| Last comments - Kim B. N |
Greek, Kings of Paphlagonia, Pylaimenes II. / III. EuergetesCirca 133-103 BC
AE 18mm, 2.90 grams, 0 degrees
O: Head of bull facing
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ.
Winged kerykeion (caduceus)
Ref: SNG BM Black Sea 1555-6; HGC 7, 441; SG 3715
Notes: Extremely fine. Unknown mint. This is a beautiful coin in hand, it has the best obverse of any I have seen. It is rated R1 in HGC.
Virgil H05/30/23 at 19:05Kim B. N: Lovely indeed, 18mm yet the bull head is so great.
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Kyme the AmazonAEOLIS. Kyme. Epirus Marcellus, procos III (69-96)
AE 19
Bust of the Senate, ΘEON CVNKΛHTON
Amazon Kyme standing left, holding trident and globe, EΠPIΩ MAPKEΛΛΩ / KY
RPC II, 971, SNG Copenhagen 144
It's hard to say for certain, but it looks like Kyme is wearing a Scythian pointed hat with ear flaps, trousers, and boots, which would make this a fairly accurate portrayal if a female Scythian horse warrior, who were the actual historical amazons. There are only two examples of this coin in acsearch.
Thanks to Pekka K for the proper attribution.Blindado03/26/22 at 10:52Kim B. N: Lovely indeed.
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RPC II 1665 DomitianusObv: AYT KAI ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM, laureate head of Domitian right
Rev: ΔOMITIA CEBACTH, Draped bust of Domitia right
AR/Didrachm (22.27 mm 6.380 gr 6h) Struck in Rome for circulation in Cappadocia in 93-94 A.D.
RPC II 1665, Metcalf 27.
ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 71 Lot 370FlaviusDomitianus11/07/21 at 01:06Kim B. N: Must have! Just lovely! 
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France (feudal): Duchy of Burgundy; Hugues/Hugh III (1162-1192) and Hugues/Hugh IV (1218-1272)Boudeau 1211; Poey d’Avant 5677 var., plate XXXI No. 12; Roberts 4533-34 var.
AR denier; Dijon mint; .89 g., 17.75 mm. max., 270°
Obv: + VGO D[V]X BVRG:DIE (three vertical pellets between G and D), pellet above two billettes, annulet below.
Rev: + DIVIONENSIS (=Dijon) (first S retrograde), cross.Stkp08/04/21 at 01:02Kim B. N: There are just something about them french. :roll...
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RPC 2463 TitusAR Tetradrachm, 12.61g
Alexandria mint, 79-80 AD
Obv: AYTOK TITOY KAIΣ OYEΣΠAΣIANOY ΣEB; Head of Titus, laureate, r.
Rev: OMO-NOIA; Homonoia seated, l., with olive branch; date LB to l.
RPC 2463 (12 spec.).
Acquired from Praefectus Coins, January 2018.
The first issue of Alexandrian tetradrachms for Titus were struck in regnal year 2, 29 August 79 - 28 August 80. They are not as plentiful as the regnal year 3 tetradrachms, perhaps indicating their production began in mid 80 and continued into the following regnal year. Three reverse types were initially coined for Titus - Euthenia, Homonoia, and Sarapis, none of which are carry-overs from Vespasian's tetradrachm issues. Butcher and Ponting have found Titus' tetradrachms were struck with near 19.5% silver fineness from recycled metals, consistent with the earlier issues minted for Vespasian.
Superb portrait of Titus, one of the best I've seen from this mint.David Atherton03/08/18 at 02:29Kim B. N: What a face. 
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RIC 0773 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.89g
Rome Mint, 75 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, bare, l.
Rev: PON MAX TR P COS VI; Pax, bare to the waist, seated l., holding branch extended in r. hand, l. hand on lap
RIC 773 (R3). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Acquired from eBay, November 2017.
