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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Quality| ▸ |Eye Appeal||View Options:   | | | The most important factor in determining the |price| of a coin is eye appeal. One coin of the exact same type as another can be priced ten times higher or more. So, what is this eye appeal? |
Mazaios was the Persian satrap of Cilicia beginning about 361 BC and in about 345 B.C. he was also made satrap of Transeuphratesia (which included Syria and Judaea). In 331 BC, Mazaios was defeated by Alexander the Great at the Battle of Gaugamela, after which he fled to Babylon. Later that year Mazaios surrendered Babylon, the capital of the Persian Empire, to Alexander. For surrendering without a fight, Alexander appointed Mazaios governor of Babylon. He died in 328 B.C.SH114936. Silver stater, SNG Levante 103; SNG BnF 332; Newell 1920, series V, dd; Traitι II p. 453, 700, pl. cxii, 19; Casabonne 2D, EF, sharp details, weight 10.740 g, maximum diameter 23.6 mm, die axis 90o, Tarsos (Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey) mint, 361/360 - 334 B.C.; obverse BLTRZ (Baaltarz) in Aramaic (read upward) behind, Baal of Tarsos enthroned left, head and torso turned facing, wreath on head, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, bunch of grapes, grain ear, and eagle in right hand, lotus tipped scepter vertical behind in left hand,
(Aramaic resh) lower left, 
(Aramaic mem) below throne; reverse lion left, head turned facing, atop bull fallen left, attacking with teeth and claws, 
(Aramaic MZDI = Mazaios, read right to left) above, nothing below bull; ex Lugdunum Numismatik (Solothun, Switzerland) auction 23 (12 Dec 2023), lot 53; ex H.D. Rauch (Vienna, Austria) auction 23 (20 Jan 1986), lot 42; $2000.00 (1880.00) 
Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D.
Liberalitas coin types attest to occasions when the emperor has displayed his generosity towards the people by a distribution to them of money, provisions, or both. The first mention of Liberalitas was on coins of Hadrian. It was a type frequently repeated by the succeeding emperors. Indeed these instances of imperial generosity are more carefully recorded on coins than they are by history. Liberality is personified by the image of a woman, holding in one hand a counting board, or square tablet with a handle on which are cut a certain number of holes. These boards were used to quickly count the proper number of coins or other items for distribution to each person. In the other hand she holds a cornucopia, to indicate the prosperity of the state and the abundance of wheat contained in the public granaries.SL113467. Silver denarius, RIC III 237 (R); RSC II 518; BMCRE IV p. 119, 821; Strack III 273; Hunter II -; SRCV II -, NGC Ch MS, strike 5/5, surface 5/5 (2400906-011), weight 3.35 g, maximum diameter 18 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 153 - 154 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII, laureate bust right; reverse LIBERALITAS VII COS IIII, Antoninus standing slightly left, bare head (with recognizable portrait!) left, togate, coin counting board in right hand, roll in left hand; from a Virginia Collector, ex Eastern Numismatics Inc. (Garden City, NY, 20 Dec 2010, $1650); NGC| Lookup; rare; $1650.00 (1551.00)
Lucius Verus, 7 March 161 - February 169 A.D.
In 162, Lucius Verus began war with the Parthians after Vologases IV invaded Syria and Armenia. The Romans would be victorious but the returning army would bring back a pandemic known as the Antonine Plague. The plague would significantly depopulate the entire Roman Empire.SL113468. Silver denarius, RIC III p. 253, 482; RSC II 155; BMCRE IV p. 412, 202; Hunter II p. 368, 7; cf. SRCV II 5354 (TR P III), NGC Ch AU, strike 5/5, surface 4/5 (3989805-005), weight 2.88 g, maximum diameter 17 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, Dec 161 - Dec 162 A.D.; obverse IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG, bare head right; reverse PROV DEOR TR P II COS II, Providentia standing facing, head left, globe in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; from a Virginia Collector, ex Eastern Numismatics Inc. (Garden City, NY, 21 Mar 2016, $995); NGC| Lookup; $980.00 (921.20)
Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphos, 285 - 246 B.C.
