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Image search results - "1989"

Römisch Deutsches Reich - Augsburg, Reichsstadt

Zeit Joseph II. 1765 - 1790

Pfennig 1786

Stadtpyr in Kartusche/Wertzahl,darunter Jahreszahl.

Erhaltung: Sehr schön.

Durchmesser: 16 mm

Gewicht: 1,9 g (Cu) _1989Antonivs Protti

"C" Denarius, Crawford 107/1a - My favorite CoinDenomination: Denarius
Era: c. 209-208 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma r. with splayed visor; “X” behind; Border of dots
Reverse: Dioscuri r.; Above, “C”; in linear frame, “ROMA”.
Mint: Etruia(?)
Weight: 4.44 gm.
Reference: Crawford 107/1a
Provenance: NAC 61; 25-OCT-2011, Privately purchased by RBW from CNG in 1989

Comments: This is one of my favorite coins. It is not high grade, neither the obverse nor the reverse is well centered. The dioscuri are really just blobs, and this coin would be overlooked in any sale but the NAC 61 sale of RBW’s finest and rarest coins, perhaps the greatest Roman Republican auction of our generation. Nevertheless, the coin has a lovely tone and a style that is very characteristic of this issue which is quite rare.

Unique to this variety and the related staff issue, are the braided locks extending from the helmet to the hair binding. The stars are simple dots above the dioscuri, and ROMA is cut into the die with very large letters with a very fine line tool. There has been much speculation on the significance of the “C” insignia, but few with any real merit.
1 comments

0001 Sasanian Empire Khusro II -- Year 2 -- BishapurObv: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. on two lines reading down leftward and outward is GDH/'pzwt (xwarrah abzūd) and to the r. on one line reading down is hwslwd (Husraw) = Khusro has increased the royal glory; frontal bust facing r. of bearded Khusro II with a hair globe drawn to the back of the neck, crown with three merlons and attached to the top of the crown cap are wings (group of pellets within the base) with an attached crescent and star, double pearl diadem with three ribbons behind, earring made up of three dots, neckline edged with a row of pearls, both shoulders decorated with a crescent and star, double row of pearls from shoulders to breast, two dots on the breast, star in upper l. field, star and crescent in upper r. field, two dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, and 9h.
Rev: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. reading down is year tlyn of Khusro II's reign and to the r. reading down is the mint mark BYSh = year 2 of Khusro II's reign, Bishapur; fire altar with a base consisting of two slabs and a shaft with two ribbons pointing upwards to the r. and l. of the shaft with four altar slabs on top and flames consisting of four tiers rendered as four then three then two then one upward stroke, star to the l. and crescent to the r. of the top two tiers, to the l. and r. of the altar are two frontal facing attendants each holding a sword pointing downwards with the r. hand over the l. hand and wearing a rounded cap, three dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, 9h, and 12h.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Bishapur; Date: year 2, 591 - 592 AD; Weight: 4.12g; Diameter: 29mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Göbl II/2; SNS Iran 580 and 581 (same mint and regnal year).

Regnal year 2 saw major changes to the coinage of Khusro II. First, the defeat of Wahrām Chōbēn (Wahrām VI) brought to an end the interruption of Khusro II's xwarrah and so wings representing Vərəθraγna/Verethragna (Avestan), Wahrām (Middle Persian), Bahrām (Persian), i.e. the god or personification of victory, were added to Khusro II's crown. Second, for the first time in Sasanian coinage the ideogram GDH (xwarrah) is added to the legend (obverse). Third, on the reverse six pointed stars are added to the crescent moons outside of the three dotted rims at 3h, 6h, 9h, and 12h. Six pointed stars can be considered representations of the sun (see Gariboldi 2010 pp. 36ff and the sources referenced in footnote 71, p. 37).

See Daryaee (1997) for an interesting study of the religious and political iconography on the coinage of Khusro II*. He argues that Khusro II implemented iconographic changes in regnal year 2 (591 - 592 AD) as a direct result of suppressing the rebellion (with the assistance of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice) of the brilliant general Wahrām Chōbēn (Wahrām VI) in 591 AD. Further iconographic changes were carried out in regnal year 11 (600 - 601 AD) in response to the final defeat in 600 AD of the 10 year rule/rebellion of Wistahm**, his uncle (as the brother-in-law of his father Ohrmazd IV) and former staunch supporter.

*The study cannot be intended to be complete. For example, there is no discussion of the legend 'pd that appeared, beginning in the 12th regnal year but not present for all subsequent years or at all mints, in the second quadrant outside of the rims on the obverse. Gariboldi 2010 (p.64) translates the legend as "good", "excellent", "wonderful" while Göbl 1983 (p. 331) translates it as "praise".

**There is some debate about when Wistahm was finally eliminated. Daryaee, following Paruck 1924, relies on (purported?) numismatic evidence that the last coin minted in his name was for year 10. Therefore Daryaee states that 600 AD was the year of elimination (Daryaee 1997, p. 53 n. 38. Also see Daryaee 2009, p. 33 n. 166 for a slightly more tepid assertion). Frye 1984 implies a 10 year rule for Wistahm, stating that "it was not until 601 that the rule of Chosroes [Khusro] was restored over all of the empire..." (p. 336). Göbl SN, however, states that 10 years of reign are said to be represented, although personally he had only seen coins of years 2 through 7 (p. 53). Thus Wistahm's years in SN's Table XI are listed as "591/2 - 597?" Malek 1993 also lists Wistahm's years as 591/2 - 97 (p. 237).

Provenance: Ex Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction 36, January 25, 2020

Photo Credit: Stephen Album Rare Coins

Sources

Daryaee, Touraj. 'The Use of Religio-Political Propaganda on Coins of Xusrō II." The Journal of the American Numismatics (1989-), vol. 9 (1997): 41-53.
Daryaee, Touraj. Sasanian Persia: The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. London: I. B. Tauris, 2009.
Frye, Richard. The History of Ancient Iran. Munich: C.H. Beck’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1984.
Gariboldi, Andrea. Sasanian Coinage and History: The Civic Numismatic Collection of Milan. Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers, 2010.
Göbl, Robert. Sasanian Numismatics. Braunschweig: Klinkhardt and Biermann, 1971.
Göbl 1983: Yarshater, Ehsan, ed. The Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 3 (1), The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian Periods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983: 322 - 336.
Malek, Hodge. "A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), vol. 153 (1993): 227 - 269.
Paruck, F.D.J. Sasanian Coins. Bombay: 1924.
SNS Iran: Akbarzadeh, Daryoosh and Nikolaus Schindel. Sylloge Nummorum Sasanidarum Iran A Late Sasanian Hoard from Orumiyeh. Wien: Österreichischen Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 2017.

2 commentsTracy Aiello

0002 Sasanian Empire Khusro II -- Year 5 -- CtesiphonObv: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. on two lines reading down leftward and outward is GDH/'pzwt (xwarrah abzūd) and to the r. on one line reading down is hwslwd (Husraw) = Khusro has increased the royal glory; frontal bust facing r. of bearded Khusro II with a hair globe drawn to the back of the neck, crown with three merlons and attached to the top of the crown cap are wings (lines within the base, wings open) with an attached crescent and star, double pearl diadem with three ribbons behind, earring made up of three dots, neckline edged with a row of pearls, both shoulders decorated with a crescent and star, double row of pearls from shoulders to breast, two dots on the breast, star in upper l. field, star and crescent in upper r. field, two dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, and 9h.
Rev: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. reading down is year ḥwmŝ‵ of Khusro II's reign and to the r. reading down is the mint mark WYHC = year 5 of Khusro II's reign, Ctesiphon; fire altar with a base consisting of two slabs and a shaft with two ribbons pointing upwards to the r. and l. of the shaft with four altar slabs on top and flames consisting of four tiers rendered as four then three then two then one upward stroke, star to the l. and crescent to the r. of the top two tiers, to the l. and r. of the altar are two frontal facing attendants each holding a sword pointing downwards with the r. hand over the l. hand and wearing a rounded cap, three dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, 9h, and 12h.

Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Ctesiphon;1 Date: year 5, 594 - 595 AD; Weight: 4.10g; Diameter: 31.34mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Göbl II/2.

Notes:

1See Schindel (2005) pp. 296 - 299 for an argument identifying the Pahlavi mint signature WYHC with Ctesipon.

See Daryaee (1997) for an interesting study of the religious and political iconography on the coinage of Khusro II*. He argues that Khusro II implemented iconographic changes in regnal year 2 (591 - 592 AD) as a direct result of suppressing the rebellion (with the assistance of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice) of the brilliant general Wahrām Chōbēn (Wahrām VI) in 591 AD. Further iconographic changes were carried out in regnal year 11 (600 - 601 AD) in response to the final defeat in 600 AD of the 10 year rule/rebellion of Wistahm**, his uncle (as the brother-in-law of his father Ohrmazd IV) and former staunch supporter.

*The study cannot be intended to be complete. For example, there is no discussion of the legend 'pd that appeared, beginning in the 12th regnal year but not present for all subsequent years or at all mints, in the second quadrant outside of the rims on the obverse. Gariboldi 2010 (p.64) translates the legend as "good", "excellent", "wonderful' while Göbl 1983 (p. 331) translates it as "praise".

**There is some debate about when Wistahm was finally eliminated. Daryaee, following Paruck 1924, relies on (purported?) numismatic evidence that the last coin minted in his name was for year 10. Therefore Daryaee states that 600 AD was the year of elimination (Daryaee 1997, p. 53 n. 38. Also see Daryaee 2009, p. 33 n. 166 for a slightly more tepid assertion). Frye 1984 implies a 10 year rule for Wistahm, stating that "it was not until 601 that the rule of Chosroes [Khusro] was restored over all of the empire..." (p. 336). Göbl SN, however, states that 10 years of reign are said to be represented, although personally he had only seen coins of years 2 through 7 (p. 53). Thus Wistahm's years in SN's Table XI are listed as "591/2 - 597?" Malek 1993 also lists Wistahm's years as 591/2 - 97 (p. 237).

Provenance: Ex Marc R. Breitsprecher, Classical Numismatist October 2, 2018.

Photo Credit: Marc R. Breitsprecher, Classical Numismatist

Sources

Daryaee, Touraj. "The Use of Religio-Political Propaganda on Coins of Xusrō II." The Journal of the American Numismatics (1989-), vol. 9 (1997): 41-53.
Daryaee, Touraj. Sasanian Persia: The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. London: I. B. Tauris, 2009.
Frye, Richard. The History of Ancient Iran. Munich: C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1984.
Gariboldi, Andrea. Sasanian Coinage and History: The Civic Numismatic Collection of Milan. Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers, 2010.
Göbl, Robert. Sasanian Numismatics. Braunschweig: Klinkhardt and Biermann, 1971.
Göbl 1983: Yarshater, Ehsan, ed. The Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 3 (1), The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian Periods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983: 322 - 336.
Malek, Hodge. "A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), vol. 153 (1993): 227 - 269.
Paruck, F.D.J. Sasanian Coins. Bombay: 1924.
Schindel, Nickolaus. "Sasanian Mint Abbreviations: The Evidence of Style." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), vol. 165 (2005): 287 - 299.1 commentsTracy Aiello

0003 Sasanian Empire Khusro II -- Year 35 -- CtesiphonObv: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. on two lines reading down leftward and outward (with the first word extending through the inner rim) is GDH/'pzwt (xwarrah abzūd) and to the r. on one line reading down is hwslwd (Husraw) = Khusro has increased the royal glory; frontal bust facing r. of bearded Khusro II with a hair globe drawn to the back of the neck, crown with three merlons and attached to the top of the crown cap are wings (lines within the base, wings open) with an attached crescent and star, double pearl diadem with three ribbons behind, earring made up of three dots, neckline edged with a row of pearls, both shoulders decorated with a crescent and star, double row of pearls from shoulders to breast, two dots on the breast, star in upper l. field and star and crescent in upper r. field both extending through the inner rim, two dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, and 9h.
Rev: Pahlavi script legend: to the l. reading down is year pncsyh of Khusro II's reign and to the r. reading down is the mint mark WYHC = year 35 of Khusro II's reign, Ctesiphon; fire altar with a base consisting of two slabs and a shaft with two ribbons pointing upwards to the r. and l. of the shaft with four altar slabs on top and flames consisting of four tiers rendered as four then three then two then one upward stroke, star to the l. and crescent to the r. of the top two tiers, to the l. and r. of the altar are two frontal facing attendants each holding a sword pointing downwards with the r. hand over the l. hand and wearing a crescent cap, three dotted rims with a star on a crescent at 3h, 6h, 9h, and 12h.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Ctesiphon;1 Date: year 35, 624 - 625 AD; Weight: 4.11g; Diameter: 32.6mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Göbl II/3.

Notes:

1See Schindel (2005) pp. 296 - 299 for an argument identifying the Pahlavi mint signature WYHC with Ctesipon.

See Daryaee (1997) for an interesting study of the religious and political iconography on the coinage of Khusro II*. He argues that Khusro II implemented iconographic changes in regnal year 2 (591 - 592 AD) as a direct result of suppressing the rebellion (with the assistance of the Byzantine Emperor Maurice) of the brilliant general Wahrām Chōbēn (Wahrām VI) in 591 AD. Further iconographic changes were carried out in regnal year 11 (600 - 601 AD) in response to the final defeat in 600 AD of the 10 year rule/rebellion of Wistahm**, his uncle (as the brother-in-law of his father Ohrmazd IV) and former staunch supporter.

*The study cannot be intended to be complete. For example, there is no discussion of the legend 'pd that appeared, beginning in the 12th regnal year but not present for all subsequent years or at all mints, in the second quadrant outside of the rims on the obverse. Gariboldi 2010 (p.64) translates the legend as "good", "excellent", "wonderful" while Göbl 1983 (p. 331) translates it as "praise".

**There is some debate about when Wistahm was finally eliminated. Daryaee, following Paruck 1924, relies on (purported?) numismatic evidence that the last coin minted in his name was for year 10. Therefore Daryaee states that 600 AD was the year of elimination (Daryaee 1997, p. 53 n. 38. Also see Daryaee 2009, p. 33 n. 166 for a slightly more tepid assertion). Frye 1984 implies a 10 year rule for Wistahm, stating that "it was not until 601 that the rule of Chosroes [Khusro] was restored over all of the empire..." (p. 336). Göbl SN, however, states that 10 years of reign are said to be represented, although personally he had only seen coins of years 2 through 7 (p. 53). Thus Wistahm's years in SN's Table XI are listed as "591/2 - 597?" Malek 1993 also lists Wistahm's years as 591/2 - 97 (p. 237).

Provenance: Ex Forum Ancient Coins June 8, 2018, from the Jyrki Muona Collection; Ex CNG e-auction 59 (26 Feb 2003), lot 77; Ex CNG e-auction 57 (4 Apr 2001), lot 47.

Photo Credit: Forum Ancient Coins

Sources

Daryaee, Touraj. "The Use of Religio-Political Propaganda on Coins of Xusrō II." The Journal of the American Numismatics (1989-), vol. 9 (1997): 41-53.
Daryaee, Touraj. Sasanian Persia: The Rise And Fall Of An Empire. London: I. B. Tauris, 2009.
Frye, Richard. The History of Ancient Iran. Munich: C.H. Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1984.
Gariboldi, Andrea. Sasanian Coinage and History: The Civic Numismatic Collection of Milan. Costa Mesa: Mazda Publishers, 2010.
Göbl, Robert. Sasanian Numismatics. Braunschweig: Klinkhardt and Biermann, 1971.
Göbl 1983: Yarshater, Ehsan, ed. The Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 3 (1), The Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian Periods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983: 322 - 336.
Malek, Hodge. "A Survey of Research on Sasanian Numismatics." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), vol. 153 (1993): 227 - 269.
Paruck, F.D.J. Sasanian Coins. Bombay: 1924.
Schindel, Nickolaus. "Sasanian Mint Abbreviations: The Evidence of Style." The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), vol. 165 (2005): 287 - 299.2 commentsTracy Aiello

0164 - Denarius Norbana 83 BCObv/ Diademed head of Venus r.; behind, control mark CL; below, C NORBANVS.
Rev/ Corn ear, fasces with axe and caduceus.

Ag, 19.0 mm, 3.89 g
Moneyer: C.Norbanus.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 357/1b [dies o/r: 156/173 (all var.)] - Syd. 739 - RSC Norbana 2
ex-Auctiones, auction e3, lot 106 (ex-De La Tour colln., Hess-Divo, auction 314, lot 1350) (ex-Varesi, auction nov 1989, lot 175)dafnis

091b. Poemenius (?) in the name of Constantius IIPoemenius was a Roman officer who seized control of Trier in 353 in support of Constantius II and in opposition to the usurper Magnentius. These coins with a Constantius II obverse and a Magnentius reverse are ascribed to this revolt. For details, see Walter C. Holt, EVIDENCE OF THE COINAGE OF POEMENIUS' REVOLT AT TRIER, American Journal of Numismatics (1989-) , 2003, Vol. 15 (2003), pp. 61-76.
lawrence c

1 Centavo Cowboy1989 CE

Obverse: Face value with big numeral, country name below; on background big circle resembling the center of Brazilian flag, on right one 5-pointed star, indicating face value in Braille code.
1
CENTAVO
BRASIL

Reverse: Cattle herder riding, in front silhouettes of cows, issuing year below. 1989 Pericles J2

1. Seleukos I NikatorSELEUKID EMPIRE. Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. Æ Uncertain mint. Winged head of Medusa right / Bull butting right; controls not visible. Cf. SC 21, 152, and 191; HGC 9, 92.ecoli

1989 ELIZABETH II DECIMAL CuNi LARGE FIFTY PENCEObverse: ELIZABETH II D.G.REG.F.D.1989. Diademed bust of Elizabeth II facing right.
Reverse: FIFTY PENCE. Britannia seated facing right, left hand holding laurel branch, right holding trident and resting on shield; recumbent lion behind at her feet; 50 in exergue.
Proof issue struck from polished dies with frosted highlights.
Diameter 30mm | Weight 13.5gms
SPINK: 4351 PROOF (Large module)

This "Third Portrait" of Elizabeth II was Raphael Maklouf's first coin design and it was used on the coinage from 1985 to 1997 inclusive. Raphael Maklouf was born in Jerusalem in 1937 and came to the United Kingdom after the Second World War. The Royal diadem which the Queen is shown wearing on this coin is the one she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament.*Alex

1989 Elizabeth II Tudor Rose Gold Proof Sovereign NGC PF70 UCAMGreat Britain, Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Tudor Rose Gold Proof Sovereign, 1989, 500th Anniversary of the First Gold Sovereign 1489-1989 commemorative, SCWC KM 956, Friedberg 434, Marsh 313H, SCBC SC3, one-year type, NGC PF-70 ULTRA CAMEO (6380859-008), engraved by Bernard Sindall, edge milled, weight 7.9881g (AGW 0.2355oz), composition 0.917 Au, 0.083 Cu, diameter 22.05mm, thickness 1.52mm, die axis 0°, Royal mint, 1989; obverse ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRA · REG · FID · DEF · (Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith, trefoil stops), Queen enthroned facing, seated in King Edward's Chair, holding Sceptre with Cross in right hand and Rod with Dove in left, within beaded circle, raised border surrounding; reverse ANNIVERSARY · OF · THE · GOLD · SOVEREIGN · 1489 - 1989 (trefoil stops), crowned quartered shield of Arms of the United Kingdom on Tudor double rose bearing three lions passant guardant for England, lion rampant for Scotland and seven-stringed harp for Ireland, within beaded circle, raised border surrounding; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex eBay sale (18 Sep 2022); scarce; £2,050.00.Serendipity

1989A ANDRONICUS HALF TETARTERON S-1989 DOC 8 CLBC 5.4.3OBV Bust of Virgin nimbate, orans, wearing tunic and maphorion; beardless. Nimbate head of Christ on breast.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, skaramangion or divitision and sagion; holds in r hand labrum headed scepter, and in l. globus cruciger.

Size 15.48

Weight 2.5m

This is a Thessalonica minted coin, it contains no silver. It is believed to be valued at 1/864 Hyperpyron and the Metropolitan (Constantinople) issues at 1/288 Hyperpyron.The half tetartera at 1/1728 Hyperpyron. This coins are much more common than Metropolitan coins and very abundant in today’s marketplace.

DOC lists 3 examples with weights ranging from 1.38 gm to 2.46 gm with sizes from 15mm to 18mm.

This is my third example of this Very rare coin, it has a chipped patina but detail is a bit better than my other examples.
Simon

1989a ANDRONICUS HALF TETARTERON S-1989 DOC 8 CLBC 5.4.3
OBV Bust of Virgin nimbate, orans, wearing tunic and maphorion; beardless. Nimbate head of Christ on breast.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, skaramangion or divitision and sagion; holds in r hand labrum headed scepter, and in l. globus cruciger.

Size 22 mm

Weight 3.4 gm

This is a Thessalonica minted coin, it contains no silver. It is believed to be valued at 1/864 Hyperpyron and the Metropolitan (Constantinople) issues at 1/288 Hyperpyron.The half tetartera at 1/1728 Hyperpyron. This coins are much more common than Metropolitan coins and very abundant in today’s marketplace.

Size is off on this example but the die size is 12mm making it a half tetartera, it is aEF example, again large flan making it an excellent example.

DOC lists 3 examples with weights ranging from 1.38 gm to 2.46 gm with sizes from 15mm to 18mm.Simon

1989B ANDRONICUS HALF TETARTERON S-1989 DOC 8 CLBC 5.4.3OBV Bust of Virgin nimbate, orans, wearing tunic and maphorion; beardless. Nimbate head of Christ on breast.

REV Bust of emperor wearing stemma, skaramangion or divitision and sagion; holds in r hand labrum headed scepter, and in l. globus cruciger.

Size 15.32

Weight 2.0gm

This is a Thessalonica minted coin, it contains no silver. It is believed to be valued at 1/864 Hyperpyron and the Metropolitan (Constantinople) issues at 1/288 Hyperpyron.The half tetartera at 1/1728 Hyperpyron. This coins are much more common than Metropolitan coins and very abundant in today’s marketplace.

DOC lists 3 examples with weights ranging from 1.38 gm to 2.46 gm with sizes from 15mm to 18mm.

