YOU ABSOLUTELY GOT TO READ THIS !!!

[Al Kowsky]

3 hours ago, Heliodromus said:

The Romans were clearly skilled at rock/gem cutting and polishing, including polishing rock crystal to a high degree of optical clarity, so if they were NOT using magnifying glasses then it seems it would have to be by choice. Here's some examples from the British Museum.

The bottom one looks interesting! The BM describes it as a "bean shaped bead, maybe used as a game-counter". It measures 3.5cm long. It certainly looks as if it would be a serviceable magnifying glass. Maybe there are more hiding in plain sight?

Here's a nicely engraved coin from my collection, whose die would certainly seem to have required magnification ... The parallel lines providing the background to Medusa on Daia's cuirass are spaced at 4-5 per mm. The nicely engraved rightmost horse on his shield is 3mm from nose to tip of his tail. The coin's diameter is 25mm.

 

 

The Maximinus Daia follis is amazing, & I'm sure very rare 🤩. What are the dimensions on the coin 🤔?

[Heliodromus]

3 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

The Maximinus Daia follis is amazing, & I'm sure very rare 🤩. What are the dimensions on the coin 🤔?

Thanks! It's 25mm 6.5g - so not a huge coin!

 

[Al Kowsky]

2 minutes ago, Heliodromus said:

Thanks! It's 25mm 6.5g - so not a huge coin!

 

Thanks, I copied the photo for my file 😉. Is the coin listed in RIC 🤔?

[Heliodromus]

26 minutes ago, Al Kowsky said:

Is the coin listed in RIC 🤔?

Yes - this is RIC VI Antioch 125. It's part of a small group of types that Daia issued in 310 AD, seemingly a self-promotional effort leading up to Galerius begrudginly recognizing him as augustus rather than caesar!

 

Edited July 28 by Heliodromus

[Al Kowsky]

1 hour ago, Heliodromus said:

Yes - this is RIC VI Antioch 125. It's part of a small group of types that Daia issued in 310 AD, seemingly a self-promotional effort leading up to Galerius begrudginly recognizing him as augustus rather than caesar!

 

Your Daia nummus is very similar to a Galerius nummus in my collection that was struck in Aquileia.

              Galerius as Augustus, c. AD 305-6. Aquileia Mint. Billon Nummus: 11.98 gm, 28 mm, 12 h. RIC VI 61b.

 

[Heliodromus]

Yes, same bust type, including same pseudo-Corinthian helmet, although Daia has his jazzed up with a griffin at the front!

 

[Alegandron]

On 7/24/2024 at 7:01 AM, Ocatarinetabellatchitchix said:

Techniques and tools for Roman die engraving and coin production ; evidence from the 4th century- Lars Ramskold

This is the most detailed and researched article I have ever read on this subject. Sit comfortably in your favorite chair and enjoy !

https://www.academia.edu/122223347/Techniques_and_tools_for_Roman_die_engraving_and_coin_production_evidence_from_the_4th_century_Ramskold_York

 

AND YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE WELCOME…

Thank you. Great read.

[Postvmvs]

Thanks @Ocatarinetabellatchitchix ! It was worth it just for the great images alone of well struck and well preserved coins.

Of course, I had to look back at my collection for examples what was discussed.

A centering dot (page 9) on the reverse of a Postumus antoninianus:

This well-preserved Postumus antoninianus has an area of striations on the neck (page 20) where it has not been polishing:

On the reverse of this Postumus antoninianus is evidence of step punching (page 39) on the 'G' and to lesser extent on the 'O' to create curved letters: