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A while ago I wrote a Journal entry (now a document in Scraps) about my ambition to own a Roman gold coin someday. I was never able to afford the real thing, which commonly carry mid-range, four figure price tags. But I was fairly lucky to find a gold soliuds from a later century that was by comparison priced quite reasonably. What I never expected is that at the very next local coin show I'd run across an evern better bargain. This solidus by Leo I is fifty to seventy-five years more recent than my first. And it has a less Roman-looking frontal portrait of the emperor. But such frontal portraits aren't unknown even back to the late 4th. century, and the inscription is still Latin rather than Greek. So the later solidus is just as Roman as the earlier one. Something had damaged the face of Leo though. The dealer thinks it was a flaw in the die rather than later damage. But whatever the case, it made the coin less desireable in the eys of collectors who had the money for gold coins. I was able to buy it for a "mere" $275. If you think that's not a bargain, may I remind you that gold has been as high as $800 US an ounce recently, and might be again, soon. A gold solidus weighs about a fifth of an ounce. I got the coin for about $100 over its value as metal.
One thing this coin tells us is that by the 470's the empire (what was left of it) was entirely Christian. The reverse figure is an angel (or winged Victory if you prever), carrying a long stemmed cross. A hundred and fifty years of persecution of pagans, destruction of temples, burning of sacred texts had made its point. Be Christian or else. Besides, the Greeks were always more gullible when it came to cults. Paganism would survive underground in the fallen west for a considerable time to come.
Other details of interest include the inscription in a part of the reverse side of the coin called the exergue. Just so you'll know, the exergue is the space under the thin line beneath the standing figure of the angel. You should be able to make out that it says COMOB. This meant "Comitatis Obryziacum Aurum". The second and third words referred to "fine gold", and the first to the Imperial court. Concerned with the use of local mints to fund rebellions, the later emperors reserved the right to mint gold to their own court.
One thing this coin tells us is that by the 470's the empire (what was left of it) was entirely Christian. The reverse figure is an angel (or winged Victory if you prever), carrying a long stemmed cross. A hundred and fifty years of persecution of pagans, destruction of temples, burning of sacred texts had made its point. Be Christian or else. Besides, the Greeks were always more gullible when it came to cults. Paganism would survive underground in the fallen west for a considerable time to come.
Other details of interest include the inscription in a part of the reverse side of the coin called the exergue. Just so you'll know, the exergue is the space under the thin line beneath the standing figure of the angel. You should be able to make out that it says COMOB. This meant "Comitatis Obryziacum Aurum". The second and third words referred to "fine gold", and the first to the Imperial court. Concerned with the use of local mints to fund rebellions, the later emperors reserved the right to mint gold to their own court.
Category All / All
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File Size 118.8 kB
I used to wonder this too. However, you have to think it through. (For one thing, I assume by "Ceasar" you mean the emperor of the time, Leo I, not Julius Ceaser, who died over 500 years earlier.)
Money is made for a variety of uses. Gold coins like this were almost certainly not meant for day to day exhanges. They're like a $2500 bill! Who could make change? What aureii and solidii were used for was bulk excange of large amounts of money. Need a quarter million sestertii in Trier by Tuesday, for the payroll? You didn't sent a quarter million bronze coins, you sent 2500 gold coins instead. You have to imagine these coins might usually be sealed in bags of 100 that are never opened except to ocassonally count them. Gold sovereigns were treated much the same way in Victorian England. They were sealed in waxed paper rolls, and kept in bank vaults as bullion. Now and then 2,000 or 10,000 pounds might be transferred from one bank to another in payment, but never removed from their wrappers. Possibly never even removed from their strongbox -- box and all would be moved. Still, some sovereigns, as some solidii, did circulate. A person would probably hoarde a gold coin rather than keep it in his pocket though. After all.... It's worth $1,000 or more to him.
The next issue concerns not the money but the rich. When was the last time Bill Gates, George Bush, or Ted Turner reached into his pocket and paid for a dinner or a new suit in cash, do you suppose? The answer could well be never. The rich don't usually use cash. While credit cards didn't exist in the time of the Roman emperors, there was still an army of flunkies to look after his accounts. When the emperor (or any wealthy man) wanted something, it was often just there at his elbow. Servents paid for the wine, stored it at the proper temperature in the basement, brought it up for uncorking, poured it, and washed the cup later. The wealthy man never had to think about any of this. The emperor even more so. The odds that a particular Roman gold coin was handled by anyone but the mint workers and various accounts are insignificant. Not impossible, but low enough to give it no thought. At best. Leo might have reached into a bag provided by a slave, drawn out a few solidii and gave them to a petitioner at courrt, as a reward.
A friend of mine bought something that was quite likely to have been handled by the emperor Commodus in 183 AD. It wasn't a coin, but a medallion, presented to a legionary for heroism in combat in Britain. It was a high order medal and would at least have had to have been presented by the commander of the troops. But its an intriquing possibility that the emperor himself might have been on hand to give it to the lucky bloke. Naturally, after so long its a one of the kind collectable. My frined paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500 for it!
Money is made for a variety of uses. Gold coins like this were almost certainly not meant for day to day exhanges. They're like a $2500 bill! Who could make change? What aureii and solidii were used for was bulk excange of large amounts of money. Need a quarter million sestertii in Trier by Tuesday, for the payroll? You didn't sent a quarter million bronze coins, you sent 2500 gold coins instead. You have to imagine these coins might usually be sealed in bags of 100 that are never opened except to ocassonally count them. Gold sovereigns were treated much the same way in Victorian England. They were sealed in waxed paper rolls, and kept in bank vaults as bullion. Now and then 2,000 or 10,000 pounds might be transferred from one bank to another in payment, but never removed from their wrappers. Possibly never even removed from their strongbox -- box and all would be moved. Still, some sovereigns, as some solidii, did circulate. A person would probably hoarde a gold coin rather than keep it in his pocket though. After all.... It's worth $1,000 or more to him.
The next issue concerns not the money but the rich. When was the last time Bill Gates, George Bush, or Ted Turner reached into his pocket and paid for a dinner or a new suit in cash, do you suppose? The answer could well be never. The rich don't usually use cash. While credit cards didn't exist in the time of the Roman emperors, there was still an army of flunkies to look after his accounts. When the emperor (or any wealthy man) wanted something, it was often just there at his elbow. Servents paid for the wine, stored it at the proper temperature in the basement, brought it up for uncorking, poured it, and washed the cup later. The wealthy man never had to think about any of this. The emperor even more so. The odds that a particular Roman gold coin was handled by anyone but the mint workers and various accounts are insignificant. Not impossible, but low enough to give it no thought. At best. Leo might have reached into a bag provided by a slave, drawn out a few solidii and gave them to a petitioner at courrt, as a reward.
A friend of mine bought something that was quite likely to have been handled by the emperor Commodus in 183 AD. It wasn't a coin, but a medallion, presented to a legionary for heroism in combat in Britain. It was a high order medal and would at least have had to have been presented by the commander of the troops. But its an intriquing possibility that the emperor himself might have been on hand to give it to the lucky bloke. Naturally, after so long its a one of the kind collectable. My frined paid somewhere in the neighborhood of $6,500 for it!
I did once buy a Roman coin off eBay. As it happened, the dealer I bought it from was the same guy I usually buy coins from at the local show. (He's from Calfary though, but travels to shows all year round.) I got a bit of a bargain, and he confided in me that he lost a little on the transaction. I gather he soured on selling on eBay.
Much as I tried to win other auctions on eBay, I never did. In each case someone outbid me at the last moment, and more often than not they paid more than I think it was worth.
Buying uncleaned cons is a gamble. You will probably get something interesting from the lot, but mostly you'll end up with a lot of early 4th. century and late 3rd. century bronzes of no great value, in questionable shape. I have bought uncleaned coins from a show, though. That way I can pick and choose those that look most promising. I have a pretty good eye for interesting specimens and value.
Much as I tried to win other auctions on eBay, I never did. In each case someone outbid me at the last moment, and more often than not they paid more than I think it was worth.
Buying uncleaned cons is a gamble. You will probably get something interesting from the lot, but mostly you'll end up with a lot of early 4th. century and late 3rd. century bronzes of no great value, in questionable shape. I have bought uncleaned coins from a show, though. That way I can pick and choose those that look most promising. I have a pretty good eye for interesting specimens and value.
I wanted to say I'm not looking at these coins you keep posting but you gotta know, it's really really REALLY AWSOME that you're posting these! ^_^ I did look at the Nero one though, most people don't know who he is. :3 I do of course, but I'm in History and have seen most of these already back when I was studying the topic.
Still, It's really 'that cool' that you're posting these. ^_^
Still, It's really 'that cool' that you're posting these. ^_^
Very impressive. I just prefer interesting and well manufactured statuettes. Once I figure out the process of mold making without destroying the statue in the process, I will post some of the once I have made (Like a wicked human skull that is the exact size as my own) But if I ever did do anything with coins, I wanted to do this: Buy up those fake gold coins that are non-legal tender and about the size of silver dollars. Having designed the coin as I would like to see it, I would order several thousand (a price estimate of about 2500 for 5000 Fauk-gold coins from a well known mint) and then fill as many novelty wooden chests and other vessels as I could. I just think it would rock out if I could have a room filled with "gold coins" spilling out of chests and barrels that have been "fake-topped" to appear full.
Maybe that's strange but I always enjoy things that give me a sensation I can enjoy over and over again. Can you imagine what a room like that might look like in the Xanadrome, Taral?
Maybe that's strange but I always enjoy things that give me a sensation I can enjoy over and over again. Can you imagine what a room like that might look like in the Xanadrome, Taral?
I once made up a whole bunch of fake Roman coins (gold and silver) but forming aluminum foil around real ones. I filled the foil impressions with Elmer's white glue, and when they'd hardened, glued both halves together. The result is suprisingly convincing, since Roman coins are usually a matt sivler anyway.
I'm not familiar with the fake gold coins you refer to, but have seen plenty of replicas. Most have a thin covering of gold, and the authenticity is variable. I have two or three replicas of Californian gold pieces of that sort. There are also replicas of "pirate money". Most seem to be from the same molds, but some are really good and some are just blurry. Different grades of pot metal are employed. Rarely are they plated with anything like real silver or gold, but I know of one exception.
And then there are Westland Reproductions, from Britain. These are modelled after real coins in the British Museum, and are pretty high quality. (Most have the initials WRL stamped on them somewhere to prevent fraud.) While Westland doesn't plate its silver coins in silver, its gold coins are actually are gold plated. They typically cost $3 to $5 for a single coin, or $8 to $12 for a set of three or four related coins. I have a number of sets, myself, but far from all. (Roman, Celtic, Anglo Saxon, and later British.)
There wouldn't be much liklihood of anyone who knows his coins mistaking one of WRL's for the real thing, even in those cases where the WRL initials are omitted. The're cast and the casting seam is had to miss.
I'm not familiar with the fake gold coins you refer to, but have seen plenty of replicas. Most have a thin covering of gold, and the authenticity is variable. I have two or three replicas of Californian gold pieces of that sort. There are also replicas of "pirate money". Most seem to be from the same molds, but some are really good and some are just blurry. Different grades of pot metal are employed. Rarely are they plated with anything like real silver or gold, but I know of one exception.
And then there are Westland Reproductions, from Britain. These are modelled after real coins in the British Museum, and are pretty high quality. (Most have the initials WRL stamped on them somewhere to prevent fraud.) While Westland doesn't plate its silver coins in silver, its gold coins are actually are gold plated. They typically cost $3 to $5 for a single coin, or $8 to $12 for a set of three or four related coins. I have a number of sets, myself, but far from all. (Roman, Celtic, Anglo Saxon, and later British.)
