<![CDATA[Ancients.info - The Online Resource for Ancient Coins & Antiquities]]> http://www.ancients.info/forums en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:37:01 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.ancients.info/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Ancients.info - The Online Resource for Ancient Coins & Antiquities]]> http://www.ancients.info/forums Odd Probus attribution in Triton XIII http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2795&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:15:10 GMT The following coin is offered in Triton XIII. Image: http://www.cngcoins.com//photos/enlarged/83001514.jpg It is attributed as... The following coin is offered in Triton XIII.



It is attributed as "R(crescent)*(crescent)B. RIC V 204 var. (no crescents mintmark); Pink VI/1, p. 56 var. (same)". This seems bizarre to me. The supposed crescent marks are the wheels of the quadriga making the coin R * B in exe.

Comments?
Martin ]]> Roman maridvnvm http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2795 Provincials of Saloninus http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2794&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:28:09 GMT Hi folks, Third century provincials are not exactly familiar territory for me so perhaps I can enlist some help. Can anyone tell me how common... Hi folks,

Third century provincials are not exactly familiar territory for me so perhaps I can enlist some help. Can anyone tell me how common issues of Saloninus minted at Pisidian Antioch are? I am assuming that there were some. Regarding Saloninus issues, I have been told that inscriptions are commonly blundered, and that "IMP" on coins of Saloninus signifies Saloninus as Augustus even if AVG is not on the flan. Still other sources say that there may be no more than 20 bonified Saloninus as Augustus issues and these were issued over only a few months, all coming from mints in France. Can anyone shed light on the above? Thanks in advance!

Dave ]]> Roman Provincial Lycaonian http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2794 Clearly a CLARITAS - a new London mint coin http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2793&goto=newpost Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:25:21 GMT I have rather a soft spot for CLARITAS types of London. They are quite scarce and can be found for Constantine the Great, Crispus and Constantine II,... I have rather a soft spot for CLARITAS types of London. They are quite scarce and can be found for Constantine the Great, Crispus and Constantine II, although as a type it was supposedly the reverse of choice for Constantine II. Occasionally, they can be found lurking amongst the usual SOLI INVICTO COMITI types in hoard groups and can be bought at the SOLI price. Not often, though! I recently spotted this little coin on eBay at a starting price of 1€. I was, of course, hoping that no-one else had spotted it. Unfortunately, there was one other alert person around and the price went up to 50€. The coin is unlisted in RIC VII, should come after RIC 101 and is number 134 in my preliminary list. I know of two other examples. However, the interesting thing about this example is the reverse legend that is REIPVBLICE (sic) rather than REIPVBLICAE CLARITAS. This doesn't seem to be caused by the engraver running out of space so probably just a typo!

This and other unlisted and unusual London mint coins can be found on my blog:

http://thelondonmintofconstantine.blogspot.com/
Attached Images
File Type: jpg RIC VII 101A Toone prelim 134.jpg (66.2 KB)
]]> Roman leetoone http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2793 Questionable Venetian Coins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2792&goto=newpost Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:50:39 GMT Folks,

I have a puzzlement. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to acquire a total of six examples of a Venetian "ducat" I was led to believe was part of a hoard of Venetian coins found somewhat recently (no, I don't have any other information other than that). Here are three examples, in different states of wear, of the six and all six come from the same pair of dies.







Italian States-Venice, Venetian Duke of Crete, in the name of Antonio Venier as Doge (1382-1400), Gilt Imitative Ducat, Aegean Island Mint (Possibly Chios)
ANTO : VENERIO .-. S . M . VENETI .
Doge kneeling left before nimbate St. Mark standing right, both holding pendant flag between them, D / V / X in center field
. SIT . T . XPE . DAT ' : O ' : TV-REGIS . ISTE . DVCAT ' .
Christ, nimbate, standing facing within oval and surrounded by stars, book of Gospels in left hand, right hand raised in benediction
Plain Edge
21mm, 2.54g, Silver with Gold overlay
Type of Paolucci 37.1

Note: Alan Stahl, in his phenomenal book, "Zecca, The Mint of Venice in the Middle Ages", on pp.235-242 discusses the problem of counterfeiting of ducats. Especially interesting is the section on pp.241-2 about the Venetian Duke of Crete and the acknowledgement of the problems of gilt ducats circulating on par with true ducats. The Chalkis Hoard of Torneselli contained 4% of forgeries of Antonio Veneri, along with 2% of Michele Steno (1400-1413) and 1% of Tomaso Mocenigo (1414-1423).

