| Last additions - David Atherton's Gallery |
Vespasian RIC-68326 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 683 (R), BMC 135, RSC 363
Rome mint, 74 AD
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESP AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - PON MAXTR P COS V; Vespasian std. r. on curule chair, with sceptre and branch
aVF
I had a most difficult time tracking this type down. Apparently it is fairly rare with this obverse legend.
Not a bad little coin. A fairly average mid-period Vespasian denarius with a typical portrait. It's nice that the obverse legend is in full here, which is what makes this type rare.
David AthertonJan 25, 2012
|
|
Titus as Caesar RIC-V146922 viewsAR Denarius
RIC V1469 (R2), BMC V477, RSC -
Ephesus mint, 74 AD
Obv - IMP T CAESAR COS III; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r., annulet at tip of bust
Rev - CONCORDIA AVG; Ceres std. l., on ornate high-backed chair, with corn ears and poppy and cornucopiae; below throne, annulet; in exergue, star
aEF
The annulet before the obverse bust is an important distinction, it may signify a new series for Ephesus. For now it is cataloged with Ephesus group 9. The annulet is barely visible in hand.
In wonderful condition with a pleasing style. There seems to be no end to the high quality output from this mint!David AthertonJan 18, 2012
|
|
Titus as Caesar RIC-V1459 27 viewsAR Denarius
RIC V1459 (R2), BMC plate 17.6, RSC 21
Ephesus mint, 74 AD
Obv - IMP T CAESAR COS III; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - AVG and star in oak wreath
VF+
According to the Gemini catalog listing of this coin, one of only 5 known specimens, so very rare indeed. Same dies as the BMC plate coin and same obverse die as my V1460.
Another wonderful portrait from the artistically pleasing Ephesus mint. Titus here exhibits a slight heavenward gaze. David AthertonJan 17, 2012
|
|
Vespasian-RIC-140424 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 1404 (R), BMC p. 90 note, RSC 248 var.
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
Obv - IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - LIBERI IMP AVG VESPAS; Titus and Domitian veiled, togate, stg. front (heads l.), each with patera; in exergue mint mark
VF
A dynastic type minted in one of the first issues at Ephesus. Despite the ragged flan, the portrait is very noble and the reverse featuring the two young princes is quite charming. The mint mark on the reverse is barely visible below their feet.David AthertonDec 24, 2011
|
|
Titus as Caesar RIC V529A32 viewsAR Denarius
RIC V529A (R3), BMC - , RSC -
Rome mint, 73 AD
Obv - T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT CENS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - SALVS AVG; Salus std., l., with patera
VF+/VF
This Titus as Caesar denarius with the Salus reverse type coupled with the obverse legend on the present coin is unlisted in all the major references, including the new RIC II. The coin comes from a series minted in 73 AD in which the Salus type was known for Vespasian but not for Titus until this present denarius surfaced. Ian Carradice has given this new type the number 529A (under Vespasian) in the RIC II Addenda. Also, this coin is an obverse die match for the RIC V531 plate coin.
What to my eyes makes this COTD is not the rarity but the bold portrait which was described by the Flavian collector who sold it to me as "striking". I tend to agree. The reverse is weakly struck (worn die?) but well centered.
Struck on a huge flan and weighing 3.48 g. this coin is a true beauty in hand.
David AthertonDec 06, 2011
|
|
Titus RIC 5431 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 54 (R2), BMC 25, RSC 286
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev - TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear
F+
Another very rare Titus as Augustus denarius. What makes this rare is the obverse portrait left married to this reverse type with IMP XV. Neither I or a fellow Flavian specialist have seen another in trade. This coin is an obverse and reverse die match for the RIC plate coin.
A bit on the rough side, but better than the picture shows.David AthertonNov 28, 2011
|
|
Vespasian-RIC-1312 (?)38 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 1312 (R3)
Tarraco mint, 70 AD
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - COS ITER TR POT; Pax stg. l., with branch and caduceus
F
A mystery coin if ever there was one. The portrait style suggests a provincial mint. The seller thinks it could be Tarraco. Ian Carradice believes it is provincial also, but acknowledges Rome had a widely variable portrait style early on and without a die link it remains uncertain where this coin was minted. I too think it is a bit unusual for Rome and so have tentatively assigned it to Tarraco. The obverse style is very much like that on the RIC 1308 plate coin from Tarraco. The Rome example of the type is RIC 29 for comparison.
Admittedly not the prettiest coin but certainly interesting for a Flavian collector!
David AthertonNov 14, 2011
|
|
Domitian RIC-33939 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 339 (R2), BMC 80, RSC 176
Rome mint, 85 AD
Obv - IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, with aegis, r.
Rev - IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4)
VF
Another coin that illustrates Domitian's care for his coinage. Minted after his coinage reform on a large flan, high silver fineness, and an artistic portrait with aegis, this denarius is really remarkable in hand.David AthertonNov 14, 2011
|
|
Domitian RIC-76113 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 761 (C3), BMC 214, RSC 283b
Rome mint, 93-94 AD
Obv - IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P; Minerva adv r., with spear and shield (M1)
VF
Typical of Domitian's later issues, this coin is well centered and displays a stylish portrait.David AthertonNov 08, 2011
|
|
Titus as Caesar RIC V94911 viewsAR Denarius
RIC V949 (C), BMC V222, RSC 66
Rome mint, 77-78 AD
Obv - T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - COS VI; Mars stg. l., with spear and trophy; and to r., corn ear
F
Yet another reverse that is shared with Vespasian. Although the type with Mars and corn ear is listed in RIC as "common", this is the first example I've seen in trade. The condition is not the greatest but beggars can't be choosers. Needless to say the thrill of receiving this denarius far outweighs the eye appeal! David AthertonOct 31, 2011
|
|
Domitian RIC-14521 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 145 (R), BMC 54, RSC 412
Rome mint, 82-83 AD
Obv - IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - SALVS AVGVST; Salus std. l., with corn ears and poppy
VF
In 82 AD Domitian banished his a rationibus Tiberius Julius and then proceeded to increase the fineness of both the silver and gold coins to pre-Neronian standards. The portraits also became more refined, prompting C. H. V. Sutherland to remark they possessed an expression of 'critical disdain, of a kind familiar to the medalist of Louis XLV'.
This denarius dates to 82-83 AD when Domitian improved the quality of the precious metal coinage. The reverse depicts Salus holding grain ears and poppies, an attribute H. Mattingly speculated may refer to Domitian's care for Italian agriculture. The coin itself is darkly toned with hints of a rainbow patina.
David AthertonOct 19, 2011
|
|
Titus RIC 3817 viewsAR Denarius
RIC 38 (R2), BMC - , RSC -
Rome mint, 79 AD
Obv - IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev - TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P; Capricorn l., below, globe
VF
A very rare left facing example of this type from one of Titus' rarer issues minted in the fall of 79 AD. According to BMCRE II and Cohen, London and Paris do not have the type.
Deeply toned with a thick patina and nice portrait.David AthertonOct 03, 2011
|
|
| Random files - David Atherton's Gallery |
Titus as Caesar RIC V95059 viewsAR denarius
RIC V950 (R), BMC V226, RSC 68
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
Obv - T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - COS VI; Prow r.; above eight pointed star
VF
This rare star and prow reverse is shared with Vespasian (not a very common one for him as well!) and is a copy of one issued by Marc Antony. Vespasian copied many types from the past, this is perhaps an odd choice for a reverse considering Antony was an enemy of Octavian. Why this particular type was chosen remains a mystery to me.
The BMC states the star and prow symbolizes the victorious admiral.
This denarius is rated R by the RIC, but as far as it's availability in the market place I would rate it R2! This was a most vexing coin for me to locate, again a friend who shares a common collecting niche as I came to the rescue and offered this one to me.
Quite a nice find. Not only a rare type, but also the portrait is wonderful, imho.
vespasian70
|
|
Vespasian RIC 2170 viewsAR denarius
RIC 21, BMCRE 17, RSC 94a
Rome Mint, 69 - 70 A.D.
Obv - IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev - COS ITER TR POT; Aequitas, draped, standing l., holding scales in r. hand, transverse rod in l.
VF
Issued during Vespasian's first year some of these coins exhibit portraits that resemble Vitellius. This one has some of those traits. Vespasian was either in Egypt or on his way to Rome when many of these coins were struck. The die cutters most likely did not have Vespasian's bust to work from and used modified busts of Vitellius.
Believe it or not this is not a common reverse type to find. I had much difficulty in locating one in VF condition and in a style that I found pleasing.Vespasian70
|
|
Domitian RIC-14140 viewsAR denarius
Domitian, denarius
RIC 141 (C), BMC 34, RSC 610
Rome Mint, 82 AD
Obv - IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev - TR POT IMP II COS VIII DES VIIII P P; Fortuna stg. l., with rudder and cornucopiae
aEF
This is one of the larger flans I have seen on a denarius (21mm). The coin is part of the coinage reforms Domitian began in 82 AD. The denarius was increased to its Augustan weight levels and one can argue the quality of the portrait style was improved as well. Fortuna is featured on the reverse and most likely commemorates her part in Domitian's escape from Vitellian forces during the Civil War in December 69.
David Atherton
|
|
|
