Roman Coin Found At Gun Show!

Centsless Detecting · Aug 15, 2020

Hello Tnet. Went to gun show today. Only thing I pulled the trigger on today was this Roman Coin. This was the nicer one of the two. Figured when is the next time I'll see one of these? I know I'll probably never dig one. It was $20 maybe over paid but hey its mine. Can anyone ID this coin? I'd like to know about how old it is. It's such a cool feeling holding something so old. I took it out of the sleeve for the pics and put it right back. Enjoy, thanks for looking and happy hunting everyone!

smokeythecat · Aug 15, 2020

It is indeed a Roman bronze coin. This type of bust is generally 3rd to 4th century AD. They are finding thousands of them in England, and across western Europe. Several different emporers used that spiked crown design. There are books speciallizing in them.

Red-Coat · Aug 15, 2020

I love handling ancient coins. Enjoy yours... it's not going to come to much harm from more handling than it's already had.

It looks to me like it's Gallienus (Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus). Emperor from AD 253-260 jointly with his father Valerian, and then solo until AD 268. The reverse is a little obscured but I'm pretty sure its Pax (Roman goddess of peace) holding an olive branch and a sceptre. Officina (mint workshop) marks around her.

You haven't given a diameter or weight but it looks to be either a bronze antoninianus or denarius.

Imfishboy · Aug 15, 2020

Not to bust anyone's bubble, but there are counterfit roman coins out there. Not saying this could be one. Have an expert check it out. $20 is an extremely cheap price for a coin like that. Just saying?

smokeythecat · Aug 15, 2020

The silvers and gold ones are faked, this kind, not so much. It looks original, I have had quite a few in the past. Check for them on a site like Ebay for a similar one and check the pricing.

against the wind · Aug 15, 2020

At a gun show??
You think the Roman's had guns?
Congratulations

Red-Coat · Aug 15, 2020

Imfishboy said:
Not to bust anyone's bubble, but there are counterfit roman coins out there. Not saying this could be one. Have an expert check it out. $20 is an extremely cheap price for a coin like that. Just saying?

I have to disagree. You can pick them up in that condition here for under $5 (equivalent). Gallienus is one of the more commonly found emperors. It's not the kind of coin anyone would bother to fake... at least not in that condition.

jewelerguy · Aug 15, 2020

I think ancient Roman coins are awesome. They are what got me interested in detecting when I was a kid and my uncle found some with his detector when he lived in England while stationed there with the US Air Force. Him showing me those coins and letting me hold them was really something special to 11 year old me. I'll never get to dig any but they will always be cool to me

Centsless Detecting · Aug 15, 2020

Thanks for the interest everyone and thank you redcoat for the ID. I dont have a scale at home but it is very thin and about the size of a US penny. If you zoom in on the bust side you can see some spots flaking off with some nice green patina. I doubt verry much it is fake. This gun show was more like a gun flee market with lots of antiques, knives, war memorabilia and yes lots of coins. Made for an intersting afternoon. Roman coins were not even on my radar today lol. My brothers friend bought a Nazi Luger. Made from a few different guns but its a shooter and man what a neat find in and of itself.

CRUSADER · Aug 16, 2020

Red-Coat said:
I have to disagree. You can pick them up in that condition here for under $5 (equivalent). Gallienus is one of the more commonly found emperors. It's not the kind of coin anyone would bother to fake... at least not in that condition.

Agreed over-paid. I wouldn't even buy that real coin for £1.
Its been IDed by Red-Coat.

pepperj · Aug 16, 2020

CRUSADER said:
Agreed over-paid. I wouldn't even buy that real coin for £1.
Its been IDed by Red-Coat.

Cru you have to look at it as "Only in America" that these prices are achieved.
Imagine what your collection is worth now...

Westfront · Aug 16, 2020

Overpriced or not, you like it and it was worth $20 to you. Enjoy your find! :icon_thumleft:

How much paid your brothers friend for the Luger? Just asking...

Centsless Detecting · Aug 16, 2020

Westfront said:
Overpriced or not, you like it and it was worth $20 to you. Enjoy your find!
How much paid your brothers friend for the Luger? Just asking...

My thoughts exactly. Thinking about all that's happened in the time since it was made while holding it its a remarkable feeling. Almost like a mental time machine.

In regards to the Luger it was $1000 US. Because it was a non numbers matching piece. The barrel had the swastikas and eagles on it however. He bought it with intentions to use it.

Westfront · Aug 16, 2020

TheMilDetector said:
In regards to the Luger it was $1000 US. Because it was a non numbers matching piece. The barrel had the swastikas and eagles on it however. He bought it with intentions to use it.

I don't tell for what i had to sell my really nice 1937 numbers matching 08...

Professor of Engineering · Aug 16, 2020

Very cool coin! :occasion14:

40 Rounds · Aug 16, 2020

Roman coin values are all over the board. If you're happy with it and comfortable with what you paid for it congrats. A great website for information on coins and purchasing especially ancient ones is listed below.

https://www.vcoins.com