This is my third example of this Very rare coin, well worn but all three examples have a die diameter of 12mm
Simon

3805 SYRIA Laodicea ad Mare. Hadrian Tetradrachm 123-24 AD Tyche Reference.
RPC III, 3805/6; Prieur 1109; Adra 1562-5; Paris 1157

Issue Year 170 (OP)

Obv. ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙСΑΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒΑСΤ
Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, with gorgoneion on breastplate

Rev. ΙΟΥΛΙΕωΝ ΤωΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕωΝ
Turreted and draped bust of Tyche, right; in field, right, ΟΡ soldiers arming the battlements/towers on Tyche's head

13 gr
25 mm
12h

Note.
From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection (Part I, Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio 174, 11 January 2013), lot 5142; Numismatica Ars Classica 1 (39 March 1989), lot 862; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 279 (August 1967), no. 40.7 commentsokidoki

710a, Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.Silver denarius, RIC II, 10, aVF, 3.5 g, 18mm, Rome mint, 69-71 AD; Obverse: IMP CAESA[R] VESPASIANV[S AV]G - Laureate head right; Reverse: COS ITER [T]R POT - Pax seated left holding branch and caduceus. Ex Imperial Coins.

De Imperatoribus Romanis:
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families

Titus Flavius Vespasianus (A.D. 69-79)

John Donahue
College of William and Mary

Introduction

Titus Flavius Vespasianus (b. A.D. 9, d. A.D. 79, emperor A.D. 69-79) restored peace and stability to an empire in disarray following the death of Nero in A.D. 68. In the process he established the Flavian dynasty as the legitimate successor to the Imperial throne. Although we lack many details about the events and chronology of his reign, Vespasian provided practical leadership and a return to stable government - accomplishments which, when combined with his other achievements, make his emperorship particularly notable within the history of the Principate.

Early Life and Career

Vespasian was born at Falacrina near Sabine Reate on 17 November, A.D. 9, the son of T. Flavius Sabinus, a successful tax collector and banker, and Vespasia Polla. Both parents were of equestrian status. Few details of his first fifteen years survive, yet it appears that his father and mother were often away from home on business for long periods. As a result, Vespasian's early education became the responsibility of his paternal grandmother, Tertulla. [[1]] In about A.D. 25 Vespasian assumed the toga virilis and later accepted the wearing of the latus clavus, and with it the senatorial path that his older brother, T. Flavius Sabinus, had already chosen. [[2]] Although many of the particulars are lacking, the posts typically occupied by one intent upon a senatorial career soon followed: a military tribunate in Thrace, perhaps for three or four years; a quaestorship in Crete-Cyrene; and the offices of aedile and praetor, successively, under the emperor Gaius. [[3]]

It was during this period that Vespasian married Flavia Domitilla. Daughter of a treasury clerk and former mistress of an African knight, Flavia lacked the social standing and family connections that the politically ambitious usually sought through marriage. In any case, the couple produced three children, a daughter, also named Flavia Domitilla, and two sons, the future emperors Titus and Domitian . Flavia did not live to witness her husband's emperorship and after her death Vespasian returned to his former mistress Caenis, who had been secretary to Antonia (daughter of Marc Antony and mother of Claudius). Caenis apparently exerted considerable influence over Vespasian, prompting Suetonius to assert that she remained his wife in all but name, even after he became emperor. [[4]]

Following the assassination of Gaius on 24 January, A.D. 41, Vespasian advanced rapidly, thanks in large part to the new princeps Claudius, whose favor the Flavians had wisely secured with that of Antonia, the mother of Germanicus, and of Claudius' freedmen, especially Narcissus. [[5]] The emperor soon dispatched Vespasian to Argentoratum (Strasbourg) as legatus legionis II Augustae, apparently to prepare the legion for the invasion of Britain. Vespasian first appeared at the battle of Medway in A.D. 43, and soon thereafter led his legion across the south of England, where he engaged the enemy thirty times in battle, subdued two tribes, and conquered the Isle of Wight. According to Suetonius, these operations were conducted partly under Claudius and partly under Vespasian's commander, Aulus Plautius. Vespasian's contributions, however, did not go unnoticed; he received the ornamenta triumphalia and two priesthoods from Claudius for his exploits in Britain. [[6]]

By the end of A.D. 51 Vespasian had reached the consulship, the pinnacle of a political career at Rome. For reasons that remain obscure he withdrew from political life at this point, only to return when chosen proconsul of Africa about A.D. 63-64. His subsequent administration of the province was marked by severity and parsimony, earning him a reputation for being scrupulous but unpopular. [[7]] Upon completion of his term, Vespasian returned to Rome where, as a senior senator, he became a man of influence in the emperor Nero's court. [[8]] Important enough to be included on Nero's tour of Greece in A.D. 66-67, Vespasian soon found himself in the vicinity of increasing political turbulence in the East. The situation would prove pivotal in advancing his career.

Judaea and the Accession to Power

In response to rioting in Caesarea and Jerusalem that had led to the slaughter in the latter city of Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers, Nero granted to Vespasian in A.D. 66 a special command in the East with the objective of settling the revolt in Judaea. By spring A.D. 67, with 60,000 legionaries, auxiliaries, and allies under his control, Vespasian set out to subdue Galilee and then to cut off Jerusalem. Success was quick and decisive. By October all of Galilee had been pacified and plans for the strategic encirclement of Jerusalem were soon formed. [[9]] Meanwhile, at the other end of the empire, the revolts of Gaius Iulius Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, and Servius Sulpicius Galba , governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, had brought Nero's reign to the brink of collapse. The emperor committed suicide in June, A.D. 68, thereby ensuring chaos for the next eighteen months, as first Galba and then Marcus Salvius Otho and Aulus Vitellius acceded to power. Each lacked broad-based military and senatorial support; each would be violently deposed in turn. [[10]]

Still occupied with plans against Jerusalem, Vespasian swore allegiance to each emperor. Shortly after Vitellius assumed power in spring, A.D. 69, however, Vespasian met on the border of Judaea and Syria with Gaius Licinius Mucianus, governor of Syria, and after a series of private and public consultations, the two decided to revolt. [[11]] On July 1, at the urging of Tiberius Alexander, prefect of Egypt, the legions of Alexandria declared for Vespasian, as did the legions of Judaea two days later. By August all of Syria and the Danube legions had done likewise. Vespasian next dispatched Mucianus to Italy with 20,000 troops, while he set out from Syria to Alexandria in order to control grain shipments for the purpose of starving Italy into submission. [[12]] The siege of Jerusalem he placed in the hands of his son Titus.

Meanwhile, the Danubian legions, unwilling to wait for Mucianus' arrival, began their march against Vitellius ' forces. The latter army, suffering from a lack of discipline and training, and unaccustomed to the heat of Rome, was defeated at Cremona in late October. [[13]] By mid-December the Flavian forces had reached Carsulae, 95 kilometers north of Rome on the Flaminian Road, where the Vitellians, with no further hope of reinforcements, soon surrendered. At Rome, unable to persuade his followers to accept terms for his abdication, Vitellius was in peril. On the morning of December 20 the Flavian army entered Rome. By that afternoon, the emperor was dead. [[14]]

Tacitus records that by December 22, A.D. 69, Vespasian had been given all the honors and privileges usually granted to emperors. Even so, the issue remains unclear, owing largely to a surviving fragment of an enabling law, the lex de imperio Vespasiani, which conferred powers, privileges, and exemptions, most with Julio-Claudian precedents, on the new emperor. Whether the fragment represents a typical granting of imperial powers that has uniquely survived in Vespasian's case, or is an attempt to limit or expand such powers, remains difficult to know. In any case, the lex sanctioned all that Vespasian had done up to its passing and gave him authority to act as he saw fit on behalf of the Roman people. [[15]]

What does seem clear is that Vespasian felt the need to legitimize his new reign with vigor. He zealously publicized the number of divine omens that predicted his accession and at every opportunity he accumulated multiple consulships and imperial salutations. He also actively promoted the principle of dynastic succession, insisting that the emperorship would fall to his son. The initiative was fulfilled when Titus succeeded his father in A.D. 79.[[16]]

Emperorship

Upon his arrival in Rome in late summer, A.D. 70, Vespasian faced the daunting task of restoring a city and a government ravaged by the recent civil wars. Although many particulars are missing, a portrait nevertheles emerges of a ruler conscientiously committed to the methodical renewal of both city and empire. Concerning Rome itself, the emperor encouraged rebuilding on vacated lots, restored the Capitol (burned in A.D. 69), and also began work on several new buildings: a temple to the deified Claudius on the Caelian Hill, a project designed to identify Vespasian as a legitimate heir to the Julio-Claudians, while distancing himself from Nero ; a temple of Peace near the Forum; and the magnificent Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre), located on the site of the lake of Nero 's Golden House. [[17]]

Claiming that he needed forty thousand million sesterces for these projects and for others aimed at putting the state on more secure footing, Vespasian is said to have revoked various imperial immunities, manipulated the supply of certain commodities to inflate their price, and increased provincial taxation. [[18]] The measures are consistent with his characterization in the sources as both obdurate and avaricious. There were occasional political problems as well: Helvidius Priscus, an advocate of senatorial independence and a critic of the Flavian regime from the start, was exiled after A.D. 75 and later executed; Marcellus Eprius and A. Alienus Caecina were condemned by Titus for conspiracy, the former committing suicide, the latter executed in A.D. 79.
As Suetonius claims, however, in financial matters Vespasian always put revenues to the best possible advantage, regardless of their source. Tacitus, too, offers a generally favorable assessment, citing Vespasian as the first man to improve after becoming emperor. [[19]] Thus do we find the princeps offering subventions to senators not possessing the property qualifications of their rank, restoring many cities throughout the empire, and granting state salaries for the first time to teachers of Latin and Greek rhetoric. To enhance Roman economic and social life even further, he encouraged theatrical productions by building a new stage for the Theatre of Marcellus, and he also put on lavish state dinners to assist the food trades. [[20]]

In other matters the emperor displayed similar concern. He restored the depleted ranks of the senatorial and equestrian orders with eligible Italian and provincial candidates and reduced the backlog of pending court cases at Rome. Vespasian also re-established discipline in the army, while punishing or dismissing large numbers of Vitellius ' men. [[21]]
Beyond Rome, the emperor increased the number of legions in the East and continued the process of imperial expansion by the annexation of northern England, the pacification of Wales, and by advances into Scotland and southwest Germany between the Rhine and the Danube. Vespasian also conferred rights on communities abroad, especially in Spain, where the granting of Latin rights to all native communities contributed to the rapid Romanization of that province during the Imperial period. [[22]]

Death and Assessment

In contrast to his immediate imperial predecessors, Vespasian died peacefully - at Aquae Cutiliae near his birthplace in Sabine country on 23 June, A.D. 79, after contracting a brief illness. The occasion is said to have inspired his deathbed quip: "Oh my, I must be turning into a god!" [[23]] In fact, public deification did follow his death, as did his internment in the Mausoleum of Augustus alongside the Julio-Claudians.

A man of strict military discipline and simple tastes, Vespasian proved to be a conscientious and generally tolerant administrator. More importantly, following the upheavals of A.D. 68-69, his reign was welcome for its general tranquility and restoration of peace. In Vespasian Rome found a leader who made no great breaks with tradition, yet his ability ro rebuild the empire and especially his willingness to expand the composition of the governing class helped to establish a positive working model for the "good emperors" of the second century.

Bibliography

Since the scholarship on Vespasian is more comprehensive than can be treated here, the works listed below are main accounts or bear directly upon issues discussed in the entry above. A comprehensive modern anglophone study of this emperor is yet to be produced.

Atti congresso internazionale di studi Flaviani, 2 vols. Rieti, 1983.

Atti congresso internazionale di studi Vespasianei, 2 vols. Rieti, 1981.

Bosworth, A.B. "Vespasian and the Provinces: Some Problems of the Early 70s A.D." Athenaeum 51 (1973): 49-78.

Brunt, P. A. "Lex de imperio Vespasiani." JRS (67) 1977: 95-116.

D'Espèrey, S. Franchet. "Vespasien, Titus et la littérature." ANRW II.32.5: 3048-3086.

Dudley, D. and Webster, G. The Roman Conquest of Britain. London, 1965.

Gonzalez, J. "The Lex Irnitana: A New Copy of the Flavian Municipal Law." JRS 76 (1986): 147-243.

Grant, M. The Roman Emperors: A Biographical Guide to the Rulers of Rome, 31 B.C. - A.D. 476. New York, 1985.

Homo, L. Vespasien, l'Empereur du bons sens (69-79 ap. J.-C.). Paris, 1949.

Levi, M.A. "I Flavi." ANRW II.2: 177-207.

McCrum, M. and Woodhead, A. G. Select Documents of the Principates of the Flavian Emperors Including the Year of the Revolution. Cambridge, 1966.

Nicols, John. Vespasian and the Partes Flavianae. Wiesbaden, 1978.

Scarre, C. Chronicle of the Roman Emperors. The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers of Imperial Rome. London, 1995.

Suddington, D. B. The Development of the Roman Auxiliary Forces from Caesar to Vespasian, 49 B.C. - A.D. 79. Harare: U. of Zimbabwe, 1982.

Syme, R. Tacitus. Oxford, 1958.

Wardel, David. "Vespasian, Helvidius Priscus and the Restoration of the Capitol." Historia 45 (1996): 208-222.

Wellesley, K. The Long Year: A.D. 69. Bristol, 1989, 2nd ed.

Notes

[[1]] Suet. Vesp. 2.1. Suetonius remains the major source but see also Tac. Hist. 2-5; Cass. Dio 65; Joseph. BJ 3-4.

[[2]] Suetonius (Vesp. 2.1) claims that Vespasian did not accept the latus clavus, the broad striped toga worn by one aspiring to a senatorial career, immediately. The delay, however, was perhaps no more than three years. See J. Nicols, Vespasian and the Partes Flavianae (Wiesbaden, 1978), 2.

[[3]] Military tribunate and quaestorship: Suet. Vesp. 2.3; aedileship: ibid., 5.3, in which Gaius, furious that Vespasian had not kept the streets clean, as was his duty, ordered some soldiers to load him with filth;,they complied by stuffing his toga with as much as it could hold. See also Dio 59.12.2-3; praetorship: Suet. Vesp. 2.3, in which Vespasian is depicted as one of Gaius' leading adulators, an account consistent with Tacitus' portrayal (Hist 1.50.4; 2.5.1) of his early career. For a more complete discussion of these posts and attendant problems of dating, see Nicols, Vespasian, 2-7.

[[4]] Marriage and Caenis: Suet. Vesp. 3; Cass. Dio 65.14.

[[5]] Nicols, Vespasian, 12-39.

[[6]] Suet. Vesp. 4.1 For additional details on Vespasian's exploits in Britain, see D. Dudley and G. Webster, The Roman Conquest of Britain (London, 1965), 55 ff., 98.

[[7]] Concerning Vespasian's years between his consulship and proconsulship, see Suet. Vesp. 4.2 and Nicols, Vespasian, 9. On his unpopularity in Africa, see Suet. Vesp. 4.3, an account of a riot at Hadrumentum, where he was once pelted with turnips. In recording that Africa supported Vitellius in A.D. 69, Tacitus too suggests popular dissatisfaction with Vespasian's proconsulship. See Hist. 2.97.2.

[[8]] This despite the fact that the sources record two rebukes of Vespasian, one for extorting money from a young man seeking career advancement (Suet. Vesp. 4.3), the other for either leaving the room or dozing off during one of the emperor's recitals (Suet. Vesp. 4.4 and 14, which places the transgression in Greece; Tac. (Ann. 16.5.3), who makes Rome and the Quinquennial Games of A.D. 65 the setting; A. Braithwaite, C. Suetoni Tranquilli Divus Vespasianus, Oxford, 1927, 30, who argues for both Greece and Rome).

[[9]] Subjugation of Galilee: Joseph. BJ 3.65-4.106; siege of Jerusalem: ibid., 4.366-376, 414.

[[10]] Revolt of Vindex: Suet. Nero 40; Tac. Ann. 14.4; revolt of Galba: Suet. Galba 10; Plut. Galba, 4-5; suicide of Nero: Suet. Nero 49; Cass. Dio 63.29.2. For the most complete account of the period between Nero's death and the accession of Vespasian, see K. Wellesley, The Long Year: A.D. 69, 2nd. ed. (Bristol, 1989).

[[11]] Tac. Hist. 2.76.

[[12]] Troops in support of Vespasian: Suet. Vit. 15; Mucianus and his forces: Tac. Hist. 2.83; Vespasian and grain shipments: Joseph. BJ 4.605 ff.; see also Tac. Hist. 3.48, on Vespasian's possible plan to shut off grain shipments to Italy from Carthage as well.

[[13]] On Vitellius' army and its lack of discipline, see Tac. Hist. 2.93-94; illness of army: ibid., 2.99.1; Cremona: ibid., 3.32-33.

[[14]] On Vitellius' last days, see Tac. Hist. 3.68-81. On the complicated issue of Vitellius' death date, see L. Holzapfel, "Römische Kaiserdaten," Klio 13 (1913): 301.

[[15]] Honors, etc. Tac. Hist. 4.3. For more on the lex de imperio Vespasiani, see P. A. Brunt, "Lex de imperio Vespasiani," JRS (67) 1977: 95-116.

[[16]] Omens: Suet. Vesp. 5; consulships and honors: ibid., 8; succession of sons: ibid., 25.

[[17]] On Vespasian's restoration of Rome, see Suet. Vesp. 9; Cass. Dio 65.10; D. Wardel, "Vespasian, Helvidius Priscus and the Restoration of the Capitol," Historia 45 (1996): 208-222.

[[18]] Suet. Vesp. 16.

[[19]] Ibid.; Tac. Hist. 1.50.

[[20]] Suet. Vesp. 17-19.

[[21]] Ibid., 8-10.

[[22]] On Vespasian's exploits in Britain, see esp. Tac., Agricola, eds. R. M. Ogilvie and I. A. Richmond (1967), and W. S. Hanson, Agricola and the Conquest of the North (1987); on the granting of Latin rights in Spain, see, e.g., J. Gonzalez, "The Lex Irnitana: a New Copy of the Flavian Municipal Law." JRS 76 (1986): 147-243.

[[23]] For this witticism and other anecdotes concerning Vespasian's sense of humor, see Suet. Vesp. 23.

Copyright (C) 1998, John Donahue. Published on De Imperatoribus Romanis, an Online Encyplopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families.
http://www.roman-emperors.org/vespasia.htm
Used by permission.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Cleisthenes

AE follis Nicephorus IIIObverse: Nimbate half-length bust of Christ facing, holding Gospels; barred IC-XC across field
Reverse:Latin cross; small saltire cross at center, pellet and two globules at each end; above, crescent to left and right below, floral ornament to left and right.
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1078-1081
Sear 1989 Anonymous folles Class I
22mm 3.00 gm
wileyc

Alfred the Great. "Guthrum" Imitative Circumscription Cross Two-Line type Penny. Anglo-Dane. Alfred the Great ("Guthrum" Imitative). 871-899. AR Penny Canterbury style (1.52 gm, 20.4mm, 7h) Horizontal two line type, HP9P of Southern Danelaw. Circumscription cross, ✠AELFR-EDR-E. Peck marks around cross. / • EÐELV • INΞ ꟽỌ̇ • (Ethelwine, moneyer; ligated NE and inverted M). VF. Davissons EA 28 #71 aftersale. Spink SCBC 1066; North 635; Blackburn VII p.343 in Viking Coinage BNS 7 (2011), BNJ 59 (1989) p.33 #43.Anaximander

ANCIENT INDIA - KAKANI COIN OF SUNGA KINGDOM - CAST COPPER COIN - 2.46 gm Sunga kingdom CA 150-100 AD..copper kakani obverse Elephantleft,torion,swastik,Indradvaja,Reverse 3 Arch hill,hollow cross,torion,tree railing..Ref..Mitchiner 4381.Antonivs Protti

ANDRONICUS I AE 1/2 Tetarteron S-1989 DOC 8Facing bust of the Virgin orans, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium; on her breast nimbate head of the infant Christ; to l MP to R. OV Rev. Half length figure of Andronicus facing with forked beard, wearing crown , scaramangion and saigon and holding labarum and gl. cr. Uncertain Greek Mint. 18mm Very Fine .

Excellent example because of the large flan, I consider this coin to be extremly rare. DOC 8Simon

ANDRONICUS I AE 1/2 Tetarteron S-1989 DOC 8Facing bust of the Virgin orans, nimbate and wearing pallium and maphorium; on her breast nimbate head of the infant Christ; to l MP to R. OV Rev. Half length figure of Andronicus facing with forked beard, wearing crown , scaramangion and saigon and holding labarum and gl. cr. Uncertain Greek Mint 15mm

Not as nice as my other example but an extremely rare coin, this is only the second one ( mine being the other.) I have seen besides the one pictured in DOC. Simon

Anonymous PAE As 169-158 B.C. Crawford 176/1, Sydenham 358, BMCRR 635Laureate head of Janus; above, I / PAE monogram above, ROMA in exergue, prow of galley right; before, I before. Rome mint.
Maximum Diameter: 33.0 mm
Weight: 34.11 g

A duplicate from the RBW Collection of Roman Republican Coins. Ex SCMB (April 1989), 1622 commentsTheEmpireNeverEnded

Anonymous, Sardes, Lydia, AE14, ΣΑΡΔΙΑΝΩΝ, APBAE14
Civic Issue
Issued: 133 - 100BC
14.5 x 13.0mm 4.70gr 8h
O: NO LEGEND; Head of Apollo, right; beaded border.
R: ΣΑΡΔΙ, above club; ΑΝΩΝ, below club; legend above and below club and monogram at club head, all within an oak wreath.
Monogram: AP over B
Sardes, Lydia Mint
Unlisted in major references.
Kurth AE Lydia Supplement 2A;
Zacny Collection 10127 10128
Featured on Wildwinds, October, 2019
shtil42-4/Gospodin Atanasov 303319896353
10/20/19 10/31/19Nicholas Z

Antoninus Pius (Augustus) Judea, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem)Antoninus Pius (Augustus)
Judea, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem)
AE - / 22mm / -
(IMP ANTONINVS AVG PPP) - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
C Α C - tetrastyle arched temple; inside Tyche-Astarte stands half left in chiton, parazonium at side, foot raised (on globe), small bust in right, scepter in left
Mint: (138-161 AD)
Ref: SNG 594; Y. Meshorer, The Coinage of Aelia Capitolina (1989), 72, 70; BMC p. 84, 12; L. Kadman, The Coins of Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem 1956), 12Scotvs Capitis

