Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

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RIC 751 DomitianÆ Sestertius, 23.75g
Rome mint, 92-94 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVI CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IOVI VICTORI; S C in exergue; Jupiter std. l., with Victory and sceptre
RIC 751 (C2). BMC 464. BNC 491.
Acquired from eBay, May 2019. Ex Degani Coin Shop.

Just like the silver and gold, Domitian's aes coinage in the mid 80s settled down to a few predicable reverse types that were annually struck throughout the reign. The Sestertii were dominated by Victory crowning the emperor and the seated Jupiter with Victory, as seen on this coin. 'Jupiter the giver of Victory' was an important propaganda type because of the periodic conflicts on the Northern frontier that flared up form time to time. Domitian did not renew the consulship until 95, so these COS XVI sestertii are imprecisely dated between 92-94, which accounts for their extreme commonness.

A well worn example with a good portrait and fine olive green patina.3 commentsDavid Atherton05/26/19 at 23:20Vincent: Fine portrait and attractive likeness...yes bugs ...

Roman Empire, Antoninus Pius Denarius - Aequitas (RIC 177)AR Denarius
Rome 148-149 AD
3.36g

Obv: Laureate head of Antoninus Pius (R).
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P XII

Rev: Aequitas standing front, head to left, holding scales and cornucopiae.
COS IIII

RIC 177; BMC 654; RSC 240

Leu Numismatik Auction 4, Lot 648, 25/05/19
Leu Numismatik Auction 1, Lot 219, 25/10/17
ex. Yves Gunzenreiner Collection
1 commentsOptimo Principi05/26/19 at 21:30Jay GT4: Oh that's nice!

Roman Empire, Macrinus Denarius - Macrinus Seated Holding Globe (RIC 27a)AR Denarius
Rome, March-June 218 AD
2.89g

Obv: Laureate and draped bust of Macrinus (R).
IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG

Rev: Macrinus, togate, seated (L), holding globe and parazonium or sceptre.
P M TR P II COS P P

RIC 27a; BMC 47; RSC 51

Leu Numismatik Auction 4, Lot 680, 25/05/19
Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles Auction 106, Lot 1565, 04/09/18
ex. William Mills Collection of Roman Coins3 commentsOptimo Principi05/26/19 at 21:29Jay GT4: Wow! Great coin

RIC 751 DomitianÆ Sestertius, 23.75g
Rome mint, 92-94 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVI CENS PER P P; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IOVI VICTORI; S C in exergue; Jupiter std. l., with Victory and sceptre
RIC 751 (C2). BMC 464. BNC 491.
Acquired from eBay, May 2019. Ex Degani Coin Shop.

Just like the silver and gold, Domitian's aes coinage in the mid 80s settled down to a few predicable reverse types that were annually struck throughout the reign. The Sestertii were dominated by Victory crowning the emperor and the seated Jupiter with Victory, as seen on this coin. 'Jupiter the giver of Victory' was an important propaganda type because of the periodic conflicts on the Northern frontier that flared up form time to time. Domitian did not renew the consulship until 95, so these COS XVI sestertii are imprecisely dated between 92-94, which accounts for their extreme commonness.

A well worn example with a good portrait and fine olive green patina.3 commentsDavid Atherton05/26/19 at 18:12Gary W2: Nice coin and patina. Domitian's overbite is e...

Calabria. Taras circa 455 BC. Nomos AR20mm., 8,11g.
[TAΡAΣ], Taras on dolphin right, both hands extended; pecten and octopus below / Phalanthos seated right on diphros draped with a fleece, holding kantharos in right hand, spindle in left.
very fine
Vlasto 169; SNG ANS -; McClean 549.1 commentsLeo05/26/19 at 11:39Jay GT4: Tough coin to get. Nice

Constantius II AE2Constantius II. 337-361 AD.

Sisica. 351-355 AD.

20mm., 5.34g.

D N CONSTAN-TIVS P F AVG. Bust of Constantius II, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed, right; A behind bust

FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO. Soldier, helmeted, draped, cuirassed, advancing left, spearing fallen horseman with right hand and wearing shield on left arm; shield on ground to right; horseman facing soldier, extending left arm. MintMark: I/-//ASIS•S•

References: RIC VIII Siscia 346

AAEB1 commentsRL05/26/19 at 04:19Randygeki(h2): Nice

CONSTANTIUS II, AE3OBVERSE: DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
REVERSE: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, emperor standing left on prow of ship piloted by Victory, holding globe with phoenix. BSIS SYM2 in ex.
Struck at Siscia 348-350 AD
2.20g, 18 mm
RIC VIII 205"1 commentsLegatus05/26/19 at 04:19Randygeki(h2): Cool

rsc268Elagabalus
AR Denarius

Obv: ANTONINVS PIVS FEL. AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Rev:SANCT DEO SOLI, in exergue ELAGABAL, quadriga right bearing conical Stone of Emesa, ornamented with eagle and shaded by four parasols. .
18 mm, 2.60 gms

RSC 268, RIC 1952 commentsCharles M05/26/19 at 03:13Callimachus: THE Elagabalus denarius. Nice.

