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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Denominations| ▸ |Big Bronze||View Options:   | | | Large bronze provided the finest canvas for ancient master celators to illustrate their artistry. Superb sestertius and medallions often obtain higher prices than even rare gold coins. |
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)
Judaea, Bar Kochba Revolt, 132 - 135 A.D., Irregular Issue
The Bar Kokhba revolt, led by Simon bar Kokhba, was the last of the major Jewish–Roman wars. The Roman army suffered heavy losses. It took six full legions, auxiliaries, and elements from as many as six more legions three years to crush the revolt. The Romans annihilated much of the Judean population. In 134, the they captured Jerusalem and Simon bar Kokhba was killed in 135. Legio VI Ferrata rebuilt the legionary fortress in Jerusalem and constructed a Roman temple at Golgotha. An altar to Jupiter was erected on the site of the Temple. The Jewish diaspora began as Hadrian barred Jews from Jerusalem and had survivors of the massacre dispersed across the Roman Empire. Many were sold into slavery. The Jewish people remained scattered without a homeland for close to two millennia.JD111382. Bronze AE 27, Hendin 6464a, cf. Mildenberg 187, Sofaer 96 - 97, Meshorer TJC 259, aVF, well centered, crude irregular style and epigraphy, weight 12.017 g, maximum diameter 27.5 mm, die axis 180o, undated, year 3, 134 - 135 A.D.; obverse paleo-Hebrew inscription: "for the freedom of Jerusalem", three-lobed grape leaf on a tendril; reverse seven branched palm tree with two bunches of dates, paleo-Hebrew inscription "Shimon" (Simon) divided by trunk; $540.00 (€507.60)
Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D.
Felicitas was the goddess or personification of happiness, good fortune, and success. She played an important role in Rome's state religion during the empire and was frequently portrayed on coins. She became a prominent symbol of the wealth and prosperity of the Roman Empire. RB114510. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC II 563b, BMCRE III 1153, Cohen II 1192, SRCV II 3623, aVF, dark patina, rough areas of corrosion, weight 24.169 g, maximum diameter 34.4 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 119 A.D.; obverse IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right, bare chest, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse PONT MAX TR POT COS III (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power, consul for the 3rd time), Felicitas standing slightly left, caduceus in right hand, cornucopia in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; $300.00 (€282.00)
Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D., Mostene, Lydia
Mostene, in ancient Lydia, prospered in Roman and Byzantine eras. There is debate, based on a line in Tacitus, over whether Mostene was a Macedonian colony or a native Lydian city. In 17 A.D. the city was hit by an earthquake and was assisted by relief from Tiberius.RP113182. Bronze AE 35, Apparently unpublished; GRPC Lydia -, RPC Online IV -, F, dark green patina, earthen deposits, marks, pit lower right, weight 21.592 g, maximum diameter 35.3 mm, die axis 180o, Mostene (Kepecik, Turkey) mint, c. 161 - 162 A.D.; obverse AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EΠI AΛEΞANΔPOY APX ΛYΔ MOCTHNΩN (authority of Alexandros, archon, Mostene), Demeter, holding grain and torch?; from the Michael Arslan Collection, ex Solidus auction 123 (25 Jul 2023), lot 359 (part of); the only known specimen; extremely rare; $250.00 (€235.00)
Lot of 3 Roman Imperial Sestertii, 1st Century A.D.
The following list was provided by the consignor and has not been verified by FORVM:
1) Galba, sestertius, legend in wreath.
2) Vespasian, sestertius, Fortuna.
3) Nero Claudius Drusus, sestertius, two TIAV countermarks, Pangerl 54, rare countermarks.
LT113402. Orichalcum Lot, 3 Roman imperial sestertii, 1st century A.D.; $210.00 (€197.40)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia
| Antiochia in Pisidia, also know as Antiochia in Phrygia, and under the Roman Empire as Antiochia Caesareia or Antiochia Colonia Caesarea, was on the border of Pisidia and Phrygia, at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Central Anatolian regions. After the death of Alexander the Great, Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Dynasty, took control of Pisidia. Captured places were Hellenized and, in order to protect the population, nearly 60 fortified cities were founded at strategically important places, usually on an acropolis. Seleucus gave 16 of them the name of his father Antiochos. Colonists were brought from Magnesia on the Maeander to found Antiochia in Pisidia. |  |
Valerian I, October 253 - c. June 260 A.D.
Liberalitas coin types attest to occasions when the emperor has displayed his generosity towards the people by a distribution to them, in 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. This coin advertises that Elagabalus has made his third distribution to the people. 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.RB110380. Orichalcum sestertius, Göbl MIR 66h, RIC V-1 J165 (S), Hunter IV J45; SRCV III 10468, Cohen V 110, VF/F, nice green patina, nice portrait, tight round flan, most of legends off flan, weight 17.182 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 2nd issue, 255 - 256 A.D.; obverse IMP C P LIC VALERIANVS P F AVG, laureate, cuirassed and slightly draped, bust right; reverse LIBERALITAS AVGG, Liberalitas standing slightly left, wearing long chiton, counting board in right hand, cornucopiae in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field below center; this is the first specimen of this type handled by FORVM; ex Degani Venizia (Plaza San Marco, Venice, Italy); scarce; $180.00 (€169.20)
Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D.
In 232, Severus Alexander launched a counterattack against the Persian forces of King Ardashir I, who had invaded Mesopotamia. Alexander gave the order to march to the capital at Ctesiphon, but was defeated and withdrew to Syria. After heavy losses on both sides, a truce was signed.RB112558. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 648d, BMCRE VI 906, Hunter III 180, Cohen IV 549, SRCV II 8019 var. (sl. dr.), aVF, excellent portrait, nice green patina, well centered, scratches, scattered light corrosion, flan cracks, weight 20.231 g, maximum diameter 30.4 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 232 A.D.; obverse IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse SPES PVBLICA (the hope of the public), Spes advancing left, flower in right hand, raising skirt with left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field; $170.00 (€159.80)
Severus Alexander and Julia Maesa, 222 - 235 A.D., Ninica-Claudiopolis, Cilicia
Ammianus mentions Silifke and Claudiopolis as cities of Cilicia, or of the country drained by the Calycadnus; and Claudiopolis was a colony of Claudius Caesar. It is described by Theophanes of Byzantium as situated in a plain between the two Taurus Mountains, a description which exactly, corresponds to the position of the basin of the Calycadnus. Claudiopolis may therefore be represented by Mut, which is higher up the valley than Seleucia, and near the junction of the northern and western branches of the Calycadnus. It is also the place to which the pass over the northern Taurus leads from Laranda. The city received the Roman colony name Colonia Iulia Felix Augusta Ninica.RB91011. Bronze AE 36, cf. asiaminorcoins.com 6551 (same obv. die & c/m), SNG Levante -, RPC Online -, SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, BMC Cilicia -, c/m: Howgego 262, F, weak legends, porosity, edge cracks, weight 17.901 g, maximum diameter 35.8 mm, die axis 180o, Ninica-Claudiopolis (Mut, Mersin, Turkey) mint, 222 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP C SEVERUS ALEXANΔER AVΓ (or similar), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; c/m: Nike right in c. 5 x 8 mm oval punch (3 times); reverse IVL MAECA COL IVL FEL NINIO CLAUΔIOPOLI (or similar), draped bust of Julia Maesa right; huge 35.8 mm!; ex Forum (2015); extremely rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Irenopolis, Cilicia