Antoninus Pius Aelia CapitolinaAntoninus Pius (Augustus)
Judea, Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem)
AE22
Ob: (IMP ANTONINVS AVG PPP) - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rv: C Α C beneath tetrastyle arched temple; inside Tyche-Astarte stands half left in chiton, parazonium at side, foot raised (on globe), small bust in right, scepter in left
Ref: SNG 594; Y. Meshorer, The Coinage of Aelia Capitolina (1989), 72, 70; BMC p. 84, 12; L. Kadman, The Coins of Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem 1956), 12

http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/6397/Scotvs Capitis

Asia Minor, Kilikia, Anazarbus, Valerian I, DionysosValerian I
Cilicia, Anazarbus
Æ 30mm
Dated CY 272 (253/4).
Obv.: AVT K Π ΛIK OVAΛЄPIANOC CЄ, Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: ANASAPBOV MHTPO / Γ - Γ / ЄT BOC A M K, Dionysos, raising hand over head and holding filleted thyrsus, reclining on panther right, head left.
AE, 30mm, 18.34g
Ref.: Ziegler, Anazarbos, 829.1 [dies Vs2/Rs4] (this coin cited), SNG BN 2158

ex auction Knopek, lot 420 (December 1979)
ex Kölner Münzkabinett Tyll Kroha, auction 49, lot 546 (1989)
ex Jacquier list 12, lot 222 (1990)
ex Dr. P. Vogl Collection
ex Numismatik Naumann, auction 63, lot 167 (2018)shanxi

Asia Minor, Mysia, Pergamon, Philetairos, Athena, Asklepios Mysia, Pergamon
AE16, 282 - 263 B.C.
Pergamene Kingdom, Philetairos
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right.
Rev: ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Asklepios seated left, feeding snake out of patera.
AE, 3.01g, 15.7mm
Ref.: SNG France 1643-9; SNG von Aulock 1363.
Ex Bankhaus Aufhäuser 1989
Ex Dr. P. Vogl collection
Ex Pecunem Gitbud&Naumann Auction 42, Lot 194

shanxi

B. Brockage: British (?) Imitative Constantinian AE Minimus (10mm, 0.43g)Roman Britain (Roman Imperial, “Barbarous” Contemporary Imitative). Constantinian (?) AE Minimus (10mm, 0.43g, 12h), obverse brockage, c. 330-340s (?).
Obv: Pearl-diademed, cuirassed bust right. Rev: Incuse image of obv.
Ref: Cf. Bishops Canning 392, Chapmanslade 699, Maidenhatch 69-71 for imitations of Trier & Lugdunum mint GLORIA EXERCITVS types.
Prov: Ex Martin Wettmark Collection (acq. eBay USA, April 2017; CNG EA 525 [19 Oct 2022], 1835).

Notes: Very small even for a British imitative, but not unheard of (judging from the 877 imitations in the Chapmanslade hoard, perhaps 1 or 2% this small). Roughly comparable in style & fabric to the Trier/Lugdunum imitations found in the 1993 Chapmanslade Hoard & 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard (deposited 339 CE). Aside from some Byzantine era Trachy, this is by far the lightest brockage of bronze of a coin that I’ve found (certainly for the Roman Imperial period, including imitations).

On brockages, see Nurpetlian (NC 2018, 2019), "Brockage Coins" [https://www.jstor.org/stable/45176685] & "Numismatic Mutants" [https://www.jstor.org/stable/45288605].Curtis JJ

BelgiumKM 35.1 - 2 Centimes (m. 1869-1909) Belges
KM 149.1 - 50 Centimes - 1976
KM 127 - 1 Franc - 1943
KM 171 - 1 Franc - 1989
KM 143.1 - 1 Franc - 1951
KM 134.1 - 5 Francs - 1949Daniel F

Boeotia, Thebes. Magistrate Stater.Greece. Boeotia. c. 368-364 BC. AR Stater (12.33 gm, 15.4mm) of Thebes Boeotian shield. / Amphora, AR-KA (magistrate) in fields. "Rare use of the R form of the letter rho. It is almost always rendered as P except in Sicily and Italy, which occasionally use the R form." gVF. Bt. Guy Clark, 1989. BCD Boiotia (Triton IX) #536 (same rev. die); SNG Cop 3 (Aetolia-Euboea) #318 (same rev. die); Hepworth 13; HGC 4 #1332; Head Boeotia p.64. cf. Triton XIII #1195.Anaximander

BotswanaKm3 - 1 Thebe (Turako) - 1989 (1976-1991)
Km14 - 2 Thebe - 1981 (1981-1985)
Km4a.2 - 5 Thebe - 1996 (1996)
Km26 - 5 Thebe - 1998 (1998-2007)Daniel F

BRUTTIUM, BRETTIAN LEAGUE211-208 BC (time of Hannibal)
AE Half Unit 17mm; 4.47 g
O: Winged bust of Nike left, thunderbolt beneath;
R: BPETTION Zeus driving galloping biga left; torch below.
cf. Scheu 47; Rutter, HN 1989. Rarelaney

Byzantine Empire: Andronicus I Comnenus (1183-1185) Æ Half Tetarteron, Uncertain Mint (Sear-1989; DOC-8)Obv: Half-length bust of the Virgin Mary facing, orans; medallion with bust of Christ on her chest
Rev: Half-length figure of Andronicus facing, holding labarum and globus cruciger

1 commentsQuant.Geek

Campania, Neapolis, ca. 320-300 BC, AR Didrachm Head of the Siren Parthenope right, hair bound by band, wearing triple pendant earring and pearl necklace; pileos behind.
Man-faced bull standing right with head facing while being crowned by Nike flying right above; K below.

HN Italy 579.

(19 mm, 7.23 g, 10h).
Classical Numismatic Group e-Auction 167, 27 June 2007, 7; from the Charles Gillet collection, ex-Stacks, 15 November 1989, 90.n.igma

Canada - 5 CentsKm2 - Victoria - 1883
Km13 - Edward VII - 1904
Km29 - George V - 1929
Km33 - George VI - 1942
Km40a - George VI - 1944
Km42 - George VI - 1950 modified legend
Km48 - George VI - 1951 factory
Km50a - Elizabeth II - 1962
Km57 - Elizabeth II - 1964
Km66 - Elizabeth II - 1967 Centennial (rabbit)
Km60.1 - Elizabeth II - 1968
Km60.2 - Elizabeth II - 1979
Km60.2a - Elizabeth II - 1989
Km182 - Elizabeth II - 1995Daniel F

Capetians, Philippe II. Denier of Laon. France. Capetians, Philippe II Auguste. 1180-1223 AD. AR Denier (0.76 gm, 18.5mm, 11h) of Laon, struck by Bishop Roger I of Rosoy (1174-1207). Facing bust of crowned king ✠PHILIPVS RE. / Mitered bust facing of Bishop Roger de Rosoi. ✠ROGERVS EP̅E. VF. DNW Auction 2017-12-12 #1747. Tony Merson Coll. Ex-Christie's Auction 10-11 Oct 1989 #282 (part). Rare. Boudeau 1905; Ciani 150; Duplessy Royales I 184; Lafaurie 173; Poey d'Avant Féodales III #6545; Roberts 2387.Anaximander

Caria, Rhodes AR Plinthophoric DrachmMagistrate Antigenes circa 190-170 BC.
Obv: Radiate head of Helios right.
Rev: ΑΝΤΙΓΕΝΗΣ, Rose with bud, naval ram in left field.
Jenkins 1989, 17; BMC 249; HGC 6, 1457. 2.50g, 15mm.1 commentsancientone

Celtic Ring, EireCelts, Eire. 2nd c. BC. AR Ring (0.87 gm) of Limerick. Plain ring, possibly proto-money, similar to 4-spoked wheel money (rouelles). VF.
Bt. Lionheart Antiquities 1999. cf van Arsdell 1-3. (Consigned for sale, 2021)
Prior to the use of regular round struck or cast coinage, the Celts employed items of various shapes and metals for trade. Although not conclusively identified as an early form of money, these rings have been found in coin hoards and do bear some resemblance to other Celtic objects accepted as "proto-money," such as small bronze or potin wheels. R.D. Van Arsdale, in his book The Celtic Coins in Britain (London, 1989), notes that precious-metal rings such as this may have had multiple functions; as items of personal adornment (many were hair ornaments), as a means of displaying wealth, and as a medium of exchange. The weights and diameters vary, making it difficult to establish whether denominations existed. The authors of ABC (C. Rudd. Ancient British Coins. Aylsham. 2010), on the other hand, regard these as jewelry and ornaments, albeit some ceremonial wealth-storage value attached. Anaximander

ChileKm176.1 - 1 Peso - 1933 - (1933)
Km207 - 1 Peso - 1975 - (1975)
Km208a - 1 Peso - 1978 - (1978-1979)
Km216.2 - 1 Peso - 1992 - (1988-1992)
Km231 - 1 Peso - 1996 - (1992-2006)
Km217.2 - 5 Pesos - 1989 - (1988-1990)
Km232 - 5 Pesos - 1995 - (1992-1995)Daniel F

ChileKm218.1 - 10 Pesos - 1986 - (1981-1987)
Km228.2 - 10 pesos - 1995 - (1990-2008)
Km219.1 - 50 pesos - 1981 - (1981-1987)
Km226.2 - 100 Pesos - 1989 - (1988-1999)
Km236 - 100 Pesos - 2006 - (2001-2008)
Km235 - 500 Pesos - 2003 - (2000-2003)
Km197 - 1 Escudo - 1971 - (1971-1972)Daniel F

Cilicia, Tarsos, Satrap Mazaios, 361-334 BC, AR StaterBaaltars, wearing a himation over his lower limbs, seated to left, holding a lotus-tipped sceptre, a thymiaterion surmounted by an eagle on left, Aramaic legend BLTRZ (Baaltars) to right.
Lion advancing left on ground, Aramaic legend MZDY (Mazday = Mazaios) above.

Casabonne Series 5, Group B; SNG Levante 188; SNG France 431; SNG von Aulock 5463; BMC 64.

(22 mm, 10.52 g, 11h).
Harlan J. Berk; ex- Lewis Egnew Collection: Superior, 30 May 1995, lot 7695.

This coin type is from a short-lived emission, stuck immediately prior to Alexander the Great’s invasion of Asia. The attribution of the walking-lion series of Mazaios was originally given to the mint of Tarsos, but Newell argued that they more likely were struck at Myriandros in his study of that mint in AJN 53 (1919). Later, J.D. Bing, in AJN 1 (1989), argued for an alternative attribution of the Myriandros coinage to the mint of Issos. While most dealers and numismatic works continue to follow the attribution of Newell, Casabonne’s study of Cilicia during the Persian period convincingly returns these coins of Mazaios to the mint of Tarsos.
2 commentsn.igma

Claudius DE BRITANN triumphal archClaudius
Denarius, 19 mm, 3,23 gr. Lugdunum, 46-47 AD
TI CLAVD CAESAR [AVG P M TR P VI] IMP XI, laureate head right
DE BRITANN on architrave of triumphal arch surmounted by equestrian statue left between two trophies.
RIC 34, Sear 1843 (diff o/l), Van Meter 4, Clive Foss 13. See Philip Hill (1989) p. 50-51; L. Richardson (1992), p. 24.

The arch was granted to Claudius by the Senate, in 51/52 AD, to commemorate the conquest of Britain. Limes

ColombiaKm212.2 - 10 Centavos - 1956
Km226 - 10 Centavos - 1967
Km215.1 - 20 Centavos - 1956
Km246.1 - 20 Centavos - 1971
Km281.1 - 10 Pesos - 1989
Km282.1 - 20 Pesos - 1991
Km272 - 50 Pesos - 1989
Km283.2 - 50 Pesos - 2003Daniel F

Constans AR Heavy MiliarenseConstans AR Heavy Miliarense. Siscia. 342 - 343 AD. FL IVL CONSTANS P F AVG, diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right / GAVDIVM POPVLI ROMANI, within laurel wreath inscribed SIC XX SIC XXX flanked by palms, SIS and small wreath in ex. RIC 151

VERY RARE - R2
GOOD EXTREMELY FINE - CERTAINLY ONE OF IF NOT THE FINEST KNOWN
EXTRAORDINARY PEDIGREE

Ex. J. Horsky Collection
Ex. Vautier Collection
Ex. M. Collignon Collection
Ex. H. C. Levis Collection
Ex. E. A. Sydenham Collection
Ex. W. Niggeler Collection
Ex. A. Hess Nachf., Francfort 155 (1917), 4457
Ex. Naville & Cie., Genève 2 (Lucerne 1922), 1759
Ex. Naville & Cie, Genève - Ars Classica 11 (Lucerne 1925), 1004
Ex. Glendining & Co., Ltd., London 24 nov. 1948, 579
Ex. Münzen & Medaillen AG Basel - Bank Leu & Co AG Zurich / SlgNiggeler 3 (1967) 1523
Ex. Bank Leu AG Zurich 48 (1989) 429
Ex. Hess-Divo 20072 commentsRich Beale

Constantine I CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE Constantinople Constantine I
A.D. 328
Ӕ nummus 19x20mm 3.2g
Anepigraphic: head with rosette diadem, looking up to heavens
CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE; Victory seated l. on cippus, palm branch in left hand and laurel branch in right hand, looking r.; trophy at front, at the foot is a kneeling captive with head turned being spurned by Victory; E in left field.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople—

"How deeply his soul was impressed by the power of divine faith may be understood from the circumstance that he directed his likeness to be stamped on the golden coin of the empire with eyes uplifted as in the posture of prayer to God: and this money became current throughout the Roman world." Eusebius (IV.15)

Though not listed in RIC, there is an example included in the Voetter catalogue of 1909 “Constantinvs Junior Inbesonders seine Münzen als Augustus und die gleichzeitigen Kupferprägungen in den römischen Münzstätten” from workshop B. Maurice also mentions an unpublished coin with diademed head and no legend..."une tete diademee sans legende" (pg 514 #3) in his 1911 book "Numismatique Constantinienne" In 1989, Speck and Huston catalogued this type in "Constantine's Dafne Coinage at Constantinople", note 8, there were three specimens of this coin in the Bankhaus H. Aufhaeuser Munich auctions 7. 1990, 777; 8, 1991, 704; and 9, 1992, 522. Two of these coins were officina A and one was officina S.Victor C

Constantine I CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE ConstantinopleConstantine I
A.D. 328
Ӕ nummus 21mm 3.2g
Anepigraphic: diademed head, looking up to heavens
CONSTANTINIANA DAFNE; Victory seated l. on cippus, palm branch in left hand and laurel branch in right hand, looking r.; trophy at front, at the foot is a kneeling captive with head turned being spurned by Victory; A in left field.
in ex. CONS
RIC VII Constantinople—

"How deeply his soul was impressed by the power of divine faith may be understood from the circumstance that he directed his likeness to be stamped on the golden coin of the empire with eyes uplifted as in the posture of prayer to God: and this money became current throughout the Roman world." Eusebius (IV.15)

Though not listed in RIC, there is an example included in the Voetter catalogue of 1909 “Constantinvs Junior Inbesonders seine Münzen als Augustus und die gleichzeitigen Kupferprägungen in den römischen Münzstätten” from workshop B. Maurice also mentions an unpublished coin with diademed head and no legend..."une tete diademee sans legende" (pg 514 #3) in his 1911 book "Numismatique Constantinienne" In 1989, Speck and Huston catalogued this type in "Constantine's Dafne Coinage at Constantinople", note 8, there were three specimens of this coin in the Bankhaus H. Aufhaeuser Munich auctions 7. 1990, 777; 8, 1991, 704; and 9, 1992, 522. Two of these coins were officina A and one was officina S.
Victor C

Constantine I, Follis, GLORIA EXERCITVS, SMTSAAE Follis
Constantine I
Caesar: 306 - 307AD
Augustus: 307 - 337AD
Issued: 330 - 333AD
19.0mm 1.90gr 0h
O: CONSTANTINVS MAX AVG; Diademed (rosettes), draped and cuirassed bust, right.
R: GLORIA EXERCITVS; Two soldiers, standing on either side of two standards, each holding a spear and resting a hand on a shield.
Exergue: SMTSA
Thessalonica Mint
Aorta: 783: B18, O9, R87, T220, M17.
RIC VIII, 198, Rated Rare
okta2000-2013 271989920686
9/28/15 1/31/17Nicholas Z

Constantine II GLORIA EXERCITVS from Lyon...Nether Compton Hoard...unofficial issueConstantine II
A.D. 330-331
16mm 1.5g
CONSTANTINVS IVNOB C; laureate and cuirassed bust right.
GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS; Two soldiers helmeted, stg. facing one another, reversed spear in outer hands, inner hands on shields resting on the ground; between them two standards.
In ex. •PLG
cf. RIC VII Lyons 244

Ex 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard

unofficial issueVictor C

Constantinopolis brockage from Trier...Nether Compton hoardConstantinopolis brockage from Trier
15mm 1.8g

Ex 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) HoardVictor C

Constantinopolis from Lugdunum...Nether Compton hoard...unofficial issueConstantinopolis
Circa A.D. 330- 331
16mm 2.6g
Obv: CONNT-NNTINO laureate, helmeted, wearing imperial mantle, holding scepter.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield; palm branch in left field.
in ex. PLG
cf. RIC VII Lyons 241

Ex 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard.

unofficial issue
Victor C

Constantinopolis from Trier...Nether Compton Hoard...unofficial issueConstantinopolis
Circa A.D. 335
16mm 2.2g
Obv. ?????? bust of Constantinopolis left.
Rev. Victory stg. on prow, holding long scepter in r. hand, and resting l. hand on shield; wreath in left field.
Cf. Trier 554

Ex 1989 Nether Compton (Dorset) Hoard

unofficial issueVictor C

Constantius II SECVRITAS REI P from RomeConstantius II
A.D. 337-340
17mm 1.5g
D N FL CONSTANTIVS AVG; rosette diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
SECVRITAS REI P; Securitas standing facing, legs crossed, head turned right, holding sceptre in right hand, left elbow leaning on column.
In ex. R❦P
RIC VIII Rome 15

After the death of Constantine on 22 May 337, there was an interregnum of some three months before his three sons were proclaimed Augusti on 9 Sept 337. It was during these three months that The Great Massacre occurred, when most of the other male members of Constantine's family and their supporters were killed. During this period all the mints continued producing the GLORIA EXERCITVS, but Rome, which was controlled by Constans, issued some new types. one of these was the SECVRITAS REI P. Constans wanted the citizens to believe that the security of the Empire had been protected by the massacre.

Ex Rath March 1989
ex-Failmezger plate #386CS
Victor C

Constantius II, RIC VIII, Arles 215 var.Constantius II, AD 337-361, son of Constantine I
AE 3 (Centenionalis), 2.5g, 18.69mm
Arles, 1st officina, 18 Aug. 353 - 6 Nov. 355
obv. DN CONSTAN - TIVS PF AVG
Bust, draped and cuirassed, pearl-diademed, r., wearing pearl-necklace
rev. FEL TEMP RE - PARATIO
Soldier, helmeted stg. l., spearing fallen horseman; horseman, wearing pointed hat, std. in front of his horse r., raising hands to soldier. (RIC type FH2, sitting)
in ex. PCON
RIC VIII, Arles 215; LRBC 455
about VF
Pedigree:
ex Baldwins 1989
ex coll. Failmezger (plate coin)

The rev. is cut a bit disregardfully. So the position of the spear behind the soldier's arm is physically impossible. Not in Helvetica's FH lists. Arles 215 is only described with type FH3 reaching!

Arelate (Arles) was named Constantina AD 328-340 in honour of Constantine II, who was born here. And a second time from AD 353-374.
Jochen

Costa RicaKm210.1 - 1 Colon - 1991
Km214.1 - 5 Colones - 1989
Km216.2 - 20 colones - 1985
Km230a - 100 colones - 1998Daniel F

Crawford 039/3, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Collateral Semilibral Struck AE SextansRome. The Republic.
Semilibral Reduction, 217-215 BCE.
Æ Sextans (24.15 grams; 30 mm).
Uncertain Italian Mint.

She-wolf facing right, head turned left, suckling the twins, Romulus & Remus; ●● (mark-of-value) below.

Reverse: Eagle facing right with flower in beak; ROMA to right; ●● (mark-of-value) behind.

References: Crawford 39/3; Sydenham 95; BMCRR (Romano-Campanian) 120-124.

Provenance: Ex Goldberg 87 (15 Sep 2015), Lot 2084; Sternberg XXII (20-21 Nov 1989), Lot 173.

Crawford attributes the 39 series to the Rome Mint, circa 217-215 BCE. While I agree with the dating, I question the mint attribution. They are among the earliest Roman struck bronze coins intended for use in central Italy. Previously, Roman struck bronzes were generally intended for use in Magna Graecia, while the cast bronze Aes Grave were used in Rome and central Italy.

The types in this series are beautiful, bold and unusual, and, excluding the Hercules/bull Quadrans type, were never wholly repeated in subsequent Roman Republican bronze series. The types are entirely pro-Roman, at a time that the Republic was in dire straits under threat of Hannibal’s invasion. This Sextans depicts the favorable founding of Rome, with the She-wolf suckling the City’s mythical founders, Romulus and Remus, on one side, and a powerful eagle bringing them additional nourishment or good omen on the other. This is the first depiction of the Wolf and Twins on a Roman bronze coin, the scene previously being depicted on a silver didrachm circa 269 BCE (Crawford 20/1).
Carausius

Crawford 053/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
Anonymous, ca. 209-208 BCE
Uncertain Italian Mint
AR Denarius (4.64g; 19mm)

Obv: Head of Roma in peaked-visor helmet, facing right; X (mark of value = 10 asses) behind.

Rev: Dioscuri galloping right with couched spears; two stars above; ROMA, within full trapezoidal frame, below.

Reference: Crawford 53/2.

Provenance: Ex Hess Divo 331 (1 Dec 2016), Lot 75; ex Giesseener Munzhandlung Dieter Gorny Auktion 44 (1989), Lot 525.

Crawford series 53 Anonymous Denarii can be easily distinguished from the Crawford 44 Anonymous Denarii by "peaked" visor to the helmet. 2 commentsCarausius

Crawford 071/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C/M Series VictoriatusRome. The Republic.
C/M Series, 211-208 BCE
AR Victoriatus (3.26g; 18mm).
Sicilian mint (?)

Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter facing right; C behind.

Reverse: Victory crowns trophy; M between; ROMA in exergue.

References: Crawford 71/1a; RBW 300; Sydenham 112; BMCRR (Italy) 252.

Provenance: Ex Andrew McCabe Collection; Vecchi 7 (6 Oct 1997) Lot 571; NAC 1 (29 Mar 1989) Lot 561.

About 212 BCE, when the Romans introduced the denarius system, they also introduced a collateral denomination of silver coin, the victoriatus. As evidenced by its different weight standard, debased metal, iconography and missing denominational mark, the victoriatus was not integral to the denarius system but was produced for a special purpose. While the denarius and its fractions, the quinarius and sestertius, all depicted Roma and the Dioscuri, victoriati depicted Jupiter and Victory crowning a trophy. Further, while denarii were produced from nearly pure silver, victoriati were made from debased silver of about 70% purity. Based on the weight standard of Magna Graecia drachms, victoriati were likely designed specifically for payments to Greek cities of southern Italy and hoard evidence supports circulation largely in southern Italy.

Crawford’s attribution of the C/M Series victoriati to a Sicilian mint is uncertain and partly based on style.

Rome ceased issuing victoriati circa 170 BCE. Perhaps because of their debased metal (which discouraged hoarding), victoriati continued to circulate in Gaul for many years until they functioned as de facto quinarii due to metal loss from wear. Their continued popularity caused Rome to later issue quinarii bearing the same devices (Jupiter/Victory and trophy). 1 commentsCarausius

Crawford 411/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Manlius Torquatus, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
L. Manlius Torquatus, 59-58 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.92g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Head of Sibyl facing right, wearing ivy wreath; SIBVLLA below; all within laurel border.

Reverse: L•TORQVAT - III•VIR; Amphora on tripod flanked by stars; torque border.

References: Crawford 411/1a; Sydenham 837a; BMCRR 3512; Manlia 11.

Provenance: Ex Baldwins Auction 100 (27 Sep 2016), Lot 505; Künker Auktion 216 (8 Oct 2012), Lot 642; Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 54 (24 Mar 2010), Lot 232; Spink Num. Circ. March 1989, No. 948; Glendining (30 Apr 1980), lot 136.

There are two obverse varieties of this denarius: one with a laurel border (as this coin); the other with a border of dots. The torque border on the reverse is more than just a naming pun; it refers to an ancestor’s defeat of a Gallic warrior in a one-on-one challenge, following which the Manlia ancestor removed the bloody torque from the dead Gaul and wore it – earning the cognomen Torquatus. The remaining devices allude to the position of either the moneyer or an ancestor on the 15-member (quindecemviri) religious college who guarded the Sibylline Books.

With its very high obverse relief and deep reverse cupping, this coin shares similar fabric with those of C. Calpurnius Piso Frugi. Crawford dates their issues two years apart (67 for Frugi and 65 for Torquatus). However, in their analysis of the Mesagne hoard, Hersh and Walker downdated Frugi to 61 and Torquatus to 58. In “Roman Republican Moneyers and Their Coins” (2nd ed.), Michael Harlan dates both Frugi and Torquatus to 59 BCE, based on their common fabric, prosopography and because Torquatus’ small output could not have been the sole issue in his year. Indeed, Crawford estimates fewer than 10 obverse dies and fewer than 11 reverse dies for both varieties of Torquatus’ denarii which suggests a very small issue.
1 commentsCarausius

Crawford 433/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Junius Brutus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
M. Junius Brutus, 54 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.79g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Head of Libertas, facing right, her hair up, wearing necklace of pendants and cruciform earing; LIBERTAS behind.

Reverse: L. Junius Brutus walking left with two lictors and an accensus; BRVTVS in exergue.

References: Crawford 433/1; Sydenham 906; BMCRR 3862; Junia 31.

Provenance: Ex Dr. Michael Phillip Collection [Stack's Bowers 2016 NYINC Auction (12 Jan 2016) Lot 31131]; Stack's Auction, 7-8 Dec 1989, Lot 3233; Frederick S. Knobloch Collection [Stack's (3-4 May 1978), Lot 511].

Struck by chief assassin of Caesar during his early political career. At this time, Brutus was in opposition to Pompey, and it's likely that this coin type is intended to remind the general public of Brutus' pedigree against tyranny. Brutus’ ancestor, Lucius Junius Brutus, overthrew the Etruscan kings of Rome and helped form the Republic, becoming one of the first Consuls in 509 BCE. The reverse of this coin shows Lucius Junius Brutus, as Consul, walking with his attendant lictors and accensus. Liberty on the obverse alludes to the overthrow of the monarchy – a role that the moneyer himself would play 10 years after this coin was struck.

A few words on those men accompanying Brutus on the reverse:

The lictors were attendants who carried fasces and accompanied the consuls at all times. They proceeded before the senior consul and cleared his path and they walked behind the junior consul. They also made arrests, summonses and executions. A consul had twelve lictors.

The accensi were civil servants that also accompanied the magistrates in addition to lictors and acted as heralds. They typically walked behind the magistrate, but an early custom had them precede the consul in the months when the lictors did not walk before him. This appears to be the scene depicted on this coin – the accensus precedes Brutus and one of the lictors is behind him.
5 commentsCarausius

Crawford 53/2 Group 4 small starsDenomination: Denarius
Metal: AR
Obverse: Head of Roma with Peaked visor, X mark of value behind
Reverse: Dioscuri riding r., Flag cape., ROMA in raised letters in three-line rectangular frame.
Weight: 4.3 gm
Reference: Crawford 53/2
Provenance: M. Haberling, Private purchase, September 10, 1989

Comments: Group 4 flag cape and small stars (later variation of group 4)

crw 340/4 . Roman Republic , L. PISO FRVGI . c. 90 BC Æ As . Roman Republic , L. PISO FRVGI . c. 90 BC Æ As .
29.3 mm, 8.88 grams
Obverse: Laureate bust of Janus.
Reverse: L.PISO FRVGI above prow r. on which stands Victory
Ex R. Schaefer, 5/1989 ; Ex RBW ; Ex Amphora .
Vladislav D

Dominican RepublicKm7 - 2.5 Centavos - 1888
km69 - 5 Centavos - 1989
km60 - 10 Centavos - 1987
km61 - 25 Centavos - 1983 (medal rotation)
km71.1 - 25 Centavos - 1991 - Ox Cart (no beaded circle)
km71.2 - 25 Centavos - 1990 - Ox Cart (beaded circle)Daniel F

Fragment of AmuletTypically one side has PEFAHL (ie Raphael, the Archangel), retrograde, the other side CABAW (heavenly 'Hosts')
Late Roman early Byzantine
10mm by 8mm.
2.30g
Fragment of a “magical” pendent or amulet. Portion of the name Gabriel with the one suspension hoop on this remaining fragmentS. imilar to one from the Sternberg sale (in association with Wolfe) of Jewish, Early Christian and Byzantine Antiquities (XXIII, 1989, lot 256). Thanks to Gert Boerswema from Forum and Vcoins for this informationwileyc

French PolynesiaKm10 - 2 Francs - 1989
Km12 - 5 Francs - 1983
Km9 - 20 Francs - 1991
Daniel F

Geta Drachm from PetraSYRIA, Decapolis. Petra. Geta, as Caesar. AR Drachm (3.23 gm). P CEPT GE - TA CEB, laureate head right / DHMAPET VPAG, Tyche, turreted, standing left, holding baetyl and trophy. Butcher, "Two Notes on Syrian Silver of the Third Century AD," in NumChron 1989, -. In his study, Butcher was able to locate on seven specimens of this issue, six for Caracalla and one for Julia Domna.
Very rare
gb29400

Geta, Denarius PRINC IVVENT, RIC 15aDenomination: Denarius
Era: After c. 200-202 AD
Metal: AR
Obverse: PSEPT GETA CAES PONT; Draped bust r. Bare head. Young portrait
Reverse: PRINC IVVENT - Geta stg l. holding branch in r. long spear pointing down in l.
Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.05 gm.
Reference: RIC IV Part 1, 15a (Geta).
Provenance: Purchased from Munzen und Medaillen AG, at Pittsburg ANA convention, Aug 11, 1989

Superb EF, Superb old gray toning, good style, fully centered and complete.
2 comments

GREEK, Brettian League, Bruttium. c. 211 - 208 B.C. Brettian League, Bruttium. c. 211 - 208 B.C. Bronze reduced semuncia, VF, dark green patina, 3.739g, 18.2mm. Obv: diademed bust of winged Nike left, fulmen below, dot border. Rev: BRETTIWN, Zeus in galloping biga left, grapes below. Ref: SNG Cop 1685, Head HN 1989. Rare

Hadrian, RIC 706, Sestertius of AD 132-135Æ Sestertius (28,30g, 35mm, 12h). Rome, AD 132-135.
Obv.: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, bare, draped bust left.
Rev.: FELICITATI AVG in two lines in field above, COS III P P field below, S | C, Galley left with six oarsmen: at the bow a mast raking forward with flag and sails attached, at the stern is a hortator and an arched cabin between two standards.
RIC 706; Cohen 677; Strack 837; Banti 385
Ex Hesss Divo, The Lugdunum Sale 12, Sept. 2015; ex List SKA Monetarium 48, Zurich 1989, lot n°178.1 commentsCharles S

hierapolis003aElagabalus
Hierapolis, Phrygia

Obv: Μ ΑVΡ ΑΝ-ΤΩΝΙΝΟϹ, in right field, AVΓ; laureate, cuirassed bust right, seen from front.
Rev: Ι-ƐΡΑΠΟ-ΛƐΙΤΩΝ; Demeter standing left, holding grain ears and torch.
24 mm, 6.18 gms

BMC Phrygia 25 variant (bust type); Classical Numismatic Group, Inc., Electronic Auction 174, Lot 136 variant (same); RPC Online VI, 5618; Johnston, Hierapolis--;

From Numismatik Naumann Auction 84, lot 239.Charles M

HungaryKm573 - 20 Filler - 1989
Km575 - 1 Forint - 1967
Km591 - 2 Forint - 1979
Km556 - 2 Forint - 1962
Km595 - 10 Forint - 1971
Km636 - 10 Forint - 1989
Km630 - 20 Forint - 1984Daniel F

Imitative VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, AE 16mm, C. 340ADImitative VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP,

Obv. Bust right.

Rev. Two Victories standing facing with shieldLee S

Jamaica(From right to left - sorry!)

Km33 – 1 Farthing – 1950-1952
Km25 – ½ Penny – 1914-1928
Km31 – ½ Penny – 1938-1947
Km37 – 1 Penny – 1953-1963
Km45 – 1 Cent – 1969-1971
Km64 – 1 Cent – 1975-2002
Km46 – 5 cents – 1969-1989

-----

Km47 – 10 Cents – 1969-1989
Km146.1 – 10 Cents – 1991-1994
Km146.2 – 10 Cents – 1995-2003
Km49 – 25 Cents – 1969-1990
Km147 – 25 Cents – 1991-1994
Km167 – 25 Cents – 1995-2003

-----

Km65 – 50 Cents – 1975-1990
Km57 – 1 Dollar – 1971-1979
Km145 – 1 Dollar – 1990-1994
Km164 – 1 Dollar – 1994-2006
Km163 – 5 Dollars – 1994-1995
Km181 – 10 Dollars – 1999-2005
Km182 – 20 Dollars – 2000-2002Daniel F

Julia Domna, 200ad - 201adJulia Domna, 200ad - 201ad
weight 3 grams
diameter - 18mm
Silver denarius
Rome mint
Rare

Julia Domna, AE 23 Diassaria - duplicate specimenIVLIA AVGVSTA
Bust draped, right
MVNICIP STOBE
Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm, stepping on globe
Josifovski 232, 233, 235 same obverse die (V82), citing Vienna FL 1598, Vienna IN 5597, Paris 1989
Josifovski 234, same reverse die (R84), citing Vienna IN 5598
Kuzmanovic Collection 464-465whitetd49

L. Antestius Gragulus, DenariusRRC. 238/1
136 b.c.

Jupiter in Quadriga, with Sceptre, Reigns and Thunderbolt
Bought from Gorny & Mosch, Auction 228, Lot 247 in 2015. Ex Varesi, Auction 11 in 1989Norbert

L. Scribonius Libo, DenarRRC 416/1a
62 b.c.
Ex Buss Peus Auktion 382/383 Lot 346

Described as:
Scribonius Libo.. Denar 62 v. Chr. Kopf des Bonus Eventus / Puteal Scribonianum mit 2 Lyrae und Hammer. Cr. 416, 1a; Syd. 928. 3.79 g. Sehr schön
Ex Auktion Peus Nachf. 326, 1989, 512.1 commentsNorbert

LesothoKm17 - 2 Lisente - 1979-1989
Km55 - 2 Lisente - 1992
Km55a - 2 Lisente - 1992Daniel F

Literature, BOMAR FPL June 1979 (Ex BCD Library Duplicates, Brunk Library)Numismatic Literature (Sale Catalogs). BOMAR ANCIENT COINS (Tacoma, WA) Fixed Price List, 26 Jun 1979 (postmark).
210 Lots, 184 ancient (~58 ill. / 3 Pl.): Greek (14 ill.), RPC (~3 ill., 2 Alex. Potin, 1 Syrian AR), RRC (0), RIC (~38 ill.), Byzantine (~3 ill.). One pl. medieval, modern.
References: Fitzwilliam, A-D [LINK]; not in Gengerke (p. 60, one 1983 sale noted) [LINK].
Provenance: Ex BCD Library; addressed to Gregory B. Brunk (Iowa City [Waterloo crossed out]), w/ his red & black annotations (dots, underlining); ex Katen Auction 68 (“Fine Numismatic Literature Consigned by Dr. Gregory B. Brunk, Part II,” 14 July 1989), Lot 650 (part of) [LINK].
Notes: Operated by Robert W. Robbins (c. 1924-2014) + Marian (Robbins?) = BoMar.Curtis JJ

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: Î’Î‘Î£Î™Î›Î•Î©Î£ Î›Î¥Î£Î™ÎœÎ‘XÎŸ[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 commentsNemonater

MalawiKm7.2a - 1 Tambala - 1987
Km9.2a - 5 Tambala - 1994
Km10.2a - 10 Tambala - 1989
Km19 - 50 Tambala - 1986
Km20 - 1 Kwacha - 1992Daniel F

MalaysiaKm1a - 1 sen - 1973-1988
Km49 - 1 Sen - 1989-2006
Km2 - 5 Sen - 1967-1988
Km50 - 5 Sen - 1989-2009
Km3 - 10 Sen - 1967-1988
Km51 - 10 sen - 1989-2007
Km4 - 20 Sen - 1967-1988
Km52 - 20 Sen - 1989-2007
Km5.3 - 50 sen - 1971-1988
Km53 - 50 Sen - 1989+Daniel F

MARCUS AURELIUSAE As. 154-155 AD. 12,57 grs. Draped bust right. Head bare. AVRELIVS CAESAR AVG PII FIL / Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing left, holding owl on extended right hand and vertical spear in left, round shield at feet right. TR POT VIIII COS II . In fields SC .
Refs. by Curtis Clay.
" This coin is one of the types that is preferentially found in Britain, so may have been struck there from dies cut by Roman engravers, or struck in Rome and shipped in bulk to Britain. On these issues see David Walker, Roman Coins from the Sacred Spring at Bath, 1988, and my own review-article of Walker, The Supply of Bronze Coins to Britain in the Second Century AD, Num. Chron. 149, 1989.On p. 212, note 7, I specifically discuss this TR P VIIII Minerva standing middle bronze of Marcus: Strack 1108 records three specimens, the BM acquired two specimens in 1937, and even before that there had been four specimens in the Croydon Hoard, Num. Chron. 1907, p. 371, pl. 12, 3-4. Walker found only one specimen among the Bath coins, but also 11 of the same type dated TR P VIII, many of which were probably in fact illegible and actually TR P VIIII, though Walker reconstructed VIII since VIIII is not in RIC and therefore (he assumed) rare! In fact Walker pl. 37, 363, read as VIII, is from the same dies as the Croydon coin Num. Chron. 1907, pl. 12.4, which clearly reads TR P VIIII.
All of the "British-association" bronzes in the Croydon Hoard were in extremely fine condition. Since I know Benito wants top condition, it wouldn't surprise me if his new acquistion is in fact identical with one of the four coins of that type contained in that hoard!"

benito

Moesia inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, 26. Elagabal, HrHJ (2018) 8.26.47.03 (plate coin)Elagabal, AD 218-222
AE 27, 12.6g, 26.59mm, 30°
struck under governor Novius Rufus
obv. AVT K M AVR - ANTWNEINOC
Bust, draped and cuirassed, radiate, r.
rev. VP NOBIOV ROVFOV NIKOPOLITWN PROC IC
in l. and r. field TR - O / N
Eagle, with closed wings, stg. l. on small column between two standards, head r. with
wreath in beak
ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1989 (2 ex., Bukarest, Philippopolis)
b) Varbanov (engl.) 4005 (same dies, but cites AMNG 1989 in error under #4003)
c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) No. 8.26.47.3 (plate coin)
good F/about VF, nice green patina
Jochen

Morocco, LixusLixus is the site of an ancient Roman city located in Morocco just north of the modern seaport of Larache on the bank of the Loukkos River. The location was one of the main cities of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana .

Ancient Lixus is located on Tchemmich Hill on the right bank of the Loukkos River (other names: Oued Loukous; Locus River), just to the north of the modern seaport of Larache. The site lies within the urban perimeter of Larache, and about three kilometers inland from the mouth of the river and the Atlantic ocean. From its 80 meters above the plain the site dominates the marshes through which the river flows. To the north, Lixus is surrounded by hills which themselves are bordered to the north and east by a forest of cork oaks.

Among the ruins there are Roman baths, temples, 4th century walls, a mosaic floor, a Christian church and the intricate and confusing remains of the Capitol Hill.

Lixus was first settled by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and was later annexed by Carthage. Lixus was part of a chain of Phoenician/Carthaginian settlements along the Atlantic coast of modern Morocco; other major settlements further to the south are Chellah (called Sala Colonia by the Romans) and Mogador. When Carthage fell to Ancient Rome, Lixus, Chellah and Mogador became imperial outposts of the Roman province Mauretania Tingitana.

The ancient sources agree to make of Lixus a counter Phoenician, which is confirmed by the archaeological discovery of material dating from 8th century BC. It gradually grew in importance, later coming under Carthaginian domination. After the destruction of Carthage, Lixus fell to Roman control and was made an imperial colony, reaching its zenith during the reign of the emperor Claudius I (AD 41-54).

Some ancient Greek writers located at Lixus the mythological garden of the Hesperides, the keepers of the golden apples. The name of the city was often mentioned by writers from Hanno the Navigator to the Geographer of Ravenna, and confirmed by the legend on its coins and by an inscription. The ancients believed Lixus to be the site of the Garden of the Hesperides and of a sanctuary of Hercules, where Hercules gathered gold apples, more ancient than the one at Cadiz, Spain. However, there are no grounds for the claim that Lixus was founded at the end of the second millennium BC.

Lixus flourished during the Roman Empire, mainly when Claudius established a Roman Colonia with full rights for the citizens. Lixus was one of the few Roman cities in Berber Africa that enjoyed an amphitheater: the amphitheater at Lixus. In the third century Lixus become nearly fully Christian and there are even now the ruins of a paleochristian church overlooking the archeological area. The Arab invasions destroyed the Roman city. Some berber life was maintained there nevertheless until one century after the Islamic conquest of North Africa by the presence of a mosque and a house with patio with the covered walls of painted stuccos.

The site was excavated continuously from 1948 to 1969. In the 1960s, Lixus was restored and consolidated. In 1989, following an international conference which brought together many scientists, specialists, historians and archaeologists of the Mediterranean around the history and archaeology of Lixus, the site was partly enclosed. Work was undertaken to study the Roman mosaics of the site, which constitute a very rich unit. In addition to the vestiges interesting to discover the such mosaics whose one of sixty meters representing Poseidon. Lixus was on a surface of approximately 75 hectares (190 acres). The excavated zones constitute approximately 20% of the total surface of the site.

This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on July 1, 1995 in the Cultural category.Joe Sermarini

Nabataea: Syllaeus and Aretas IV (9-6 BCE) Æ Quadrans (Schmitt-Korte II 26/27; Me-43 var)Obv: Diademed head of Obodas III facing right; Nabataean shin to left
Rev: Crossed cornucopias; Nabataean shin (Syllaeus) and á¸¥Ä“th (Aretas) across field

References

Schmitt-Korte, K. and Cowell, M., Nabatean Coinage - Part I. The Silver Content Measured by X-ray Fluorescence Analysis, Numismatic Chronicle, Vol. 149, 1989
Schmitt-Korte, K., Nabatean Coinage - Part II. New Coin Types and Variants, Numismatic Chronicle, Vol. 150, 1990
Schmitt-Korte, K. and Price, M., Nabatean Coinage - Part III. The Nabatean Monetary System, Numismatic Chronicle, Vol. 154, 1994
Quant.Geek

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: Ð„Î I(In the magistracy of) Î“AIOY KÐ„CTIO Y (Gaius Cestius) Î›NTIO (Antioch) Ð„T (Year) Ð„IP (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
4 commentsNemonater

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: Ð„Î I(In the magistracy of) Î“AIOY KÐ„CTIO Y (Gaius Cestius) Î›NTIO (Antioch) Ð„T (Year) Ð„IP (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 V3 commentsNemonater

Nero and Agrippina, tetradrachmAlexandria mint, AD 56-57
NEP KLAY KAIS SEB GEP AYTO, Laureate of Nero right
AGPITTTTINA SEBAETH, bust of Agrippina junior right LG in right field
12.5 gr
Ref : RCV # 19891 commentsPotator II

Netherlands AntillesKm8 - 1 Cent - 1973
Km6 - 5 Cents - 1970
Km13 - 5 Cents - 1974
Km10 - 10 Cents - 1975
Km11 - 25 Cents - 1971
Km37 - 1 Gulden - 1989
Km12 - 1 Gulden - 1971
Daniel F

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