LIVIA AE DupondiusOBVERSE: IVSTITIA, draped bust of Livia as Justitia right, wearing stephane
REVERSE: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG REST, around large SC
Restoration issue under Titus.
Rome, AD 80-81
9.9g, 27mm
Cohen 9, RIC II 424 (Titus), BMC 289 (Titus), Komnick 15
Modern stamp, 7 over 36 on obverse1 commentsLegatus05/26/19 at 02:44Jay GT4: Rare coin. Congrats

0002 Sextus Pompey -- Neptune and Naval TrophySextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]
Obv: [MAG or MA (ligatured) G]⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER; Portrait of Neptune facing r., diademed and bearded, trident over l. shoulder. Border of dots.
Rev: [PRAE (AE ligatured) F⦁CLAS⦁ET⦁ORAE (AE ligatured)]⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C⦁; Naval trophy with trident on top and anchor on bottom, prow stem on l. and aplustre on r., at base two representations of Charybdis and two dog heads of Scylla. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC2; Weight: 3.89g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 333; BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 variant3; Sydenham 1347 variant3; Crawford RRC 511/2a or 2b4.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Sear CRI, Crawford RRC, Sydenham, and DeRose Evans (1987) all place the minting of this coin type in Sicily, but they do not reference a possible location. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily suggests Messana.
2This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.562 proposes 38 - 36 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 adopts the same datation. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.
3Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 and Sydenham 1347 only list a reverse legend containing MAR (ligatured) I but the coin here is MAR (ligatured) IT.
4It is impossible to see the full obverse legend, so it cannot be determined if MA is ligatured or not. The reverse legend is clearly the first variety of 2a or 2b, a variety not found on 2c.

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics April 11, 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland; acquired from Hess AG in Luzern, from the Ernst Haeberlin collection, Cahn & Hess, Frankfurt, July 17, 1933 Lot 2889.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

CLICK FOR SOURCES10 commentsTracy Aiello05/25/19 at 20:14Blayne W: wow! awesome coin. Love everything about it .

Macedon: Philip III TetradrachmHead of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck

Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, eagle in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, right leg drawn back, ΦIΛIΠΠOY downward on right, BAΣIΛEΩΣ in exergue, radiate head of Helios facing on left, KY under throne

Struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I,

c. 323 - 317 B.C

Babylon mint, 17.056g, 29.2mm, die axis 90o,

Price P205, Müller Alexander P117, SNG Cop 1083, SNG Alpha Bank -, SNG Saroglos -

Ex-Forum!

Coins from this issue were struck in the names of both of Alexander the Great's co-ruling heirs. Most, including this example, were struck in the name of his brother Philip III, but some were struck in the name of his son Alexander IV. During this period, Archon, Dokimos, and Seleukos I ruled in succession as Macedonian satraps in Babylon. Archon was appointed satrap of Babylonia after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. Perdiccas suspected Archon of colluding in the theft of Alexander's corpse and, in 321 B.C., sent Dokimos to replace him. Archon was defeated and died from battle wounds. Seleucus, was made satrap by Perdiccas' rival Antipater, arrived in Babylon in October or November 320 B.C. and defeated Dokimos.

7 commentsJay GT405/25/19 at 12:02okidoki: very nice reverse

RIC 1200 VespasianÆ As, 11.19g
Lyon mint, 72 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.; globe at point of bust
Rev: PROVIDENT in exergue; S C in field; Altar
RIC 1200 (C). BMC 820. BNC -.
Ex Museum Surplus, May 2019.

Originally, Tiberius struck the Provident altar type for Divus Augustus. The altar depicted is dedicated to Providentia, the personification of the emperor's divine providence. Although the type is commonly described as an altar, Marvin Tameanko has convincingly argued it is actually a sacellum, or small shrine. This popular type was later revived during the Civil War by Galba and Vitellius. Vespasian began striking it early in his reign both at Rome and Lyon. This common example is from the latter mint, struck in 72.

Solid example with a rich dark brown patina.2 commentsDavid Atherton05/25/19 at 08:45Nemonater: Nice Marlon Brando portrait!

RIC 0601 Vespasian AsIMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS IIII CENS
Laureate head of Vespasian right

VESTA SC
Doomed temple of Vesta in the Forum, showing four columns and containing statue of the goddess on pedestal

Rome 73 AD

9.48g

RIC 601 (R); Sear 2365; BMCRE 664

Rare

Ex-Calgary Coin

This celebrated temple had been rebuilt by Nero following the great fire of 64 AD. The Neronian structure survived until another conflagration late in the reign of Commodus and was again restored early in the 3rd century by Julia Domna. It was again rebuilt in more modern times where it still stands in the Roman Forum to this day.

Die notes from Curtis Clay:

"Same dies, and better condition, than the Paris spec., pl. LVII, 663.

The BM spec., pl. 26.9, also illustrated in RIC, pl. 40, 601, is also from the same rev. die, but a different obv. die.

The BM and Paris specimens of the same As for Titus COS II CENS are also from that same rev. die: BM pl. 27.7 = RIC pl. 42, 640; Paris pl. LIX, 689."
9 commentsJay GT405/25/19 at 07:32Ancient Aussie: This coin is a real catch, I'm envious. Confused

RIC 1555 Vespasian NeptuneIMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII.
Laureate bust right.

NEP RED.
Neptune standing left, foot set on globe, holding sceptre and acrostolium.

Antioch mint

3.35g

RIC² 1555(C); RPC 1928

Ex-Ancient Treasures10 commentsJay GT405/25/19 at 07:29Ancient Aussie: WOW, great coin very muscular Neptune. Very Happy

CaracallaANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Laureate head of Caracalla right

LAETITIA TEMPORVM
The spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing l., with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina's other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing l.; below, seven animals: an ostrich at l. and bear at r.; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther attacking a bison.

Rome 206 AD

3.34g

Ex-Londinium coins, Ex Professor K.D. White with original envelope.

Sear 6813, RIC 157, BMCRE 257, CSS 793

Very rare! Only 2 examples in the Reka Devnia hoard

Better in hand

Notes by Curtis Clay:

This famous type commemorates the chariot races and animal hunt that took place on the seventh and final day of Severus' Saecular Games in 204 AD, as described in the inscriptional acts of those games which were found in Rome in the 1870s and 1930s. According to the acts, after three days of sacrifices and three days of honorary stage shows, Severus and Caracalla held circus games on the seventh day, consisting of chariot races and then a hunt of 700 beasts, 100 each of "lions, lionesses, panthers, bears, bisons, wild asses, ostriches". Dio Cassius describes the same hunt, adding the detail that the cage from which the animals were discharged was formed like a boat: "The entire receptacle in the theater had been fashioned in the shape of a boat and was capable of receiving or discharging four hundred beasts at once; and then, as it suddenly fell apart, there came rushing forth bears, lionesses, panthers, lions, ostriches, wild asses, bisons, so that 700 beasts in all, both wild and domesticated, at one and the same time were seen running about and were slaughtered. For to correspond with the duration of the festival, which lasted seven days, the number of the animals was also seven times one hundred." In Dio's text this passage follows directly on his account of Severus' Decennalian Games in 202 AD, causing scholars to accuse Dio of misdating the hunt or to postulate that similar hunts of 700 animals were held both in 202 and in 204. But the true explanation, in my opinion, is that Dio's Byzantine epitimator Xiphilinus, on whom we are dependent for this section of Dio's text, has simply jumped without warning or transition from Dio's description of the Decennalian Games of 202 to his description of the circus spectacle concluding the Saecular Games of 204. This hypothesis easily explains why Dio's text as we have it makes no mention of the Saecular Games themselves or of any event of 203: Xiphilinus omitted this whole section of Dio's history! The seven kinds of animals named by both Dio and the inscriptional acts are also depicted in the coin type: on good specimens, especially the aureus BM pl. 34.4, the ostrich and the bear are clear, the lion has a mane, the ass has long ears, the bison has horns and a hump. Two large felines remain, of which we may suppose that the one accompanying the lion is the lioness and the one attacking the bison is the panther. The animals are named somewhat differently in Cohen, BMC, and other numismatic works: though numismatists have long cited Dio's text to explain the coin type, no one previously seems to have posed the question whether the seven animals in the lower part of the type might not be the same seven that Dio and now the inscriptional acts too name! These circus games with the ship and 700 animals were held in 204 AD, but the coin type commemorating them did not appear until two years later: on aurei of Septimius the type is die linked to a dated type of 206 AD, and for Caracalla the type passes from a draped and cuirassed obverse type on the aureus to the "head only" type on his denarii, a transition that took place in 206 AD according to his dated coins.

SOLD October 201411 commentsJay GT405/25/19 at 07:27Ancient Aussie: Absolutely fantastic coin Jay.

RIC 503 TitusÆ Dupondius, 12.49g
Eastern Mint (Thrace?), 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES DIVI VESP F AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, radiate, bearded, r.
Rev: ROMA; S C in exergue; Roma std. l. on cuirass, with wreath and parazonium
RIC 503 (R). BMC 314. RPC 507. BNC 325.
Acquired from eBay, April 2019. Formerly in NGC holder 4680932-001, grade 'XF', strike 5/5, surface 3/5.

A mystery mint struck coins for Titus sometime between 80-81. The style (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits, and massive reverse figures), unique obverse legends (DIVI VESP F for Titus), and uncommon fabric (flat, almost convex flans) all suggest a mint other than Rome. Attributing exactly where these coins were struck has historically been a moving target - Mattingly in BMCRE thought Lugdunum, H.A. Cahn believed somewhere in Bithynia. More recent scholarship has looked towards Thrace as a possible location for production based on the Balkan distribution pattern of found specimens. Although the region of mintage has been narrowed down, the city itself remains elusive. RPC has suggested possibly Perinthus. Presumably a shortage of bronze coins in the region during Titus' reign prompted a localised imperial issue. The striking of imperial bronze outside of Rome was an exceptional step at the time considering the last imperial branch mint at Lugdunum had shuttered late in Vespasian's reign. The issue consisted of sestertii, dupondii, asses, and semisses which copied types struck at Rome. Only one reverse is known for the dupondius, the Roma type seen on this coin.

Beautifully toned with an extraordinarily decadent portrait.10 commentsDavid Atherton05/25/19 at 07:21Ancient Aussie: Absolutely fantastic coin David.

Vespasian AE30 DupondiusObv. is IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, 71 AD, mint of Lugdunum, Roma seated holding victory, globe below neck of portrait. Giard, Lyon, 30/1a, pl. XLI (same obv. die). RIC 1145, R2. 5 commentsancientone05/25/19 at 07:15Ancient Aussie: Fantastic eye appeal.

Divus Antoninus Pius (Marcus Aurelius, 161-180)Æ Sestertius, 34mm, 23.1g, 12h; Rome, post AD 161.
Obv.: DIVVS ANTONINVS; Bare head right.
Rev.: DIVO - PIO; Column surmounted by statue of Antoninus Pius; / S - C.
Reference: RIC III 1269, p. 315 / 17-146-1813 commentsJohn Anthony05/25/19 at 07:07Ancient Aussie: Fantastic eye appeal.

hhj8.26.34.08_2Elagabalus
Nicopolis

Obv: AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head right.
Rev:VΠA NOB. POV ΦOV NIKOΠOΛITΩN →ΠPOC ICT, in lower field, PO N. Emperor riding horse right raising right hand.
27 mm, 10.97 gms

Hristova-Hoeft-Jekov 8.26.34.81 commentsCharles M05/25/19 at 04:32Jay GT4: Nice one

0003 Sextus Pompey -- Neptune and Naval Trophy Auction CatalogCahn & Hess auction, Frankfurt, July 17, 1933, Ernst Haeberlin collection, lot 2889

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics1 commentsTracy Aiello05/25/19 at 03:28Jay GT4: Very cool

hj6.26.36.19_4Elagabalus
Marcianopolis

Obv: AVT K M AVPH ANT[ΩNEINOC (AVΓ)], laureate cuirassed bust right.
Rev: VΠIOVΛANTCEΛEVK(OV)MAPKIANOΠOΛIT →ΩN, Concordia standing left, holding patera and cornucopia.
26 mm, 9.42 gms

Hristova-Jekov 6.26.36.19 (different arrangement of reverse letters)1 commentsCharles M05/24/19 at 22:27Charles M: needs corrected Embarrassed

Charles M

Probus Stlyes Montagemaridvnvm posted this on the discussion board July 17, 2006:

One of my specialist areas is Probus and I thought I would share a little montage that I have put together. We must remember that stylistic changes occur within a mint over the time of a single emperor as well as between mints and it is often necessary to become as familiar as we can with these style differences to be able to determine the correct mint placement for some coins.

Here are some Bust Type Cs (Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right (seen from the rear)) for arrange of mints under Probus including some examples from different periods of output from these mints where I have examples to show. I hope it is evident that there are marked differences to be seen between the mints but also within a single mint just for this short period of production. I have taken a random sample of coins and there are different styles notable between dies from the same period but they are all generally evident that they come from a particular mint at a particular period.

The output of Antioch and Tripolis are notably more crude and eccentric than the output of the other mints,

Similar stylistic differences can be seen for the other

Regards,
Martin3 commentsJoe Sermarini05/24/19 at 18:57Joe P3: Wow this is really useful! I would love to see one...

RIC 0604 Domitian DenariusIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII
Laureate head right

COS XIIII across field; Column inscribed LVD SAEC FEC;
all within laurel wreath

3.09g

Rome; September 14-December 31, 88 AD

RIC 604 (C) Scarce

Ex-Praefectus

Rated as common in RIC but actually quite difficult to find. Beautiful in hand with a nice dark old cabinet toning developing.7 commentsJay GT405/24/19 at 11:59David Atherton: Beautifully toned.

0996 Hadrian Sestertius, Roma 128-29 AD Hadrian with Roma and SenateReference.
RIC II, 968; Banti 193; BMC 1364; C. 352; Hill 388; Strack 632; RIC 996

Bust A1

Obv. HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS P P
Laureate head

Rev. S C in field; COS III in ex
Hadrian, Roma and Senator adventus group: Hadrian stands left, the Senator stands right, Roma, holding spear, stands between them facing Emperor, and drawing his hand towards the extended hand of the Senator.

25.00 gr
33 mm
6h

Note.
The Romans often staged events in which the emperor was accompanied by actors dressed to personify symbolic personalities such as Annona, Liberalitas, Roma, et al. Here we see the emperor clasping the hand of the Senate in the presence of Roma, who stands behind them confirming their cooperative spirit by resting her hand on theirs.

This reverse type, representing "Concordia Senatus," likely commemorates the conferring of the title pater patriae upon Hadrian by the Senate in 128 AD.1 commentsokidoki05/23/19 at 20:47Jay GT4: Fantastic!

Attica, Athens. 87/86 BC. AE18.Obv: Head of Athena, wearing Corinthian helmet.
Rev: Zeus standing, hurling thunderbolt; star between crescents to right.
18mm., 8.7 gm.
Mithradatic war issue w/ King Mithradates & Aristion as magistrates.
Kroll 97 1 commentsancientone05/23/19 at 18:13shanxi: nice

RIC 0059 DomitianusObv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M, Laureate head right
Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P, Minerva advancing right, with spear and shield
AR/Denarius (19.28 mm 3.001 g 6h) Struck in Rome 81 A.D. (4th group)
RIC 59 (R2), RSC-BMCRE-BNF unlisted
purchased on eBay from deldor31 commentsFlaviusDomitianus05/23/19 at 14:20Jay GT4: Nice find Alberto!

RIC 215 TitusÆ As, 9.73g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: AEQVITAS AVGVST; S C in field; Aequitas stg. l., with scales and rod
RIC 215 (C). BMC 204. BNC 207.
Ex eBay, 10 May 2019.

Titus produced a sizeable bronze issue in 80-81. He did not renew the consulship in 81, so it is difficult to pin down a precise date. Owing to the issue's large size it is likely many of the coins did indeed spill over into 81. Here we see a common Aequitas type from that large issue which was originally struck under Vespasian, who in turn copied it from Galba. Aequitas likely represents fairness in issuing out the corn dole.

Honest wear with a dark olive green patina.5 commentsDavid Atherton05/23/19 at 04:41Randygeki(h2): Very nice!

Robert of Anjou (1309 - 1343 A.D.)AR Gigliato
O: + ROBЄRTUS DЄI GRA IЄRL ЄT SICIL RЄX. King enthroned holding sceptre in right hand and globus cruciger in left, cross at neck.
R: + ҺOҺOR RЄGIS IUDICIU DILIGIT., cross fleury with lys in each quarter.
3.85g
24.5mm
Naples Mint, Italy
Biaggi 1634 MIR (Varesi) 283 commentsMat05/23/19 at 04:39Randygeki(h2): Neat addition

22125 Caracalla/Dea CaelestisANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Laureate bust right, draped.
INDVLGENTIA AVGG IN CARTH
Dea Caelestis, holding thunderbolt and sceptre, riding lion over waters.
RIC 130a. 3.00g, 17mm, 6h
Ex Roma Numismatics
AD 204
2 commentsBlayne W05/22/19 at 21:12Steve P: sweet

Shekel Tyre Civic Year 4 (123/2 BC)PHOENICIA. Tyre. AR shekel (30mm, 14.09 gm, 12h). Dated Civic Year 4 (123/1222 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melqart right
R: TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (Tyre the Holy and Inviolable), Eagle standing left on prow, palm frond over wing; to left, LΔ (date) above club, M and Phoenician bet between legs.
- DCA Tyre 9. DCA 921. ex ClassicalCoins.Com 2005

Note the unusual placement of the monogram. From years 1-4 the placement of the monogram varies, after which it became standardized to the right of the eagle.

A development which encouraged the wealth of Tyre seems to have been a religious revolution in the city under the reigns of Abibaal and Hiram which elevated the god known as Melqart (a deified version of Hercules) over the traditional divine couple of the Phoenicians, Baal (also known as El) and Astarte (Asherah). The primacy of Melqart (whose name means `King of the City') drew power away from the priests of the traditional pantheon of the gods and placed it at the disposal of the palace. Richard Miles notes, "It seems that a desire to bring the temples to heel lay behind the royal decision to replace the traditional chief deities of Tyre with a new god, Melqart"(32). The result was not only an increase in the wealth of the palace but, through a more efficient distribution of that wealth, increased prosperity for the whole of the city.5 commentsNemonater05/21/19 at 23:19Jay GT4: Gorgeous

RPC II 0364 DomitianusObv: AYTOK KAIΣAP ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣEB ΓΕΡ - Laureate head of Domitian right.
Rev: ΠΕΡΥΝΘΙΩΝ - Dionysus standing, left, holding cantharos and thyrsus; panther to left.
AE27 (27.31 mm 8.794 g 6h) Struck in Perinthus (Thrace)
RPC II 364
ex Emporium Hamburg Auction 85 Lot 3313 commentsFlaviusDomitianus05/21/19 at 23:19Jay GT4: That's great

RIC 0351 VespasianÆ Quadrans, 2.54g
Rome Mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG; Palm tree
Rev: P M TR P P P COS III; S C in field; Vexillum
RIC 351 (R). BMC 618. BNC -. Hendin 1569.
Acquired from numis-kimel, eBay, May 2019.

During Vespasian's great bronze issue of 71 the Rome mint produced a series of quadrantes. Their rarity today is likely a result of them being of low value and typically not hoarded. Mimicking the larger bronze, the Jewish War victory was celebrated on them as well. Because of the small flan size brevity is called for: a palm representing Judaea on the obverse, and a Vexillum symbolising military victory on the reverse - straight and to the point! Ironically, despite their rarity today, more of the plebeian population would have seen these quadrantes than their more famous 'Judaea Capta' silver cousins.

Struck with full legends and sporting a fetching 'Tiber' patina.3 commentsDavid Atherton05/20/19 at 21:21Gary W2: I want one! Smile

RIC 0238 VespasianÆ Sestertius, 25.68g
Rome mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG P M TR P P P COS III; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: MARS VICTOR; S C in field; Mars, armoured, adv. l., with Victory and trophy
RIC 238 (C). BMC 552. BNC 509.
Ex CNG E443, 1 May 2019, lot 530.

A sestertius struck in Vespasian's great bronze issue of 71. The reverse features the first Mars type coined for the new emperor, copied from one previously struck for Vitellius. Mars is seen here in full military dress instead of the heroic nude he is normally depicted as on the contemporary denarii. This MARS VICTOR type pays proper respect to the god of war for granting Flavian success in the recently concluded Jewish War (an open display of celebration for defeating Vitellius would be taboo on the coinage). The portraits from this aes issue can be quite extraordinary. C.H.V. Sutherland in his book Roman Coins writes: 'Vespasian's aes, however, and not merely the sestertii, developed a full magnificence of portraiture ... The beauty of this work lay in it's realism, strong in authority and yet delicate in execution ...' (p. 189). Perhaps, a portrait such as this is what Sutherland had in mind when he wrote that passage.

The minor porosity does not detract from the superb veristic portrait and beautiful dark brown patina. 5 commentsDavid Atherton05/20/19 at 07:52maridvnvm: Gorgeous. It's a type I have always admired.

Brutus Gold Stater Roman Consul Brutus in center accompanied by two lictors
KOΣΩN in ex. BR monogram on left.

Eagle standing left on scepter, wings open raising wreath in left claw.

Eastern mint, Dacia? 43-42 B.C.

8.38g

Choice aUNC

RPC I 1701; BMC Thrace p. 208, 1; BMCRR II 48; Crawford 433/1

Ex-ANE, Ex CNG

Clickable for larger image

For an excellent write up/ theory on these coins including a fascinating metalurgy report:
http://www.calgarycoin.com/reference/articles/koson/koson.htm

And of course the numiswiki article:
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Koson
17 commentsJay GT405/18/19 at 22:28Nemonater: Of the finest style, incredible details!

Phoenicia, Arados, (c.138.7-44.3 B.C.), AR-Tetradrachm, BMC 273, Nike advancing left, #1 Phoenicia, Arados, (c.138.7-44.3 B.C.), AR-Tetradrachm, BMC 273, Nike advancing left, #1
avers: Veiled, draped, and turreted bust of Tyche right.
reverse: APAΔIΩN, Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond; in left field, ςЧP (date) above Aramaic H above AΣ; all within wreath.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 26,5-27,5mm, weight:14,88g, axes:0h,
mint: Phoenicia, Arados, date: c. 196 = 64/3 B.C., ref: BMC 273, SNG Cop-, Duyrat 3964 (D91/R650), Rouvier 327, HGC10-72,
Q-0018 commentsquadrans05/17/19 at 17:21quadrans: Thank you Pekka, Smile

11.05. Kálmán., (Koloman the Bibliophile) King of Hungary, (1095-1116 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 11.05./c1.03./51., H-034, CNH I.-042, U-030, #0111.05. Kálmán., (Koloman the Bibliophile) King of Hungary, (1095-1116 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 11.05./c1.03./51., H-034, CNH I.-042, U-030, #01
avers: +CAL MAN, Three long crosses with dots in the middle and at the bottom; border of dots.
reverse: +LADISLAVS RE, Cross in a circle with wedges in the angles; line border.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 10,5 mm, weight: 0,46 g, axis: 7h,
mint: Esztergom, date: A.D., ref: Huszár-034, CNH I.-042, Unger-030,
Tóth-Kiss-Fekete: CÁC I.(Catalog of Árpadian Coinage I./Opitz I.), Privy-Mark/Szigla: 11.05./c1.03./51.,
Q-0011 commentsquadrans05/17/19 at 14:53Steve P: wow ... interesting, eh? ... that's a super-co...

Seleucia, Seleukid Kingdom, 01 Seleukos I., Nikator, (312-281 B.C.), SC 6.1, AE-13 (Half unit), BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ΣEΛEYKOY, Bull butting right, #1 Seleucia, Seleukid Kingdom, 01 Seleukos I., Nikator, (312-281 B.C.), SC 6.1, AE-13 (Half unit), BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ΣEΛEYKOY, Bull butting right, #1
avers: Winged head of Medusa right with serpents in hair.
reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ/ΣEΛEYKOY, above and beneath bull butting right, A(or monogram) in the left field (behind the bull).
exergue: A/-//--, diameter: 13,0-13,5mm, weight: 3,58g, axes: 0h,
mint: Seleucia, Seleukos I., Nikator, Antioch Mint, date: 312-280 B.C., ref: SC 6.1, Newell WSM 1357., SNG Spaer 67, BMC 65,
Q-0012 commentsquadrans05/17/19 at 03:22n.igma: A stunner of a bronze!

Baktria, Indo-Greek kingdom. MENANDER I Soter AR Drachm. EF+. Bust to left holding spear.Obverse: Diademed heroic bust of Menander I to left, seen from behind, wearing aegis over the shoulder and brandishing spear.
Reverse: Athena Alkidemos advancing left, shield decorated with aegis over the arm, hurling thunderbolt; monogram to right; Karosthi inscription around.

Issued by the mythic king Menander I, the most powerful ruler of the indo-greek kingdom of Baktria and the first western ruler to be converted to Buda´s faith.

EF+ condition, practically uncirculated, conserving absolutely full details in both sides, very bold relief and high-quality silver.

Bopearachchi 7B. Circa 155-130 b.C. 2.4 g - 16.5 mm5 commentsMark R105/16/19 at 21:58RL: very nice

115-114 B.C., M. Cipius, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 289/1, Rome, Victory in biga right, #1,115-114 B.C., M. Cipius, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 289/1, Rome, Victory in biga right, #1,
avers: Helmeted head of Roma right, behind X, M•CIPI•M•F, border of dots.
reverse: Victory in biga right, holding palm branch; below, rudder.
exergue: -/-//ROMA, diameter: 16,5mm, weight: 3,84g, axis: 10h,
mint: Rome, date: 115-114 B.C., ref: Crawford 289/1, Sydenham 546, Cipia 1.,
Q-0011 commentsquadrans05/16/19 at 21:27Jay GT4: Sweet Biga!

Phoenicia, Arados 116-117 A.DAE 26.72mm (Thickness 3.65mm), weight 12.86g, die axis = 12h (0 degrees).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Trajan right. [AYTOKPNEP TRAIANOΣAPIΣ] TKAIΣΣEBΓEP∆AKΠAP.

Reverse: Reverse: Tyche nude to waist seated left on rudder, hand on tiller, carrying cornucopia with bunch of grapes, Phoenician letter beth (B) in right field, Aradian era date 375 (∆OT) above Tyche´s outstretched right hand. ΑΡΑΔΙWΝ (of the Aradians) below.2 commentsArados05/14/19 at 08:35Arados: That did not cross my mind but now that you mentio...

Phraates IV (38 - 2 B.C.)AR Tetradrachm
O: Diademed and draped bust left, wart on forehead, wearing pointed beard and torque with no end visible; all within pelleted border.
R: BACILE[WS] BACILEWN ARSAKO[U] EUERGETOU DIKAIOU EPIFANOU[S] FILELLHN[OS], Phraates seated right on throne, Tyche standing left before him, presenting a palm and holding cornucopiae; year between throne legs, [month in exergue]
Seleukeia on the Tigris mint.
30mm
15g
Sellwood 516 commentsMat05/14/19 at 04:07Randygeki(h2): Neat piece Mat!

BCC G29Roman Gem Stone
Caesarea Maritima
Intaglio 1st-3rd cent.CE
Draped bust of Apollo? left.
Red-Brown jasper in a
modern setting.
Profile type: F1, Flat top,
flat bottom, upright oval.
11.5 x 9.0 x 2.0mm. (including mounting)
cf. Hamburger #16, but without laurel branch.
cf. Hendler Collection #12 and #13.
Surface find, 1976, Setting created, 1983.
Comments or corrections are welcome.
(click for larger pic)1 commentsv-drome05/14/19 at 02:36Jay GT4: Beautiful

5959 EGYPT, Alexandria Hadrian Drachm 134-35 AD Asclepius standing with olive-branchReference.
Emmett 918.19; RPC III, 5959/3; Dattari-Savio Pl. 76, 1624; Dattari 1624 and Pl. X (this rev. illustrated).

Issue L ƐΝΝƐΑΚ·Δ = year 19

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙΑΝ - ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СƐΒ
Laureate draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from rear

Rev. L ENNEAK Δ
Asclepius standing facing head right, holding long serpent-staff, holding olive-branch

25.18 gr
33.5 mm
12h2 commentsokidoki05/13/19 at 20:54quadrans: Great piece ..I like it.. Smile

Sicily, Syracuse. Pyrrhus (Circa 278-275 BC)AE 23mm, 11.43 g

Obverse: Head of Heracles l., wearing lion's headdress; in r. field, cornucopiae.

Rev. Athena Promachos standing r., holding spear and shield; in l. field, thunderbolt.

SNG Copenhagen 811. Calciati 177.

Pyrrhus was king of the Greek tribe of Molossians (west coast of Greece) and later became king of Epirus. One of the greatest military commanders of the ancient world, Pyrrhus took a large army to southern Italy at the behest of the Greek colony of Tarentum in their war against Rome. With his superior cavalry, deadly phalanx, and 20 elephants, Pyrrhus defeated the Romans in a succession of battles but at great cost. After a victory at Apulia (279 BC) where Pyrrhus lost 3,500 men including many officers, he famously commented that, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined." It is from this semi-legendary event that the term Pyrrhic victory originates.

In 278 BC, the Greek cities in Sicily asked Pyrrhus to help drive out Carthage, which along with Rome was one of the two great powers of the Western Mediterranean. While successful, his request for manpower and money from the Sicilians for a fleet to blockade Carthage’s final stronghold was met with resistance, forcing Pyrrhus to proclaim a military dictatorship of Sicily and install military garrisons in Sicilian cities. These actions were deeply unpopular and with Sicily growing increasingly hostile to Pyrrhus, he abandoned Sicily and returned to Italy to fight another inconclusive battle against the Romans. Pyrrhus soon ended his campaign in Italy and returned to Epirus.

In 274 BC he captured the Macedonian throne in a battle against Antigonus Gonatus II. But two years later while storming the city of Argos, Pyrrhus was killed in a confused battle at night in the narrow city streets. While fighting an Argive soldier, the soldier's mother, who was watching from a rooftop, threw a tile which knocked Pyrrhus from his horse and broke part of his spine, paralyzing him. His death was assured after a soldier beheaded his motionless body.

Athena Promachos ("Athena who fights in the front line") was a colossal bronze statue of Athena. Erected around 456 BC in Athens, the Athena Promachos likely memorialized the Persian Wars. The very first specific archaistic Athena Promachos coin image was depicted on coins that were issued by Alexander the Great in 326 BC. Ten years later, the Athena Promachos appeared on coins issued by Ptolemy in Alexandria. Pyrrhus' alliance with Ptolemy (I and II) and admiration of Alexander the Great (they were second cousins) undoubtedly inspired the design of this coin with Heracles on obverse (like Alexander's coins) and Athena Promachos on the reverse. 2 commentsNathan P05/13/19 at 20:40Jay GT4: Beautiful

RIC 0737 DomitianusObv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XI, Laureate head right
Rev: IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P P P, Minerva standing left, with thunderbolt and spear; shield at her left side
AR/Denarius (19.05 mm 3.296 g 6h) Struck in Rome 92 A.D. (2nd issue)
RIC 737 (R), RSC, BMCRE, BNF unlisted
ex Jesus Vico Online Auction 5 Lot 1131 commentsFlaviusDomitianus05/13/19 at 12:15Jay GT4: Outstanding!

Temnos - AR tetradrachmin the name of Alexander III
c. 188-170 BC
head of young Heracles in lionskin right
Zeus seated left, leaning on scepter, holding eagle; oinochoe within vine tendril left
AΛEΞANΔPOY
(ΠA) E
Price 1676; Müller 956
16,20g 37mm
ex Dionysos1 commentsJ. B.05/12/19 at 22:35Jay GT4: Great reverse details

Bruttium - KrotonAR obol
c.530-510 BC
O - Tripod altar
R - Incuse tripod altar1 commentsmauseus05/12/19 at 22:34Jay GT4: Great small coin

Lucania - SybarisAR obol
c.530-510 BC
O - Bull left, head turned back
R - Incuse bull right, head turned back1 commentsmauseus05/12/19 at 22:33Jay GT4: Love these early Italian coins!

RIC 686 DomitianAR Denarius, 3.40g
Rome mint, 89 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XXI COS XIIII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. r. on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to r., owl (M2)
RIC 686 (C2). BMC 159. RSC 258. BNC 154.
Acquired from Athena Numismatics, June 2014.

Late in 89 Domitian was voted a double triumph over the Chatti and the Dacians. This common denarius struck between mid September and 31 December records Domitian's 21st imperial acclamation, the culmination of the two campaigns. The portrait style is quite unusual featuring a bull necked, heavily jowled Domitian, perhaps features more fitting for Vespasian.

A large flan specimen with a distinctive colourful patina. 6 commentsDavid Atherton05/12/19 at 20:34Jay GT4: Fantastic portrait

Septimius Severus and Caracalla - Samos198-211 AD
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right from behind facing laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus left from behind
AV KAI M AVP ANTΩNEINOC AV KAI Λ CEΠ CEOVHPOC
Septimus Severus on horse prancing right, wearing cuirass and chalmys, is about to spear fallen enemy
CA_M_I_Ω_N
BMC Greek (Ionia) 258.p376
25,00g 34mm1 commentsJ. B.05/12/19 at 18:12okidoki: excellent

1174 - L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, Denarius Rome mint, 90 BC
Laureate head of Apollo right, Δ below chin
Naked horseman galloping right, holding whip; above swan. L.PISO.FRUGI / ROMA at exergue
3,93 gr - 18,8 mm
Ref : RCV # 235, RSC # 12b, RRC # 340/1-Calpurnia 12b-symbol 166
Ex. Naville Numismatics
5 commentsPotator II05/12/19 at 17:04*Alex: Nice!