Irenopolis or Eirenopolis or Eirenoupolis, known briefly as Neronias in honor of the Roman emperor Nero, was in northeastern Cilicia, not far from the Calycadnus river, on the site of modern Düzici, Osmaniye province, Turkey, at the mouth of the Darb al-'Ain pass. It was probably founded by Antiochus IV of Commagene. Coins of the city show that Asclepius and Hygeia were worshiped there, probably connected with the natural spring of the area. The city is mentioned by Hierocles, Nicephore, and Calliste. Christianity first came to the area in the 1st century; the mountain pass location made it an early candidate for missionaries. The city came under Muslim rule following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.RP114912. Bronze AE 31, RPC VII.2 Online 3221A (2 spec.; #1 = this coin), Isegrim -, Karbach Eirenopolis -, aF, green patina, highlighting light earthen deposits, both sides off-centered, weight 9.683 g, maximum diameter 30.8 mm, die axis 180o, Irenopolis (Düzici, Turkey) mint, 242/243 A.D.; obverse AY K M ANTW ΓOPΔIANOC, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EIPHNOΠO-ΛEITWN, Dionysos standing mostly left, wreathed in ivy(?), otherwise nude, cantharus in right hand, upright thyrsus in left, panther standing left at feet with head turned back and upwards in anticipation, ET (Greek abbreviation: ETOYC - "of year") in left field, BϘP (192, obscured) in exergue; zero sales of this type listed on Coin Archives in the last two decade; one of two known, listed on RPC Online; ex Pandora Numismatics auction 2 (27 Aug 2023), lot 415 (sold unattributed); extremely rare; $160.00 (€150.40)
Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D., Antiocheia, Pisidia
Paul of Tarsus gave his first sermon to the Gentiles (Acts 13:13-52) at Antiochia in Pisidia, and visited the city once on each of his missionary journeys, helping to make Antioch a center of early Christianity in Anatolia. Antioch in Pisidia is also known as Antiochia Caesareia and Antiochia in Phrygia. RP113937. Bronze AE 33, RPC Online V.3 (to be published; 4 spec.); Kryzanowska -; cf. BMC Lycia p. 182, 38 (diff. bust style); SNGvA 4933 (same), Choice F, large heavy flan, dark green - near black patina, mild porosity, weight 20.767 g, maximum diameter 33.1 mm, die axis 135o, Antioch in Pisidia (Yalvac, Turkey) mint, c. 209/210 A.D., Issue 3 (only "sestertii"); obverse IMP•CAES•M•AVR• - ANTONINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front and wearing aegis; reverse •COL CAES• - •ANTIOCH, the god Mên standing facing with head right, left foot on bucranium, column supporting left arm, upright staff in right hand, and Nike in outstretched left carrying a trophy over her shoulder; cock to left; S - R in inner fields; the present specimen of this unpublished variety will be included in the upcoming volume V.3 of RPC!; rare bust style; $150.00 (€141.00)
Antoninus Pius, August 138 - 7 March 161 A.D., Roman Egypt
"ALEXANDRIA (31°13'N, 29°55'E), was founded on the site of a fishing village at the mouth of the Nile in Egypt by Alexander the Great in 331 BC and after his death in 323 BC it was ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty until Octavian seized it for Rome in 30 BC. Famous as an intellectual and trading center, it was the second largest city in the Roman Empire with a population of 500,000 at the time of Christ. It had long struck coins for Egyptian circulation, and briefly struck Imperial denarii (192-194) before Diocletian in 294 commenced normal imperial issues, continuing until 421 (and briefly under Leo I 457-474)." - from Moneta Historical Research by Tom SchroerRX111023. Bronze drachm, RPC Online 13749/36 (this coin); Dattari-Savio 8855; Geissen 1672; SNG Milan 1299; BMC Alexandria p. 143, 1201; Emmett 1449, aVF, well centered, some corrosion/pitting, edge splits, obv. edge beveled, weight 27.079 g, maximum diameter 34.4 mm, die axis 0o, Alexandria mint, 151 - 152 A.D.; obverse AVT K T AIΛ AΔP ANTWNINOC CEB EVC, laureate bust right, with aegis on far shoulder; reverse Peristyle altar of Agathodaemon, with four columns and garlanded entablature, female figure sacrificing within, burning pyre and acroteria in form of aphlasta above; L in exergue, I-E (year 15) across fields; ex Naville Numismatics 40 (27 May 2018), lot 298; ex Roma Numismatics e-auction 41 (2 Dec 2017), lot 491; $125.00 (€117.50)
Byzantine Anonymous Follis of Christ, Class D, Constantine IX, 12 June 1042 - 11 January 1055 A.D.
