Looking (TOO) Closely

A little quiz for the fun of it

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Previously , I posted a page on the use of a microscope in examining ancient coins. This page revisits that subject but just for fun. No attempt is made here to teach a lesson or convince the reader that a microscope is a must for the serious collector (it is, you know). Instead we will play 'whatsit?' where ordinary things look different when examined more closely than normal. Why do I do this page? Simple. This allows me to show (or show off) where I stand on digital images taken through microscopes. The images on this page are reductions (not cropped) from full size camera images taken through the two microscopes shown on my microscope page. Each has a question and answer which can be revealed by clicking and dragging the white 'answer' box to reverse video the hidden text. For those who don't want to play the guessing game, answers are there for the looking. For those who want to try, they are hidden well enough that it is unlikely they will be accidentally revealed. It is, however, necessary to control your mouse movements carefully to insure you only reveal one answer at a time in the portrait section. There is no prize and no need to write me with guesses (this is a self graded quiz). Have fun - after all that is the whole idea of having a hobby.

Question 1
	This is a close view of a detail of coin which appears on another of my pages. The image is shown correctly oriented (not rotated to be tricky). What is shown?
Answer in white box (Drag while holding (left) mouse button to reveal):	This is the head of the left facing 'mintmark' lion in exergue of an antoninianus of Aurelian. Note the wide open jaw.

Question 2
	Here we have three images from the same coin. Each contributes some bit of information that could help you ID the item. What is shown in each picture? How closely do the three images allow you to identify the coin?
Answer in white box (Drag while holding (left) mouse button to reveal):	This is an AE3 of Valentinian I with reverse Gloria Romanorum - Emperor dragging captive by the hair (right). The 'TIN' from the obverse legend (left) is a tip that the coin is Valentinian rather than Gratian who also has this reverse and letter combination. It is Siscia mint RIC (Vol. IX) 14(a) and one of the coins that requires the separate chart to sort out the complex field marks. This coin is xxx from page 143 but I did not give images of the other field letters so you could not ID it exactly from the sole evidence of the strange letter shown (center). Several coins from this series have odd letters or ligatures. The quiz here was to see if you recognized it as one of this group.

Question 3

	This is a close view of a detail of coin which appears on another of my pages. The image is shown correctly oriented (not rotated to be tricky). What is shown?
	Answer in white box (Drag while holding (left) mouse button to reveal):
	This is a turret or beacon light from a campgate reverse of Constantine I.

Question 4
	This is a close view of a detail of coin which appears on another of my pages. The image is shown correctly oriented (not rotated to be tricky). What is shown?
Answer in white box (Drag while holding (left) mouse button to reveal):	This is the head of an eagle standard from a legionary denarius of Septimius Severus.

Question 5

	This is a less close view of a reverse figure on a silver coin. Identify the figure AND the ruler on which this example appears (there is a clue that leaves only one choice!)
	Answer in white box (Drag mouse to reveal):
	Mars advances holding trophy and spear. Even though the legend on the coin is VIRTVS AVGG we know the nude figure is Mars (Virtus, a personification, is shown clothed on coins, gods are often nude). The Gamma in the lower left corner identifies the coin as from the first officina marked issue of the Philips. Officina 3 belonged to Philip II. Later officina marked issues using this type were not nearly this good silver.

Question 6

	This is a less close view of a reverse figure who stands in a temple, one of several varieties used on folles of the early 4th century. Identify the figure and the mint that issued this coin. Can you tell the ruler from this evidence?
	Answer in white box (Drag while holding (left) mouse button to reveal):
	The figure is Carthage recognized by holding fruit in both hands. The coin was issued by Maxentius at the Carthage mint but the same reverse appears on his coins in the name of Maximianus and Constantine.

How did you do? I need feedback on whether this sort of page has any value to people visiting this site. I am running short on subjects for pages that I feel qualified to cover but want to post new pages for viewing by those of you who have been visiting regularly and have seen all the old material. Is this a waste of time and space? What would make it better?

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