Motya - AR litrac. 400-397 BC
head of Nymph facing, slightly right, wearing necklace
crab, fish above
'alep waw tet mem
Jenkins, Punic, pl. 23, 6; Campana 24a; HGC 2, 937
0,70g 11,5mm
ex Roma1 commentsJ. B.05/12/19 at 10:38shanxi: nice crab

076 - Julia Maesa denarius - RIC 266Denarius
Obv:– IVLIA MAESA AVG Draped bust of Julia Maesa to right, her hair bound in a bun at the back
Rev:– PIETAS AVG Pietas standing facing, her head turned to left, raising both hands in prayer; at her feet to left, altar
Minted in Rome. A.D. 218-220
Reference– Cohen 34a. RIC 266

3.88g, 20.04mm, 180o3 commentsmaridvnvm05/11/19 at 20:06shanxi: wonderful portrait

136 - Numerian - RIC 416 - Bust Type FAntoninianus
Obv:– IMP NVMERIANVS AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PIETAS AVGG, Mercury standing left, holding purse and caduceus
Minted in Rome (//KAD). A.D. 283 - A.D. 284
Reference:– RIC 416 (C).

4.13g, 21.99mm, 180o1 commentsmaridvnvm05/11/19 at 20:06shanxi: interesting, unusual caduceus (wings at the tip?)

Crawford 410/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Q. Pomponius Musa, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
Q. Pomponius Musa, mid-50s BCE
AR Denarius (3.58g; 19mm).
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo(?), hair tied-up, facing right; tied scroll behind.

Reverse: Q. POMPONI – MVSA; Clio, muse of history, facing left and leaning on column, while reading open scroll.

References: Crawford 410/3; Sydenham 813; BMCRR 3610-11; Pomponia 11.

Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction 3072 (15 Jan 2019), Lot 35407; Frederick S. Knobloch Collection [Stack's (3-4 May 1978), Lot 469]; E.J. Haeberlin Collection [Cahn-Hess (17 Jul 1933) Lot 2490].

As the muse of history, Clio is typically depicted in ancient art with an open scroll or tablet.

Q. Pomponius Musa, who punned his name by depicting the Muses on a series of coins, is unknown except for his coins, which makes precise dating of the series difficult. For many years, scholars (including Crawford) dated the series to 66 BCE. However, the absence of any examples of the series in the large Mesagne hoard caused Hersh and Walker to bring down the date of the series to 56 BCE. Michael Harlan, retracting his reticence with the Mesagne dating, later proposed a date of 52 BCE.

There are two varieties of Musa denarii: the first depicts Apollo/Hercules Musarum (see my gallery example); the second, of which there are nine sub-varieties, depict Apollo and a Muse. The above coin is of the second variety.

Apollo is often depicted androgynously on ancient coins. The standard references consistently attribute the obverse heads on both varieties of Musa’s coins as Apollo; but the depictions are notably different between the Hercules and Muse varieties. On the Hercules variety, the deity’s hair is down and tied, and generally consistent with many depictions of Apollo on other Roman Republican coins (see, e.g., denarii of L. Calpurnius Piso and C. Calpurnius Piso). Comparatively, the head on the above Muse variety is considerably more feminine in appearance and laureate, though lacking earrings, necklaces or other feminine accents. Admittedly, this more feminine type head has also been attributed by scholars as Apollo on other coin types (see, e.g., denarii of P. Clodius and C. Considius). However, within the same series the different styled heads appear to depict different deities. Given the Muse emblems behind each head on the nine Muse types, it’s possible that the feminine heads do not represent Apollo, but the Muses themselves. Michael Harlan agrees with this interpretation in both editions of "Roman Republican Moneyers and their Coins." More research on this issue is needed.3 commentsCarausius05/11/19 at 19:18paul1888: Beautiful coin with a nicely centered reverse.

BOEOTIA. Thebes. Ca. 395-338 BC. AR stater (12.05 gm). NGC XF 5/5 - 3/5BOEOTIA. Thebes. Ca. 395-338 BC. AR stater (12.05 gm). NGC XF 5/5 - 3/5. Kalli(machus?), magistrate, ca. 363-338 BC. Boeotian shield / Amphora; KA-ΛΛI across fields; all within concave circle. BCD Boiotia 555.3 commentsMark R105/11/19 at 19:15paul1888: Nice example with beautiful toning.

Roman Republic, Mn. Acilius Glabrio - Salus with Valetudo holding Snake (Crawf. 442/1a)AR Denarius
Rome, 49 BC
3.72g

Obv: Laureate head of Salus (R), SALVTIS upward in field.

Rev: Valetudo standing (L), resting l. arm on column and holding snake in r. hand
MN·ACILIVS – III·VIR·VALETV

Crawford 442/1a; Acilia 8; Syd. 922

NAC Auction 114 - Part 1, 06/05/2019, Lot 475
ex. NAC 73, Student and his Mentor part II, 18/11/2013, Lot 176
ex. Nicolas Collection, Etienne-Paul Nicolas (1904-1981), Leu 17, 03/05/1977, Nicolas, Lot 648.9 commentsOptimo Principi05/11/19 at 19:13paul1888: An example of Roman Republic art at its best with ...

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