The emperor's name and portrait are not part of the design on the Byzantine types referred to as anonymous folles. Instead of the earthly king, these coins depict Jesus Christ, King of Kings.BZ113972. Bronze anonymous follis, Anonymous follis of Christ, DOC III-2, class D, pp. 685 - 687; Wroth BMC 10; Ratto 2015; SBCV 1836; Sommer 40.6, VF, well centered, green patina, overstruck, weight 6.449 g, maximum diameter 30.3 mm, die axis 180o, Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) mint, c. 1050 - 1055 A.D.; obverse Christ seated facing on throne with back, wearing nimbus cruciger, pallium, and colobium, and Gospels in both hands, IC - XC (Greek abbreviation: Ihsoús Xristós - Jesus Christ) across field; reverse IS XS / bASILE / bASIL (Greek: Jesus Christ, King of Kings) in three lines, ornamental lines and cross above, ornamental lines and crescent below; $120.00 (€112.80)
Philip II, July or August 247 - late 249 A.D., Side, Pamphylia
| The great ruins of Side are among the most notable in Asia Minor. They cover a large promontory which a wall and a moat separate from the mainland. There are colossal ruins of a theater complex, the largest in Pamphylia, built in the 2nd century A.D. Following Roman design it relies on arches to support the sheer verticals. The Roman style was adopted because Side lacked a convenient hillside that could be hollowed out in the usual Greek fashion more typical of Asia Minor. The stage building was ornately adorned but the decorations and the theater are damaged, in part due to a strong earthquake. The theater was converted into an open-air sanctuary with two chapels during the 5th or 6th century (Byzantine times). |  |
Byzantine Empire, Justinian I, 4 April 527 - 14 November 565 A.D.
The obverse legend is blundered nonsense, which David Sear notes is typical after regnal year 35. BZ114456. Bronze follis, DOC I 234, Ratto 671, Morrisson BnF 4/An/AE/59, Sommer 4.92, Hahn MIB 150, SBCV 223, Wroth BMC -, Tolstoi - , F, broad flan, green patina, weight 17.696 g, maximum diameter 35.3 mm, die axis 180o, 3rd officina, Theoupolis-Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 564 - 565 A.D.; obverse helmeted and cuirassed bust facing, globus cruciger in right hand, shield on left shoulder with horseman ornamentation, cross right, blundered nonsense obverse legend; reverse large M (40 nummi), between A/N/N/O (year) in column left and X/X/X/ςII (38) in column right, cross above, Γ (3rd officina) below, THEYP (Theoupolis) in exergue; big 35mm bronze!; $110.00 (€103.40)
Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Anazarbus, Cilicia
Anazarbus was founded by Assyrians. Under the early Roman Empire it was known as Kaicare?n (Caesarea), and was the Metropolis (capital) of the late Roman province Cilicia Secunda. It was the home of the poet Oppian. Rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Justin I after an earthquake in the 6th century, it became Justinopolis (525); but the old native name persisted, and when Thoros I, king of Lesser Armenia, made it his capital early in the 12th century, it was known as Anazarva.RP113540. Bronze tetrassarion, Ziegler 94 (Vs2/Rs5), RPC Online II 1753 (6 spec.), SNG Levante 1373, SNGvA 5473, SNG BnF -, aF, nice patina, weight 16.348 g, maximum diameter 30.9 mm, die axis 0o, Anazarbus (Anavarza, Turkey) mint, 94 - 95 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAI ΘE YIOΣ ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣE ΓEP (clockwise from upper right), laureate head right, fillet border; reverse KAIΣAPEΩN ΠP ANAZAPBΩ (ΠP ligate), Athena standing front, helmeted head left, spear in her right hand, left on grounded shield, ET-OYΣ / IΓP (year 113) in two lines divided across fields; $100.00 (€94.00)
Herennia Etruscilla, Augusta July 249 - April/August 253 A.D.