Some notes - the flans are all different, with different striations in the fields. The edges on all of them are clipped. They appear to be and ring as though they are of good silver. The weight range of the six is 2.52g to 2.57. Venetian ducats, however, are in the 3.50g range. Venetian grossi (silver) are completely different design and are around 1.97g during the reign of Antonio Venier. So...what are these? Modern fakes painstakingly produced to look like imitation ducats with gilding? I've not seen any other examples outside of these six pieces in the past five or so months. Here is an example of a debased Chios mint ducat for comparison.



CRUSADER.GREECE.Island of Chios or uncertain Aegean area.Debased gold Ducat
( 3.39g, 22mm, 9h).
Struck in imitation of Venetian ducat after Doge Andrea Dandalo ( AD 1343-1354) but with blundered legends and letters sideways or retrograde.
AvNv DAKDVIO DVX S N VEIETI, Doge kneeling before St.mark.
Reverse.SITT XPE DAT O TV - K(retrograde) OIO ISTE DVCAT, Christ standing in mandorla surrounded by nine stars.
Ref:Schl.XII.24.
Good very fine,obverse struck from rusty die.Obverse soft strike.
Image courtesy Pavlos S. Pavlou in his VCoins store.

And now here is an example, from the same pair of dies (!) of an official mint product of Venice:



Image courtesy Cayón Auction, June 2009, Lot 873.

The description does not list the weight, so no help there. Interesting though - the beading, which is sharp on most of mine, is missing on the gold specimen. So, is there someone out there producing fake Venetian products and dispersing them saying they came from a hoard? Is the gold example authentic? I haven't run across any fake reports of Venetian coins this year, so I'm stumped.

--Zach Beasley ]]> Authenticity BeastCoins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2792 Best books for beginning Byzantine collector?? http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2791&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:41:32 GMT I know my questions here have been all over the place, but I went to the Tennessee Numismatic show in Chattanooga this weekend (my first big coin... I know my questions here have been all over the place, but I went to the Tennessee Numismatic show in Chattanooga this weekend (my first big coin show of over twenty tables!!) and discovered that Byzantine bronzes are strangely attractive (several M folli, one anonymous folli, and a VERY clear tiny Hericlitus ten nummi piece now have a new home!!).

I want to learn more & already have Mr. Sayles' Vol. V book.

So, What are the Best books for beginning Byzantine collector?? I plan to get the Sears Byzantine & the Speedy ID book. What else?? Anything online??

Thanks, Bill ]]> Byzantine Curio Bill http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2791 Special Annual Liquidation of Inventory http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2790&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:47:16 GMT Hi,

Each year between October and December, we have a Special Annual Liquidation of Ancient Coins & Antiquities Inventory where our goal is to clear out inventory to our global client-dealer/distributors & collectors in order to receive new inventory early next year.


We have currently available for sale:

1.) Very special Egyptian Bronze Bastet two statuettes found together, one sitting, one standing. For the most serious of serious connoiseur-collectors and/or -dealers. A very special collection of two Bastets Museum-Pieces found together.

2.) Various Attributed Lots of ancient coins:

-- various qualities of Widow's Mites (premium, moderate-to high, moderate, and low), as well as 100% Cornucopia WM lots upon request.

-- Procurators of Judea (mostly Herod Agrippa, but also coins of the following Tetrarch, Procurators, and Prefects: Herod Antipas, Antoninus Felix, Porcius Festus, Valerius Gratus, Marcus Ambibulus + possibly some others).

-- Masada (First Jewish Revolt against the Romans ca. 70 A.D.) coins.