Ptolemais is today Acre, Israel. It was at Ptolemais that the Jews met Petronius, sent to set up statues of the emperor in the Temple, and persuaded him to turn back. St. Paul spent a day in Ptolemais (Acts 21:7). -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AkkoGP113579. Bronze diobol, Lorber CPE B338; Svoronos 790 (5 spec.); Rosenberger I p.20, 16; Sofaer pl. 3, 36; Weiser 42; SNG Cop -; Noeske , Choice VF, green patina, earthen deposits, areas of weaker strike, marks, obv. edge beveled, weight 19.353 g, maximum diameter 31.7 mm, die axis 0o, Galilee, Ake Ptolemais (Acre, Israel) mint, 261 - 246 B.C.; obverse diademed head of Zeus Ammon right; reverse ΠTOΛEMAIOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ, eagle standing half left atop fulmen (thunderbolt), head left, wings closed, double cornucopia bound with diadem over shoulder, Pi-Tau ligate inside Omicron (PTO - Ptolemais mintmark) in field; scarce; $800.00 (752.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
In 107 A.D., Trajan received an ambassador from India. In 108 A.D., "doctor's offices" opened in Rome replacing "house calls.RS113935. Silver denarius, Woytek 270b, BnF IV 276, RIC II 128, RSC II 74, BMCRE III 328, Hunter II 104, Strack I 128, SRCV II 3129, EF, centered on a tight flan, attractive portrait, attractive toning, weight 3.505 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 107 - 108 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Victory standing slightly left, naked to hips, raising wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand; from the Chris Noah Collection (purchased spring 2006); $330.00 (310.20)
Philip II, July or August 247 - Late 249 A.D.
When Augustus ruled Rome, he was not called emperor or king, he was the Princeps, the "first of men." In the empire, the designated successors to the emperor were named caesar and also given the title Princeps Juventutis, the "first of youths." This is the origin of the English word prince, meaning the son of a monarch.SL114189. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 218d, RSC IV 48, Hunter V 8, SRCV III 9240, NGC MS, strike 5/5, surface 3/5, grainy (2406772-001), weight 4.02 g, maximum diameter 21 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, as caesar, 244 - 246 A.D.; obverse M IVL PHILIPPVS CAES, radiate and draped bust right, seen from behind; reverse PRINCIPI IVVENT (to the Prince of Youth), Philip II standing slightly left, head left, wearing military dress, globe in extended right hand, inverted spear in left hand; from the Craig Chambers Collection, NGC| Lookup; $300.00 (282.00)
Trajan Decius, September 249 - June or July 251 A.D.
Adventus Augustus inscriptions commemorate the emperor's arrival at Rome, either at the commencement of his reign or on his return from a distance.SL114190. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 11b, RSC IV 4, Hunter III 6, SRCV III 9366, NGC MS, strike 3/5, surface 4/5 (2406774-001), weight 4.13 g, maximum diameter 22 mm, die axis 45o, Rome mint, 249 - 251 A.D.; obverse IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse ADVENTVS AVG (arrival of the Emperor), Trajan Decius on horseback left, raising right hand in salute, scepter in left hand,; from the Craig Chambers Collection, NGC| Lookup; $300.00 (282.00)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
Pax, regarded by the ancients as a goddess, was worshiped not only at Rome but also at Athens. Her altar could not be stained with blood. Claudius began the construction of a magnificent temple to her honor, which Vespasian finished, in the Via Sacra. The attributes of Peace are the hasta pura, the olive branch, the cornucopia, and often the caduceus. Sometimes she is represented setting fire to a pile of arms.RS113104. Silver denarius, Woytek 24a, RIC II 17, BnF IV 15, RSC II 292, BMCRE III 14, Hunter II 5, Strack I 13, SRCV II 3152, Choice gVF, well centered, flow lines, nice portrait, light toning, mild die wear, weight 3.657 g, maximum diameter 17.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, Feb - Autumn 98 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM, laureate head right (early portrait resembling Nerva); reverse PONT MAX TR POT COS II (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power, consul for the 2nd time), Pax standing slightly left, head left, olive branch held upright in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; $250.00 (235.00)
Julia Maesa, Augusta 8 June 218 - 224 or 225 A.D.
