a couple of such blundered dies were made and struck for a while before they were found.

Or maybe they are unofficial copies but by regular mint staff.  But it seems to be a lot work though especially when cast copies are the norm...

SC
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(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Offline Frans Diederik

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2022, 09:22:16 am »
Thank you gentlemen for your input so far; I am not a specialist in LRB coins, but I have received the coin and can tell you some more: the patina and the encrustrations are OK, so it is no modern forgery. It measures 16.5 mms and weighs 1.37 grams. It belongs to the last issue then, between 335 and 337 AD. ( RIC 113) The pictures I made are not perfect (dust) but can be enlarged. It is an enigmatic beauty!

Frans

Offline Lech Stępniewski

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Re: Very special VRBS ROMA from Antioch
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2022, 11:43:45 am »
It is an enigmatic beauty!

Interesting coin, good style (however, somehow strange is the absence of plume on helmet). But I am still inclined to regard this coin as an ancient imitation = not official.
Lech Stępniewski
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Poland

 

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