-- Pontius Pilate coins.

-- as well as many other attributed coin types in small lots, as available.

Including **not only Bronze**, but also very special Silver and Gold VIP coin collections that are available only as complete collections for the serious collector.

3.) Two qualities of "uncleaned"/unattributed mixed varieties in hoards:

A.) premium-quality uncleaned, and
B.) low/avg-quality uncleaned.

These hoards are mixed varieties of unattributed/"uncleaned" mostly Romans, Byzantines, Greeks, Seleucids, Ptolemies, Judeans, Islamic, Phoenicians, Nabateans, Persians, etc. i.e. all the cultures and peoples and empires that minted coins and traded and/or controlled this one-of-a-kind unique land bridge of Asia, Europe, and Africa that is the HolyLand. Currently 12,000 premiums available, and 14 kilograms low/avg-quality. Premiums available per-coin; Low/avg-quality are available per kilogram, approx. 500 coins per kilogram, buyer is responsible to pull out coins from the coin chips + ancient artifacts + other junk/artifacts that remain in these hoards of low/avg-quality along with the coins and coin-chips. APPROX. 500 coins per kg = approx. 1.00 USD /coin for normal price of 500 USD /kg. SALE PRICE: 450 USD /kg, minimum purchase 5kg, = approx. 0.90 USD /coin.

PREMIUM Q - Price List:

500 coins - SALE PRICE: 3.80 USD /coin
1000 coins - SALE PRICE: 3.40 USD /coin
2000 coins - SALE PRICE: 3.20 USD /coin
3000 coins - SALE PRICE: 3.00 USD /coin
4000 coins - SALE PRICE: 2.80 USD /coin
5000 coins - SALE PRICE: 2.60 USD /coin

These coins sell for incredibly high profit margins when attributed, identified, and resold individually. Coins purchased for 2.60 USD /coin, and then sold EVEN IN WORST-CASE SCENARIO for 5 or 10 USD /coin liquidation price, this is 100 - 200% profit margin. The vast majority of coins are sold at average price of 20-40-60 USD /coin, and often are found and sold by our distributors very special treasure "cherries" of coins for much more (e.g. 400 USD). The only reason we don't do this ourselves is b/c of the strict requirement of Export Approval for each export, so to do so for individual coins burns up the profit in gas + time + complementary express shipping costs - we export ancient coins only in bulk, i.e. hoards or small lots.

4.) Ancient Oil Lamps: in several types, Available in bulk. Collections of 10 Herodian for 70 USD /lamp (= 700 USD) is popular as personal, individual imports to decorate a house walkway or poolside or jacuzzi. Very simple to use: simply soak a fabric or wick in olive oil, fill the lamps with olive oil, place the wick/rolled-fabric and light. Provides light just as the ancients would have had it.

A.) Herodian (Time of Jesus),
B.) Byzantine,
C.) Greek/Hellenistic,
D.) + special, more rare oil lamp types.

5.) Egyptian & Canaanite Scarab Seals. Approx. 150 currently available. Special dealer's price for bulk purchase: select any 100 of your choice, and pay only 100 USD per scarab-seal. Prices per other smaller quantities dependent upon specific scarabs selected and total quantity.

6.) Mesopotamian Cylinder Seals. Approx. 10-20 currently available.

7.) Persian (Luristan) Swords, Daggers, and other Ancient Weapons and Armor: Approx. 15-20 currently available. Various qualities and decorations and styles.

8.) Ancient Rings. Quality ranges from the common inexpensive ancient bent and/or broken items, qualities in-between with various original semi-precious stones sometimes found in these rings, to the serious rare items of fine ancient jewelry for serious collectors.

9.) Egyptian, Roman, Sabaean, Israelite, Canaanite, Greek + other Ancient Statues, Statuettes, Figurines, and Ancient Idols. We literally have dozens available, for every budget and taste, depending upon tastes and budget - from tiny ancient figurines, to larger pieces that are displayed well on center-room tables, or discreetly in the corner of one's office or home.

