How do you identify Roman coins?
While it can be difficult to identify certain coins, the process can be very simple given the right circumstances.
The first thing you need to do is clean the coin enough so that the letters are legible and the pictures are clear. This is not always possible, but the idea is to get it as clean as you can. The good thing about Roman coins is that they use the same basic letters that we do so you can start by reading those off and writing them down. Be careful because you’ll often run into a “P” that looks like a “D” or even an “O.” Be aware of that fact and keep it in mind when making your final determinations.
You should also take note of the pictures on the coin, the main one typically being the face of the ruler at the time of minting. It may sound far-fetched, but you can occasionally recognize the person on the coin just by their face, saving you a good amount of time. This should not however be used as the final determination, mainly because of similar art styles for different rulers.
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.
Attributing a Roman coin is not always easy, but can be very rewarding when you are successful. It really makes a difference to go from holding a generic coin to actually owning one of Augustus Caesar. By doing this you are bringing out the history of the item and giving it significance among the rest of your collection.