Old coin unknown

bobabbey

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #1

I found this in a small box of coins from my great aunt. I have no clue what it is.
Can someone help me out here?
Thanks,
Bob

 

achaios

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #2

It definitely is a memorial issue for Claudius. Which one, I'm not exactly sure, but I think it may have been part of an issue of Constantine I (the Great), when he was trying to support his claim of family ties to Claudius II Gothicus (who died of plague) and the throne. If it is a small coin (dime sized), I would go this route.

If it is a larger, thick coin, I would have to guess it was a memorial issue of Claudius I, possibly issued by Nero (whose mother poisoned Claudius, IIRC).

Can you tell us the diameter of the coin?

-- Tom

 

The Fever

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #3

Its an ancient Roman coin. I think its a repoduction though.

 

bobabbey

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #4

It's just a wee bit smaller than a penny.

 

achaios

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #5

That size would make it Claudius II. Again it's a memorial issue (DIVO I think means that he is being deified). And, it is NOT a reproduction. The portrait is similar to one I have, so that's why I think it was part of Constantine I's issue. I believe Claudius II died of plague during the german campaigns.

-- Tom

 

bobabbey

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #6

Thank you for the excellent information.
Any clue what the value might be?

 

bobabbey

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• Feb 22, 2011

• #7

http://cgi.ebay.com/Claudius-II-Gothicus-Quinarius-Death-Issue-ROMAN-COIN_W0QQitemZ180620785665QQcategoryZ4734QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D2%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7276717366089973916#ht_3261wt_1157

This looks similar on the reverse.

 

achaios

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• Feb 23, 2011

• #8

It looks like you found a match. However, I don't think the denomination "quinarius" was being used at the time it was minted. The follis was the new denomination, replacing the denarius and the quinarius (half denarius). It's a nice coin, and a bit on the scarce side, but because of the poor condition of the reverse, is kind of hard to put a value on. My best wild guess: $20 - $30, tops.

-- Tom