I found what appears to be an old Greek/Roman coin in my yard and I'm trying to identify it. It had what appears to be a greek roman man facing the right on the front, it is large like a silver dollar, it appears to be silver and very light in weight. It has wording on the front all the way around it that I'm unable to identify, but in the left center in very small print it says "specimen" and on the back it says "SP.Q POPIMOP.RINCIPI" around the top and "S C" on the bottom. The picture on the back is what appears to be a shield, suit, and hat perhaps on th left, but I'm not sure? On the right (back) it has a man wearing a hat facing the left with his right knee up and his elbow resting on it with hand on his chin. He is sitting on something that looks a like a shield and feathers, but I don't know what it is? Can you indentify this coin, and tell me if it's even real? I've searched on line and the closest coin I have found is (Nero, 54-68 AD. AE As, Rome 65 AD) in resemblance, but it is not that coin. I also searched wording on coins and found what is very close to the coins words on back but it was "SPQR OPTIMO RICIPI" Which was something to do with an emporer, as you can see the spelling is different slightly on my coin. Help Please...

Luv2talk4800 - I really hate to bust your bubble , BUT you answered yopur own question , When you wrote < ( ' Specemen " ) on the coin , it is not a real coin, that is why it has that wording on it as required by law . Have a good day , and GOD BLESS :: F.B.E.

I do agree with what you are saying, F.B.E. But, wouldn't examples of early coins have some value as collectibles if they are in great shape and there maybe weren't that many of them made? I mean, aren't they somewhat akin to commemoratives?

Clough - Here is an example of what I mean :: I'm going to use the 1914-s Saint- GAUDENS $ 20.00 Double Eagle Gold piece. ) A true (REAL) one is worth $ 1,999.00. Out of this same book I can get One in Proof condition For $19.95 Plus shipping, ( BUT STAMPED ON THE FRONT OF THE COIN IS ::: " COPY::", Now if someone wanted a certain coin, they have several different kind. It is just a copy of the real coin and has NO monetary value at all. >I HAVE never seen any coin with COMMEMORATIVES ::

Clough -the book Im looking in right now has a REAL 2,300 year old ancient greece coin, It is a silver ( TETRADRACHM ) is considered one of the most important coins of the ancient world. The cost on it is $495.00PLUS SHIPPING AND INS>( ITS OF THE {ALEXANDER THE GREAT TIME :::: THE BOOK IS FROM THE ( GOV MINT) There are some privet mints that are not affillulated with the us mint that makes a lot of these but are stamped on the front ( COPY< OR SPECMEN< Ill try to find that book tomorrow and give you all the name of it :::: YOUall have a good night and GOD BLESS< I WISH I COULD HAVE GIVEN HIM A BETTER REPORT ::: F.B.E.

Although the specimen may have some value to a collector of toys or items made by some manufacturers, it certainly cannot have the value of a real coin. I recall that one of the Hunt brothers, paid 7 or 8 million dollars for 5 ancient Roman coins right after their oil company collapsed several years ago.

But then some old roman coins go for less than 100 dollars in lesser conditions

Don't know if it's applicable, but I found this web add: Tom Cederlind Numismatics & Antiquities supposed to be for ancient coins...