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THOMAS_ROTHERHAM2C_ARCHBISHOP_OF_YORK.JPG
THOMAS ROTHERHAM, ARCHBISHOP OF YORK
Thomas Rotherham, also known as Thomas (Scot) de Rotherham, was an English cleric and statesman. He served as bishop of several dioceses, most notably as Archbishop of York and, on two occasions as Lord Chancellor. Rotherham was educated at King's College, Cambridge, he graduated as a Bachelor of Divinity and became a Fellow of his college where he lectured on Grammar, Theology, and Philosophy. After his ordination as a priest, he became a prebendary of Lincoln in 1462 and then of Salisbury in 1465. He moved on to powerful positions in the Church, being appointed as Bishop of Rochester in 1468, Bishop of Lincoln in 1472, and then Archbishop of York in 1480, a position he held until his death in 1500.
In 1467, King Edward IV appointed Rotherham as Keeper of the Privy Seal. He was sent as ambassador to France in 1468 and as joint ambassador to Burgundy in 1471, and in 1475 was entrusted with the office of Lord Chancellor. When Edward IV died in April 1483, Rotherham was one of the celebrants of the funeral mass on 20th April 1483 and immediately after Edward's death he sided with the dowager queen, Elizabeth Woodville, in her attempt to deprive Richard, Duke of Gloucester of his role as Lord Protector of her son, the new King Edward V. When Elizabeth sought sanctuary after Richard had taken charge of the king, Rotherham released the Great Seal to her (though he later recovered it and handed it over to Thomas Bourchier, the Archbishop of Canterbury).
Rotherham's mishandling of the seal was perceived as indicative of questionable loyalty and led to his dismissal as Lord Chancellor. He was replaced by John Russell, who earlier had also been his successor as Bishop of Lincoln. On 13th June 1483, Rotherham was charged with being involved in a conspiracy between Lord Hastings and the Woodvilles against Richard and imprisoned in the Tower of London, but he was released a few weeks later, around the middle of July, after Richard's coronation as King Richard III. Rotherham was re-instated as Chancellor in 1485, however he was dismissed shortly afterwards by Henry VII and retired from public work.
Rotherham died of the plague in Cawood near York on 29th May 1500. His remains were transferred to a magnificent marble tomb in York Minster in 1506.
*Alex
IMITATIVE OTTOMAN.jpg
*IMITATION OTTOMAN Cedid MahmudiyeThis piece came in a bag of modern Foreign coins - 21 pounds! May be gold inside!!!
The dating did not seem right to me! From the experts at Zeno, I found a similar issue..... This attribution from Zeno:
Imitation of gold cedid mahmudiye (KM, Turkey #645) with distorted inscriptions and fantasy regnal year 78. Made for jewelry purposes throughout the 19th and early 20th century, very likely outside Turkey: similar imitations are met in abundance in South Russia and Ukraine, along the shores of Black and Azov seas, where they were widely used for adorning Gypsy and native Greek women's garments.

So, as you see, it is not exactly a FAKE or a COUNTERFEIT - it is an IMITATION, so the makers could not get into trouble. The regnal years alone would show that the coin was not "real" -

An interesting piece that may turn up from time to time!
dpaul7
RI_071ae_img.jpg
071 - Elagabalus denarius - RIC 87Elagabalus Denarius
Obv:– IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, horned, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG, Elagabalus standing holding patera over an altar and branch. Star in right field. Horn on ground to his left
Minted in Rome. A.D. 222
Reference– BMC 209 note. RIC 87 (where it is rated Common citing Cohen). RSC III 58. Cohen 58 (illustrated with star in right field) valued at 50 Fr. No examples in RD.
ex Numismatica Ars Classica NAC AG Sale 42, Lot 379, 20th November 2007, ex Barry Feirstein Collection, previously privately purchased from Harlan J. Berk.
Described as Lightly toned and good extremely fine by NAC.
21 mm. 3.11 gms. 0 degrees.

The coin would certainly seem to be scarcer than the "Common" rating given in RIC would imply. No examples in RD, only one example on acsearch (this coin). No examples on Wildwinds (the RIC 87 there would appear to be in error).
1 commentsmaridvnvm
Julian2VotXConstantinople.jpg
1409a, Julian II "the Philosopher," February 360 - 26 June 363 A.D.Julian II, A.D. 360-363; RIC 167; VF; 2.7g, 20mm; Constantinople mint; Obverse: DN FL CL IVLIANVS P F AVG, helmeted & cuirassed bust right, holding spear & shield; Reverse: VOT X MVLT XX in four lines within wreath; CONSPB in exergue; Attractive green patina. Ex Nemesis.


De Imperatoribus Romanis,
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors


Julian the Apostate (360-363 A.D.)


Walter E. Roberts, Emory University
Michael DiMaio, Jr., Salve Regina University

Introduction

The emperor Flavius Claudius Julianus reigned from 360 to 26 June 363, when he was killed fighting against the Persians. Despite his short rule, his emperorship was pivotal in the development of the history of the later Roman empire. This essay is not meant to be a comprehensive look at the various issues central to the reign of Julian and the history of the later empire. Rather, this short work is meant to be a brief history and introduction for the general reader. Julian was the last direct descendent of the Constantinian line to ascend to the purple, and it is one of history's great ironies that he was the last non-Christian emperor. As such, he has been vilified by most Christian sources, beginning with John Chrysostom and Gregory Nazianzus in the later fourth century. This tradition was picked up by the fifth century Eusebian continuators Sozomen, Socrates Scholasticus, and Theodoret and passed on to scholars down through the 20th century. Most contemporary sources, however, paint a much more balanced picture of Julian and his reign. The adoption of Christianity by emperors and society, while still a vital concern, was but one of several issues that concerned Julian.

