Does anyone want to take the impossible Roman coin challenge?

[BillJones]

This piece is a from a lot of donated pieces that our club is going to auction off as a fund raiser. The flip that it was in says it is a "Roman Bronze Coin, circa 100 - 400 AD." They also use the word "choice."

 

Can anyone narrow this one down a bit for my auction lot description? The piece is about the size of a U.S. half dime (really small). I don't see very many pieces in my limited "library" of ancient coins (a couple of books) that are this size. I'm guessing it is from when Rome was on its last legs.

 

As any of you ancient coin experts up for a challenge?

 

 

Thanks if you are. (thumbs u

[BillJones]

It's okay guys. I couldn't make heads of tails of this coin either.

 

Does anyone have any idea as what denomination it might be or of a general time period when it might have been issued to say within a century? The seems to be too small to match any of the denominations in book by Zander Klawans I have and with no Latin phrases around the portrait, it's impossible to determine the emperor.

 

[brg5658]

Most of the gurus of ancients post on CoinTalk. I have posted it there to see if anyone can help you out.

 

-Brandon

[Nap-migration]

Appears to be a coin of Constantine or one of his descendants.

 

Difficult to tell them apart. Could be Constantine I, Constantius II, Constans, etc. Or it could be the Valentinians or Theodosius. They all have very similar portraits. Probably the reverse is the key to ID'ing it.

 

Based on the size it is probably an AE4

[coinman1794]

I would agree it is probably a Constantine the ...' issue.

 

Actually, this is rather attractive as far as patina goes; I would shy away from choice, considering the advanced porosity.

[BillJones]

Appears to be a coin of Constantine or one of his descendants.

 

Difficult to tell them apart. Could be Constantine I, Constantius II, Constans, etc. Or it could be the Valentinians or Theodosius. They all have very similar portraits. Probably the reverse is the key to ID'ing it.

 

Based on the size it is probably an AE4

 

What is an "AE4"?

 

Thanks

[Nap-migration]

AE4 is a descriptive term for the smallest bronze counts of the late Roman Empire. These are typically <15mm although I'm not sure 15 is the cut off. It's the equivalent of a denomination I guess. AE being abbreviation for bronze (aes). AE 1-3 are larger size coins.

 

These are extremely common coins and have been found in great numbers. If you buy uncleaned Roman coins these are the type you usually find.

[BillJones]

Thanks for the additional link, Brandon. I got some additional information there, and thanks to you guys for your help.

[Conder101]

I believe they don't know what the actual names for the smallest denominations were so refer them by AE 1-4 based on size.