VRBS ROMA - A or Delta?

[Danny S. Jones]

Here are two coins, but the same question: is the first character of the mintmark in the exergue an  or  ?

I'm leaning toward the  since it is a very common mintmark, as opposed to the  officinae, but as you might have already guessed, I'm not sure. 

From what I've seen, a lot of the  's look like an . These both kinda look like  's to me, but then again.. yup, you guessed it... that's why I'm asking.

Thanks,
Danny

[antvwala]

I believe that this is a delta. But it is often very difficult to distinguish between A and Delta: the best, when possible, is to compare the letter with the A dell'esergo of Vrbs ROME.
In this other case that post below, it seemed impossible to distinguish between the A and Delta and I came to the conclusion that the letters from the Oficina is ... the communist symbol!     


(from: http://www.imperio-numismatico.com/periodo-romano-f3/conmemorativa-vrbs-roma-smka-t6168.htm )

[laud]

Delta

[Danny S. Jones]

I added a poll to see what the general consensus is.

[Oak]

I have the same coin with the same problem 

[Abu Galyon]

If one really can't decide - which, I think, is the case with both examples here - then it must be good methodology to assume the coin belongs to the more common variant.

Bill R

[antvwala]

This is an example of A in Siscia. The letter in exergue is identical to A in Vrbs Roma. In Siscia, A is similar to  .
Antvwala

[Danny S. Jones]

Comparing the characters to the A on your coin, and looking at a few others I have from the Siscia mint, I'm going to have to say that the top coin is definitely A, the bottom might very well be a Delta. I'm going to try to clean it some more to get more detail.

Thanks,
Danny

[antvwala]

This is an example of  in Siscia. The letter in exergue is different to A in Vrbs Roma. In Siscia,  is similar to A .
Antvwala

[Danny S. Jones]

Now I'm really bummed, cause I really can't see the difference in your A and your delta.

I'm gonna take these two guys out and do some cleaning right now. I've just gotta know.

[antvwala]

I agree with you that it is very difficult to distinguish between A and Delta. That's why I always appear with the letter A in exergue VrbsRoma.

[Danny S. Jones]

I brushed, I picked, I scraped with my scalpel. I even threw them in the ultrasonic tank. It has all become clear! The one option that no one chose in the poll is what I believe the coins actually are.  The first one is an , the second is a  . Seen side by side, there is no mistaking the two... at least not these two. Sheer elbow grease and determination has saved the day.

"These aren't all that great," you might say. "Why do I care?", you might ask. Well since you asked, I'll tell you. For one, these two coins (and about 5 others) are the only attributable coins in the last uncleaned lot I got - of 75 coins. It was terrible. The worst junk I've ever got. And secondly (since you asked) is that the Delta officina is rather hard to come by and I didn't have one yet.

Check out this picture and see what you think. Am I correct?