Pudicitia, modesty and chastity, was the finest quality that a Roman woman could possess. Romans gave their highest praise to women, such as Julia Domna, who had only one husband in their lifetimes. Few women obtained this distinction in Roman society, where girls married young, husbands often died while their wives were still young, and divorce was easy to obtain and common.RS111525. Silver denarius, RIC IV 268, BMCRE V 76, RSC III 36, Hunter III 9, SRCV II 7756, Choice EF, well centered, flow lines, edge splits/cracks, weight 2.589 g, maximum diameter 21.0 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse IVLIA MAESA AVG, draped bust right, flat chignon at back of head; reverse PVDICITIA, Pudicitia seated left, veiled, drawing out veil with right hand, short transverse scepter in left hand; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 124 (8 Jan 2023), lot 907 (part of); $200.00 (188.00)
The First Jewish Revolt, 66 - 70 A.D.
Vespasian, along with legions X Fretensis and V Macedonica, landed at Ptolemais in April 67. There he was joined by his son Titus, who arrived from Alexandria at the head of Legio XV Apollinaris, as well as by the armies of various local allies including that of King Agrippa II. Fielding more than 60,000 soldiers, Vespasian began operations by subjugating Galilee. Many towns gave up without a fight, although others had to be taken by force. Of these, Josephus provides detailed accounts of the sieges of Yodfat and Gamla. By the year 68, Jewish resistance in the north had been crushed, and Vespasian made Caesarea Maritima his headquarters and methodically proceeded to clear the coast. -- WikipediaJD113008. Bronze prutah, Kadman III 12; Meshorer TJC 196a; Hendin 6389; SNG ANS 427; Sofaer pl. 222, 11, Choice VF, near full legends, green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, rev. edge beveled, flan cuts, weight 3.812 g, maximum diameter 19.3 mm, die axis 90o, Jerusalem mint, year 2, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse Paleo-Hebrew: Year two, amphora with fluted body, narrow neck, broad rim, and two small curved handles; reverse Paleo-Hebrew: The freedom of Zion, vine leaf on small branch with tendril; $200.00 (188.00)
Herennia Etruscilla, Augusta July 249 - April/August 253(?) A.D.
Pudicitia, modesty and chastity, was the finest quality that a Roman woman could possess. Romans gave their highest praise to women, such as Julia Domna, who had only one husband in their lifetimes. Few women obtained this distinction in Roman society, where girls married young, husbands often died while their wives were still young, and divorce was easy to obtain and common.SL113477. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 58b, RSC IV 17, Hunter III 4, SRCV III 9494, NGC Ch AU, strike 5/5, surface 4/5 (2412811-030), weight 4.15 g, maximum diameter 22 mm, die axis 225o, Rome mint, 249 - 251 A.D.; obverse HER ETRVSCILLA AVG, draped bust right, crescent behind shoulders, wearing stephane, hair in horizontal ridges, plait looped at the back of neck; reverse PVDICITIA AVG (virtue of the Empress), Pudicitia standing left, drawing veil from face with right hand, transverse scepter in left hand; from a Virginia Collector; ex Holgate Numismatics (Andrea Main, Fairlawn, VA, 27 Nov 2014); NGC| Lookup; $200.00 (188.00)
Julia Soaemias, Augusta 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D.