It is fortunate that extensive writings from Julian himself exist, which help interpret his reign in the light of contemporary evidence. Still extant are some letters, several panegyrics, and a few satires. Other contemporary sources include the soldier Ammianus Marcellinus' history, correspondence between Julian and Libanius of Antioch, several panegyrics, laws from the Theodosian Code, inscriptions, and coinage. These sources show Julian's emphasis on restoration. He saw himself as the restorer of the traditional values of Roman society. Of course much of this was rhetoric, meant to defend Julian against charges that he was a usurper. At the same time this theme of restoration was central to all emperors of the fourth century. Julian thought that he was the one emperor who could regain what was viewed as the lost glory of the Roman empire. To achieve this goal he courted select groups of social elites to get across his message of restoration. This was the way that emperors functioned in the fourth century. By choosing whom to include in the sharing of power, they sought to shape society.

Early Life

Julian was born at Constantinople in 331. His father was Julius Constantius, half-brother of the emperor Constantine through Constantius Chlorus, and his mother was Basilina, Julius' second wife. Julian had two half-brothers via Julius' first marriage. One of these was Gallus, who played a major role in Julian's life. Julian appeared destined for a bright future via his father's connection to the Constantinian house. After many years of tense relations with his three half-brothers, Constantine seemed to have welcomed them into the fold of the imperial family. From 333 to 335, Constantine conferred a series of honors upon his three half-siblings, including appointing Julius Constantius as one of the consuls for 335. Julian's mother was equally distinguished. Ammianus related that she was from a noble family. This is supported by Libanius, who claimed that she was the daughter of Julius Julianus, a Praetorian Prefect under Licinius, who was such a model of administrative virtue that he was pardoned and honored by Constantine.

Despite the fact that his mother died shortly after giving birth to him, Julian experienced an idyllic early childhood. This ended when Constantius II conducted a purge of many of his relatives shortly after Constantine's death in 337, particularly targeting the families of Constantine's half-brothers. ulian and Gallus were spared, probably due to their young age. Julian was put under the care of Mardonius, a Scythian eunuch who had tutored his mother, in 339, and was raised in the Greek philosophical tradition, and probably lived in Nicomedia. Ammianus also supplied the fact that while in Nicomedia, Julian was cared for by the local bishop Eusebius, of whom the future emperor was a distant relation. Julian was educated by some of the most famous names in grammar and rhetoric in the Greek world at that time, including Nicocles and Hecebolius. In 344 Constantius II sent Julian and Gallus to Macellum in Cappadocia, where they remained for six years. In 351, Gallus was made Caesar by Constantius II and Julian was allowed to return to Nicomedia, where he studied under Aedesius, Eusebius, and Chrysanthius, all famed philosophers, and was exposed to the Neo-Platonism that would become such a prominent part of his life. But Julian was most proud of the time he spent studying under Maximus of Ephesus, a noted Neo-Platonic philospher and theurgist. It was Maximus who completed Julian's full-scale conversion to Neo-Platonism. Later, when he was Caesar, Julian told of how he put letters from this philosopher under his pillows so that he would continue to absorb wisdom while he slept, and while campaigning on the Rhine, he sent his speeches to Maximus for approval before letting others hear them. When Gallus was executed in 354 for treason by Constantius II, Julian was summoned to Italy and essentially kept under house arrest at Comum, near Milan, for seven months before Constantius' wife Eusebia convinced the emperor that Julian posed no threat. This allowed Julian to return to Greece and continue his life as a scholar where he studied under the Neo-Platonist Priscus. Julian's life of scholarly pursuit, however, ended abruptly when he was summoned to the imperial court and made Caesar by Constantius II on 6 November 355.

Julian as Caesar

Constantius II realized an essential truth of the empire that had been evident since the time of the Tetrarchy--the empire was too big to be ruled effectively by one man. Julian was pressed into service as Caesar, or subordinate emperor, because an imperial presence was needed in the west, in particular in the Gallic provinces. Julian, due to the emperor's earlier purges, was the only viable candidate of the imperial family left who could act as Caesar. Constantius enjoined Julian with the task of restoring order along the Rhine frontier. A few days after he was made Caesar, Julian was married to Constantius' sister Helena in order to cement the alliance between the two men. On 1 December 355, Julian journeyed north, and in Augusta Taurinorum he learned that Alamannic raiders had destroyed Colonia Agrippina. He then proceeded to Vienne where he spent the winter. At Vienne, he learned that Augustudunum was also under siege, but was being held by a veteran garrison. He made this his first priority, and arrived there on 24 June 356. When he had assured himself that the city was in no immediate danger, he journeyed to Augusta Treverorum via Autessioduram, and from there to Durocortorum where he rendezvoused with his army. Julian had the army stage a series of punitive strikes around the Dieuse region, and then he moved them towards the Argentoratum/Mongontiacum region when word of barbarian incursions reached him.

From there, Julian moved on to Colonia Agrippina, and negotiated a peace with the local barbarian leaders who had assaulted the city. He then wintered at Senonae. He spent the early part of the campaigning season of 357 fighting off besiegers at Senonae, and then conducting operations around Lugdunum and Tres Tabernae. Later that summer, he encountered his watershed moment as a military general. Ammianus went into great detail about Julian's victory over seven rogue Alamannic chieftains near Argentoratum, and Julian himself bragged about it in his later writing. After this battle, the soldiers acclaimed Julian Augustus, but he rejected this title. After mounting a series of follow-up raids into Alamannic territory, he retired to winter quarters at Lutetia, and on the way defeated some Frankish raiders in the Mosa region. Julian considered this campaign one of the major events of his time as Caesar.

Julian began his 358 military campaigns early, hoping to catch the barbarians by surprise. His first target was the Franks in the northern Rhine region. He then proceeded to restore some forts in the Mosa region, but his soldiers threatened to mutiny because they were on short rations and had not been paid their donative since Julian had become Caesar. After he soothed his soldiers, Julian spent the rest of the summer negotiating a peace with various Alamannic leaders in the mid and lower Rhine areas, and retired to winter quarters at Lutetia. In 359, he prepared once again to carry out a series of punitive expeditions against the Alamanni in the Rhine region who were still hostile to the Roman presence. In preparation, the Caesar repopulated seven previously destroyed cities and set them up as supply bases and staging areas. This was done with the help of the people with whom Julian had negotiated a peace the year before. Julian then had a detachment of lightly armed soldiers cross the Rhine near Mogontiacum and conduct a guerilla strike against several chieftains. As a result of these campaigns, Julian was able to negotiate a peace with all but a handful of the Alamannic leaders, and he retired to winter quarters at Lutetia.

Of course, Julian did more than act as a general during his time as Caesar. According to Ammianus, Julian was an able administrator who took steps to correct the injustices of Constantius' appointees. Ammianus related the story of how Julian prevented Florentius, the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul, from raising taxes, and also how Julian actually took over as governor for the province of Belgica Secunda. Hilary, bishop of Poitiers, supported Ammianus' basic assessment of Julian in this regard when he reported that Julian was an able representative of the emperor to the Gallic provincials. There is also epigraphic evidence to support Julian's popularity amongst the provincial elites. An inscription found near Beneventum in Apulia reads:
"To Flavius Claudius Julianus, most noble and sanctified Caesar, from the caring Tocius Maximus, vir clarissimus, for the care of the res publica from Beneventum".

Tocius Maximus, as a vir clarissimus, was at the highest point in the social spectrum and was a leader in his local community. This inscription shows that Julian was successful in establishing a positive image amongst provincial elites while he was Caesar.

Julian Augustus

In early 360, Constantius, driven by jealousy of Julian's success, stripped Julian of many troops and officers, ostensibly because the emperor needed them for his upcoming campaign against the Persians. One of the legions ordered east, the Petulantes, did not want to leave Gaul because the majority of the soldiers in the unit were from this region. As a result they mutinied and hailed Julian as Augustus at Lutetia. Julian refused this acclamation as he had done at Argentoratum earlier, but the soldiers would have none of his denial. They raised him on a shield and adorned him with a neck chain, which had formerly been the possession of the standard-bearer of the Petulantes and symbolized a royal diadem. Julian appeared reluctantly to acquiesce to their wishes, and promised a generous donative. The exact date of his acclamation is unknown, but most scholars put it in February or March. Julian himself supported Ammianus' picture of a jealous Constantius. In his Letter to the Athenians, a document constructed to answer charges that he was a usurper, Julian stated that from the start he, as Caesar, had been meant as a figurehead to the soldiers and provincials. The real power he claimed lay with the generals and officials already present in Gaul. In fact, according to Julian, the generals were charged with watching him as much as the enemy. His account of the actual acclamation closely followed what Ammianus told us, but he stressed even more his reluctance to take power. Julian claimed that he did so only after praying to Zeus for guidance.

Fearing the reaction of Constantius, Julian sent a letter to his fellow emperor justifying the events at Lutetia and trying to arrange a peaceful solution. This letter berated Constantius for forcing the troops in Gaul into an untenable situation. Ammianus stated that Julian's letter blamed Constantius' decision to transfer Gallic legions east as the reason for the soldiers' rebellion. Julian once again asserted that he was an unwilling participant who was only following the desire of the soldiers. In both of these basic accounts Ammianus and Julian are playing upon the theme of restoration. Implicit in their version of Julian's acclamation is the argument that Constantius was unfit to rule. The soldiers were the vehicle of the gods' will. The Letter to the Athenians is full of references to the fact that Julian was assuming the mantle of Augustus at the instigation of the gods. Ammianus summed up this position nicely when he related the story of how, when Julian was agonizing over whether to accept the soldiers' acclamation, he had a dream in which he was visited by the Genius (guardian spirit) of the Roman state. The Genius told Julian that it had often tried to bestow high honors upon Julian but had been rebuffed. Now, the Genius went on to say, was Julian's final chance to take the power that was rightfully his. If the Caesar refused this chance, the Genius would depart forever, and both Julian and the state would rue Julian's rejection. Julian himself wrote a letter to his friend Maximus of Ephesus in November of 361 detailing his thoughts on his proclamation. In this letter, Julian stated that the soldiers proclaimed him Augustus against his will. Julian, however, defended his accession, saying that the gods willed it and that he had treated his enemies with clemency and justice. He went on to say that he led the troops in propitiating the traditional deities, because the gods commanded him to return to the traditional rites, and would reward him if he fulfilled this duty.

During 360 an uneasy peace simmered between the two emperors. Julian spent the 360 campaigning season continuing his efforts to restore order along the Rhine, while Constantius continued operations against the Persians. Julian wintered in Vienne, and celebrated his Quinquennalia. It was at this time that his wife Helena died, and he sent her remains to Rome for a proper burial at his family villa on the Via Nomentana where the body of her sister was entombed. The uneasy peace held through the summer of 361, but Julian concentrated his military operations around harassing the Alamannic chieftain Vadomarius and his allies, who had concluded a peace treaty with Constantius some years earlier. By the end of the summer, Julian decided to put an end to the waiting and gathered his army to march east against Constantius. The empire teetered on the brink of another civil war. Constantius had spent the summer negotiating with the Persians and making preparations for possible military action against his cousin. When he was assured that the Persians would not attack, he summoned his army and sallied forth to meet Julian. As the armies drew inexorably closer to one another, the empire was saved from another bloody civil war when Constantius died unexpectedly of natural causes on 3 November near the town of Mopsucrenae in Cilicia, naming Julian -- the sources say-- as his legitimate successor.

Julian was in Dacia when he learned of his cousin's death. He made his way through Thrace and came to Constantinople on 11 December 361 where Julian honored the emperor with the funeral rites appropriate for a man of his station. Julian immediately set about putting his supporters in positions of power and trimming the imperial bureaucracy, which had become extremely overstaffed during Constantius' reign. Cooks and barbers had increased during the late emperor's reign and Julian expelled them from his court. Ammianus gave a mixed assessment of how the new emperor handled the followers of Constantius. Traditionally, emperors were supposed to show clemency to the supporters of a defeated enemy. Julian, however, gave some men over to death to appease the army. Ammianus used the case of Ursulus, Constantius' comes sacrum largitionum, to illustrate his point. Ursulus had actually tried to acquire money for the Gallic troops when Julian had first been appointed Caesar, but he had also made a disparaging remark about the ineffectiveness of the army after the battle of Amida. The soldiers remembered this, and when Julian became sole Augustus, they demanded Ursulus' head. Julian obliged, much to the disapproval of Ammianus. This seems to be a case of Julian courting the favor of the military leadership, and is indicative of a pattern in which Julian courted the goodwill of various societal elites to legitimize his position as emperor.

Another case in point is the officials who made up the imperial bureaucracy. Many of them were subjected to trial and punishment. To achieve this goal, during the last weeks of December 361 Julian assembled a military tribunal at Chalcedon, empanelling six judges to try the cases. The president of the tribunal was Salutius, just promoted to the rank of Praetorian Prefect; the five other members were Mamertinus, the orator, and four general officers: Jovinus, Agilo, Nevitta, and Arbetio. Relative to the proceedings of the tribunal, Ammianus noted that the judges, " . . . oversaw the cases more vehemently than was right or fair, with the exception of a few . . .." Ammianus' account of Julian's attempt at reform of the imperial bureaucracy is supported by legal evidence from the Theodosian Code. A series of laws sent to Mamertinus, Julian's appointee as Praetorian Prefect in Italy, Illyricum, and Africa, illustrate this point nicely. On 6 June 362, Mamertinus received a law that prohibited provincial governors from bypassing the Vicars when giving their reports to the Prefect. Traditionally, Vicars were given civil authority over a group of provinces, and were in theory meant to serve as a middle step between governors and Prefects. This law suggests that the Vicars were being left out, at least in Illyricum. Julian issued another edict to Mamertinus on 22 February 362 to stop abuse of the public post by governors. According to this law, only Mamertinus could issue post warrants, but the Vicars were given twelve blank warrants to be used as they saw fit, and each governor was given two. Continuing the trend of bureaucratic reform, Julian also imposed penalties on governors who purposefully delayed appeals in court cases they had heard. The emperor also established a new official to weigh solidi used in official government transactions to combat coin clipping.

For Julian, reigning in the abuses of imperial bureaucrats was one step in restoring the prestige of the office of emperor. Because he could not affect all elements of society personally, Julian, like other Neo-Flavian emperors, decided to concentrate on select groups of societal elites as intercessors between himself and the general populace. One of these groups was the imperial bureaucracy. Julian made it very clear that imperial officials were intercessors in a very real sense in a letter to Alypius, Vicar of Britain. In this letter, sent from Gaul sometime before 361, the emperor praises Alypius for his use of "mildness and moderation with courage and force" in his rule of the provincials. Such virtues were characteristic of the emperors, and it was good that Alypius is representing Julian in this way. Julian courted the army because it put him in power. Another group he sought to include in his rule was the traditional Senatorial aristocracy. One of his first appointments as consul was Claudius Mamertinus, a Gallic Senator and rhetorician. Mamertinus' speech in praise of Julian delivered at Constantinople in January of 362 is preserved. In this speech, Claudius presented his consular selection as inaugurating a new golden age and Julian as the restorer of the empire founded by Augustus. The image Mamertinus gave of his own consulate inaugurating a new golden age is not merely formulaic. The comparison of Julian to Augustus has very real, if implicit, relevance to Claudius' situation. Claudius emphasized the imperial period as the true age of renewal. Augustus ushered in a new era with his formation of a partnership between the emperor and the Senate based upon a series of honors and offices bestowed upon the Senate in return for their role as intercessor between emperor and populace. It was this system that Julian was restoring, and the consulate was one concrete example of this bond. To be chosen as a consul by the emperor, who himself had been divinely mandated, was a divine honor. In addition to being named consul, Mamertinus went on to hold several offices under Julian, including the Prefecture of Italy, Illyricum, and Africa. Similarly, inscriptional evidence illustrates a link between municipal elites and Julian during his time as Caesar, something which continued after he became emperor. One concrete example comes from the municipal senate of Aceruntia in Apulia, which established a monument on which Julian is styled as "Repairer of the World."

Julian seems to have given up actual Christian belief before his acclamation as emperor and was a practitioner of more traditional Greco-Roman religious beliefs, in particular, a follower of certain late antique Platonist philosophers who were especially adept at theurgy as was noted earlier. In fact Julian himself spoke of his conversion to Neo-Platonism in a letter to the Alexandrians written in 363. He stated that he had abandoned Christianity when he was twenty years old and been an adherent of the traditional Greco-Roman deities for the twelve years prior to writing this letter.

(For the complete text of this article see: http://www.roman-emperors.org/julian.htm)

Julian’s Persian Campaign

The exact goals Julian had for his ill-fated Persian campaign were never clear. The Sassanid Persians, and before them the Parthians, had been a traditional enemy from the time of the Late Republic, and indeed Constantius had been conducting a war against them before Julian's accession forced the former to forge an uneasy peace. Julian, however, had no concrete reason to reopen hostilities in the east. Socrates Scholasticus attributed Julian's motives to imitation of Alexander the Great, but perhaps the real reason lay in his need to gather the support of the army. Despite his acclamation by the Gallic legions, relations between Julian and the top military officers was uneasy at best. A war against the Persians would have brought prestige and power both to Julian and the army.

Julian set out on his fateful campaign on 5 March 363. Using his trademark strategy of striking quickly and where least expected, he moved his army through Heirapolis and from there speedily across the Euphrates and into the province of Mesopotamia, where he stopped at the town of Batnae. His plan was to eventually return through Armenia and winter in Tarsus. Once in Mesopotamia, Julian was faced with the decision of whether to travel south through the province of Babylonia or cross the Tigris into Assyria, and he eventually decided to move south through Babylonia and turn west into Assyria at a later date. By 27 March, he had the bulk of his army across the Euphrates, and had also arranged a flotilla to guard his supply line along the mighty river. He then left his generals Procopius and Sebastianus to help Arsacius, the king of Armenia and a Roman client, to guard the northern Tigris line. It was also during this time that he received the surrender of many prominent local leaders who had nominally supported the Persians. These men supplied Julian with money and troops for further military action against their former masters. Julian decided to turn south into Babylonia and proceeded along the Euphrates, coming to the fortress of Cercusium at the junction of the Abora and Euphrates Rivers around the first of April, and from there he took his army west to a region called Zaitha near the abandoned town of Dura where they visited the tomb of the emperor Gordian which was in the area. On April 7 he set out from there into the heart of Babylonia and towards Assyria.

Ammianus then stated that Julian and his army crossed into Assyria, which on the face of things appears very confusing. Julian still seems to be operating within the province of Babylonia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The confusion is alleviated when one realizes that,for Ammianus, the region of Assyria encompassed the provinces of Babylonia and Assyria. On their march, Julian's forces took the fortress of Anatha, received the surrender and support of several more local princes, and ravaged the countryside of Assyria between the rivers. As the army continued south, they came across the fortresses Thilutha and Achaiachala, but these places were too well defended and Julian decided to leave them alone. Further south were the cities Diacira and Ozogardana, which the Roman forces sacked and burned. Soon, Julian came to Pirisabora and a brief siege ensued, but the city fell and was also looted and destroyed. It was also at this time that the Roman army met its first systematic resistance from the Persians. As the Romans penetrated further south and west, the local inhabitants began to flood their route. Nevertheless, the Roman forces pressed on and came to Maiozamalcha, a sizable city not far from Ctesiphon. After a short siege, this city too fell to Julian. Inexorably, Julian's forces zeroed in on Ctesiphon, but as they drew closer, the Persian resistance grew fiercer, with guerilla raids whittling at Julian's men and supplies. A sizable force of the army was lost and the emperor himself was almost killed taking a fort a few miles from the target city.
Finally, the army approached Ctesiphon following a canal that linked the Tigris and Euphrates. It soon became apparent after a few preliminary skirmishes that a protracted siege would be necessary to take this important city. Many of his generals, however, thought that pursuing this course of action would be foolish. Julian reluctantly agreed, but became enraged by this failure and ordered his fleet to be burned as he decided to march through the province of Assyria. Julian had planned for his army to live off the land, but the Persians employed a scorched-earth policy. When it became apparent that his army would perish (because his supplies were beginning to dwindle) from starvation and the heat if he continued his campaign, and also in the face of superior numbers of the enemy, Julian ordered a retreat on 16 June. As the Roman army retreated, they were constantly harassed by guerilla strikes. It was during one of these raids that Julian got caught up in the fighting and took a spear to his abdomen. Mortally wounded he was carried to his tent, where, after conferring with some of his officers, he died. The date was 26 June 363.

