Guide to Identifying Roman Coins
Identifying Roman coins is a fascinating process. Because there were
so many Roman coins minted in so many places over so many years, it may
not be easy, but even if you do not succeed in definitively identifying
a coin, the knowledge you gain from the process will be rewarding in
itself.
First, read the obverse – the side with the main design. Using
a guidebook
 to
Roman coins or one of the many Internet sites available, try to work out
the denomination of the coin by comparing your coin with photographs. If
you are able to figure out what denomination you have, you can pin it
down to a general time period, which will make it easier to determine
what the design on the obverse represents. Using a magnifying glass,
read and record the letters you see. If the letters aren’t legible, you
can put a thin piece of paper over the coin and use a pencil to make a
rubbing. Sometimes these are easier to read.
Second, try to determine the emperor by using the letters. For
example, NC stands for Caesar, as does NOB C, while AVG stands for
Augustus, and M ANTONINVS stands for Marcus Aurelius, and so on. These
inscriptions and what they stand for are also widely available online
and in guidebooks. Keep in mind that emperors that came from the same
family have very similar names. Third, refer to pictures of
reverses to try to work out who or what is shown on the reverse.
Sometimes there is an inscription that will help with this process.
Picture galleries of reverses are also widely available on the Internet.
If you know the emperor, you can study the reverse types for that
emperor until you see one that matches your coin.
Fourth, locate the mint mark. It is on the reverse at the bottom.
Rome had several official mints, and each one had its own mint mark. If
it is hard to read, you can try doing a pencil rubbing. Mint marks are
translated and explained in numerous web resources. If the reverse shows
an allegorical or mythical figure, there are photo resources you can use
to identify the figure, and there are databases organized alphabetically
by name of the mythical or allegorical figure on the reverses of Roman
coins. Finally, if you were not able to identify the coin
definitively, go ahead and record as much information as you can, using
your magnifying glass and pencil rubbings when necessary. Record what
you see, such as “wreath,” or whatever letters you see in the
inscription. If nothing else, it may help a coin expert determine what
kind of coin you have. If you are handy with a camera and PhotoShop, you
can take a photograph of the coin and enlarge it on your computer
screen. Then you can use various edge sharpening filters that may make
the inscriptions more legible. The process of definitively identifying
a Roman coin is akin to solving a mystery. Sometimes the information you
have leads you to an answer by eliminating all other possibilities, and
sometimes you are unable to pin it down to a specific emperor. The
condition of the coin will help or hinder your ability to identify it.
Many Roman coins are worn enough, or have a thick enough patina the
seeing details are difficult. But one thing you can be sure of is that
you are holding a fascinating piece of history in your hands. |