Venus (Aphrodite) can be faulted for the Trojan War. Upset that she was not invited to a wedding, she went anyway and maliciously left a golden apple inscribed "For the fairest" on the banquet table. The goddesses, as Aphrodite expected, argued who was the rightful possessor of this prize. It was determined the most handsome mortal in the world, a noble Trojan youth named Paris, would decide. Each of the three finalists offered Paris a bribe. Hera promised he would rule the world. Athena said she would make him victorious in battle. Aphrodite guaranteed the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. This was Helen, who was married to the king of Sparta. Paris awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite. Aphrodite enabled Paris to elope with Helen, Helen of Troy. Helen's husband raised a Greek army to retrieve his wife, starting the Trojan War.RS111520. Silver denarius, RIC IV 243, RSC III 14, BMCRE V 56, Hunter V 7, SRCV II 7720, Choice gVF, well centered, light tone, luster in recesses, flow lines, weight 2.963 g, maximum diameter 19.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 220 A.D.; obverse IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG, draped bust right; reverse VENVS CAELESTIS (heavenly Venus), Venus diademed seated left on throne, apple in right hand, scepter in left hand, child at her feet raising arms; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 124 (8 Jan 2023), lot 881 (part of); $170.00 (159.80)
Julia Maesa, Augusta 8 June 218 - 224 or 225 A.D.
Pudicitia, modesty and chastity, was the finest quality that a Roman woman could possess. Romans gave their highest praise to women, such as Julia Domna, who had only one husband in their lifetimes. Few women obtained this distinction in Roman society, where girls married young, husbands often died while their wives were still young, and divorce was easy to obtain and common.RS111521. Silver denarius, RIC IV 268, BMCRE V 76, RSC III 36, Hunter III 9, SRCV II 7756, Choice EF, excellent portrait, well centered, some luster, flow lines, small edge cracks, weight 3.065 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 218 - 222 A.D.; obverse IVLIA MAESA AVG, mature draped bust right, hair in nearly vertical waves, and flat chignon at the back; reverse PVDICITIA, Pudicitia seated left, veiled, drawing out veil with right hand, short transverse scepter in left hand; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 124 (8 Jan 2023), lot 881 part of; $130.00 (122.20)
Julia Domna, Augusta 194 - 8 April 217 A.D.
Pietas in traditional Latin usage expressed a complex, highly valued Roman virtue; a man or woman with pietas respected his or her responsibilities to the gods, family, other people and entities (such as the state), and understood his or her place in society with respect to others.RS112405. Silver denarius, RIC IV S574; BMCRE V p. 165, 69; RSC III 156; Hunter III 18; SRCV II 6601, EF, choice obv. with nice portrait, rev. center a little weak, edge splits/cracks, weight 3.397 g, maximum diameter 18.6 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 203 A.D.; obverse IVLIA AVGVSTA, draped bust right; reverse PIETAS PVBLICA, Pietas standing slightly left, veiled head left, altar at feet left, raising both hands in invocation; $130.00 (122.20)
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
Providentia is the personification of the ability to foresee and to make provision for the future. This ability was considered essential for the emperor and providentia was among the embodiments of virtues that were part of the imperial cult. Cicero said that providentia, memoria (memory) and intellegentia (understanding) are the three main components of prudentia, the knowledge what is good or bad or neither.RS112663. Silver denarius, RIC III AP351, RSC II 32, BMCRE IV AP373, SRCV II 4578, VF, nice portrait, near centered on a tight flan, toned, ragged flan with edge splits, weight 2.986 g, maximum diameter 18.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, posthumous, 147 - 161 A.D.; obverse DIVA FAVSTINA, draped bust right, hair elaborately waived and banded, drawn up at the back and piled in a round coil at top; reverse AETERNITAS, Providentia standing slightly left, head left, globe in extended right hand, holding veil blown out behind head in left hand; from the Collection of Dr. Jόregen Buschek; $125.00 (117.50)
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
Pietas in traditional Latin usage expressed a complex, highly valued Roman virtue; a man or woman with pietas respected his or her responsibilities to the gods, family, other people and entities (such as the state), and understood his or her place in society with respect to others.RS114994. Silver denarius, Woytek 348b, BMCRE IV 403, Hunter II 135, BnF IV 468, RSC II 199, RIC II 104 (C), Strack I 161, SRCV II -, VF, near centered, attractive dark tone, highlighting deposits, light scratches, weight 3.190 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 111 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Pietas standing half left, right hand dropping incense over lit altar at feet on left, long scepter in left hand, PIET in exergue; this coin has an attractive dark tone that should never be cleaned!; scarce; $120.00 (112.80)
Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Antioch, Seleucis and Pieria, Syria
McAlee notes that ΔE probably abbreviates Δ EΠAPCEIΩN, meaning "of the four eparchies.RY114963. Bronze as, BMC Galatia p. 203, 440; McAlee group 1, 777(c); Lindgren I 2004; SNG Righetti 2001; Waage 583; RPC Online VI T8037, Choice VF, near centered, nice portrait, dark patina, attractive contrasting earthen deposits (Syrian patina), weight 4.411 g, maximum diameter 18.9 mm, die axis 135o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 16 May 218 - 11 Mar 222 A.D.; obverse AVT K M AVP ANTΩNINOC C, laureate head right; reverse S C, Δ above, E (lunate) below, all within laurel wreath, fastened at the top with a star; $110.00 (103.40)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D.