There wouldn't be much liklihood of anyone who knows his coins mistaking one of WRL's for the real thing, even in those cases where the WRL initials are omitted. The're cast and the casting seam is had to miss.
That's pretty cool information! I need to round up my links for the company that will mint you your own coins. Nice thing is that, after you get the whole cost of the private impression molds paid for and approved, you can damn well make as many as you want at a lower cost each time. I will have to design a coin for later minting.
Immediately I want to correct something, the Faux Gold is the same stuff on the Sacajawea coins as well as the new presidential dollar coins. I never liked those coins except for the fact that they look like gold and are -REALLY- fun to pay for things with. You fish out this honking hand-full of gold colored coins and go up until you have enough dollars to pay for what you wanted. You get your change but have the satisfaction of hearing these heavy coins hit the bottom of the cash-register. It's a little guilty pleasure of mine. But as for my coins, this is the metallurgical compound that they would be made out of.
At least if I get you a present for a holiday or something, I have half an idea of what to get you. Though my knowledge of coins is small, I could get you a nice specialty set or something. Perhaps one of those really nice coin collection framing kits. I don't know if you've seen these, but they come with all the material to cut your own foam and pressure settings for glass and plastic holders. That might make a nice gift...
Immediately I want to correct something, the Faux Gold is the same stuff on the Sacajawea coins as well as the new presidential dollar coins. I never liked those coins except for the fact that they look like gold and are -REALLY- fun to pay for things with. You fish out this honking hand-full of gold colored coins and go up until you have enough dollars to pay for what you wanted. You get your change but have the satisfaction of hearing these heavy coins hit the bottom of the cash-register. It's a little guilty pleasure of mine. But as for my coins, this is the metallurgical compound that they would be made out of.
At least if I get you a present for a holiday or something, I have half an idea of what to get you. Though my knowledge of coins is small, I could get you a nice specialty set or something. Perhaps one of those really nice coin collection framing kits. I don't know if you've seen these, but they come with all the material to cut your own foam and pressure settings for glass and plastic holders. That might make a nice gift...
Its a nice thought, but I like keeping my coins in cardboard folders in plastic pages in a zipper binder. I can keep them all togehter that way.
I don't think the Sasquatch dollars (I never could rember the real name) are coated with anything, though I might be wrong. I thought they were just like the Canadian Loonie, stamped out of a gold coloured alloy. The Loonie is bright and shiny, almost like gold when new. (A bit too yellowish) But after a while they turn the colour of hot mustard, a deep brownish yellow. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but they certainly don't look like gold then.
I still haven't seen any of the new dollar coins. Are we talking about real circulation dollars or just tokens sold by the mind that aren't used as real money? I know there's some sort of presidential series, but was told it was the later thing, tokens. But I'd also heard there was supposed to be yet another attempt at creating a popular dollar coin, since the Saskatchewan dollar had been something of a dud.
I don't think the Sasquatch dollars (I never could rember the real name) are coated with anything, though I might be wrong. I thought they were just like the Canadian Loonie, stamped out of a gold coloured alloy. The Loonie is bright and shiny, almost like gold when new. (A bit too yellowish) But after a while they turn the colour of hot mustard, a deep brownish yellow. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but they certainly don't look like gold then.
I still haven't seen any of the new dollar coins. Are we talking about real circulation dollars or just tokens sold by the mind that aren't used as real money? I know there's some sort of presidential series, but was told it was the later thing, tokens. But I'd also heard there was supposed to be yet another attempt at creating a popular dollar coin, since the Saskatchewan dollar had been something of a dud.
Your numismatics totally blow me away.
I once had a gold coin collection valued around $20,000. They were sold to pay my way through college ad get rooted in Los Angeles. In a way, It was my own college trust fund. But I could never part with the cruddy silver coins I found during my childhood.
I once had a gold coin collection valued around $20,000. They were sold to pay my way through college ad get rooted in Los Angeles. In a way, It was my own college trust fund. But I could never part with the cruddy silver coins I found during my childhood.
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