Here is an interesting situation of an extremely rare obverse paired with the most common reverse type ever struck for Vespasian's denarii. The Pax type with the common laureate right portrait was struck in vast quantities to commemorate the opening of the Temple of peace. The bare head left portraits are seen sparingly (Buttrey - 'Fleetingly') on the denarii of 75 and 76 exclusively with the seated Pax reverse. This denarius is the second known specimen of the exceedingly rare bare head COS VI Pax from 75. Unsurprisingly, it shares obverse dies with the unique specimen cited in RIC. The bare head portraits seem to have been the experimental work of one engraver operating at the mint in 75/76. Too bad this portrait variant didn't catch on, it has a delightfully attractive spare elegance.
Struck in fine style and in good metal.David Atherton12/13/17 at 17:49Kim B. N: he allmost looks like my dad.  Very nice indee...
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2356 Hadrian Aureus Roma 130-38 AD Spes Reference,
RIC II, 274; C.1412; Strack 272; BMC 732; Hill 798; RIC 2356
Bust A2
Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate head with drapery
Rev. SPES P R
Spes advancing left, holding flower and hitching robe
7.11 gr
18 mm
6h
Note.
Spes was the Roman personification of Hope
the Greek counterpart was Elpisokidoki11/28/17 at 17:35Kim B. N: That portrait.. Oh my!
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Amisos, Pontos, c. 85 - 65 B.C. Mithradates VI Eupator. Obv. aegis with facing head of Medusa (gorgoneion) in center; Rev. AMI−ΣOY, Nike advancing right, holding palm frond across shoulders behind, A∆T monogram lower left.
19.7mm, 8.4 grams.
References: Sear 3642, BMC 72.Canaan11/17/17 at 12:13Kim B. N: Indeed very lovely coin, there is just something a...
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Trajan Sestertius Trajan on Horseback Trampling DacianObv.
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V P P
Laureate head right, slight drapery on far shoulder
Rev.
SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI
S C in exergue
Trajan on horseback right, spearing Dacian below horse
33mm 26.25g
RIC 543ancientdave04/27/17 at 16:19Kim B. N: Poor Dacian guy.  Awsome coin! Congrats Dav...
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RIC 1397 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.29g
Ephesus mint, 69-70 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESPAS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: PACI ORB TERR AVG; Turreted and draped female bust, r.
RIC 1397 (R). BMC p. 89,†. RSC 291. RPC 807 (5 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from NB Numismatics, March 2017. Ex VAuctions 292 (Imperial Coins), 6 December 2012, lot 130.
The first denarius issue at Ephesus was struck without mint marks and all of them are quite rare. This particular denarius has a peculiarly crude style compared with other Ephesian denarii. RIC II.1 authors Carradice and Buttrey comment about this coin in the introduction on p. 8 - 'a recent example seen in trade (Imperial Coins 2004) had the correct legend (and good weight for a denarius, at 3.29g) but a very different, inferior style on both the obverse and reverse. Is such a coin a barbarous imitation, or simply the product of a less able die-engraver employed at the start of a mint's output?' Curiously, the RIC plate coin of this same type from Oxford is in a similarly crude style. Interesting to note that Mattingly in BMCRE II doubted the type existed without mint mark, which indicates how rare it is!
Struck on a small flan in high relief.
David Atherton03/14/17 at 22:41Kim B. N: Good old Ves looks fine without his ahmm.. thick c...
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Phoenicia, Arados 114-113 B.CAE 16.99mm (Thickness 3.06mm), weight 5.16g, die axis = 12h (0 degrees), denomination B.
Obverse: Turreted head of Tyche right, braided ponytail, palm frond behind.
Reverse: Poseidon seated left on prow of galley holding wreath in right hand and trident in left, Athena figurehead (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος), Phoenician letter beth (B) in right field, Aradian era date 146 with Phoenician letters mem (M), yodh (Y), taw (T) ? & sadhe (TS) ? below.Arados03/14/17 at 22:36Kim B. N: You do find some lovely coins Martin.
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Maximus Crowvs
Maximus (Caesar, 235/6-238). AR Denarius Rome mint, 236-7.
O: MAXIMVS CAES GERM; Rvssell Crowvs Bareheaded and draped bust right
R: PRINC IVVENTVTIS; Maximus standing left, holding baton and spear; two signa to right
- RIC IV ?Nemonater02/25/17 at 02:20Kim B. N: LOL Now that is EPIC! 
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GREEK, Quasi-Autonomous, Silanus, Antioch, Syria, "Star of Bethlehem"Silanus (Legatus Augusti pro praetore)
Syria, Antioch AE22
No obverse legend - Laureate bust or Zeus right
EΠI ΣIΛANOY ANTIOXEΩN - Ram running right, looking back, star above. ΓM (year 43) below.
RPC I 4269 | GICV 5186
BMC Galatiaia pg 159, 65
12-13 A.D.
The astronomer Michael Molnar believes this coin depicts Jupiter's occultation of Aries in 6 B.C., which could be the Star of Bethlehem in the Bible.
http://www.eclipse.net/~molnar/
Holding_History02/06/17 at 14:00Kim B. N: What an awsome patina.
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ROMAN IMPERATORS, BRUTUSThe Republicans. Brutus. Spring-early summer 42 BC.
AR Denarius (20mm, 3.75 g, 5h). Military mint traveling with Brutus in Lycia.
Bare head of Libertas right / Plectrum, lyre, and laurel branch tied with fillet.
Crawford 501/1; CRI 199; Sydenham 1287; RSC 5. 01/19/17 at 01:28Kim B. N: Well the Adverse is just wonderfull.
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ROMAN IMPERATORS, BRUTUSQ. Caepio Brutus, AR Denarius - Military Mint travelling in Lycia, spring-early summer 42 BC
LEIBERTAS Head of Libertas right. / CAEPIO-BRVTVS-PRO-COS Plectrum, lyre, and filleted laurel branch. Crawford 501/1; CRI 199; Sydenham 1287; RSC 5; Sear (Millennium) 1432; Seaby, Brutus 5. Minted in the spring to early summer of 42 BC by a military mint traveling with Brutus in Lycia.
(18 mm, 3.71 g, 5h)
 01/19/17 at 01:26Kim B. N: Great face But shame, shame not too keep th...
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Constans (346-348 AD) AE3, Constantinopolis mintRoman Imperial, Constans (346-348 AD) AE3, Constantinopolis mint
Obverse: DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, Laureate head right.
Reverse: GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, Two soldiers flanking one standard. Mintmark: CONS(?) "Glorious Execution"
Reference: RIC VIII Constantinoplis 44
Ex: Kayser-i Rum Numismatics +photo
Gil-galad01/15/17 at 00:50Kim B. N: What an epic patina. 
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Plautilla (198-212 AD) AR DenariusRoman Imperial, Plautilla (198-212 AD) AR Denarius, 3.3g, 18mm
Obverse: PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right, hair in nearly vertical waves & drawn into bun at back.
Reverse: CONCORDIA AVGG Concordia, diademed, stg. half-left with patera & sceptre.
Reference: RIC 363, RSC 1, BMC 411, Sear RCV 2000 - 7065
Ex: Calgary Coins +photo
Gil-galad01/15/17 at 00:47Kim B. N: Lovely lady indeed.
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Kingdom of JERUSALEM. Struck during the siege of Jerusalem by Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem and Balian of Ibelin in 1187 . Bi Denier .Kingdom of Jerusalem . Struck during the siege of Jerusalem by Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem and Balian of Ibelin in 1187 . Bi Denier .
+ TVRRIS DAVIT (legend retrograde), Tower of David
+ SЄPVLChRVM DOMINI, view of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Slocum 288; cf. C.J. Sabine, “Numismatic iconography of the Tower of David and the Holy Sepulchre,” NC 1979, pl. 17, 3; N. du Quesne Bird, “Two deniers from Jerusalem, Jordan,” NumCirc LXXIII.5 (May 1965), p. 109; Metcalf, Crusades, p. 77; CCS 51.
Very Rare . Thirteen known example .
The Ernoul chronicle refers to Balian of Ibelin and the patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem stripped the silver and gold edicule from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher for striking coins to pay those defending the city at it's last stand .Vladislav D11/01/16 at 11:32Kim B. N: Very nice indeed! If only a coin could tell its st...
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RPC 1977 DomitianAR Tetradrachm, 14.23g
Antioch mint, 87-88 AD
Obv: AYT KAIΣAP ΔOMITIANOC ΣEB ΓEPM; Bust of Domitian, laureate, r. with aegis
Rev: ETOYΣ NEOY IEPOY Z; Eagle with with wings spread on thunderbolt to r.; in r. field, palm branch
RPC 1977 (3 spec.).
Acquired from Tom Cederlind, April 2015.
A very rare year 7 tetradrachm struck in 'Alexandrian' style. Probably one of the rarer Antioch issues Domitian coined. RPC speculates that the tets in this style were either struck at Alexandria, or at the very least the dies were prepared there, and then shipped to Antioch for circulation. Compare this with my RPC 1978 in a more "Antiochene" style, IMHO.
Engraved in a fairly crude, but charming style. A fantastic piece overall.
David Atherton04/29/15 at 15:24Kim B. N: Fly like an eagle! What a beauty! 
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GREEK, Mysia, Kyzikos AR obol (450-400 BC)MYSIA. Kyzikos. Obol (Circa 450-400 BC).
Reference.
SNG France 378.
Obv: Forepart of boar left, E (retrograde) on shoulder; tunny behind.
Rev: Head of roaring lion left.
Weight: 0.79 g.
Diameter: 12 mm.okidoki03/01/15 at 02:17Kim B. N: Beauty indeed, All 3 animals on the coin is pretty...
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RIC 441 DomitianAR Denarius, 3.38g
Rome mint, 86 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XII COS XII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4)
RIC 441 (R). BMC p. 319, note. RSC 201. BNC -.
Acquired from Numismeo, January 2015.
Domitian's imperial acclamations were piling up fairly rapidly in 86 due to ongoing battles being fought along the Danube. This denarius from the second issue of 86 records his 12th imperial acclamation. Many of the denarii of 86 are rendered in fine style and are quite scarce, this coin being a delightful example of such.
A stunning portrait on a large flan (21mm!). Aurei and denarii often shared dies in this issue, I can't help but think the dies which struck this coin were meant for both.David Atherton01/29/15 at 08:55Kim B. N: Holy Mother of coins its a beauty! 
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012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), Macedonia, Thessalonica, RPC I 1578, AE-21, ΘEΣΣAΛONEIKEON ΘEOΣ ΣEBAΣTOΣ, Radiate head of Augustus right, #1012p Claudius I. (41-54 A.D.), Macedonia, Thessalonica, RPC I 1578, AE-21, ΘEΣΣAΛONEIKEON ΘEOΣ ΣEBAΣTOΣ, Radiate head of Augustus right, #1
avers: ΤΙ ΚΛΑΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ ΓΕΡΜ, Laureate head of Claudius left.
reverse: ΘEΣΣAΛONEIKEON ΘEOΣ ΣEBAΣTOΣ, Radiate head of Augustus right.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 20,0-21,5mm, weight: 9,86g, axis: 6h,
mint: City: Thessalonica, Region: Macedonia, Province: Macedonia,
date: 41-45 A.D.,
ref: RPC I 1578, Varbanov 4235-38, Touratsoglou, Claudius 1-8, 11-23 (?41),
Q-001quadrans01/29/15 at 08:40Kim B. N: It has taken some time to see all your albums Q bu...
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Pegasus or Sols 'winged horse', GallienusGallienus (253–268)
Rome mint, workshop A.
Obeverse: GALLIENVSAVG, Gallienushead right.
Reverse: , SOLICONSAVG, winged horse right. A below to the right.
Comment: This variation must be one of the scarcer of the zoo series. On this specimen you can see ghosting on the reverse due to a die clash from the obverse die.
12/11/14 at 02:33Kim B. N: I just love The Gallienus Zoo. Superb coin in my b...
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Denmark. Christian IV (1588-1648)Hede 150, Schou 87, Sieg 53, KM 133.1
AR 4 skilling, 22 mm., dated 1645, struck by Heinrich Köhler at the Copenhagen mint
Obv: IIII • SKILLING • DANSKE, surrounding crowned monogram of Christian IV (4 within a C)
Rev: ••• / IUSTUS / יהוה (Jehovah) / IUDEX / 16 filament-hook (privy mark) 45, in four rows
Note: In 1643, toward the end of the Thirty Years War, Sweden launched a surprise attack upon Denmark which is called the Torstensson War (after Swedish general Lennart Torstensson). King Christian IV had to rapidly obtain funds to pay his mercenary troops to defend the kingdom against the advancing Swedes. Being short of funds, the emissions that are referred to as “hebræermønter” were issued with a reduced silver content; the silver content of the 4 skilling coin was reduced from .8500 fineness to .2500 (the king later pawned his royal crown and ordered that silver furniture from Frederiksborg Castle be melted to fund the war). Outraged over Sweden’s unannounced invasion, King Christian ordered that the coins bear a special reverse legend, in a mixture of Hebrew and Latin, which reads: “God is a righteous judge” (Psalm 7:12).
Stkp02/04/14 at 01:39Kim B. N: Love these coins, not easy and not cheap to get th...
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Maximinus (235 - 238 A.D)AR Denarius
O: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: PAX AVGVSTI, Pax standing facing, head left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter.
20mm
3.1g
Rome
RIC 019 RSC 037Mat12/07/13 at 13:28Kim B. N: Love that beard
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Roman Empire, Helena (? -329 A.D.), AE-3 Follis, Siscia, RIC VII 218, -/-//ESIS Crescent in crescent, SECVRITAS REIPVBLICA, Securitas standing left, C2!,139 Helena (? -329 A.D.), AE-3 Follis, Siscia, RIC VII 218, -/-//ESIS Crescent in crescent, SECVRITAS REIPVBLICA, Securitas standing left, C2!,
avers:- FL-HELENA-AVGVSTA, 12,E10, Diademed, draped bust right, with two-row necklace.
revers:- SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICA, Securitas standing left, lowering branch with left hand, raising robe with right hand.
exergo: -/-//εSIS Crescent in crescent, diameter: 18mm, weight: 3,05g, axis: 0h,
mint: Siscia, date: 328-29 A.D., ref: RIC-VII-218, p-453, C2,
Q-001quadrans10/13/13 at 23:58Kim B. N: Well that is spot on my coin to. Nice example quad...
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RIC 0541 Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian]AR Denarius, 3.46g
Rome mint, 73 AD
Obv: CAES AVG F DOMIT COS II; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: No legend; Domitian on horse l.; r. hand raised, sceptre in l.
RIC 541 (R2). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Gemini X, 13 January 2013, Harry N. Sneh Collection, lot 701. = Helios, ebay, 29 November 2010 (A. Lynn Collection).
This is an extremely rare denarius of Domitian as Caesar, the second earliest minted at Rome. Here the legend is clockwise, the much more common Domitian on horseback type has the legend anticlockwise. The reverse may allude to Domitian's participation in Vespasian and Titus' joint triumph where he rode a 'magnificent' steed. The obverse is a die match with the RIC plate coin from Oxford. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections.
The early portrait on this one is quite outstanding.
David Atherton08/03/13 at 19:01Kim B. N: I just like that nose Superb coin congrats Da...
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Trajan RIC 672; Woytek 534vTrajan 98-117 A.D. Æ Sestertius. Rome mint. 114-116 A.D. (34mm, 26.55 g, 6h) Rev: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS VI PP, Laureate and draped bust right. Obv: SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS, Felicitas standing left, holding caduceus and cornucopia. Brown and green patina, smoothing on reverse.
RIC II 672; Woytek 534v; Banti 106.
Ex: CNG AuctionPaddy07/27/13 at 13:25Kim B. N: Awsome coin, great portrait ect.
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