All of our ancient coins and antiquities come with Certificate of Authenticity, as well as Export Approval legal documentation from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

All of our prices include complementary, express 4-7 day secure, global, trackable delivery on our account.

Place your order now in order to receive by Late November / Early December and in time for the 3.5 weeks prior to Christmas global winter-gift-giving season. And prepare some of your stock for 1st-quarter which is 2nd-strongest of economic growth after 4th quarter, traditionally, every year. It is better to be prepared with supply and make a serendipitous profit, than to miss the boat when unexpected 4th-quarter global sales will pleasantly surprise economists in 1st-quarter 2010, GOD-willing.

Please let us know asap your interest, and we will put together package according to your tastes, needs, market-demand, and budget.

As we have over 20,000+ items in inventory, the above is just an indicative (i.e. not all-inclusive) list of some sample items we have available. If you would like to see more items of a specific type, or if you wish to inquire about a specific item, please send us message via direct e-mail or telephone.

Our goal is to do business and move inventory this pre-holiday season in 4th-quarter, so we will consider all fair offers.

Some of what we have available:

(coins):
http://zzancientart.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9

(non-coins, i.e. individual antiquities):
http://zzancientart.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

kindest regards,

GOD bless you,
B. Leon
Z.Z. IMPORT / EXPORT, Ltd.
Z.Z. PRECIOUS METALS, Ltd.
Z.Z. ANTIQUITIES, Ltd.
Z.Z. ANCIENT ART, Ltd.
Z.Z. ANCIENT COINS, Ltd.
Z.Z. UNCLEANED COINS, Ltd.
Z.Z. ROMAN COINS, Ltd.
Z.Z. BYZANTINE COINS, Ltd.
Z.Z. SUGARS, Ltd.
Z.Z. COMMODITIES, Ltd.
Z.Z. DIAMONDS, Ltd.
Z.Z. Financial Security and Investment, Ltd.
Jerusalem, Los Angeles ]]> Commercial Sales zzantiquities http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2790 British Museum hiring Keeper of Coins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2789&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:45:57 GMT This may just be the world's coolest job opening...

British Museum Keeper of the Department of Coins and Medals ]]> Off-topic Conversations dltcoins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2789 Trajan Dupondius transformed in a Centenionalis? http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2788&goto=newpost Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:51:51 GMT I recently sold on eBay (sorry Steve, you missed it) another curious and interesting bird; it is a harshly cleaned Trajan Dupondius, with remains of... I recently sold on eBay (sorry Steve, you missed it) another curious and interesting bird; it is a harshly cleaned Trajan Dupondius, with remains of a silver layer, and with a countermark LXXIII punched on the reverse.

Attachment 3163

I primarily thought of a Vandal countermark, used in North Africa in the 6th cent. on 1st and 2nd cent. bronzes, but these countermarks were XLII and LXXXIII for 42 and 83 Nummi. Then I recalled the bronzes of Constantius Gallus marked with LXXII in field, occuring in particular with the horserider reverse, a type very similar to the Trajan reverse.


Added to the fact that the Dupondius had been silvered at some time, this looks like much like a transformation of a Dupondius into a Centenionalis in the mid-4th cent. AD!

Jérôme


Attached Images
File Type: jpg Dup Trajan - contremarque LXXIII.jpg (76.9 KB)
File Type: jpg ae2_constance_galle_lxxii.jpg (58.1 KB)
]]> Roman Roma_Orbis http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2788 Aelius As local imitation http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2787&goto=newpost Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:37:11 GMT Thought I had to share this weird bird; an imitation of an As of Aelius, presumed place of find is Asia minor (seller from Turkey). Obv. AELIUS... Thought I had to share this weird bird; an imitation of an As of Aelius, presumed place of find is Asia minor (seller from Turkey).
Obv. AELIUS CAESAR bare hd r.
Rev. TR POT COS II SC Spec walking l.

- the style is obviously not from Rome; portrait features resemble those of Marcus Aurelius; Spes is too big; relief is important
- Flan is slightly larger than those from time of Aelius

See below, followed by an official As of Aelius and an As of Marcus Aurelius Caesar:

Attachment 3160

Attachment 3161

Attachment 3162

Interesting curiosity; for the moment I've still not decided whether I purchase it or not.