In 250 the Plague of Cyprian, a pandemic probably smallpox, began. It was still raging in 270 when it claimed the life of emperor Claudius II Gothicus. At the height of the outbreak, 5,000 people a day were said to be dying in Rome. The plague caused widespread manpower shortages in agriculture and the Roman army.RB114728. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 136b, Cohen V 22, Hunter III 16, SRCV III 9505, aVF/gF, nice green patina, mild porosity, small squared flan, edge irregular with crack, weight 14.005 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 249 - 251 A.D.; obverse HERENNIA ETRVSCILLA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, hair in horizontal ridges, plait looped at the back of neck; reverse PVDICITIA AVG (modesty of the Empress), Pudicitia (modesty) seated left, drawing veil with right hand, transverse scepter in left hand, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue; $100.00 (€94.00)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Nikopolis ad Istrum, Moesia Inferior
Struck under Sabinus Modestus, legatus Augusti pro praetore at Nikopolis, 241 - 244 A.D.RP113327. Bronze tetrassarion, H-H-J Nikopolis 8.36.32.1 (R5); RPC Online VII.2 1297; SNG Budapest III 489; AMNG I 2069; Varbanov 4220, aVF, struck on a broad flan, green-brown patina, deposits, minor roughness, flan crack, central depressions, weight 13.375 g, maximum diameter 29.8 mm, die axis 180o, Nicopolis ad Istrum (Nikyup, Bulgaria) mint, 241 - 244 A.D.; obverse AVT K M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVG (VΓ ligate), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse VΠ CAB MOΔECTOV NIKOΠOΛEITΩN (ΩN ΠP ligate), River-god Istros reclining left, bearded, nude to waist, himation around hips and legs, reed in right hand, resting elbow on urn behind from which water flows, ΠPOC ICTPO/N (ΠP ligate, N in second line) in exergue; ex CNG e-sale 537 (26 Apr 2023), lot 276; ex Dr. Michael Slavin Collection; $90.00 (€84.60)
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D., Ococlea, Phrygia
Ococlea was a city of southern Phrygia, believed to have been in the neighborhood of ancient Metropolis (site near Yenikoy, Turkey). The location of the site is uncertain.RP110428. Bronze AE 28, RPC Online VII-1 730/2 (same dies); SNG Leypold II 1699; Waddington 6363; VA Phryg I 717, Choice F, well centered, green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, minor edge splits, weight 10.226 g, maximum diameter 28.0 mm, die axis 180o, Ococlea (near Yenikoy, Turkey) mint, 29 Jul 238 - 25 Feb 244 A.D.; obverse AYT K M AN ΓORΔIANO-C (Imperator Caesar Marcus Antonius Gordianus), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front; reverse OKOKΛIEΩN (N reversed), Zeus seated left on throne, himation around hips and legs and over left shoulder, patera in right hand, long scepter vertical in left hand; this is the first coin from Ococlea handled by FORVM; rare; $80.00 (€75.20)
Byzantine Empire, Justin II, 15 November 565 - 5 October 578 A.D.
Justin II was the nephew of Justinian, a son of Vigilantia and Dulcidio, Justinian's sister and brother-in-law. His siblings included Marcellus and Praejecta. With Sophia he had a daughter Arabia and possibly a son, Justus, who died young. He also had a niece named Helena.BZ99040. Bronze follis, DOC I 97a, Morrisson BnF 5/Ni/AE/17, Wroth BMC 137, Hahn MIB 46b, Sommer 5.27, SBCV 369, Tolstoi -, Ratto -, gVF, nice green patina, uneven strike, edge ragged with small edge splits, weight 12.801 g, maximum diameter 29.8 mm, die axis 180o, 1st officina, Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey) mint, 571 - 572 A.D.; obverse D N IVSTI-NVS P P AV, Justin and Sophia, nimbate, enthroned facing, globus cruciger in his right, cruciform scepter in her right, cross between heads; reverse large M (40 nummi) between ANNO and ΣI (regnal year 7), cross above, A (officina 1) below, NIKO in exergue; $70.00 (€65.80)
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