For some reason the obverse suffered a bit more than the reverse on this Titus Caesar dupondius. But not enough that I'd turn it away! Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] Æ Dupondius, 12.28g Lyon mint, 77-78 AD Obv: T CAES IMP AVG F TR P COS VI CENSOR; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.; globe at point of bust Rev: PAX AVG; S C in field; Pax stg. l., with patera over altar and branch and caduceus RIC 1261 (C). BMC -. BNC 864. Acquired from London Ancient Coins, January 2021. This Pax type is a fairly common unique Lugdunese type struck for both Vespasian and Titus Caesar. H. Mattingly in BMCRE writes 'The type of Pax sacrificing, which is peculiar to Lugdunum, conveys the thought of thanksgiving for peace and prosperity (cp. the caduceus held by Pax) restored.' NB: Titus's dupondii at Lugdunum are often laureate. Do you have a coin where one side outshines the other? Please show it!
Does that mean made with onions? I like that coin and don't think its obverse detracts from its overall desirability. It's very collectable! There was a time when a collection's greatness was defined by comprehensiveness and now your collection is more comprehensive. Not even the British Museum has an example of that coin! Their specimen has a radiate bust and it's hardly FDC, either. Neither does the OCRE have an example of your laureate bust version. Here's a coin from my collection where the reverse really suffered the ravages of time but the obverse was spared. Gallienus, AD 253-268. Roman billon tetradrachm, 8.70 g, 23 mm. Egypt, Alexandria, AD 266/7.Obv: AVT K Π ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC CЄB, laureate and cuirassed bust right. Rev: Homonoia standing left, raising hand and holding double cornucopia; L IΔ (= regnal year 14) before, palm frond behind. Refs: Dattari (Savio) 5246; BMCG 2186; Cologne 2937; Milne 4136; RCV 10580; Emmett 3816.14; K&G 90.93.
Roman provincial, 26mm 10.2 grams. Uncleaned example, not sure about the attribution. I originally thought it was Macrinus but it might be Caracalla, reverse is better than the obverse. Any thoughts on who this is???
Generally, I find the coins I collect have more interesting REVERSES... usually it is because of the subject matter... the Obverse is either some God/Goddess or some vain Emperor/King. LOL, however, I was attracted to this series of coins BECAUSE of its History, but also its unusual feature of BLANK REVERSES on its AR coins... I enjoy that they took a different tack in minting their coins! Just interesting. Etruria Populonia 3rd C BCE AR 20 As 8.1g Metus Blank HN 152 Etruria Populonia 2-1-2 as 3rd C BC AR Radiate Fem Hd Menrva CII Blank EC 104 HN Italy 179 RARE 2 exist Etruria Populonia AR 1 As 0.60g 10.0mm after 211 BCE Male Head Left - Plain Rev Vecchi 3 68-70 HN Italy 181 RARE
Although I don't collect ancient coins I see the same thing on newer coinage. It can be caused by the quality of the dies. Using a worn die combined with a new die. It can also be caused if a coin surface is exposed to a chemical that damages one side. It could happen with a buried coin. It can happen a number of ways.
Here's a sestertius of Faustina Junior. The obverse is rough, with some corrosion, while the reverse is much better, and a rare one to boot.
When the reverse is better than the obverse: Reverse has a nearly intact, shiny, smooth, jade-green patina. Obverse....not so much. When the obverse is better than the reverse: What a shame, this could have been a rather nice coin.
Interesting topic! Here's my antoninianus of Maximianus honouring Hercules. Both sides are good, but the reverse is fully silvered, and looks uncirculated!
This series seems to always have a rougher reverse.... Hephthalites. Nezak Huns.. AR drachm. "Napki Malka" series. . Circa 515.680 A.D. Obverse..Bust right wearing winged-bull head-dress. Pahlavi legends nycky MLK-A Reverse:Fire altar with attendants, Solar wheels above. 3.41 grams....24.64 mm. Vondrovec [Göbl] 198 This one is the other way round.....Lovely detailed reverse with a mediocre ob... Nabataean Kingdom. Aretas IV (Haritat), with Shaqilath..9BC-40AD AE unit Petra mint.
I always think of these Durotriges billon coins, there is sometimes a kind of bump you can see the obverse. I barely have a bump.
I've seen enough horses on coins so I don't mind missing a bit of a head in favor of a well struck hieroglyphic on my Nektanebo stater:
The obverse of my Faustina Junior denarius is better than its reverse. OK with me, as the coin is to be grouped and displayed under my "Faustina hairstyle" set.