Jérôme
Attached Images
File Type: jpg As Aélius imitation.jpg (76.8 KB)
File Type: jpg Dup Aélius - Spes.jpg (67.8 KB)
File Type: jpg As Marc-Aurèle - Minerve.jpg (65.2 KB)
]]> Roman Roma_Orbis http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2787 Roman Republic Denarius - Opinions Please http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2786&goto=newpost Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:07:04 GMT This is a coin that I have had for about 5 years and have not quite figured out exactly what it is ..... It copies a standard Roman Republic... This is a coin that I have had for about 5 years and have not quite figured out exactly what it is ..... It copies a standard Roman Republic denarius, but the features & style are a little off .... My best guess is that it is an early Celtic imitation ... But would like some other opinions. It is 18mm and 3.0 grams.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg RR.jpg (54.4 KB)
]]> Attribution Help frascatius http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2786 Zeno AV Solidi Chronology http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2785&goto=newpost Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:42:25 GMT Dear forum friends, As many know, Late Roman gold (o.k. Late Roman in general, to be honest) has fascinated me for years. One area I find extremely... Dear forum friends,

As many know, Late Roman gold (o.k. Late Roman in general, to be honest) has fascinated me for years. One area I find extremely difficult to understand the chronology and cataloguing is the development of Zeno's second reign eastern mint solidi (August 476-April 11, 491). Here is what RIC X catalogs:

Constantinople Mint, First Issue, Sole Reign:

D N ZENO P_ERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG S
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 905 (R5)
Unique - example cited is from the Hamburg, Kunsthalle collection.

Constantinople Mint, Second Issue, Joint Reign with Leo Caesar:

D N ZENO ET L_EO NOV CAES
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG (Officinae B, Gamma, E, S and Z)
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 906 (R3)

Constantinople Mint, Third Issue, Sole Reign again:

D N ZENO-PERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG (Officinae A through I and blank)
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 910 (C)

RIC 911 and 912 are the same as 910 with the exception of 911 having no frontal jewel on the diadem and 912 having a cross on the helmet or over the bust.

Constantinople Mint, Fourth Issue:

D N ZENO-PERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGT (Officinae A through I)
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 927 (R)

RIC 928 is the same, except for no frontal jewel on the diadem.

Constantinople Mint, Fifth Issue:

D N ZENO-PERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG (Officinae A through I and blank)
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 929 (C)

RIC 930 is the same, except for no frontal jewel on the diadem.

Thessalonica Mint:

D N ZENO-PERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
CONOB in exergue
RIC X, 939-942

RIC 939 with 8-pointed star in left and right fields
RIC 940 with 8-pointed star in right field
RIC 941 with 6-pointed star in left and right fields
RIC 942 with 6-pointed star in right field

The western mints are different as they have mint marks in the fields or COMOB in the exergue and therefore should not be confused with RIC 910 or 929.

Since 905 has a unique obverse legend break, 906 clearly has a joint reign legend, 912 is unique with a cross on the helmet, 927 has a T in the reverse legend and the Thessalonica issues are lacking an officina mark and have varying star designs and placements, the remaining ambiguity leaves:

RIC 910 and 911
RIC 929 and 930
RIC 940
RIC 941

Stylistically, these coins are literally all over the board. Here is an example which I had bought catalogued as 910 and resold as such.



Looking at it now, I need to fix my site as it is a 911 with no frontal jewel on diadem. Point being, it has a style typically found on Zeno solidi - relatively consistent lettering engraving, fine and moderately compact style, cross-bar on cross engraved in X pattern. Now look at this next example from my collection:



Zeno, AV Solidus, 476-491, Second Reign, Constantinople (or Salona?), Officina 1
D N ZENO-PEPR AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over right shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG A
Victory standing left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
20mm x 21mm, 4.48g
RIC X, -- (cf. RIC X, 910 for type with regular obverse legend)
Ex Byzantium Coins, VCoins, December 2006