Conclusion

Thus an ignominious end for a man came about who had hoped to restore the glory of the Roman empire during his reign as emperor. Due to his intense hatred of Christianity, the opinion of posterity has not been kind to Julian. The contemporary opinion, however, was overall positive. The evidence shows that Julian was a complex ruler with a definite agenda to use traditional social institutions in order to revive what he saw as a collapsing empire. In the final assessment, he was not so different from any of the other emperors of the fourth century. He was a man grasping desperately to hang on to a Greco-Roman conception of leadership that was undergoing a subtle yet profound change.
Copyright (C) 2002, Walter E. Roberts and Michael DiMaio, Jr. Used by permission.

In reality, Julian worked to promote culture and philosophy in any manifestation. He tried to reduce taxes and the public debts of municipalities; he augmented administrative decentralisation; he promoted a campaign of austerity to reduce public expenditure (setting himself as the example). He reformed the postal service and eliminated the powerful secret police.
by Federico Morando; JULIAN II, The Apostate, See the Julian II Page on NumisWiki

Flavius Claudius Iulianus was born in 331 or maybe 332 A.D. in Constantinople. He ruled the Western Empire as Caesar from 355 to 360 and was hailed Augustus by his legions in Lutetia (Paris) in 360. Julian was a gifted administrator and military strategist. Famed as the last pagan emperor, his reinstatement of the pagan religion earned him the moniker "the Apostate." As evidenced by his brilliant writing, some of which has survived to the present day, the title "the Philosopher" may have been more appropriate. He died from wounds suffered during the Persian campaign of 363 A.D. Joseph Sermarini, FORVM.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.




2 commentsCleisthenes
RI 141ah img.jpg
141 - Diocletian - RIC V pt II Lugdunum 34 Bust Type C var. Obv: IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: IOVI AVGG, Jupiter seated left, holding victory on globe in right hand and leaning on scepter in left hand
Minted in Lugdunum (//I). Emission 11, Officina 1. 20th November to End A.D. 293
Reference:– Cohen 167. Bastien 534. RIC V part II Lugdunum 34 Bust Type C var. (unlisted with this mark in exe. in RIC)
maridvnvm
RI 141bf img.jpg
141 - Diocletian - RIC V pt II Lugdunum 74 Bust Type CObv:– IMP DIOCLETIANVS AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PROVIDENT DEOR, Providentia standing left holding baton and sceptre with globe at feet.
Minted in Lugdunum (//II). Emission 11, Officina 2. 20th November to end A.D. 293
References:– RIC V Pt 2 74 Bust Type C. Bastien 550 (1 example cited)
maridvnvm
RI_146bi_img.jpg
146 - Maximianus - RIC V pt II 355 Bust Type F Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate cuirassed bust right
Rev:– CONCORDIA AVGG, Two Concordiae holding hands, one holding cornuciopia.
Minted in Lugdunum (//II). Emission 11, Officina 2. 20th November to end A.D. 293
Reference:– Bastien VII 542 (7 examples cited). RIC V Pt. 2 355 Bust Type F
maridvnvm
RI 146aw img.jpg
146 - Maximianus - RIC V pt II 404Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, helmeted cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Minerva standing left, olive branch upward in right hand, spear in left and resting left hand on shield
Minted in Lugdunum (C in left field, Thunderbolt in exe). Emission 10, Officina 3. 1st March A.D. 293 – 20th November A.D. 293
Reference:– Cohen 427. RIC V Pt. 2 404. Bastien Volume VII 496 (9 examples cited)
1 commentsmaridvnvm
RI 146am img~0.jpg
146 - Maximianus - RIC V pt II 466 Bust Type HObv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS P AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle
Rev:– VOTIS X, Emperors standing face to face sacrificing at altar
Minted in Lugdunum (no marks). Emission 10. 3rd Series. 1st March A.D. 293 – 20th November A.D. 293
References:– RIC V Part 2 466 Bust Type H (S). Bastien 528 (2 examples cited)
maridvnvm
RI_146dj_img~0.jpg
146 - Maximianus Herculius - Antoninianus - RIC V Pt. 2 -. Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS AVG, Radiate, helmeted cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PAX AVGG, Minerva standing left, olive branch upward in right hand, spear in left and resting left hand on shield
Minted in Lugdunum (//A). Emission 10, second series, Officina 1. 1st March A.D. 293 – 20th November A.D. 293
Reference(s) – Cohen 427. Bastien XI 503 (15). RIC V Pt. 2 -.
1 commentsmaridvnvm
RI_146dc_img.jpg
146 - Maximianus Herculius, Antoninianus - RIC V pt II Lugdunum 466 Bust Type H Obv:– IMP MAXIMIANVS P AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle
Rev:– VOTIS X, Emperors standing face to face sacrificing at altar
Minted in Lugdunum (-). Emission 10. 3rd Series. 1st March A.D. 293 – 20th November A.D. 293
Reference:– Cohen 671. Bastien XI 528 (2 examples cited). RIC V Pt 2 Lugdunum 466 Bust Type H (S)
maridvnvm
RI 147r img.jpg
147 - Constantius I Chlorus - RIC V pt II 635 Bust Type CObv:– FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– PROVIDENT DEOR, Providentia, standing left, holding baton and scepter; at foot globe
Minted in Lugdunum (A in exe). Emission 10, Officina 1. 1st March A.D. 293 to 20th November A.D. 293
References– Cohen 237. RIC V Pt. 2 Lugdunum 635 Bust Type C. Bastien 506 (19 examples cited)
maridvnvm
RI 148m img~0.jpg
148 - Galerius - RIC V pt II 678 Bust Type CObv:– GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– CONCORDIA AVGG, Two concordia holding hands, each holding cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 10, Officina 2. 1st March to 20th November A.D. 293
References:– RIC V Part 2 678 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 512
maridvnvm
RI 148n img.jpg
148 - Galerius - RIC V pt II 678 Bust Type CObv:– GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– CONCORDIA AVGG, Two concordia holding hands, each holding cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (Club in exe.). Emission 10, Officina 2. 1st March to 20th November A.D. 293
References:– RIC V Part 2 678 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 494
maridvnvm
RI_148ae_img.jpg
148 - Galerius - RIC V pt II 678 Bust Type CObv:– GAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:– CONCORDIA AVGG, Two concordia holding hands, each holding cornucopiae
Minted in Lugdunum (B in exe.). Emission 10, Officina 2. 1st March to 20th November A.D. 293
References:– RIC V Part 2 678 Bust Type C. Bastien Volume VII 512

