Mislabeled Roman coin?
This coin came labeled as an Antoninianus from Diocletian, but I have some doubts.
Obverse: (?)IENVS AVG
Reverse: DIA(?) (?)S AVG
At the bottom of the reverse, XI is readable.
Any ideas if it might be a different coin? Also, should the coin be cleaned or left as is? Is the green patina or damage? Thanks!
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Hi Ludwig --
Some searching in my database produced this Antoninianus coin with stag. Here's the auction description from 2010:
Classical Numismatic Group > Electronic Auction 225
Lot number: 440
Price realized: 145 USD (Approx. 100 EUR / 89 GBP / 148 CHF)
Roman Imperial Coinage from the White Mountain CollectionGallienus. AD 253-268. AR Antoninianus (19mm, 2.47 g, 5h). Rome mint, 10th officina. 10th emission, AD 267-268. GALLIEN VS AVG, radiate head right / DIANAE C[O] NS AVG, stag advancing right; X. RIC V 179; MIR 36, 745t; RSC 157. Good VF, brown surfaces, small flan crack. Exceptional for issue.
As far as I know, the green discoloration is called verdigris. Wikipedia: Verdigris is the common name for a green pigment obtained through the application of acetic acid to copper plates or the natural patina formed when copper, brass or bronze is weathered and exposed to air or seawater over time. It is usually a basic copper carbonate, but near the sea is a basic copper chloride.
I have heard -- but I have never tried it -- that verdigris can be removed by soaking the coin in olive oil for a long time.
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Paul Richards
Thank you! I suspected it was a Gallienus and not a Diocletian Antoninianus, but I wanted to be sure... One doubt though, would it be a stag? It also looks pretty similar to an antelope... I guess that is already too hard to determine with the verdegris and the wear.
As for the verdegris, since I am no expert and don't want to ruin a coin, I think it is best I leave it like that... unless it gets worse over time, of course.
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Hi Ludwig --
I forgot to post a picture of the coin I described. Sorry. Here it is. To me, it looks like your coin.
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Paul Richards Thanks! Right, the radiate crown is a giveaway that it is an Antoninianus, the lettering matches... I shall be writing that down
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