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Last additions - Nemonater
BRUTUS_LIBERTAS_Denarius.jpg
M. Junius Brutus Denarius Libertas/LictorsM. Junius Brutus, Denarius, Rome, 54 BC; AR (g 3,83; mm 20; h 6); O: Head of Libertas r., behind, LIBERTAS
R: L. Junius Brutus (Cos. 509), walking l., between two lictors and preceded by an accensus; in ex. BRVTVS.
- Crawford 433/1; Junia 31; Sydenham 906. ex Bertolami Fine Arts auction 37 lot 415 2017
1 commentsNemonaterMar 25, 2023
3114488.jpg
Domitian denarius - Pegasus walking rightDomitianus Caesar, 69-81. Denarius 76-77, Rome. 3.50 g.
O: Laureate head right
R: Pegasus walking right.
- Coh. 47; RIC II 921 (Vepasian). ex -Hess Divo AG 14th eLive auction lot 1073 2016
3 commentsNemonaterMar 25, 2023
1181702.jpg
Shekel Tyre RY 172 46/47 ADPhoenicia. Tyre. Year 172 = 46/47 AD. Shekel, 14.42g. (h).
O: Laureate bust of Melqarth right.
R: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date POB and club. In right field, KP over monogram (Θ M). Phoenician letter beth between legs of eagle. Border of dots.
- DCA Tyre Release 2 Part 1, 644 this coin, RPC 4672. Prieur 1433. BMC 207.ex Gemini IX Lot 169 2012
2 commentsNemonaterMar 25, 2023
Shekel_Tyre_PNZ_157.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 157 (AD 31/2)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (22mm, 13.66 g.). Dated CY 157 (AD 31/2). O: Head of Melkart right, wearing laurel wreath, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, [P]NZ (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; uncertain Phoenician letter between legs; TVPOV IEPAΣ KAI AΣVΛOV around.
Dated and die matched to Civic Year 157, extremely rare date, 6th known.
1 commentsNemonaterJan 19, 2022
Herod_IV_Philip_AE_21.jpg
Herod IV Philip with Augustus / Tetrastyle templeHerod IV Philip, with Augustus. 4 BCE-34 CE. Æ (21.5mm, 8.94 g, 12h). Caesarea Panias (Caesarea Philippi) mint. Dated RY 12 of Herod IV (8/9 CE).
O: Laureate head of Augustus right
R: Tetrastyle temple façade (Augusteum of Paneas); L I B (date) between columns.
Meshorer 97; Hendin 1221; RPC I 4940.
1 commentsNemonaterJan 18, 2022
Gordian_I_Africanus_Denarius.jpg
Gordian I DenariusGordian I, 238. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.25 g, 7 h), Rome, March-April 238.
O: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian I to right, seen from behind.
R: ROMAE AETERNAE Roma seated left on shield, holding Victory in her right hand and spear in her left.
- BMC 8. Cohen 8. RIC 4.
- From the collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, privately acquired from Bank Leu on 29 June 1966

Gordian I and his son Gordian II share the dubious distinction of having the shortest reigns of any "legitimate" Roman emperors. Born in AD 159 during an era of peace and stability, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus claimed a distant relation to the emperor Trajan on his mother's side and descent from those famous Republican reformers, the brothers Gracchi, on his father's.

Despite these illustrious genes, he had a rather uneventful career as a Senator and did not reach the Consulship until the advanced age of 64. He was approaching his 80s when, in AD 237/8, the Emperor Maximinus I appointed him governor of North Africa, where he was expected to enforce the regime's draconian program of taxation. In March of 238, a group of young African nobles rebelled and murdered the emperor's tax agent.

Realizing they'd passed the point of no return, the rich rebels sent a delegation to Gordian begging him to accept the purple as a rival to the unpopular Maximinus, who was preoccupied campaigning on the Rhine frontier. At first reluctant, Gordian accepted their acclamation on March 19 and appointed his son, Gordian II, as co-emperor.

The Gordians both assumed the title Africanus and dispatched a messenger to Rome proclaiming their program of reform. The Senate, which hated the brutish Maximinus, eagerly approved their elevation and began striking coins in their names. But Maximinus ordered his loyal governor in Numidia, Capellianus, to attack Carthage and crush the revolt. Capellianus duly set out with a veteran force, against which the Gordians could only pull together an ill-trained rabble. Gordian II died in battle on April 12, AD 238 and his father hanged himself upon hearing of its outcome. They had together reigned a mere 22 days.

An enduring mystery is the excellent quality of the Roman coinage of Gordian I and II, whose reign totaled 21 days, during which neither emperor left North Africa. Despite their brief production run, coins of Gordian I and II are notable for their fine portraiture and careful quality control.

Both portraits are distinctive, carefully engraved, and clearly modeled on the actual rulers. There seems to have been no "interim phase" during which the imperial portrait was simply a modified version of the predecessor (as with Trajan and Maximinus I, both of whom were absent from Rome when raised to the purple).

Two possibilities suggest themselves: (1) The "spontaneous" revolt of the Gordians in Africa had actually been carefully planned in advance, with coin dies prepared in secret from busts provided to the mint workers by their backers in the Senate; (2) the production of coins for Gordian I and II extended well beyond their brief reign, perhaps running concurrently with the coinage of Balbinus, Pupienus and Gordian III as Caesar, allowing time for proper effigies of the deceased rulers to be provided to the mint.
1 commentsNemonaterNov 27, 2021
Crisis_and_Decline_Comp_III.jpg
The Year of the Six Emperors Part IIIn order from top left to right: Maximinus Thrax, murdered; Maximus Caesar, murdered; Gordian I suicide; Gordian II killed in battle; Pupienus, murdered; Balbinus, murdered; Gordian III, probably murdered but possibly died in battle.

It's often better to be a peasant!
2 commentsNemonaterNov 27, 2021
PersiaSiglosKer.jpg
Siglos Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III With KerykeionAchaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III. Circa 375-340 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.37 g).
O: Persian king or hero right, in kneeling-running stance, holding spear and bow; kerykeion (caduceus) in left field
R: Rectangular incuse punch.
- Cf. Carradice Type IV C var. Extremely rare with caduceus.
1 commentsNemonaterJun 19, 2021
SiglosEngravedSpearhead.jpg
Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePERSIA, Achaemenid Empire. temp. Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Circa 420-375 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.45 g). Sardes or subsidiary mint.
O: Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys, quiver over shoulder, in kneeling-running stance right, holding dagger in right hand, bow in left
R: Incuse punch with small ivy leaf or spear head.
- Carradice Type IV B; BMC Arabia pl. XXVII, 10 var. (no symbol on rev.); I. Carradice, “The Dinar Hoard of Persian Sigloi” in Studies Price, Rev. Die 58, 264 (same dies).

In his description of the Persian coinage in the Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Coinage (Oxford, 2012), M. Alram notes (p. 69) that “in the earliest phase of type IV sigloi small images, engraved into the original die, are sometimes included in the reverse punches.” What is interesting about the current coin is that it is from Group B of type IV, a fact confirmed by Carradice’s placement of this issue in the Dinar Hoard under the “middle” groups of type IV (interestingly, Carradice failed to note the presence of the symbol on this die). Thus, Alram’s statement must be expanded to include issues beyond the earliest of type IV sigloi. - CNG

NemonaterJun 15, 2021
Nerva_Palm_RIC_58.jpg
Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).
4 commentsNemonaterMay 25, 2021
Titus_Quadriga_Antioch.jpg
Titus / QuadrigaTitus. Silver Denarius (3.41 g 19mm), as Caesar, AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Antioch, under Vesapasian, AD 72/3.
O: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Titus right.
R: Titus, togate, holding palm branch and scepter, standing right in triumphal quadriga advancing right.
- RIC 1563; BMC 521; RSC 395; Hendin 1493.
3 commentsNemonaterApr 24, 2021
TitusCaptiveCOSVII.jpg
Titus / CaptiveTitus. As Caesar, AD 69-79. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.53 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 79.
O: IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Laureate head right
R: TR POT VIII COS VII, Bound captive kneeling right before trophy.
- RIC 1; RSC 334a; BMCRE 1. Ex Künker 318 lot 1118, Exemplar der Sammlung Dr. Klaus Berthold, erworben 2013.
3 commentsNemonaterApr 24, 2021
TitusEPH.jpg
Titus / VictoryTitus as Caesar (AD 69-79). AR denarius, 16mm, 3.22g, Ephesus, ca. AD 71.
O: IMPERATOR T CAESAR AVGVSTI F, bare head of Titus right
R: PACI-AVGVSTAE, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, ligate EPHE in lower right field.
RIC 1441 (R2) (Vespasian). RPC 838 (Paris only). BM 468 note. Paris 360. Cohen 124 (15 Fr.).

Rare Eastern issue with Titus depicted bareheaded rather than laureate.
4 commentsNemonaterApr 24, 2021
Vespasian_Virtus_1542.jpg
Vespasian / VirtusVespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius, Antioch (or Tyre?) mint. Struck 70 AD.
O:IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right.
R: VIRTVS AVGVST, Virtus standing right, foot on prow, holding spear set on round shield and parazonium.
RIC 1542 (R2). BMC 499. RSC 640. RPC 1916 (5 spec.). BNC 315. Metal detector find from Shkodra city , village of Koplik, Albania

McAlee considers this group of denarii to have been issued at Tyre, not Antioch. (McAlee p.159)
3 commentsNemonaterApr 18, 2021
SiglosEngravedHelmet.jpg
Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos.
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Helmet facing within reverse incuse punch.
- Carradice plate XIII, 34; BMC Arabia p. 165, 124, pl. XXVI, 21.
1 commentsNemonaterFeb 20, 2021
Julius_Caesar_BUCAII.jpg
Julius Caesar / L BVCA Venus standingJulius Caesar, (c.February - March 44 B.C.), silver denarius, (3.09 g), Rome Mint
O: Wreathed head of Caesar to right, around CAESAR DICT PERPETVO, dotted border
R: L BVCA to right, Venus standing to left, holding Victory and sceptre, dotted border, (S.1411, Cr.480/8, Syd.105, RSC Julius Caesar 23). Ex Dr V.J.A. Flynn Collection.

The weak strike exposes the unexplained, bumpy flan.
NemonaterFeb 20, 2021
Shekel_Tyre_CY_38web.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 38 (89/88 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-65 AD. AR Shekel Dated CY 38 (89/88 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right
R: TΥΡIOΥ IEΡAΣ KAI AΣΥΛOΥ, eagle standing left on prow; HΛ and club to left, Phoenician letter between legs, monogram to right.

- Well struck in high relief
3 commentsNemonaterFeb 17, 2021
Shekel_Tyre_161_Side.jpg
Shekel Tyre 161 Side ViewFolded flan preparationNemonaterFeb 13, 2021
Shekel_Tyre_118_PIH.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 118 Date Recut to Year 119 (9/8 and 8/7 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (23mm, 13.86 g, 12h). Original date CY 118 (9/8 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PIH (date) above club, recut as PIΘ (Theta engraved over the H); to right, KP above Gamma K monogram; Phoenician A between legs.
- Unique, PIΘ is an unrecorded date in every standard reference. No recorded sales that I could find. Ex RG&S Provo, Utah
1 commentsNemonaterFeb 07, 2021
Shekel_tyre_LM_CY_87.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 40 (87/86 BC)PHOENICIA. Tyre. Ca. 126 BC-AD 65. AR shekel (29.97mm, 14.29 gm) Dated CY 40 (87/6 BC).
O: Laureate bust of Melqart right
R: ΤΥPΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, palm over its wing; LM (date) and club to left, monogram to right, Phoenician B between legs.
1 commentsNemonaterJan 26, 2021
Shekel_Tyre_CY_12_115_BC.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 12 (115/114 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (28.5mm, 14.30 g, 12h). Dated CY 12 (115/4 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, [wearing lion skin around neck]
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, BI (date) above club; monogram to right, B (in Phoenician) between legs.
- DCA-Tyre 24; HGC 10, 357; DCA 919. Die clash, rare date, ex Aegean Numismatics
3 commentsNemonaterJan 25, 2021
ShekelTyreCY124.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 124 (3/2 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (24mm, 1h). Dated CY 124 (3/2 BC).
O: Laureate bust of Melqart right
R: Eagle standing left on prow, with palm branch over shoulder; to left, PKΔ (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician letter between legs.
- Extremely rare date
1 commentsNemonaterJan 25, 2021
Shekel_Year_135____.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 135 (AD 9/10)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (24mm, 14.31 g, 12h). Dated CY 135 (AD 9/10).
O: Head of Melkart right, wearing laurel wreath, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PΛE (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician B between legs; TVPOV IEPAΣ KAI AΣVΛOV around.
- DCA-Tyre 484; Rouvier –; RPC I 4654; HGC 10, 357; DCA 920; Rare date
1 commentsNemonaterJan 25, 2021
Alexander_III_Posthumous_Lampsacus.jpg
Alexander III Posthumous LampsacusAlexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AR drachm (18mm, 4.5 gm, 9h). Posthumous issue of Lampsacus, ca. 310-301 BC.
O: Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied before neck
R: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left on backless throne, right leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle in right hand, scepter in left; forepart of Pegasus left in left field, NO monogram below throne.
- Price 1382. Light golden and blue highlights.
2 commentsNemonaterJan 25, 2021
Kassander_Fifth_Tet.jpg
Kassander As RegentKassander. As Regent, 317-305 BC, or King, 305-297 BC. AR Fifth Tetradrachm (16mm, 2.32 g, 5h). Uncertain Macedonian mint (Amphipolis?).
O: Head of Apollo right
R: Horseman riding right; club below.
- Le Rider pl. 48, 10-2; SNG ANS 822-6. From the Demetrios Armounta Collection.
2 commentsNemonaterJan 24, 2021
AugustusPonMax.jpg
Augustus / Livia as PaxOctavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Denarius, Lugdunum mint
O: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE Laureate head r.
R: PONTIF MAXIM Draped female figure seated r., holding sceptre and branch.
- C 223. BMC 545. RIC 220. CBN 1693.
2 commentsNemonaterJan 19, 2021
VespPaciEph.jpg
Vespasian / Victory Vespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.48 g, 1h). Ephesus mint. Struck AD 69-70.
O: IMP CAES - VESPAS AVG Laureate head right
R: PACI - AVGVSTAE Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond; Φ to lower left.
- RIC II 1406
6 commentsNemonaterJan 19, 2021
Alex_Barb_tet1586.jpg
Barbaric Alexander TetradrachmSilver tetradrachm, uncertain (tribal?) mint, c. 3rd - 2nd Century B.C.
O: head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin headdress;
R: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on throne without back, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, AΛEΞAN∆POY downward on right, wreath to left; X below throne
-cf. Price B36 ff. (barbarous, uncertain prototypes); Obverse die match to CNG E- Auction 190 lot 42

Price (p. 506) notes that the ‘barbarous’ copies of Alexander III tetradrachms differ from contemporary imitations in that they were meant not to defraud but rather to provide coinages for the local economies in areas on the fringes of the classical world.

Many Greek cities across what was once Alexander's empire struck Alexander tetradrachms as civic coinage, even centuries after the death of the great conqueror. Similarly, peoples on the fringes of the Greek world also struck Alexander tetradrachms; sometimes with unusual or bizarre style, and often with illiterate blundered inscriptions. These coins are often described as "barbaric." We can attribute some of these imitative types to specific places or tribes. Other coins, such as this one, are a mystery. - FAC
2 commentsNemonaterJan 19, 2021
Tiberius_Quadriga.jpg
Tiberius / QuadrigaTiberius, 14-37 Denarius Lugdunum struck circa 15-16, 18mm., 3.71g.
O: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. Laureate head r.
R: IMP VII TR POT XVII, Tiberius in triumphal quadriga right., holding laurel branch and eagle-tipped sceptre.
- RIC 4.
4 commentsNemonaterJan 18, 2021
Type_I_Darius_I.jpg
Darios I SiglosDarios I. Circa 520-505 BC. AR Siglos (5.21 gm; 14 mm).
O: Half-length bust of Persian king or hero right, holding bow in left hand and arrows in right.
R: Incuse punch.
- Carradice Type I (pl. XI, 10); BMC Arabia pl. XXVII, 25; Sunrise 17
NemonaterJan 18, 2021
Vespasian_o_mint_cad.jpg
Vespasian o Mint Winged CaduceusVespasian AR Denarius. Uncertain Eastern Mint, Ephesus?, AD 76. 2.77g, 17mm.
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right, annulet below tip of neck.
R: PON MAX TR P COS VII, winged caduceus.
RIC 1477; RPC 1453.
4 commentsNemonaterJan 18, 2021
Sextus_Pompey_Magnus.jpg
Sextus Pompey Naval TrophySextus Pompeius Magnus Pius AR Denarius. (3.52g) Uncertain mint in Sicily (Catania?), 42-40 BC.
O: Diademed and bearded head of Neptune right; trident over left shoulder; MAG•PIVS upwards behind, IMP•ITER downwards before
R: Naval trophy set on anchor, top of trident visible above helmet, the arms composed of the stem of a prow in right and aplustre in left, with two heads of Scylla at base; PRAEF•CLAS•ET ORAE•MARIT•EX•S•C around.
- Crawford 511/2a; RSC 1a; Sydenham 1347;

Struck by Sextus Pompey after his victory over Salvidienus and relates to his acclamation as the Son of Neptune. The inscription PRAEF CLAS ET ORAE MARIT abbreviates Praefectus Classis et Orae Maritimae, which translates Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet and the Sea Coasts.


Salvidienus and Agrippa were with Octavian at Apollonia in March 44 BC when Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome. Salvidienus became one of the most trusted of Octavian’s generals during the civil wars following Caesar’s death. In 42 BC he commanded the fleet of Octavian against Sextus Pompeius, who had taken control of Sicily and was harassing the coasts of Italy. However, Salvidienus was defeated in a naval battle fought off Rhegium, largely because of the inexperience of his crews.

This title was held by both Pompey the Great and his son Sextus Pompey. Although Sextus Pompey was the supreme naval commander, Octavian had the Senate declare him a public enemy. He turned to piracy and came close to defeating Octavian. He was defeated by Marcus Agrippa at the naval battle of Naulochus (3 September 36 B.C.) and was executed by order of Mark Antony in 35 B.C.

In Greek mythology, Scylla was a monster that lived on one side of Strait of Messina between Italy and Sicily, opposite her counterpart Charybdis. The two sides of the strait were within an arrow's range of each other - so close that sailors attempting to avoid Charybdis would pass dangerously close to Scylla and vice versa. Scylla made her first appearance in Homer's Odyssey, where Odysseus and his crew encounter her and Charybdis on their travels. Later myth gave her an origin story as a beautiful nymph who gets turned into a monster. The idiom "between Scylla and Charybdis" has come to mean being forced to choose between two similarly dangerous situations. - FAC
2 commentsNemonaterJan 04, 2021
Dioscuri.jpg
C. Fonteius Dioscuri GalleyC. Fonteius AR Denarius. Rome, 114-113 BC.
O: Laureate, janiform heads of the Dioscuri, G to left and mark of value to right
R: Galley left with three rowers, gubernator at stern; C•FONT above, ROMA below.
- Crawford 290/1

In his oration, Pro Fonteio, Cicero mentions that the Fonteii came originally from Tusculum, of which municipium it was one of the most distinguished families. The Fonteii claimed descent from Fontus, the son of Janus. Vaillant and others suppose the obverse of this coin is the head of Janus, in reference to this tradition. But as Janus is always represented in later times with a beard, Eckhel maintains that the two heads refer to the Dioscuri, who were worshipped at Tusculum with especial honours. The galley on the reverse is a reference to Telegonus, son of Ulysses and according to myth the founder of Tusculum.
1 commentsNemonaterJan 04, 2021
Shekel_96_95.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 31 (96/5 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel. Dated CY 31 (96/5 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, wearing lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, AΛ (date) above club; delta to right, B (in Phoenician) between legs.
- DCA-Tyre 114; HGC 10, 357; DCA 919
2 commentsNemonaterJan 03, 2021
Shekel_Tyre_CY_176.jpg
Shekel Tyre CY 176 (50/1 AD)PHOENICIA. Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. Shekel CY 176 = AD 50/1.
O: Laureate head of Melkart to right, lion skin tied around neck.
R: TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY Eagle standing left on prow, palm frond in background; to left, ΡΟς above club; to right, KP above monogram; between the eagle's legs, 𐤁 (B in Punic).
- DCA Tyre 658. HGC 10, 357. RPC I 4675.
NemonaterJan 03, 2021
Tyre_Shekel_Year_161_35_36_AD.jpg
Tyre, Shekel, Year 161 (35/36 AD) Struck on a Folded FlanPHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (23mm, 14.31 g, 1h). Dated CY 161 (AD 35/36).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PΞA (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician letter between legs.
- DCA-Tyre 592; RPC I 4665; HGC 10, 357; DCA 920; Prieur 1425.

A very interesting coin that reveals the flan production process. The flan of an earlier coin was folded over two or three times before striking the new coin. This folding resulted in a thick planchet and a much smaller diameter than the die. It also created the odd triangular shape and sandwiching seen on the sides of the coin. The last fold was never properly heated and hammered, resulting in the slight separation of the layers on the reverse.

This is the same way the Pi-style tetradrachms of 353-340 BC were prepared.

NemonaterJan 03, 2021
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Vitellius / Son and Daughter DenariusVITELLIUS, (A.D. 69), silver denarius, issued July-December 69, Rome mint, (2.94 g)
O: Laureate head to right of Vitellius, around A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P
R: Confronted draped busts of Vitellius' son and daughter, LIBER[I IMP GERMA]N around
- RIC 103, BMC 29, RSC 2, Ex Noble Numismatics Auction 121, Ex Dr C. Haymes Collection, Ex CNG Auction 258, lot 366
2 commentsNemonaterDec 31, 2020
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Julius Caesar Ae BithyniaBITHYNIA. Nicaea. Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AE (25mm, 6.6 gm, 1h). C. Vibius Pansa, proconsul, dated Civic Year 236 (47/6 BC).
O: NIKAEΩN, bare head of Julius Caesar right
R: EΠI ΓAIOV / OVBIOV / ΠANΣA, Nike advancing right, palm frond in left hand over shoulder, wreath upward in right; monograms to lower left and inner right, ςΛΣ (date) in exergue. RPC I 2026. BMC 8-9.

This issue was one of only two Roman Provincials which have definitive lifetime portraits of Julius Caesar and was the first of them, the other from Lampsacus in 45 BC. Struck in Nicaea in Bithynia (present day northwestern Turkey), not far from where Caesar had just won a massive victory over the rebellious King Pharnaces II.

C. Vibius Pansa was part of the Caesarian faction at Rome and was friends with Caesar under whom he served in Gaul. He was elected Plebian Tribune in 51 BC and appointed governor of Bithynia et Pontus in 47 BC. He was the son of Caius Vibius C.f. C.n Pansa Caetronianus, who served as moneyer in Rome in 48 BC.

The first appearance of his portrait on coinage in Rome was on the denarii of M. Mettius, in January 44 BC. These coins served as a signal that his individual authority was becoming a threat to the sovereignty of the Republic.

NemonaterDec 31, 2020
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Titus Ceres DenariusSilver denarius, Rome mint, weight 3.1g, c. 24 Jun - mid July 79 A.D.
O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right; reverse TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII
R: Ceres seated left, grain stalks and poppy head in extended right hand, flaming torch in left hand.
- RIC II 6 (R2, same reverse die), BnF III 1 (same rev. die), RSC II 270a, BMCRE II -, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, Only three sales of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades.

This type is from a very rare early issue of Titus as Augustus, not yet naming him P P (Pater Patriae - Father of the Country). Titus apparently accepted this title quite soon after the beginning of his ninth tribunician year on 1 July 79 and P P was quickly added to the end of the reverse legend.
5 commentsNemonaterDec 31, 2020
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Vespasian Pegasus DenariusVespasian AR Denarius. Uncertain mint possibly Ephesus. AD 76.
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right, small O below neck truncation
R: COS VII, Pegasus standing to right with left foreleg raised.
- RIC 1473; BMCRE 482; RPC II 1451
7 commentsNemonaterDec 31, 2020
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Mazaios StaterCILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.6 g, 10h).
O: Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding eagle-tipped scepter in extended right hand; to left, grain ear and grape bunch above L (in Aramaic) to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right
R: Lion left, attacking bull right above crenellated walls; MZDY ZY 'BRNHR’ W ḤLK (‘Mazaios, Governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia’ in Aramaic) above.
- Casabonne Series 4, Group A; SNG France 360; SNG Levante 113; Sunrise 67.

The Aramaic inscription on the reverse of this stater has prompted Biblical coin researcher David Hendin to reconsider the meaning of this coin type. It traditionally is translated as “Mazaios governor of Transeuphrates and Cilicia,” but Hendin translates it somewhat differently as “Mazaios who is over Eber Nahara and Cilicia.” The similarity of this inscription and a descriptive phrase used in two books of the Old Testament (which was codified at approximately the time this coin was struck) has led to Hendin’s suggestion that the walls on this coin represent the ones encompassing Jerusalem, which less than a century before had been rebuilt by Nehemiah, as related in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. (A fuller discussion of the subject is presented on pages 100-103 of the 4th edition of Hendin’s Guide to Biblical Coins.)
NemonaterDec 30, 2020
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Balakros StaterCILICIA, Tarsos. Balakros. Satrap of Cilicia, 333-323 BC. AR Stater. (22mm., 10,26g.)
O: Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; grain ear to left, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right, Σ (retrograde). There is the possibility that instead of this being a retrograde Σ below the throne it is a sideways M, making the mint Mallos for this issue.
R: Lion left, attacking bull right above two lines of turreted wall (Tarsos); club above.
- Casabonne series 1; cf. SNG France 363

Tarsus, the principal city of Cilicia, was used as a mint by a succession of Persian satraps during the fourth century BC. When Alexander the Great took the city in 333, he appointed a satrap of his own. The new satrap, Balacrus, continued to strike coinage at Tarsus very much in the manner of earlier satraps. The obverse of this stater depicts the local god of Tarsus, who is usually associated with symbols of fertility (in this case, the grain ear). The reverse type is a borrowing from the coinage the previous satrap, Mazaeus (361-334 BC). It shows a lion-bull combat—a typical theme of both Persian and Greek art—above the city walls of Tarsus. Author David Hendin has suggested that the impressive circuit of walls shown on the reverse may be those of Jerusalem, which fell within the jurisdiction of the Satrap of Cilicia.
2 commentsNemonaterDec 30, 2020
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Nero / Caius Cestius Gallus Legatus 65/66SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Nero, 54-68. Assarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 8.03 g, 1 h), struck under the legatus, C. Cestius Gallus, year ΔΙΡ (114) = 65/6.
O: IM NER CLAV CAESAR Laureate head of Nero to right.
R: ΕΠΙ ΚΕΣΤΙ/ΟΥ ΑΝΤΙ/ΟΧΕΩΝ/ ΕΤ ΔΙΡ in five lines within wreath tied below.
- BMC 201. RPC 4296. RPC Online 4296.7. Very Rare
3 commentsNemonaterDec 29, 2020
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Nero / C Caius Cestius Gallus 65/66SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Nero, 54-68. Assarion (Bronze, 20.5 mm, 7.22 g, 1 h), struck under the legatus, C. Cestius Gallus, year ΔΙΡ (114) = 65/6.
O: IM NER CLAV CAESAR Laureate head of Nero to right.
R: ΕΠΙ ΚΕΣΤΙ/ΟΥ ΑΝΤΙ/ΟΧΕΩΝ/ ΕΤ ΔΙΡ in five lines within wreath tied below.
- BMC 201. RPC 4296. RPC Online 4296.7 (this coin). Very Rare
2 commentsNemonaterDec 29, 2020
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Nero / Caius Cestius Gallus 66/67SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. Nero. AD 54-68. Æ As (30.5mm, 15.28 g, 12h).
Caius Cestius Gallus, legatus Syriae. Dated year 115 of the Caesarean Era (AD 66/7).
O: Laureate head right; coiled serpent to right. IM • NER • CLAV • CAESAR
R: ЄΠI(In the magistracy of) ΓAIOY KЄCTIO Y (Gaius Cestius) ΛNTIO (Antioch) ЄT (Year) ЄIP (P=100, I=10, E=5 ) in five lines within wreath
- McAlee 294 = Superior, (9 December 1989), lot 2827 (same dies); RPC I – Same obverse die as RPC 4309. Extremely rare, the second or third known.

Josephus lays much of the blame for the Jewish revolt at the feet of Florus, the Roman procurator of Judaea. Florus was notorious for his cruelty and greed. In 66 C.E. he demanded 17 talents from the temple treasury, using the pretense that it was needed by the Emperor. The Jews refused, ridiculing his request by taking up a mock collection for the “poor Florus.”

Florus responded by sending troops to loot and pillage the Upper-Marketplace in Jerusalem. Thousands of Jews were killed, including woman and children. Rather than bringing the city under control, Josephus reasons, “What more need be said? It was Florus who constrained us to take up war with the Romans, for we preferred to perish together rather than by degrees. The war in fact began in the second year of the procuratorship of Florus and in the twelfth of Nero's reign.”

The Sicarii, or “dagger-men,” took the fortress of Masada and killed the Roman garrison stationed there, establishing the first rebel stronghold. The fortress of Antonia was also captured and the Roman soldiers stationed there were slain. The remaining Roman holdouts surrendered under the agreement that their lives would be spared but they too were slaughtered. At the same time, the daily sacrifices for the Emperor were discontinued. A mixture of elation and fear gripped Jerusalem as they awaited the inevitable Roman response.

Gaius Cestius Gallus, Legate of Syria in 66 C.E., was the response. On Nero’s order, he assembled a force at Antioch comprised of legio XII Fulminata, detachments from the three other legions based in Syria, six cohorts of auxiliary infantry and four alae of cavalry. He also had military support from the Jewish ruler Herod Agrippa II and two other client kings, Antiochus IV of Commagene and Sohaemus of Emesa.

Within three months Gallus, with his force of over 30,000 troops, began working their way down from Galilee to Jerusalem, attacking key cities such as Chabulon, Joppa and Antipatris. Although enduring successful raids from the rebels, the Romans finally enter and set fire to the suburbs of Jerusalem as the rebels retreated to the safety of the temple fortress.

After setting fire to Bezetha, north of the temple, Gallus encamped in front of the royal palace, southwest of the temple. At that time, Josephus says he could have easily taken the city since pro-Roman Jews were ready to open the gates of the city for him. A six day delay, however, strengthened the insurgents. The zealots attacked and killed the pro-peace faction in the city, murdering their leaders, then assaulted the Romans from the wall. The advance units of the Romans employ the Testudo, overlapping their shields over themselves like the back of a tortoise, and began undermining the walls. After five days they are on the verge of success when, for an undetermined cause, Gallus called off the attack. In History of the Jews, Professor Heinrich Graetz suggests: “[Cestius Gallus] did not deem it advisable to continue the combat against heroic enthusiasts and embark on a lengthy campaign at that season, when the autumn rains would soon commence . . . and might prevent the army from receiving provisions. On that account probably he thought it more prudent to retrace his steps.” Whatever the reason, Gallus decided to abruptly leave Jerusalem.

Gallus, with evidently little battlefield experience, suffered one humiliating defeat after another during the retreat. By the battles end the losses amounted to 5,300 infantry, 480 cavalry, all the pack animals, artillery and the eagle standard of the legio XII Fulminata. With the rebels emboldened by their shocking victory, the stage is set for the Romans to return in greater force. This time, however, Nero would send general Vespasian.

Cestius Gallus died a broken man in 67 C.E. Tacitus described the outbreak of the revolt to Gallus death as follows: “the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessius Florus was procurator. In his time the war broke out. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, who attempted to crush it, had to fight several battles, generally with ill-success. Cestius dying, either in the course of nature, or from vexation.” - The Histories V
3 commentsNemonaterDec 28, 2020
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Half Shekel Tyre CY 40 (87/86 BC)Tyre AR Half Shekel. Dated CY 40 = 87/6 BC.
O: Laureate bust of Melkart right
R: ΤΥPΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, palm frond behind; LM (date) above club to left, Δ to right, Phoenician B between legs.
DCA-Tyre 479; HGC 10, 358; DCA 921
1 commentsNemonaterSep 29, 2020
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Titus Left Eagle Denarius1 commentsNemonaterSep 29, 2020
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Bar Kokhba Revolt Zuz - Vespasian UndertypeJudaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt 132 – 135 CE Silver denarius / Zuz, 3.39 gr. Overstruck on a denarius of Vespasian.
O: Paleo-Hebrew inscription in wreath: “Shimon".
R: Lyre. Paleo-Hebrew inscription: "To the freedom of Jerusalem"
- Mildenberg 130; Meshorer TJC 272c; Hendin 1429. Ex Menashe Landman collection, Haifa.
5 commentsNemonaterJun 23, 2020
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Shekel Tyre Dated CY 125 (2/1 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (25.5mm, 12.08 g, 1h).
Dated CY 125 (2/1 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, lion skin around neck.
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PKE (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician B between legs.
-DCA-Tyre 450; HGC 10, 357; DCA 920.
NemonaterMay 31, 2020
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Shekel Tyre Civic Year 143 (17/18 CE)PHOENICIA. Tyre. AR shekel (24.57mm, 13.45 gm) Dated Civic Year 143
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 ΡΜΓ, date above club.
NemonaterMay 31, 2020
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Bar Kokhba Revolt Zuz - Domitian UndertypeJudaea, Bar Kokhba Revolt. Silver Zuz (3.22 g), 132-135 CE. Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE).
O: 'Simon' (Paleo-Hebrew) within wreath of thin branches wrapped around eight almonds, with a medallion at top and tendrils at bottom.
R: 'For the freedom of Jerusalem' (Paleo-Hebrew), fluted jug with handle on left; in right field, willow branch. Partial portrait of Domitian to left.
- Hendin 1418; Mildenberg 79 (O14/R51); TJC 283., ex S. Moussaieff Collection.

For more about the Moussaieff Collection, see https://coinsweekly.com/munich-auction-house-offers-objects-from-the-moussaieff-collection/
1 commentsNemonaterDec 27, 2019
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A Parliament of Athens OwlsOld-style; Old-style with numerous bankers marks;
Pi-style, folded flan; Mesopotamia, Levant, Arabia, or Egypt Imitative;
Contemporary forgery with bankers mark and copper core showing.
2 commentsNemonaterDec 26, 2019
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Alexander III Athena / Nike AV StaterKINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AV Stater (17.5mm, 8.65 g, 11h). Sidon mint. Struck under Menes. Dated RY 7 of Abdalonymos (327/6 BC).
O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent, and necklace
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; palm frond and date (in Phoenician) to left, ΣI below left wing.

- Price 3482; Newell, Dated 21 (dies –/α [unlisted obv. die]); Rouvier 1171; DCA 867. From the rare, earliest issue of dated Sidon staters.

Abdalonymos was a gardener, but of royal descent, who was made king of Sidon by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. After Alexander the Great had Sidon under siege, he gave permission to Hephaestion to bestow its crown on whom he pleased. Hephaestion offered it to two brothers with whom he lodged, but they thankfully declined it, alleging that according to their local laws, it could only be worn by one of royal blood. Being desired to point out such a person, they named Abdalonymos - the gardener, who, notwithstanding his birth, had fallen into such poverty, that he supported himself by the cultivation of a kitchen garden.
Hephaestion directed the brothers to carry the royal crown and robes to Abdalonymos. They obeyed, and found him weeding in his garden. After causing him to wash, they invested him with the ensigns of royalty, and conducted him to Alexander. This prince, who discerned in him an aspect not unworthy of his origin, turning to those around him and said 'I wish to know how he bore his poverty.'-'Would to heaven,' replied Abdalonymos, 'I may as well bear my prosperity! These hands have ministered to all my necessities; and as I possessed nothing, I wanted nothing'. Alexander was so well pleased with this reply, that he confirmed the nomination of Hephaestion, and gave the new king the palace and private estate of Strato his predecessor, and even augmented his dominions from the neighbouring country.
5 commentsNemonaterDec 26, 2019
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Athena / Owl Tetradrachm Attica, Athens AR Tetradrachm. 17.22g, 23mm, 10h. Circa 454-404 BC.
O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Attic helmet ornamented with three olive leaves above visor and spiral palmette on bowl, round earring with central boss, and pearl necklace. Braided hair curling out below the helmet.
R: Owl standing to right with head facing, olive sprig and crescent behind, ΑΘΕ "Of the Athenians"; all within incuse square.
- Kroll 8; Dewing 1591-8; SNG Copenhagen 31.
6 commentsNemonaterDec 22, 2019
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Titus / Homonoia BI TetradrachmEGYPT, Alexandria. BI Tetradrachm, 12.87g Alexandria mint, 80-81 AD, RY 3
O: AYTOK TITOY KAIΣ OYEΣΠAΣIANOY ΣEB; Titus laureate, right.
R: OMO-NOIA; Homonoia seated left holding olive branch, date LΓ to left, star in right field
- Dattari (Savio) 424; RPC 2471.
5 commentsNemonaterDec 12, 2019
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Seleukos I Nikator Trophy Tetradrachm SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Seleukos I Nikator, 312-281 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 26mm, 17.02 g 8), Susa, c. 304-298/7.
O: Bust of Alexander the Great and/or Seleukos as Dionysos to right, wearing helmet covered with a panther skin and adorned with a bull’s horn and ear, and with a panther skin tied around his shoulders.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ Nike walking to right, placing wreath on trophy of arms to right; to left and right of Nike, monogram.

- CSE 1023. ESM 426. Kraay/Hirmer 740. SC 173.4., Ex New York Sale XXVIII, 5 January 2012, 1033, and from an English collection.

The portrait on the obverse has been identified as Dionysos, Alexander, or Seleukos. The arguments for each identification have merit, and indeed they are probably all correct; the image is an assimilation of all three into a singular portrait, as Iossif argues. The portrait relates to Seleukos' eastern victory and ties his mythology to that of both Dionysos (the panther being the animal companion of the god Dionysos), the first conqueror of India, and Alexander, the second conqueror of India.

In contrast, the reverse relates to the western victories of Seleukos. Here, Nike, the goddess of victory, places a wreath on a “trophy of arms”. An ancient “trophy” was a wooden post set up on a battlefield, decorated with the armor and weapons of a defeated enemy. This trophy is built from Macedonian arms, as evidenced by the Vergina Sun (or Argead Star) emblazoned on the shield. This star is ubiquitous in Greek and Macedonian art from ancient times down to our day. A beautiful example is found on a larnax in the tomb of Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great. This clearly identifies the vanquished enemy as the Antigonid army that fell at Ipsos in 301 BCE.

Thus, this issue celebrates the totality of Seleukos' victories in the east and west, solidifying his new empire, and also further establishes his dynastic heritage by tying his exploits to that of the great conqueror, Alexander, in an effort to legitimize Seleukos' right to rule over these vast lands.
3 commentsNemonaterNov 22, 2019
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Islands off Attica, Aegina Transitional Issue Land Tortoise Islands off Attica, Aegina. Circa 456/45-431 BC. AR Stater 12.40g, 22mm
O: Land tortoise, head in profile, with segmented shell
R: Large square incuse with heavy skew pattern.

- Meadows, Aegina, Group IIIb; Milbank pl. II, 13; HGC 6, 437 var. (head not in profile); SNG Copenhagen 517 var. (same); Dewing 1683 var. (same); Gillet 948 var. (same); Jameson 1200 var. (same); Pozzi 1635 var. (same).

Struck on a broad flan. Very rare with head in profile.

The head of the land tortoise on this massive coinage is typically engraved shown from above, with the tortoise looking forward. Very rarely are they encountered with the head shown in profile. The profile head was canonical on the earlier, sea turtle coinage, thus the land tortoise coins of this variety may represent a short transitional issue at the beginning of this period.

The island of Aegina, about 25 miles southeast of Athens, is a rocky and mountainous outcrop, with limited arable land. Thus from an early period the sea had to serve as the livelihood for the inhabitants. The Aeginetans ranged far and wide over the Mediterranean, becoming exceptional merchants and carriers. In the early 6th century BC. they had a near monopoly on the transshipping of grain out from the Back Sea region to the Peloponnesos. Within fifty years they were holding significant grain concessions at the Egyptian port of Naukratis. During this heyday period the Aeginetans held an enviable reputation as general traders and transporters.
In their travels, the Aeginetan merchants encountered the early forms of money developing in Asia Minor. The concept was obviously seen as advantageous in terms of commerce and trade. Another incentive could very well be that proposed by Kraay, in Archaic and Classical Greek Coins: that the Aeginetans quickly realized that surplus wealth, which their commercial ventures were producing at the time, could also be stored indefinitely in the form of silver coin. And so the island began coining money sometime near the mid-6th century BC. Of thick, chunky fabric for the larger staters, all denominations bear the image of a sea turtle in high relief, with compartmented incuse on the reverse. The choice of turtle (chelones) no doubt alluded to their marine interests. Traditionally these are placed as being the first coins struck in Europe -- and nothing to date has emerged to challenge this view.
The coins of the earliest period, struck up to about 480 BC, are found in hoards of circulated coins dating well into the 4th century BC; this extreme length of use of the coin suggests a remarkable abundance, and thus evidence for a prolific output by her mint. Also, well-worn specimens have been found included among hoard coinage in such diverse spots as Egypt, Tarentum in southern Italy, at Persepolis in Iran, and as far east as Kabul, in Afghanistan. Interestingly, however, in hoards where the dominant coin is that of Aegina, the find spots suggest that her immediate monetary influence was more limited -- the area of the Cyclades islands and Crete was where the bulk of the island's monies were utilized.
Aside from silver and bullion accumulated in trade, Aegina's primary source of silver for her earliest coins seems to have been the mines on the island of Syphnos. Again, hoard evidence suggests how huge the output was for this early trade coin, and likewise indicates that these mines were at the peak of their production in the 6th century. After 480 BC, production of Aegina's "turtles" began decreasing over the next twenty years -- thus either mining activities on Syphnos declined seriously or ceased altogether.
Another hindering factor to the island's coinage during this period would be the rise and dominance of Athens as Mistress of the Aegean. Attic influence went beyond mere commerce, her empire-building included political meddling and the securing of resources. In fact, Athens conquered Aegina in 457 BC and stripped her of her maritime powers. This loss of Aegina's sea-borne livelihood may well have been the reason for the change of design on her coin's obverse. The sea turtle then became a land tortoise, as seen by the pronounced segmented pattern on the creature's shell-covered back. Athens again showed her might by expelling the Aeginetans from their island in 431 BC. It was only after the conclusion of the Peloponnesian War in 404 BC, with Athens' power broken, that the island's inhabitants returned home to resume their activities and their coinage. The final phase of the venerable "turtles" saw them become a reduced coinage, increasingly for local use only. The tortoise motif disappears some time during the 3rd century BC. And by the 2nd century BC, what had been Europe's first and most important precious metal trade coinage was now only small, inconsequential coppers.
6 commentsNemonaterNov 19, 2019
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Virtual Tray of Philip II, Alexander III and the DiadochiPhilip II, Alexander III, Ptolemy, Seleucus, Lysimachus and Kassander.5 commentsNemonaterNov 10, 2019
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Seleukos I Nikator / Quadriga of ElephantsSeleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (27mm, 17.13 g, 4h). Seleukeia on the Tigris II mint. Struck circa 296/5-281 BC.
O: Laureate head of Zeus right
R: BAΣIΛEÎ©Σ (King) left, Athena, brandishing spear and shield, in quadriga of elephants right; anchor above,ΣEΛEYKOY (Seleukos), two monograms in exergue.
- SC 130.20c corr. (monogram); ESM – (but obv. die A42); HGC 9, 18a; NFA XXII, lot 339 (same dies); CNG 96 lot 530 (Same Dies).

For this variety, 130.20c, SC cites NFA XXII, lot 339, but the monogram is not clear in the photograph. The present coin, from the same dies as the NFA piece, clearly shows that the diagonal line in the lower left of the monogram is not present.

Seleucus I was the founder of the Seleucid dynasty. His kingdom at its highest point extended from Thrace and Asia Minor in the West to Bactria in the East and from the Black Sea in the north to the borders of Egypt in the South. Out of all of the Successors of Alexander the Great, he was the one who came closest to restoring the entirety of the Macedonian Empire. Although Seleucus had been appointed satrap of Babylonia by an assembly of Alexander’s former generals in 321 BC, Antigonos, who was made strategos of Asia at the same time sought to remove the satraps that he could not control and thereby become the new master of Alexander’s Empire. Realizing the danger, Seleucus escaped from Babylon to the Egyptian court of Ptolemy. With Ptolemy’s assistance, Seleucus was able to return to Babylon and reclaim his satrapy in 312 BC. In 306/5 he embarked upon an eastern campaign to gain control of the Upper Satrapies.

This series of tetradrachms served as a reminder of the 500 war elephants Seleukos received in settlement with Chandragupta in the Peace of 303. The treaty is celebrated on the reverse which depicts a militant Athena being pulled by four elephants equipped with horned headdresses.

Elephants were the equivalent to the tank of the ancient Greek world. The elephants of Chandragupta had a pivotal role to play in Seleucus’ reign. Thanks to their timely arrival at the Battle of Ipsos (301 BC), it was possible for Seleucus and his allies to defeat and kill Antigonos, thereby ending an ever-present threat to his security. With Antigonos gone, Seleucus could safely rule his eastern kingdom. In 281 BC Philetairos and other cities and rulers of western Asia Minor invited Seleucus to march west and destroy his sometime ally, Lysimachos, who had made himself very unpopular in the region. Seleucus acquiesced to this request, defeating and killing Lysimacus at the Battle of Korupedion. This victory gained for Seleucus all of Lysimacus’ former territory in Asia Minor and Thrace, but he was not able to savour this triumph for long. Later in the year, as he marched through Thrace, Seleucus was murdered by a refugee from the Ptolemaic court.
1 commentsNemonaterNov 07, 2019
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Lysimachus AR tetradrachmTHRACIAN KINGDOM. Lysimachus (305-281 BC) struck 287/6-281/0. AR tetradrachm (30mm, 17.17 gm, 11h). Thrace, Lysimachia.
O: Diademed head of deified Alexander III right, with horn of Ammon
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑXΟ[Υ]; (King Lysimachus), Athena seated left, Nike in right hand crowning name, left arm resting on shield, transverse spear in background; YE monogram in exergue.

- From the Medicus Collection, Ex CGB.fr MONNAIES 9 lot 33, MONNAIES 19 lot 44 2004, MONNAIES 34 lot 102 2008, Ex Gorny and Mosch, Auction 42 (10 October 1988) lot 138. Formerly known as NGC Choice XF 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. - Müller 41?, Gülnar II 2696? (A. Davesne & G. Le Rider. Le trésor de Meydancikkale. 2 Vols. Paris. 1989.) Possibly unique with this monogram.

Missing the final upsilon of the name of Lysimachus, how could such a talented engraver make this mistake?
4 commentsNemonaterNov 02, 2019
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Philip II Tetradrachm Lifetime IssuePhilip II Tetradrachm Lifetime Issue Amphipolis Mint, 355-349/8.
O: Laureate head of Zeus to right.
R: ΦΙΛΙΠ ΠΟΥ Philip II, wearing kausia and chlamys and raising his right hand in salute, riding to left; horizontal club below belly.
- Le Rider 96-108

The reverse is a representation of the King’s arrival on his accession to the throne, dressed in traditional Macedonian garb.
3 commentsNemonaterOct 15, 2019
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Roman Civil Wars, Revolt of Galba, Governor of SpainSilver denarius, Tarraco(?) mint, Apr - Jun 68 A.D.
O: BON EVENT, young female head (Bonus Eventus) right, fillet around forehead.
R: ROM RENASC, Roma standing right in military garb, Victory on globe in right hand, eagle-tipped scepter over left shoulder in left, implying the restoration of the Republic.
- RIC I 9 (R4), RSC II 396, BMCRE I 9, SRCV I 2072.

Galba lived in Tarraco for eight years. This coin was issued by Galba as governor of Spain in revolt against Nero. The obverse is copied from Republican denarii struck in 62 B.C. by the moneyer L. Scribonius Libo.
2 commentsNemonaterAug 19, 2019
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Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse Die
Persian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (15 mm, 5.67 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Helmet facing within reverse incuse punch.
- Carradice plate XIII, 34; BMC Arabia p. 165, 124, pl. XXVI, 21.
3 commentsNemonaterAug 08, 2019
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Vespasian / Shield Within Wreath RIC 1393Vespasian; 69-79 AD, Ephesus, c. 69-70 AD, Denarius, 2.80g.
O: IMP CAES - VESPAS AVG Head laureate r.; on neck rectangular countermark IMP VES with IMP and VE ligate (Howgego-839).
R: AVG on round shield within oak wreath; rectangular countermark IMP VES with IMP and VE ligate.

Extremely rare, apparently the second recorded specimen, the first having appeared in Schenk-Behrens 76, 26 Nov. 1998, lot 186, as reported but not illustrated by RIC-1393.

This coin is exceptional in three additional ways. First, Roman denarii are virtually never countermarked, with the exception of the IMPVES under Vespasian. Second, it is extremely rare for a coin of Vespasian to be countermarked by Vespasian. Third, I believe this is the only example of a Vespasian denarius mistakenly countermarked not just once, but twice!

The attribution of this reverse type to Ephesus, suggested by the use on later marked coins of that mint of a simplified version of the same type, AVG within oak wreath but without the shield, is confirmed by the countermark of Vespasian on this specimen, since the few Flavian denarii known to have been marked with that countermark are all coins of the Ephesus mint.
5 commentsNemonaterJul 07, 2019
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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 commentsNemonaterMay 21, 2019
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Ptolemy I Soter Tetradrachm as SatrapPtolemy I Soter. Silver Tetradrachm (15.65 g, 30mm), as Satrap, 323-305 BC. Alexandria, in the name of Alexander III
O: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing elephant's skin headdress.
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY in left field, Athena Alkidemos advancing right, wielding javelin and holding forth shield;in right field, monogram, Corinthian helmet above and eagle standing right on thunderbolt.
Overstruck, traces of undertype visible.

The earlier 17g tetradrachms were withdrawn from circulation in 306/305 BC and reissued after weight adjustment. They were trimmed to remove 1.5g of silver, heated and restruck. This must have been faster than melting them down into bullion and restriking. Some issues show clear evidence of the edges being trimmed, although many, such as this one, do not.

Ptolemy was feeling the financial burden of repelling Antigonus’ invasion and supporting Rhodes through a thirteen-month siege. The government needed extra currency and Egypt produced little or no silver. The recall of the heavy issues meant 8 tetradrachms were restruck into 9 “Crisis Issues” but with no change in the appearance of the dies.
4 commentsNemonaterApr 12, 2019
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Ptolemy I Soter Tetradrachm as SatrapPtolemy I Soter. Silver Tetradrachm (15.68 g, 26mm), as Satrap, 323-305 BC. Alexandria, in the name of Alexander III. Overstruck on earlier Alexander tetradrachm, 306-305 BC.
O: Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, wearing elephant's skin headdress, aegis around neck with tiny Δ in scales.
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY in left field, Athena Alkidemos advancing right, wielding javelin and holding forth shield;in right field, monogram, Corinthian helmet right above ΔI and eagle standing right on thunderbolt.
-CPE 72; Svoronos 169; Zervos Issue 31, dies 527/a; SNG Copenhagen 30; BMC 26 (same dies).

Overstruck, undertype beading visible on obverse just above elephant's ear; on the reverse, portrait of Alexander above eagles head into Athena's shield.

The earlier 17g tetradrachms were withdrawn from circulation in 306/305 BC and reissued after weight adjustment. They were trimmed to remove 1.5g of silver, heated and restruck. This must have been faster than melting them down into bullion and restriking. Some of these issues, such as this one, show the clear evidence of the edges being trimmed, although many do not.

Ptolemy was feeling the financial burden of repelling Antigonus’ invasion and supporting Rhodes through a thirteen-month siege. The government needed extra currency and Egypt produced little or no silver. The recall of the heavy issues meant 8 tetradrachms were restruck into 9 “Crisis Issues” but with no change in the appearance of the dies.
3 commentsNemonaterApr 12, 2019
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Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (14 mm, 5.57 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; roaring lion left countermark.
R: Incuse punch; stylized facing lion in reverse punch.
3 commentsNemonaterFeb 08, 2019
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Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos (14 mm, 5.57 g).
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Incuse punch; roaring lion left.
- Carradice IV B, pl. XIII, 35.
2 commentsNemonaterFeb 08, 2019
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Alexander III Tetradrachm Price 2999KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.13 g, 12 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327.
O: Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right.
- Price 2999. A rare early and unusual issue from Tarsos, "Officina B", bearing no symbol.

Alexander the Great (356 B.C.–323 B.C.) has been recognized as the greatest stratelates (roughly, ‘general’) in history. His army consisted of 30,000 infantryman and 5,000 cavalrymen. In 334 B.C., when he was 22 years old, he embarked on a campaign starting from the capital of Macedonia, Pella, and he created the Macedonian Empire within 8 years, by 326 B.C. The Macedonian Empire extended from Greece to India and North Africa. Alexander fought in the front lines in every battle, thereby encouraging his fellow warriors to do their best. He was never a spectator in battles, and the rear line was not for him. In each battle, just as any of his soldiers, he faced the risk of not seeing the sunset. He was in danger of “dining in Hades,” as they said about soldiers who died during battle. All his soldiers saw Alexander’s back in every battle.

By comparing these early Tarsos tetradrachms to the staters of Mazaios (Pictured below) it is easy to see the identical forms of the throne, scepter, footstool and other details. The drapery is rendered in a similar manner, the Aramaic inscription of the one and the Greek inscription of the other share the same curve following the dotted border. This evidence indicates the two series of coins were the common product of a single mint.

2 commentsNemonaterJan 21, 2019
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Alexander III Tetradrachm Price 2993KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.25 g, 4 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327.
O:Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; below throne, A.
- Price 2993.
2 commentsNemonaterJan 21, 2019
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Alexander III Price 3000KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.16 g, 3 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327.
O: Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
R: AΛEΞANΔPOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; below throne, B.
- Price 3000.
2 commentsNemonaterJan 21, 2019
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Vespasian / Titus and Domitian on HorsebackVespasian AR Denarius, Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
R: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian riding r., hands outstretched
- RIC 5 (R). BMC p. 7, RSC 539.

One of the rarest of the dynastic types.
6 commentsNemonaterOct 23, 2018
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Titus / Bearded CaptiveTitus AR Denarius. Rome mint, AD 79. 3.1g, 18mm.
O: IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right
R: TR POT VIII COS VII, bearded captive, wearing trousers and cape, kneeling right at base of trophy.
- RIC 1; RSC 334a; BMCRE 1.

Only two specimens in the Reka Devnia Hoard, not in the Paris collection or Cohen. An attractively toned issue dated to the first week of Titus' reign, between Vespasian's death on 23 June 79 AD and the beginning of Titus' ninth tribunician year on 1 July. The reverse type was carried on from Titus' last issue as Caesar, see http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-89575
5 commentsNemonaterOct 16, 2018
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Maximinus I Thrax / P M TR P IIIIMaximinus I. AD 235-238. AR Denarius 2.55 g. Rome mint, 6th officina. 6th emission, December AD 237-April AD 238.
O: MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
R: P M TR P IIII COS P P Maximinus standing left, raising hand and holding spear; two signa flanking.
- RIC IV 6; BMCRE 219; RSC 70.

Maximinus took his fourth tribunitian on December 10, 237. Although assassinated in April of the following year, he lost control of the Rome mint that January. This rare last issue of his reign was struck between December 237 and January 238.
2 commentsNemonaterOct 11, 2018
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The Year of the Six Emperors (And a Caesar) In order from top left to right: Maximinus Thrax, murdered; Maximus Caesar, murdered; Gordian I suicide; Gordian II killed in battle; Pupienus, murdered; Balbinus, murdered; Gordian III, probably murdered but possibly died in battle. 5 commentsNemonaterOct 11, 2018
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Titus / Quadriga AureusNOT MINE!!
Perhaps one day?
1 commentsNemonaterSep 24, 2018
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Titus Aureus NOT MINE!!
Obverse die match to my Titus RIC 554 Denarius
NemonaterSep 22, 2018
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Titus / EagleTitus as Caesar. 70-79 AD. Denarius, Rome, 76 AD.
O: T CAESAR IMP - VESPASIANVS Head laureate left.
R: COS - V across field, Eagle with raised wings standing right on garlanded altar, head left.
- RIC 873 (R2), pl. 10 (different dies). BMC 192 note (citing Cohen). Cohen 60 (Rollin).
Very rare with portrait left: not in BM by 1976, not in the Paris catalogue nor in the Reka Devnia hoard, since the reported seven specimens in Sofia were doubtless actually Cohen 59 with portrait right. RIC 873 cites two specimens with portrait left. David Atherton notes in his example of this type, "RIC generically describes the reverse as eagle with 'thunderbolt in claws', so this coin without thunderbolt should be regarded as a variant."

Below is what the coin now looks like September 2020.

7 commentsNemonaterSep 22, 2018
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Titus / Pontif Maxim MuleTitus. As Caesar, AD 69-79. AR Denarius, Rome mint. Struck under Vespasian, AD 73.
O: Laureate head right; T CAES IMP VESP CENS
R: Vespasian seated right on curule chair, feet on footstool, holding scepter and olive branch.
- RIC II 554 (R) (Vespasian); BMC 113; RSC 158. Struck from the same obverse die as the aureus illustrated for Calicó 746.

An interesting mule. When this coin was struck, Titus was only Pontifex not Pontifex Maximus. The same reverse type was also struck for Titus with his correct titles, PONTIF TRI POT.
The reverse type clearly copies the PONTIF MAXIM Livia seated type of Tiberius. Vespasian may have copied this and other earlier aureus and denarius reverse types as restorations, since he was melting down and recoining the originals to take advantage of Nero's debasement of 64 AD. According to CClay, "Use of the SAME dies for both aurei and denarii was the rule up until Titus and continued in some issues until about Hadrian. Thereafter the style and size of the two denominations diverged, though gold and silver QUINARII often continued to be struck from the same dies."
5 commentsNemonaterSep 22, 2018
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Q. Metellus Pius Scipio w/ Vespasian CountermarkQ. Metellus Pius Scipio. Silver Denarius 47-46 BC. Military mint traveling with Scipio in Africa.
O: Q METEL above, PIVS below, laureate head of Jupiter right, c/m: IMP VES (ligate) in incuse rectangle.
R: SCIPIO above, IMP in exergue, elephant advancing right.
- Crawford 459/1; HCRI 45; Sydenham 1050; Caecilia 47.

A Pompeian loyalist, Q. Metellus Pius Scipio introduced the legislation that recalled Caesar from his Gallic command, thus precipitating the Civil Wars. This denarius was struck while Scipio was in supreme command of the Pompeian forces in North Africa, the elephant an obvious reference to the province, and was probably struck during the later stages of the campaign in a mobile mint traveling alongside the forces (stylistically it is quite distinct from the coins of Scipio struck at the provincial capital of Utica). In 46 BC, Caesar finally managed to corner the Pompeians at Thapsus, where he inflicted a crushing defeat. After the battle Scipio committed suicide knowing that, despite Caesar's usual leniency towards his enemies, he would not allow so persistent an foe as Scipio to survive.

The countermark applied during Vespasian's rule is interesting proof that this older coinage continued in circulation.
3 commentsNemonaterSep 19, 2018
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Vespasian / Temple of AphroditeCYPRUS, Koinon of Cyprus. (Antioch mint) Vespasian.AD 69-79. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 12.59 g, 1h). Dated RY 8 (AD 75/6).
Obv: AYTOKPATΩP OYЄCΠACIANOC KAICAP; Laureate head of Vespasian left. c/m Head of Marcus Aurelius left within incuse circle.
Rev: ЄTOYC NЄOY IЄPOY; H in exergue, conical cult xoanon of Aphrodite of Paphos within central distyle tower, central crossbeam of tripartite entablature above; tristyle porticoes flanking; the entire structure set on low basis.
- RPC 1803; Tziambazis 16; Countermark: Howgego 844 i.
2 commentsNemonaterSep 19, 2018
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Vespasian / Pax Ephesus MintVespasian AR Denarius, 3.33g, Ephesus Mint, 71 AD
O: Laureate head right, IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P
R: Turreted and draped female bust right; PACI ORB TERR AVG [EPHE below]
- RIC 1433 (C). BMC 459. RSC 293. RPC 835 (14 spec.).
Minted to celebrate the Flavian Pax Romana. I was able to confirm the attribution with matching dies.
3 commentsNemonaterSep 09, 2018
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Mazaios Obol, Artaxerxes III / Lion attacking bull CILICIA. Tarsos. Mazaios (Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC). Obol. 0.7 g., 12 mm.
O: Artaxerxes III (in the guise of Baaltars) seated right on throne with back terminating in head of swan, holding lotus flower and lotus-tipped sceptre.
R: Lion attacking bull right.
- Ziegler -; Casabonne Series 6; SNG BN 426-8 (Myriandros); SNG Levante 183 (Myriandros).

The appearance of Baaltars on this issue is significantly different from the relatively standard depiction of the deity on other coins of Tarsos. While the diety is typically shown nude to his waist, here the figure is fully clothed with attire that closely resembles that on the figure that appears on the royal Persian coinage struck at Sardes. More importanly, though, is the headdress on the figure. Baaltars typically wears a laurel wreath or no headdress, while this portrait shows the figure wearing an elaborate headdress. In a recent article, Frank Kovacs analysed the type, and argues that this figure is actually the Great King Araxeres III Ochos, in the guise of Baaltars, and the headdress is the combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, thus his appearance here is as pharaoh of Egypt (cf. F. Kovacs, "Two Persian Pharaonic Potraits" in JNG L [2000]; see also M. Thompson, in MN XII [1968], pp. 11–2, who notes the figure wearing a "high crown of Egyptian type"). This is plausible, as Araxerxes was the first pharaoh of the Thirty-First Dynasty of Egypt, and the date of his rule there, 343-338 BC, comports well with this issue under Mazaios.

O. Casabonne, while acknowledging that the figure here may represent a synthesis of Baaltars and the Great King, disagrees with the identification of the headdress as the Egyptian crown. Instead, he views the headdress as being a Phrigian style cap that is often depicted in contemporary art as being worn by warriors (cf. Casabonne, p. 121, fig. 8), but is here shown with the cheek guards in a raised position.

Nonetheless, it is doubless that the figure here is a synthesized portrait of Baaltars and the Persian Great King. The fractional silver of this issue, interestingly, may be most instructive, as the headdress on the figure is shown wearing a crown that is identical to that on the figure of the royal Achaemenid coinage and his robes have interlocking circles reminiscent of the darics of Carradice Type IV Late (cf. M. Thompson, op. cit. , p. 12).
4 commentsNemonaterSep 08, 2018
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Domitian as Caesar / PegasusAR Denarius, Rome mint, 76-77 AD
Obv: CAES AVG F DOMITIANVS, laureate head right
Rev: COS IIII, Pegasus pawing ground right
- RIC V922 (R2). BMC - . RSC -

A rare obverse legend variant with CAES rather than Caesar, struck for Domitian Caesar under Vespasian.
6 commentsNemonaterJun 07, 2018
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Lucius Aelius CaesarAelius. Caesar, AD 136-138. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.15 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck under Hadrian, AD 137.
O: L AELIVS CAESAR, Bare head left
R: TR POT COS II around, PIE-TAS across, Pietas standing right, dropping incense onto lighted and garlanded altar to right and holding acerrum.
-RIC II 439c (Hadrian) R2; RSC 36a.

"The life of Ceionius Commodus, also called Aelius Verus, adopted by Hadrian after his journey through the world, when he was burdened by old age and weakened by cruel disease, contains nothing worthy of note except that he was the first to receive only the name of Caesar." - Historia Augusta
5 commentsNemonaterJun 04, 2018
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Athens, Greece, Pi-Style III Tetradrachm, 353 - c. 340 B.CSilver tetradrachm, 17.1g, Athens mint, oval flan, typical of the type.
O: Head of Athena right with eye seen in true profile, wearing crested helmet ornamented with three olive leaves and pi-style floral scroll, pellet in ear.
R: Owl standing right, head facing, to right AΘE in large lettering, to left olive sprig and crescent, pellet over eyes.
- Kroll Pi-Style p. 244, fig. 8; Flament p. 126, 3; SNG Cop 63; SNG Munchen 96; SNG Delepierre 1479; Svoronos Athens pl. 20: 2

Unlike the customary flans of 5th and earlier 4th century Athenian tetradrachms that have solid, rounded edges from having been cast in a mold, these were struck on thick planchets made of flattened, folded-over, older tetradrachms. The flattened coins were not just folded in two but were folded over a second time to produce a planchet of three or four layers

There are three distinct features of this type of Athens Owl coinage. 1st, they have flans that are commonly misshapen. A number of them are so distorted that numismatists and collectors in Greece have long referred to them as “logs” (koutsoura); these are the tetradrachms in the form of long, stretched ovals with one or two nearly straight sides. 2nd, since the flans, of whatever shape, were ordinarily too small for the full relief designs of the dies, relatively few pi-style coins were minted with their entire obverse and/or reverse type showing. 3rd, just as the diameters and surface areas of the pi flans are generally smaller than those of Athenian tetradrachms of the 5th century and of the first half of the 4th century, they tend also to be exceptionally thick.

The name Pi-style refers to the floral helmet ornament on the obverse which resembles the Greek letter pi (P) bisected by a long central tendril.
5 commentsNemonaterMay 13, 2018
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Heavily Countermarked Classical (Old-Style), c. 454 - 404 B.C. Athens Owl Tetradrachm3 commentsNemonaterMay 04, 2018
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Nero / Caius Cestius GallusSELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch. Nero. AD 54-68. Æ As (30.5mm, 15.36 g, 12h).
Caius Cestius Gallus, legatus Syriae. Dated year 115 of the Caesarean Era (AD 66/7).
O: Laureate head right; coiled serpent to right. IM • NER • CLAV • CAESAR
R: ЄΠI(In the magistracy of) ΓAIOY KЄCTIO Y (Gaius Cestius) ΛNTIO (Antioch) ЄT (Year) ЄIP (P=100, I=10, E=5 ) in five lines within wreath
- McAlee 294 = Superior, (9 December 1989), lot 2827 (same dies); RPC I – Same obverse die as RPC 4309. Extremely rare, the second known.

Josephus lays much of the blame for the Jewish revolt at the feet of Florus, the Roman procurator of Judaea. Florus was notorious for his cruelty and greed. In 66 C.E. he demanded 17 talents from the temple treasury, using the pretense that it was needed by the Emperor. The Jews refused, ridiculing his request by taking up a mock collection for the “poor Florus.”

Florus responded by sending troops to loot and pillage the Upper-Marketplace in Jerusalem. Thousands of Jews were killed, including woman and children. Rather than bringing the city under control, Josephus reasons, “What more need be said? It was Florus who constrained us to take up war with the Romans, for we preferred to perish together rather than by degrees. The war in fact began in the second year of the procuratorship of Florus and in the twelfth of Nero's reign.”

The Sicarii, or “dagger-men,” took the fortress of Masada and killed the Roman garrison stationed there, establishing the first rebel stronghold. The fortress of Antonia was also captured and the Roman soldiers stationed there were slain. The remaining Roman holdouts surrendered under the agreement that their lives would be spared but they too were slaughtered. At the same time, the daily sacrifices for the Emperor were discontinued. A mixture of elation and fear gripped Jerusalem as they awaited the inevitable Roman response.

Gaius Cestius Gallus, Legate of Syria in 66 C.E., was the response. On Nero’s order, he assembled a force at Antioch comprised of legio XII Fulminata, detachments from the three other legions based in Syria, six cohorts of auxiliary infantry and four alae of cavalry. He also had military support from the Jewish ruler Herod Agrippa II and two other client kings, Antiochus IV of Commagene and Sohaemus of Emesa.

Within three months Gallus, with his force of over 30,000 troops, began working their way down from Galilee to Jerusalem, attacking key cities such as Chabulon, Joppa and Antipatris. Although enduring successful raids from the rebels, the Romans finally enter and set fire to the suburbs of Jerusalem as the rebels retreated to the safety of the temple fortress.

After setting fire to Bezetha, north of the temple, Gallus encamped in front of the royal palace, southwest of the temple. At that time, Josephus says he could have easily taken the city since pro-Roman Jews were ready to open the gates of the city for him. A six day delay, however, strengthened the insurgents. The zealots attacked and killed the pro-peace faction in the city, murdering their leaders, then assaulted the Romans from the wall. The advance units of the Romans employ the Testudo, overlapping their shields over themselves like the back of a tortoise, and began undermining the walls. After five days they are on the verge of success when, for an undetermined cause, Gallus called off the attack. In History of the Jews, Professor Heinrich Graetz suggests: “[Cestius Gallus] did not deem it advisable to continue the combat against heroic enthusiasts and embark on a lengthy campaign at that season, when the autumn rains would soon commence . . . and might prevent the army from receiving provisions. On that account probably he thought it more prudent to retrace his steps.” Whatever the reason, Gallus decided to abruptly leave Jerusalem.

Gallus, with evidently little battlefield experience, suffered one humiliating defeat after another during the retreat. By the battles end the losses amounted to 5,300 infantry, 480 cavalry, all the pack animals, artillery and the eagle standard of the legio XII Fulminata. With the rebels emboldened by their shocking victory, the stage is set for the Romans to return in greater force. This time, however, Nero would send general Vespasian.

Cestius Gallus died a broken man in 67 C.E. Tacitus described the outbreak of the revolt to Gallus death as follows: “the endurance of the Jews lasted till Gessius Florus was procurator. In his time the war broke out. Cestius Gallus, legate of Syria, who attempted to crush it, had to fight several battles, generally with ill-success. Cestius dying, either in the course of nature, or from vexation.” - The Histories V
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