Weight 3.81g. 22.64mm. 180 degrees
maridvnvm
George-5_Farthing_1936.JPG
1936 GEORGE V AE FARTHINGObverse: GEORGIVS V DEI GRA:BRITT:OMN:REX FID:DEF:IND:IMP: . Bare head of George V facing left.
Reverse: FARTHING. Britannia seated facing right, right hand resting on shield, left hand holding trident; 1936 in exergue.
SPINK: 4061

George V's portrait was designed by Bertram Mackennal (1863 - 1931), this is marked by a small "BM" on the King's neck.

On January 20th 1936, King George V died, his death hastened by his physician who administered a lethal injection to him. George V was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII, but in December Edward signed an instrument of abdication and his brother, Prince Albert, became King, reigning as King George VI.
No coins were issued for Edward VIII, the types bearing the portrait of George V continued to be struck throughout 1936 and up until the coronation of George VI in 1937.*Alex
Edward_8_Medal_1937.JPG
1937 EDWARD VIII AE CORONATION MEDALObverse: • HIS • MAJESTY • KING • EDWARD • VIII •, Crowned bust of Edward VIII facing right, wearing ceremonial robes, the legend in raised letters on a raised border with each word separated by a rose.
Reverse: CROWNED - A. D. 1937. Britannia standing facing within a distyle arch, holding crown aloft with her right hand and union flag on pole in her left, in background to left, battleship and to right, London riverside scene in which St Paul's Cathedral can be discerned.
Diameter: 45mm

No coins were issued for Edward VIII who became King on the death of his father, George V, on 20th January 1936. Edward's coronation never took place because he abdicated the throne on 11th December that same year after a reign lasting only 326 days.
As Edward VIII was never crowned the coin types bearing the portrait of George V continued to be struck throughout 1936 and up until the coronation in 1937 of Edward's younger brother Albert, who reigned as George VI

This unsigned medal was struck in 1936 in anticipation of the proposed Coronation of Edward VIII on 12th May, 1937. The same reverse dies of this medal were subsequently reused on coronation medals for George VI. This was often the case with the coronation issues for George VI because the date of his coronation was the 12th of May, the same date as that originally proposed for Edward VIII.*Alex
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1986 ANDRONICUS METROPOLITIAN TETARTERON SBCV-1986 DOC 5 CLBC 5.4.1 OBV Full length figure of Virgin nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, standing on dais, holds nimbate beardless, nimbate head of Christ on breast.

REV Full length figure of emperor on l. crowned by Christ bearded and nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, and chlamys holds in r. hand labarum on long shaft and in l. anexikakia, Christ wearing tunic and kolobion, holds gospels in l. hand.

Size 20.84

Weight 4.55gm

Metropolitan Issues were minted in Constantinople, each of these coins had an added silver content added but for Andronicus I can’t find how much under Manuel it fluctuated between 1% and 4% however by this time I would assume a decline. By the time of Isaac II the amount was 1% to 2% these still were more than likely were tariffed at a higher rate than the Thessalonica issues that have been shown to have no silver content. Metropolitan issues are in general far scarcer than the Thessalonica issues.

