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: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.  (Read 1187 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Douglas B2

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 97
Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« on: August 21, 2019, 09:21:49 am »
Hi All,

I am trying to educate myself on recognizing features on ancient coins so I can attribute coins without having to ask for assistance all the time.  I found a coin that has a reverse that I haven't seen before.  Can someone please tell me what this reverse is?  My first guess is an altar of some sort (with wreath and amphora), but I have yet to find one like it online.  I also thought curule chair, but that just doesn't look right.

Thanks for the help.
Doug

Offline shanxi

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 3031
    • My gallery
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2019, 09:41:58 am »
Table with vase/jug and a wreath (as e.g. on the Trajan Semis or some greek coins)

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2019, 10:41:05 am »
We can do much more with photos of both sides, size, and weight if possible.

Offline Douglas B2

  • Praetorian
  • **
  • Posts: 97
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2019, 06:03:32 pm »
Table with vase/jug and a wreath (as e.g. on the Trajan Semis or some greek coins)

Thank you for you help on this.  I appreciate it.

We can do much more with photos of both sides, size, and weight if possible.

I completely understand this.  I was not attempting to identify this particular coin.  I was just trying to get the "common" name of this reverse.  I am working on a personal list for my use to help me identify coins as I get them for my collection.  I also am building a "bucket list" for coins of reverses that I really like.  I have collected ancients off and on for some time.  With the exception of one area of collecting, I almost exclusively collect for eye catching reverses (at least to me).

Offline Joe Sermarini

  • Owner, President
  • FORVM STAFF
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 12102
  • All Coins Guaranteed for Eternity.
    • FORVM ANCIENT COINS
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2019, 09:51:39 am »
I have been looking at ancient coins almost everyday for over 20 years and I did not recognize this worn reverse.  It is impossible to get to know every type well enough to recognize them all in this worn state. One of the nice things about this discussion is that when you post a coin like this, very often at least one member will recognize it and help.

Good eye David.
Joseph Sermarini
Owner, President
FORVM ANCIENT COINS

Offline antoninus1

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 266
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2019, 04:05:21 pm »
I can read the upper part of the letters SC under the table.

Offline Altamura

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 2934
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2019, 05:26:16 am »
For this approach the six volumes of Leo Anson, "Numismata graeca - Greek coin-types, classified for immediate identification", London 1910-1916, might help:
https://archive.org/search.php?query=Greek%20coin-types%2C%20classified%20for%20immediate%20identification

About hundred years old, but still useful  :) .

Regards

Altamura

Offline OldMoney

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1289
  • My Site! www.oldmoney.com.au
    • Walter Holt's Old Money
Re: Trying to learn features on ancient coins.
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2019, 01:12:49 pm »
It is, as shanxi indicated, a coin like this one:
https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-10559
But do heed djmacdo's valuable and sage advice, and submit BOTH sides of the
coin, as well as the diameter and weight, otherwise you may be hamstringing the
entire process (ie: making it unnecessarily more difficult).
Good luck with your ongoing learning adventures.

- Walter
Coins of Ephesus
https://groups.yahoo.com/group/ephesuscoins
Walter Holt's Old Money - Ancient Coins
https://www.oldmoney.com.au
Sydney, Australia

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity