FORVM`s Classical Numismatics Discussion Board

Resources => Ancient and Medieval Coin Identification Help => Topic started by: Jeremy Y on September 17, 2019, 09:27:08 pm

Title: Need help finding RIC# on an Antoninus Pius coin
Post by: Jeremy Y on September 17, 2019, 09:27:08 pm

The details on this coin are fairly clear.  The only instances of the reverse legend (PROVIDEN-TI AVG) or similar variants I could find were on Claudius II and Carausius coins.  I would appreciate any insight into the identity of this coin.

Weight: 2.45g
Diameter: 18.5mm
Metal: billon?  something silvered?

Obv legend:  (ant)  __ONINVS AVG PI-VS PP TRP COS III
the head is laureated and facing right


Rev legend: PROVIDEN-TI AVG

The reverse shows Providentia standing left, left elbow resting on column, holding sceptre in her left hand, point with her right hand, globe at feet.  I'm not sure what the little bead of metal is above the globe, but it is not an "S" as there is no "C" in the right field.

Title: Re: Need help finding RIC# on an Antoninus Pius coin
Post by: helvetica on September 18, 2019, 08:39:38 pm

If it's silver, it would not have S-C which is normally - at this period - only found on bronze coins, because the emperors needed permission from the Senate to strike bronze coins, which the SC essentially means ("The Senate has been consulted").
There is nothing in RIC or BMCRE with just PROVIDENTI AVG and no PROVIDENTIA AVG types for Ant. Pius. (I cannot see COS III at the end of the obv. legend, I can only see COS I or possibly COS II.)
It could be a modern copy using an obverse from Ant. Pius and the reverse of, for example, Carausius, as the lettering does look peculiar and the quality control was generally excellent during the time of Ant. Pius.

Title: Re: Need help finding RIC# on an Antoninus Pius coin
Post by: Jeremy Y on September 19, 2019, 06:56:43 pm

Thanks for your response.  Your right that the obv and rev fonts are different and the lettering is poor.  Was still hoping there was a chance the coin would be genuine. 

Title: Re: Need help finding RIC# on an Antoninus Pius coin
Post by: Arados on September 20, 2019, 01:56:57 am

Any chance of seeing an image of the coins edge ?

I see what appears to be patches of bronze, possible fourree ?

Title: Re: Need help finding RIC# on an Antoninus Pius coin
Post by: Jeremy Y on September 20, 2019, 01:50:33 pm

It's nice how the forums autolinked "fourree" to a page describing fourree. 

The first picture shows it the best.  There do appear to be more spots of bronze showing through on the edge. There also appears to be seams where the silver ends. 

Thanks!