Identifying Roman Coins
Identifying Roman Coins
by Jacob Weasley
When trying to identify a certain coin, you must remember that some are easy to do while others may be too far gone for it. In the end it really depends on the condition of the coin.
The most important feature of identifying Roman coins is making sure the inscription is legible. Often parts will be worn off, but as long as the damage is not too bad you should be able to work with it. This is made easier by the fact that the letters in the Roman alphabet are all in use in English today, so you don’t have to worry if you’ve interpreted the character right, because they are all familiar. One potential pitfall here is that certain letters can resemble others. They are not very large and somewhat worn, so you have to make sure you are looking carefully.
It also helps to look at the picture of the ruler on the coin before beginning major research. A lot of times someone who has been doing this for awhile can identify the ruler on a coin simply by recognition. You should remember though that this technique should only be used as a guide and not necessarily as the final decision. For actually making the call on the identification of a coin you’ll need to combine all of its aspects and make a decision.
Along with this point is the idea that Roman coins changed their styles through the years. Early on you tend to see much larger coins, while the later ones often seem smaller and more detailed. Recognzing these changes can save you a lot of time because you will already know what catagory your coins are in so you can target your research.
The simplest way to identify your coin is to search for any of the characters that you were able to read off of the coin. You need to use an online database and the best one is at http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/findstr.html. Enter any of the information you have in that search and it will tell you if that line appears anywhere in their records. This can often lead to a lot of choices, but it definitely helps narrow down the field. From here on out you can use visual references to narrow down your search.
When you finally identify your coin it is a rewarding experience. You are no longer holding a random piece of metal, but a coin that represents a period in time and a the reign of an individual. This makes the hobby and the coins themselves infinitely more interesting and significant.
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