Classical Numismatics Discussion Members' Coin Collection Photo Gallery

Last additions

Israel - Monetary Reform (1958 - 1980)Km24.1 - 1 Agorah - 1960
Km25 - 5 Agorot - 1972
Km25b - 5 Agorot - 1976
Km26 - 10 Agorot - 1960
Km26b - 10 Agorot - 1978
Km27 - 25 Agorot - 1960
Km36.1 - 1/2 Lirah - 1965
Km47.1 - 1 Lirah - 1975 Daniel FMay 21, 2007

Israel - Monetary Reform (1949)Km8 - 25 Mils - 1949
Km9 - 1 Prutah w/ pearl (unc.) - 1949
Km11 - 10 Prutah w/ pearl - 1949
Km17 - 10 prutot - 1952
Km20 - 10 prutot - 1957
Km13.1 - 50 prutot - 1949
Km14 - 100 prutot - 1949 Daniel FMay 21, 2007

PAMPHYLIA Perga GallienusPAMPHYLIA, Perga. Gallienus. 253-268 AD.
Æ 30 mm [10 Assaria]
Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; I (denomination) to right
Rev: PER-GAI-WN, three money bags on chest.
SNG France 556; SNG von Aulock 4725.TanitMay 21, 2007

Zela Pontus Septimius Severus Septimius Severus, 193 - 211 A.D.
AE (Bronze), 205/206 A.D.
Obv.: AU KAI L [SEPT]I SEOUHROS.
Rev.: ZHLITWN [TOU PON] / ET PMB.
mint is Zela in Pontus, Rec. Gén. p. 159, no. 4a.
Rare

TanitMay 21, 2007

Greek Ariobarzanes I DrachmAR drachm. Asia Minor, Cappadocia. Ariobarzanes I Philorhomaios (95-63 BC). Rev. Athena; Basileos Ariobarzonou Philorhomaiou (in exergue) and regnal year, which seems to be 31.
Cf. Sear GCV 7302.
TanitMay 21, 2007

Roman Elagabalus SestertiusElagabalus. AD 218-222. Æ Sestertius (24.91 g, 7h). Struck AD 219-220. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Fides seated left, holding an eagle and signa; signa to left.

RIC IV 345

Rare1 commentsTanitMay 20, 2007

Bactria, Kingdom of Kushans, Kanishka I, Göbl 766 cf.Kanishka I, AD 127-151
AE 22
obv. BACILEVC BACI - LEWN KANHiKOV (i should be read like sh as in Kushan)
Kanishka, bearded, wearing heavy Kushan cloak and trousers, long boots and
high hat, stg. facing, holding standard in l. hand and sacrificing with r. hand
over altar; from his shoulders emanating flames; club at feet r.(?)
rev. HLIOC
Helios, nimbate, stg. l., r. had hand raised in salvation gestus (Greek style)
left before monogram (tamgha) of Kanishka
cf. Göbl 766 (has HILOC in legend)
rare, good F/VF

Kanishka I was a very important ruler in South-East-Asia. While in his early years he was an adherent of syncretistic religions he later established Buddhism in his empire and became a crucial founder.
This type belongs to Kanishka's earlier years, because the legends are Greek. Later issues have legends in Kushan. Tamgha first was a brand for cattle, later it became a symbol for the nomadic clans too. JochenMay 20, 2007

BHM 0538. The Peace of Amiens, 1802.Obv. Angel standing, reaching down to clasp the hand of kneeling woman, angel holds a branch and scroll in her left hand, pedestel between the two figures MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD/in exergue MARCH 27 1802/ K.N.K
Rev. Veiled female figure standing facing, arms uplifted, cross in left hand, radiant light above her head, ornate domed structure at her feet to left, intaglio portrait of a man to her right WE PRAISE THEE O GOD/ in exergue THANKSGIVING/ JUNE 1

Engraved by J. G. Hancock in 1802 to celebrate a mass held at St. Pauls cathedral commemorating the peace between France and Britain.
LordBestMay 20, 2007

Galilaea, Tiberias, Hadrian, Hendin 915Hadrian, AD 117-138
AE 19, 5.02g
struck AD 120/121 (year AR)
obv. AV TRA ADRIANW - KAIC CEB
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. TIB - E - R CLAVD
Nike, stg. r., head turned l., holding wreath in r. hand and palm-branch in l.
hand.
beneath L - AR (year 101 of era of Tiberias = AD 120/21)
Hendin 915; BMC 32-33; cf. SNG UK 1832
about VF, sand-patina
JochenMay 20, 2007

Greifswald GroßpfennigGreifswald AR Grosspfennig circa 1425.
20 mm, 1.5g
obv: Griffin left, MONETA GRIPE WO
rev: arms with long cross, DA / LAV / DEN / DEO. Jesse 493, Saurma 4957/2606
areichMay 19, 2007

ROMAN EMPIRE, Hadrian, Brass Dupondius, RIC 554Averse: IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, Radiate bust to right, drapery on one shoulder
Reverse: ADVENTVS AVG SC(in ex.), PONT MAX TR POT COS II, Roma seated r. on cuirass and shield, resting on spear held in l. hand and clasping hands with Hadrian stg. right
Rome, AD 118
Sear 3654, RIC 5541 commentsMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "SALVS AVG"
Salus standing left feeding snake rising from altar
Rome mint
RIC 47mauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "ADVENTVS AVGG"
Philip on horseback left
Rome mint
RIC 26b1 commentsmauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "PM TRP III COS PP"
Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopia
Rome mint
RIC 3mauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "FIDES EXERCITVS"
Four legionary standards
Rome mint
RIC 62mauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "VIRTVS AVGG, Є"
Philip I & II on horseback galloping right
Rome mint
RIC 10mauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "SAECVLARES AVGG COS III"
Inscribed cippus
Rome mint
RIC 24cmauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "FELICITAS IMPP"
Wreath with legend in centre in three lines
Rome mint
RIC 601 commentsmauseusMay 19, 2007

244Philip I 244-9 AD
AR antoninianus
Obv "IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG"
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev "AEQVITAS AVG"
Aequitas standing left holding scales and cornucopia
Antioch mint
RIC -mauseusMay 19, 2007

galbaGalba, As, December 68 AD, Rome mint.
Obverse- SER SVLPI GALBA IMP CAESAR AVG P M TR P, laureate head right.
Reverse SALVS AVGVSTI, S C, Salus standing right, leaning on column, feeding serpent from patera.
RIC I, 502 (R), 26-28 mm, 9.96 g. Very rare.b70May 19, 2007

Marius: Mint 1IMP C MARIVS PF AVG
Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
SAEC FELICITAS
Felicitas standing left holding caduceus and cornucopia
Mint 1
RIC 10mauseusMay 18, 2007

Marius: Mint 2IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
VICTORIA AVG
Victory standing left holding wreath and palm branch
Mint 2
RIC 17mauseusMay 18, 2007

Marius: Mint 2IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG
Radiate and cuirassed bust right
VIRTVS AVG
Virtus standing left holding spear and resting on shield
Mint 2
RIC 19mauseusMay 18, 2007

Trajan. 98-117 A.D Caesarea Maritima mint AE10. ROS-22 Trajan. 98-117 A.D Caesarea Maritima mint AE10
Obv:bust r. laur
Rev:Lion walking to r. above C I F A V G.MaritimaMay 18, 2007

Caracalla 198-217 A.D. Caesarea Maritima mint ROS-54O:bust r. radiate wearing paludamentum and cuirass seen from the rear.
R:Sarapis r.wearing ornamented kalathos.
MaritimaMay 18, 2007

PHILIP SENIOR 244-249 A.D. AE 28 ROS-102PHILIP SENIOR 244-249 A.D. AE 28 ROS-102
O:bust r, radiate draped
R:eagle displayed supporting a wreath containing 3 figures in centre ,city-goddest standing l hand on standard .
Demeter standing r hand resting on sceptre ortorch on r agod nude standing r.
MaritimaMay 18, 2007

TRAJAN DECIUS 248-251 A.D. Caesarea Maritima mint AE28Obv:bust r, luar cuirassed
Rev:two eagles holding weath un beak between them a military standard inscribed L III GAL
AE28 2 commentsMaritimaMay 18, 2007

HERENNIUS ETRUSCUS 250-251 A.D Caesarea Maritima mint AE28O:bust r, radiate and draped
R:eagle displayed head r. supporting wreath within bust of tyche r
COLPFAVFC CAESMETROPO 1 commentsMaritimaMay 18, 2007

Mudie Medal - Lt. General Sir Thomas PictonObv:- Facing bust of Picton
Rev:- Picton standing left, in heroic pose, holding standard and sword

Celebrating a victory at the battle of Badajoz in Arpil 1812.1 commentsmaridvnvmMay 18, 2007

BHM 0780. Centenerary of the Accession of the House of Brunswick, 1814.Obv. Head right THE ILLUST* HOUSE OF BRUNSWICK ASC* THE THRONE OF THE BRITISH AUG 1ST 1714
Rev. Text within wreath THE CENTENARY OF THE ACC* OF THE HOSUE OF BRUNSWICK TO THE THRONE OF GREAT BRITAIN WAS CELEBRATED IN THE CITY OF CORK ON THE 1ST 2ND AND 3RD OF AUG* 1814 IN THE 54TH YR OF THE REIGN OF GEORGE THE 3D SR DAVID PERRIER MAYOR.
AE 50mm LordBestMay 18, 2007

CHINA - S. SONG DYNASTY - JING DINGSouthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Li Zong (1225-1264) -- Jing Ding reign (1260-1264). Cash. Year 1 - 1260. S-1042. H-17.836.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - S. SONG DYNASTY - XIAN CHUNSouthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Du Zong (1265-1274) -- Xian Chun reign (1265-1274). Cash. Year 2 - 1266. S-1050. H-17.842.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - S. SONG DYNASTY - CHUN XISouthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Xiao Xong (1163-1190) - Chun Xi reign (1174-1189). Cash. Year 14 - 1187. S-722. H-17.196.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - N. SONG DYNASTY - SONG YUANNorthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Tai Zu (960-976) -- Song Yuan issue (960-976). Cash. S-451. H-16.1.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - N. SONG DYNASTY - TAI PINGNorthern Song Dynasty -- Emperor Tai Zong (976-997) -- Tai Ping reign (976-989). Cash. S-460. H-16.17.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - N. SONG DYNASTY - MING DAONorthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Ren Zong (1022-1063) -- Ming Dao reign (1032-1033) Cash. S-489. H-16.82.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - N. SONG DYNASTY - YUAN FUNorthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Zhe Zong (1086-1100) -- Yuan Fu reign (1098-1100) 2 Cash. S-604, H-16.335.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - N. SONG DYNASTY - ZHENG HENorthern Song Dynasty - Emperor Hui Zong (1101-1125) -- Zheng He reign (1111-1117) Cash. S-639, H-16.437.dpaul7May 18, 2007

CHINA - JIN DYNASTY - DA DINGJin (Tartar) Dynasty - Emperor Shi Zong (1161-1190) -- Da Ding reign (1178-1189) Cash. S-1086. H-18.42.dpaul7May 18, 2007

Moesia inferior, Tomis, Caracalla, AMNG 2929 var.Caracalla, AD 198-217
AE 26
obv. AVTC KAIC M A - VR - ANTWNEINOC
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. MHTROP P - O - N - TOV TOMEWC
Nike, in high-girded chiton, advancing r., holding tropaion over l. shoulder and
wreath in raised r. hand
in r. field Gamma (for so-called 'Dreier' = three units)
AMNG I/2, 2929 (different rev. legend break); Varbanov -; Moushmov -
very rare, about VF, struck on small flan
1 commentsJochenMay 17, 2007

ROMAN EMPIRE - FLORIANFlorian (276 C.E.) Silvered Antoninianus. Cyzicus mint. IMP FLORIANVS AVG, radiate, draped & cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA MILITUM, Victory standing right presenting wreath to Florianus standing left, P in ex. Cohen 15. RIC 116.dpaul7May 17, 2007

ROMAN EMPIRE, Licinius II ? Barbarous ImitationObervse DN VALLICIN LICINIUS NOB1 commentsMarjan EMay 17, 2007

Septimius Severus, AE 25 TetrassariaIMP L SEP SEVERVS
Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, seen from behind
MVNIC STOBE
Nike advancing left with wreath and palm, moon crescent in left field.
Unlisted dies.
This reverse type with the "moon crescent" in the field is unknown for Septimius. Otherwise, the crescent field mark is known for Marcus Aurelius, Julia Domna, and Caracalla.whitetd49May 17, 2007

Caracallla, AE 29 TetrassariaIMP C MAV[?]NVS
Bust laureate, draped, cuirassed, right, seen from behind
MVNI[?] STOBENS
Nike advancing left with wreath and palm
Unlisted dies.
Very early issue - very large flan and beardless portraitwhitetd49May 17, 2007

Makedonia, Uranopolis, quasi-autonom AMNG 3AE 15, 3.34g
struck under Alexarchos
obv. eight-ponted star, representing the sun, in dotted circle
rev. OYRANIDW - POLEWC (in straight lines from top to bottom)
Aphrodite Urania in sleeved chiton and cloak fixed on l. shoulder and enclosing
legs and l. l. arm, std. half l. on celestial globe, upper part of the body and
head turned facing. On the head she wears a conical cap ending in a star. Her
r. hand resting on a long staff which ends at the top in an oval shaped sun
disk.
SNG ANS 914ff.; BMC Macedonia, p.134, 2ff.; SNG Copenhagen 455-7; SNG Evelpidis 1363; Lindgren 1260; AMNG III, 3, pl.25, fig.4
very rare, F+, light-green patina

The name of the city and this type refer to Uranos, the devine personification of the city. The city was a foundation in the vicinity of the Athos mountain on the peninsula Aktos, the most east cape of the Chalkidike. It was founded c.316-300 BC by Kassander's youngest brother Alexarchos, who was half-mad and acquited himself for Helios, the sun.

For statisticians: This is the earlist depiction of the globe on a coin!1 commentsJochenMay 17, 2007

Kingdom of Bosporus, Aspurgus and Tiberius, Anokhin 319Aspurgus, AD 14-38
AE 24 (12 nummi), 7.53g
struck c. AD 35-37
obv. KAISAROS - TIBERIOV
Head of Tiberius, laureate, r.
rev. Head of Aspurgus, diademed with taenia, r.
IB before, behind monogram MacDonald no.10 (BAP with semi-circle above)
Anokhin 319; MacDonald 300 (TIBERIOS in error!); RPC I 1903
VF+
1 commentsJochenMay 17, 2007

Caria, MylasaCARIA, Mylasa
AR Hemiobol 0.56 g
Facing forepart of lion / Scorpion in incuse square punch
2 commentsarizonarobinMay 17, 2007

ROMAN EMPIRE, Maximinus I, 235-238 AD, AR denarius - PAX AVGVSTIAttribution: RIC 12 (RIC IV, Part II), RSC 31

Date: 235-238 AD

Obverse: IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right

Reverse: PAX AVGVSTI Pax standing left holding branch and scepter

Size: 19mm

Weight: 2.42 grams
May 17, 2007

Fausta, TrierFLAV MAX FAVSTA AVG
Mantled and bareheaded bust right with waved hair

SPES REIP-VBLICAE
Empress (as Salus) standing facing, looking left, head veiled, and holding two children in her arms.

PTR(cresent with pellet)
Trier

RIC 484
Ae 19mm; 3.03g
1 commentsarizonarobinMay 17, 2007

Constantina, Constantius IIConstantius II

FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C
Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust left

VIRTVS- CAESS
Campgate with six rows, four turrets, open doors with two pellets, star above
S | F across fields

QCONST

RIC 323arizonarobinMay 17, 2007

Arles, Constantine IConstantine I

CONSTAN-TINVS AVG,
Laureate head right

VIRTV-S AVGG,
campgate with ornate open doors, crescent shaped knob on each door

SA (crescent) RL

RIC VII 291 Arles S
325-326 AD3 commentsarizonarobinMay 17, 2007

Helena, TrierHelena,Mother of Constantine I
Bronze Folles

FL HELENA AVGVSTI,
diademed, mantled with necklace

SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE,
Securitas standing left, holding branch, raising robe with right hand

PTRE Treveri mint- first officina, A.D. 327-328

Ae;17-19mm;3.11g
RIC 5153 commentsarizonarobinMay 17, 2007

Salonina, FelicitasAr Antoninianus

SALONINA AVG
diademed bust, facing right, draped and on crescent

FELICITAS PVBLICA
Felicitas seated left, holding caduceus and cornucopiae

RIC 6; Göbl 903c, RSC 50
arizonarobinMay 17, 2007

FRANCE - CHARLES VIIIFrance Charles VIII 1483-97 AD Denier Tournois. VF, creased. Charles VIII died oddly by striking his head while passing through a doorway, seemingly this caused a severe concussion and he died within hours of slipping into a coma. Size: 16 mmdpaul7May 17, 2007

HUNGARY - LOUIS IHungary Louis I 1342-82 AD AR Denar. Saracen's Head/Cross, this coin was minted as a pun on a courtier's name. aFine. Size: 14 mmdpaul7May 17, 2007

BRANDENBURG - PRUSSIA GEORGE WILHELMPrussia Georg Wilhelm 1619-40 AD Billon 1/24 Thaler 3 Polkar. Fine. Size: 19 mmdpaul7May 17, 2007

LIVONIA - CHRISTINA of SWEDENLivonia, Riga, under Sweden's Christina 1632-1654 A.D. Silvered billon solidus, crude, aFine. Interestingly, this one has a readable date, unusual for the series, 1654.
Size: 16 mmdpaul7May 17, 2007

RIGA - SIGISMUND IIIRiga (Latvia) Silver Szelag Sigismund III 1582-1619 AD. Size: 17 mm dpaul7May 17, 2007

Series B type sceat1 commentsMay 16, 2007

Faustina II 138–180.CAESAREA MARITIMA MINT.O:draped bust of Faustina II FAVSTINA AVGVSTA
R:male figure standing, l., wearing toga, holding patera over thymiaterium and cornucopia; (on thymiaterium, bull' s head).
COL PRIMA FL AVG CAESAREA
Kadman, Caesarea Maritima 50, BMC 95-7, Cop 8 MaritimaMay 16, 2007

GALILEE, Sepphoris. Trajan. 98-117 CE. Ã† 25mmGALILEE, Sepphoris. Trajan. 98-117 CE. Æ 25mm .
Laureate head right
SEPFW/RHNWN in two lines within wreath.Rosenberger 3 Hendin 906; SNG ANS 1086.MaritimaMay 16, 2007

11aThe same image as that used for image 11 in this gallery but with the background painted black and the image colour digitally manipulated to make it gold. The closest I will probably get to owning a specimen of this.3 commentsmauseusMay 16, 2007

Septimius Severus, AE 27 TetrassariaPIV AVGV SEVERVS
Laureate head, right
MVNICIPI STOBE
Nike advancing right with wreath and palm
V24, R unlisted
This is the only known obverse for Septimius that does not exhibit a cuirassed, draped bust. This is only the third reverse die for Septimius with Nike advancing right.whitetd49May 15, 2007

Caracalla, AE 23 DiassariaIM C M AV [ANTONINVS]
Bust radiate, right
MVN/I STOB
Nike/Nemesis advancing left with wreath and palm, wheel at her feet
unlisted dies
Kuzmanovic Collection 958whitetd49May 15, 2007

Julia Domna, AE 22 DiassariaIVLIA AV/GVSTA
Bust draped, right
MVNIC [STOB?]
Nike advancing right, inscribing shield?, stepping on globe
V90, R unlisted
Three dies of this reverse type are linked to this obverse die.whitetd49May 15, 2007

Constantius II AE3, 337-340 AD, NicomediaConstantius II, AD 337-361
AE3, 13mm
Nicomedia, 337-340 AD
laureate head only right
DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG
two soldiers facing with one standard
GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS
SMN gamma dot
RIC VIII Nicomedia 8
S

not recorded as having dotArdatirionMay 15, 2007

Thracia, Apollonia Pontica, Faustina jun., Varbanov 810Faustina jun., AD 147-175
AE 26, 11.17g
obv. FAVCTEINA - CEBACTH
Bust, draped, r.
rev. APOLLONIHTEWN / EN PONTW (TW ligate)
Eagle with spread wings stg l.; feet entwined by a snake which erects l. before
him, head r.
Ref.: Varbanov (engl.) 810; Moushmov 3178
Very rare, VF+, brown patina, slight overall porosity
2 commentsJochenMay 15, 2007

Herod I (37-4BC) Hendin 501 TJC 66Lepton, 11x13mm, 0.70g.

Obverse: Single cornucopia, BACIL/HRWD in dotted circle.

Reverse: Eagle standing R, pellet in L field, in dotted circle.

Hendin 501

Treasury of Jewish Coins 66.

The eagle was doubtless intended as a Jewish, rather than Roman, symbol, being one of the animals supporting YHVH's throne in Ezekiel. It probably relates to the golden eagle erected by Herod over the Temple gate. How long this stood is uncertain, but in his last year, as his power weakened, it became the centre of a riot which ended in its destruction as an idolatrous image. There is no record of any protest against the coins.1 commentsRobert_BrenchleyMay 15, 2007

Alexander Jannaeus (103-76BC) Hendin 470, TJC K17Prutah, 15mm, 1.26g.

Obverse: ALEXANDROU BASILEWS around anchor.

Reverse: 8-pointed star within diadem, HMLK CHN followed by a symbol, between rays.

Hendin 470

Treasury of Jewish Coins K17

A rare variant known from a single die. The significance of the reverse inscription, 'The King [and] Priest' isn't known.3 commentsRobert_BrenchleyMay 15, 2007

Mattathias Antigonus prutah, H 483, TJC 40Prutah, 12x14mm, 1.31g.

Obverse: MTT/YH in two lines, in retrograde Hebrew

Reverse: Double cornucopia with an ear of grain between.

Hendin 483

Treasury of Jewish Coins 40.

There are two interesting things about these coins. Firstly, the flans were cast in double-sided moulds, giving a rather odd appearance. Secondly, the Hebrew inscription is retrograde. Meshorer says that signatures were sometimes reversed in the ancient world, and thus the inscription may have this character.2 commentsRobert_BrenchleyMay 15, 2007

Saloninia, 262-263 AD, MediolanumSaloninia, AD 253-268
Billon, 19mm
Mediolanum, 262-263 AD
empress facing right, resting on crescent
SALONINA AUG
Venus standing right, holding long scepter left and Cupid right
VENVS FELIX
RIC 65ArdatirionMay 14, 2007

Licinius I, 318-320 AD, HeracleaLicinius I, AD 308-324
AE3 - 17mm
Heraclea, 318-320 AD
pearl diademed, draped in imperial mantle, holding mappa and scepter right
IMP LICI-NIVS AVG
camp gate, 6 layers, 3 turrets, no door
PROVIDEN-TIA AVGG
/\, SMHA in ex.
RIC VII Heraclea 48
C21 commentsArdatirionMay 14, 2007

Faustina Junior, Peacock & ThroneFaustina II Denarius. 176-180 AD. 2.7 gm.

DIVA FAVSTINA PIA
Draped bust right

CONSECRATIO
Throne with scepter across it, peacock below & standing right

RIC 745, Sear5 #5216, RSC 73
arizonarobinMay 13, 2007

Fausta, ThessalonicaFLAV MAX - FAVSTA AVG
Mantled and bareheaded bust right with waved hair

SPES REIP-VBLICAE
Empress (as Spes) standing facing, looking left, head veiled, and holding two children in her arms.

SMTSA
Thessalonica mint RIC 161; Ae 18-19mm; 3.05g1 commentsarizonarobinMay 13, 2007

RIC 046 TitusAR Denarius, 2.96g
Rome Mint, 79 AD
Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P VIIII IMP XV COS VII P P; Rostral column, ornamented at sides with beaks of ships and surmounted by a statue, radiate, naked except for cloak, standing front, holding vertical spear in r. hand and parazonium at side in l.
RIC 46 (C). BMC 29. RSC 289. BNC 23.
Ex eBay, May 2007.

A carry-over design from Vespasian's coinage copying a similar type struck for Octavian (BMCRE I 103, 633). The column on the reverse depicts the monument erected to commemorate Octavian's victory over Pompey bearing the bronze rams of Pompey's captured ships and surmounted by a gilded statue.
2 commentsDavid AthertonMay 13, 2007

[2000a] Taras, Calabria, Italy, c. 272 - 235 B.C.Silver nomos, Vlasto 877, gVF, Taras mint, 6.497g, 20.0mm, 45o, c. 272 - 235 BC. Obverse: DI above, API-STI/KL-HS below, nude youth on horseback right, spearing downward; Reverse: TARAS, Phalanthos on dolphin left, holding trident; nymph head behind. Ex FORVM.

As the world's foremost numismatist, David R. Sear, has said, 'Magna Graecia and Sicily . . . undoubtedly represent the finest examples of numismatic art in the ancient world. Personally, I am quite drawn to the coins of Taras (Tarentum) because of their infinite variety of types on the basic theme of horseman and dolphin-rider.'

This "variation on a theme" concept appeals to me on many levels, and I am reminded of Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn. This masterpiece was, in fact, not composed by Haydn but Johannes Brahms. The B-flat major theme was "borrowed" from Haydn by Brahms for his composition. But there is another nice twist; modern scholarship, for the most part, now agrees that the theme wasn't Haydn's at all. He, too, had "borrowed" it.

So what does this detour into audio art's "variation on a theme" business have to do with numismatics? The ancient Greeks have a wonderful word for art "based upon" art; the word is ekphrasis (ecphrasis). It comes from the Greek ek 'out' and phrasis 'speak'. The verb ekphrazein, means to proclaim or call. One example of ekphrasis is a painting of a sculpture: the painting is "telling the story of" the sculpture, and so becoming a storyteller, as well as a story (work of art) itself. Or it may operate the other way round. Any art may describe any other art. In a manner that I find captivating, I understand these silver nomos of Taras as numismatic art "telling the story of" numismatic art: at once the story teller and the story.

J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr. 3 commentsCleisthenesMay 13, 2007

Thracia, Anchialos, Gordian III & Tranquillina, AMNG 661Gordian III, AD 238-244
AE 27, 12.65g
obv. AVT KM ANT GORDIANOC AVG CEB T / RANKVL / LINA (AV ligate)
Confronted busts of Gordian III, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r., and
Tranquillina, draped and diademed, l.
rev. OVLPIANWN - AGXIALEWN (WN ligate)
Athena, in double chiton, wearing Corinthian helmet, stg. facing, head l.,
holding Nike in outstretched r. hand and spear in l. hand.
AMNG II, 661; Varbanov (engl.) 753
Rare, about VF

JochenMay 13, 2007