Attribute Obverse, Reverse, and Legend
2-4 hours per coinTranscribe visible legends, identify portrait style, and match deity or architectural reverse types to reference catalogs.
Field context
This workflow is part of 4 niche fields
Complete guide for ancient coin research — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Transcribe visible legends, identify portrait style, and match deity or architectural reverse types to reference catalogs.
Weigh to 0.01 g, measure diameter with calipers, and compare to expected standard for attributed issue.
Compare fabric, centering, and patina to auction archives — modern fakes show uniform sand-blasted surfaces.
Record auction house, hoard source, and historical ruler context; add citations from BMC or Sear references.
Document attribution chain, weight measurements, provenance sources, and bibliographic references for each ancient coin.
Convert measured coin weight to expected ancient standard denominations for authenticity verification.
Calculate reign dates and coin issue windows from ruler attribution for historical context.
Archive high-resolution obverse and reverse images for comparison with auction catalog plates.
Target weights for common Roman silver denominations (ideal mint state).
| Denomination | Metal | Target Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Denarius | Silver | 3.6–3.9 g |
| Antoninianus | Billon | 3.0–3.5 g |
| Aureus | Gold | 7.0–8.0 g |
| Sestertius | Orichalcum | 25–28 g |
Pay modest premium for dealer-attributed coins while learning — self-attribution errors are costly.
Natural patina is uneven and embedded — applied patina wipes off with acetone test on inconspicuous spot.
Silver denarii under $30 are almost always fakes — if price seems impossible, walk away.