After Apollo insulted him, Eros (cupid) shot Apollo with an arrow that caused him to fall in hopeless love with Daphne, a mortal woman. Eros shot Daphne with an arrow which made her incapable of loving Apollo. Nevertheless Apollo pursued her, and out of desperation Daphne escaped by having herself turned into a laurel. Ever after, winners of the games to honor Apollo wore wreaths of laurel in honor of Apollo's Daphne.RS113149. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 89, RSC IV 261, Hunter III 37, SRCV III 8648, Choice VF, well centered, nice portrait, flow lines, mild rev. due wear, weight 5.170 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 242 - Jul 243 A.D.; obverse IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse P M TR P V COS II P P, Apollo seated left on throne, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, laurel branch in extended right hand, resting left arm on lyre; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 130 (2 Jul 2023), lot 1309 (part of); $90.00 (84.60)
Rhodos, Carian Islands, 190 - 85 B.C.
In 190 B.C. a fleet from Rhodes defeated the Seleucid fleet under command of the fugitive Carthaginian general Hannibal. Rhodes was rewarded with territory and enhanced status, but clearly Rome now ruled the world and autonomy was dependent upon good relations. Those good graces evaporated in the wake of the Third Macedonian War. Rhodes had remained scrupulously neutral, but some Senators felt she had been too friendly with the defeated King Perseus. Some even proposed declaring war. In 164, Rhodes became a permanent ally of Rome, ending an independence that no longer had meaning. It was said that the Romans ultimately turned against the Rhodians because the islanders were the only people they had encountered who were more arrogant than themselves.GB99139. Bronze AE 15, SNG Keckman 727; HGC 6 1475 (S); BMC Caria p. 250, 223 var. (dolphin lower right); SNG Cop 797 var. (no control), VF, green patina, light earthen deposits, small edge chips, weight 1.950 g, maximum diameter 15.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rhodos (Rhodes, Greece) mint, 190 - 85 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Zeus right; reverse rose superimposed on solar disk with top of disk and rays rising above, bud on each side, branch (control) left; scarce; $80.00 (75.20)
Licinius I, 11 November 308 - 18 September 324 A.D.
For many years, the two imperial colleagues had maintained an uneasy truce, but temperatures rose again in 321 when Constantine pursued some Sarmatians, who had been ravaging territory in his realm, across the Danube into Licinius' territory. When he repeated this with another invasion, this time by the Goths who were pillaging Thrace, Licinius complained that Constantine had broken the treaty between them.RT114013. Billon half follis, Hunter V 175 (also 4th officina), RIC VII Cyzicus 15, Cohen VII 71, SRCV IV 15216, Choice aEF, dark patina with attractive highlighting earthen deposits, weight 4.201 g, maximum diameter 20.2 mm, die axis 0o, 4th officina, Cyzicus (Kapu Dagh, Turkey) mint, 321 - 324 A.D.; obverse IMP C VAL LICIN LICINIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right; reverse IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter standing slightly left, nude but for chlamys over shoulders, Victory on globe presenting wreath in right hand, long eagle-topped scepter vertical in left hand, eagle standing left with wreath in beak at feet on left, in right field: X/IIΓ over bound captive seated right and looking left, SMKΔ in exergue; $70.00 (65.80)
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