Note: This is an extremely interesting coin. Stylistically, it certainly does fit with the issues of Constantinople during Zeno's second reign, however, the obverse legend with PEPR (Z4 legend in RIC) instead of the usual PERP (Z1) is only attested in RIC on the following solidi, all from the Milan mint under Julius Nepos: RIC X, 3227, 3234 and 3238. None of the examples plated in RIC under Julius Nepos from Milan are even remotely similar in style to this example, safely ruling out that possibility. RIC does list the Z4 legend for issues minted by Zeno from the Milan, Ravenna and Rome mints under his own name, but does not cite any examples using the legend in the listings. Another unusual attribute to observe is the shape of the top of Victory's wing - it is usually found with a flat or decending angle at the upper-base, then cresting to a point. On this specimen, the top of the wing is very rounded and the entire wing, along with the rest of the reverse is in the finest style. The crossbar on the cross is parallel engraved.

Some notes from Marc Poncin on January 18, 2007 - "Looking at the Zeno solidus, which is unusual as you have stated with those legends for Constantinople, I would especially be interested to see G. Lacam (end of Imperial Roman gold coinage) for a similar reference to your coin. When I look at the coin, it has a Dalmatian feel to it and could have been minted at Salona which became the headquarters of Julius Nepos, during his second reign, before his assassination there by Glycerius and also based there as bishop of Salona. As Julius Nepos was officially supported by the eastern emperor Zeno, it is more then reasonable Zeno would have had an engraver sent to Julius Nepos to mint coins for himself and in the name of Zeno, as Dalmatia was a vital buffer and military zone between east and west of the empire and vital and important coinage was needed to pay for the garrisons stationed there. Constantinople was too far away to assure a reliable source of income in a very volatile region at that period. The style is very different to the often crude second reign solidi of Julius Nepos but they are some rare and lovely executed second reign style solidi which points the way that an engraver from Constantinople or from the west was engaged by Nepos to strike well executed and stylistic coins which might explain your coin."

And now, let's look at an example catalogued as RIC 929 I just acquired for my collection:



Zeno, AV Solidus, 476-491, Second Reign, Constantinople, Officina 6
D N ZENO-PERP AVG
Pearl-diademed, helmeted, cuirassed bust facing, spear in right hand over shoulder, shield decorated with horseman riding down enemy in left hand
VICTORI_A AVGGG S (retrograde S)
Victory standing facing, head left, long jeweled cross in right hand
* in right field
CONOB in exergue
19mm x 21mm, 4.47g
RIC X, 929

The retrograde S is attested in RIC for 929, but not 910. However, this is the most elegant reverse style I've seen on a Zeno solidus. The obverse portrait is engraved with a more dramtically pointed chin, but that is known on other examples. The obverse legend engraving is consistent with Constantinople, but the reverse legend is oddly grandiose. The I is crowded by the cross and very disproportionate to the rest of the legend. The crossbar on the cross is engraved with curved lines instead of parallel or X pattern - something which stands out against the plated examples in RIC from all mints. There are two pellets above the cross, which can be found on some other examples. Victory's wing is engraved with the utmost of care, the feathers layering and blending in the most believable manner.

So, is this an example of a Constantinople mint die? Is it perhaps an unknown mint? Or possibly Vandalic or Ostrogothic?

Is there some research which has been published, showing the progression of Zeno's portraiture or lettering style to suggest in which emission coins fall?

Thanks for the time allowing me to ramble a bit and get my thoughts "down on paper".

--Zach Beasley ]]> Roman BeastCoins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2785 Detectorist finds £1M hoard of Celtic gold torcs! http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2784&goto=newpost Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:27:51 GMT Breaking news: *Man finds treasure estimated to be worth of £1 million* (http://bit.ly/HsCeE) Breaking news: Man finds treasure estimated to be worth of £1 million ]]> Celtic dltcoins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2784 Weidauer translation project http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2783&goto=newpost Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:07:29 GMT Lisa Weidauer's 1975 book Probleme der frühen Elektronprägung (Problems in Early Electrum Coinage) is one of the standard references, frequently used in coin attributions, for what are arguably the world's first coins. Many of us know enough German to understand auction catalogs but not books such as this one.

