I stopped guessing Roman coin dates by focusing on mint marks

Lately, I've noticed a lot of us in online groups mix up coin dates. I did this too with a batch I found. The fix was simple: I started looking closely at mint marks and comparing them to reliable sources. Now my identifications are spot on. What's your process for checking coin details?

3 comments

3 Comments

bennett.jordan1mo ago

You mentioned mint marks being the fix, but I've found they can trick you too. On some Constantinian bronzes I handle, the mint lettering gets worn down or stamped poorly. I had a coin last week where the mint mark looked like TR but was actually Trier under magnification. For me, cross checking the portrait style and reverse details first works better. The mint mark is just one piece of the puzzle.

webb.blake1mo ago

Totally feel that, @bennett.jordan. I once spent a whole hour trying to I.D. a coin as Rome because the mint looked like RM, but it was just a badly struck TR from Trier with gunk in the letter. Felt like a total rookie move. Your method of checking the portrait first is way smarter, and I should probably learn from that instead of just squinting at blurry letters.

gray_wood1mo ago

My Lyon mint follis looked like London until I checked the bust style, so I get your point @bennett.jordan!