The project to translate Dr. Weidauer's book, announced here and elsewhere earlier, is now complete. If you're interested in obtaining for $20 a copy of the translation, read on.

This past April I asked about a half dozen European auction houses if they knew of Dr. Weidauer and how to contact her, and if so to forward to her my email inquiry about having her book translated into English. I received a cooperative response from Münzen & Medaillen, which graciously indicated they would write her a letter and enclose a print-out of my email. Dr. Weidauer responded to me via email in May.

I had asked Dr. Weidauer's permission for a group of us to have her 114-page book, still important 34 years later, translated into English so we could better understand her thinking about this fascinating subject. She replied, in part, "I am glad to hear that my book is used and of course a translation into English will be much easier for you. I'm quite willing to give the permission." An effort to contact the publisher went unanswered, with the publisher perhaps wondering, understandably, why we were bothering them about a book that has been out of print for more than a quarter of a century.

The next step was finding a translator. To make a long story shorter, Dane Kurth, widely known online as the current administrator of the online auction archive service Wildwinds.com, agreed to take on the task (thanks to Bruce Nesset for the suggestion). Dane did a marvelous job, truly outstanding, not only handling the translation, including the numismatic terms, but also retaining the same pagination of the original (she placed some of the shorter footnotes into the body of the text and others at the end of the particular page) and even incorporating into the text small scans of the Lydian script of coin legends. I did some copyediting/proofreading afterward. I don't expect Dane to be terribly eager to do another project like this as she said when finished that she was glad it was over! Kudos again to Dane for her efforts.

We have two versions of the translation, one in an early Microsoft Word (1.x) format so it will be widely accessible, the other a PDF version for anybody who can't read or import the Word file (all you need for PDF files is Adobe Reader, which is a free download). The Word and PDF files, which contain the same information, are of the text and the catalog (descriptions of coins illustrated in plates) of the book. Not included are scans of the 29 plates of coin and other photos.

This effort was never intended as a republication of this book, just a translation aimed at people who have already bought it and want to better understand it. That's what I asked permission for, and that's what I received. The translation therefore will primarily be useful to people who already have Probleme der frühen Elektronprägung. If you don't have the book, you should be able to find a copy from an ancient numismatic bookseller.

The way Dane and I decided to set this up was for me to handle responding to inquiries, receiving payments, and emailing out her translation. This is not a for-profit effort but an expense-sharing effort. I don't know exactly how many people will want this translation, though after putting out feelers earlier this year it appears that it will be relatively few. So we decided to set a fee of $20 for anybody who wants a copy of the translation emailed to them. This is an email-only project. I won't be able to mail out printed pages. For payment PayPal is preferred, and payment must be in American dollars.

If you'd like to purchase a copy, let me know if you want a Word DOC file (3.2 MB in size) or Adobe PDF file (1.4 MB in size) by sending an email to:

weidauerproject@gmail.com

For early electrum buffs, you'll likely find some material in Dr. Weidauer's book you agree with and some you disagree with. I did.

Perhaps others might consider similar efforts to translate other key books in their specialty areas. Like putting up numismatic Web sites, I look at translation projects as a good way of spreading numismatic knowledge and enjoyment. ]]> Publications reidgold http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2783 please help me to estimate these coins http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2781&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:42:55 GMT please,i bougth these coins, but i faced some problem when i make search in archive.please i want help me to estimate these coins, and found it i:) n... please,i bougth these coins, but i faced some problem when i make search in archive.please i want help me to estimate these coins, and found it i:) n archive.



MR_Hani :)
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]]> Attribution Help hani.t.h http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2781 bronze coin identification http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2782&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:08:04 GMT Image: http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac6/excalibrate/SANY0187.jpg Image: http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac6/excalibrate/SANY0186.jpg ...



ANY INFORMATION WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED ]]> Attribution Help excalibrate http://www.ancients.info/forums/showthread.php?t=2782