Poznański Dom Aukcyjny Auction 16 Sep 20th 2019

DOC lists 14 examples with weights from 2.49gm to 4.54gm and sizes from 18mm to 23mm

Simon
10513v.jpg
267-268 AD., Postumus, Colonia mint, Antoninianus, Zschucke 178.Postumus, Colonia mint, 20th emission,
Antoninianus (20-21 mm / 2.83 g), 267-268 AD.,
Obv.: IMP POSTVMVS P F AVG, radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
Rev.: SAECVLI FELICITAS , Postumus standing right, holding globe and spear.
Zschucke 178 ; Cunetio 2444 ; RIC 83 ; C 331 .

my ancient coin database
1 commentsArminius
titus sest-Cohen114-Paduan.jpg
79-81 AD - TITUS AE sestertius - Paduan obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII (laureate head left)
rev: IVDAEA CAPTA (Jewess seated right under palm tree, mourning; on left side Jew standing right, heap of arms), S-C in ex.
ref: C.114 (12frcs) Paduan, RIC II 93 (S)
18.35gms, 32mm, bronze
Rare

A well-known Paduan medal after Giovanni Cavino, but this is not the 20th century cast with dark patinated aluminium alloy, and it is in Cohen and RIC catalog as Paduan coin. OK, you say this is a fake, but I say it has room in my collection.
2 commentsberserker
Lincoln_Peace_Medal.jpg
Abraham Lincoln 1862 Indian Peace MedalObv: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of Abraham Lincoln (16th President) facing right, 1862 below.

Rev: In the center, within a circle is a village scene including children playing baseball in front of a school and a church steeple; in the foreground an Indian, wearing full chief's feathered head-dress, operates a horse-drawn plough; in the outer ring, an Indian pulls the hair of a foe, preparing to scalp him with a knife; below and to the left is a quiver of arrows, on the right is a crossed bow and a peace pipe; below center is the head of an Indian princess with eyes closed.

Engravers: Salathiel Ellis (obverse), Joseph Willson (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1862 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
1 commentsMatt Inglima
16_Lincoln_Indian_Peace_Medal_(2).JPG
Abraham Lincoln 1862 Indian Peace MedalObv: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of Abraham Lincoln (16th President) facing right, 1862 below.

Rev: In the center, within a circle is a village scene including children playing baseball in front of a school and a church steeple; in the foreground an Indian, wearing full chief's feathered head-dress, operates a horse-drawn plough; in the outer ring, an Indian pulls the hair of a foe, preparing to scalp him with a knife; below and to the left is a quiver of arrows, on the right is a crossed bow and a peace pipe; below center is the head of an Indian princess with eyes closed.

Engravers: Salathiel Ellis (obverse), Joseph Willson (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1862 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
IMG_4676.JPG
Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant MedalObv: Bust of Lincoln facing right

Rev: Bust of Grant facing right.

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: (20th Century restrike), Bronze
Matt Inglima
Lincoln_Emancipation_Medal.JPG
Abraham Lincoln Emancipation MedalObv: ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENT UNITED STATES, bust of Lincoln facing right.

Rev: A circle of tulips with the inscription: "MARCH 4, 1861 TO APRIL 15, 1865. - EMANCIPATION PROCLAIMED JAN. 1, 1863 - MEDAL SERIES OF THE U. S. MINT - J. POLLOCK DIRECTOR 1871."

Engraver: William Barber

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1871 (20th Century restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 45 mm
Matt Inglima
Lincoln_Presidential_Medal.JPG
Abraham Lincoln Presidential MedalObv: ABRAHAM LINCOLN, bust of the 16th President facing right.

Rev: A wreath of oak and laurel with a pearled border with the inscription: "INAUGURATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 4, 1861. SECOND TERM MARCH 4, 1865. ASSASSINATED APRIL 14, 1865." Within the wreath is a spray of pine and cedar, circled by a serpent with its tail in its mouth – the Egyptian symbol of eternity and immortality.

Engraver: George T. Morgan

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1886 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
Alexander_Hamilton_US_Mint_Medal.JPG
Alexander Hamilton First Secretary of the Treasury of the United StatesObv: Bust of Hamilton facing three-quarters to left, ALEXANDER HAMILTON 1757 - 1804.

Rev: Seal of the United States Treasury with motto: THESAVRI AMERICAE SEPTENTRIONALIS SIGILLVM

Sculptor: George T. Morgan

Maker: United States Mint

Medal Issued: c. 1886 (example is a 20th Century Restrike)

Details: Bronze, 76 mm (3 inches), 0°
Matt Inglima
Andrew_Jackson_1815_New_Orleans_medal_restrike.JPG
Andrew Jackson 1815 Battle of New Orleans Obv: MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON, bust of Jackson, in military dress, facing left.

Rev: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS FEBRUARY 27, 1815, Liberty kneeling on a plinth beside Victory who is inscribing "ORLEANS" on a shield. BATTLE OF NEW-ORLEANS / JANUARY 8, 1815.

Designer/Engraver: Moritz Furst

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 20th Century restrike, Bronze, 65 mm
Matt Inglima
Andrew_Jackson_Peace_Medal.JPG
Andrew Jackson, 1829 Indian Peace MedalObv: ANDREW JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of Andrew Jackson (7th President) facing right, A.D. 1829 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: Mortiz Furst (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1829 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
Andrew_Johnson_Peace_Medal.jpg
Andrew Johnson, 1865 Indian Peace MedalObv: ANDREW JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, bust of Andrew Johnson (17th President) facing right, 1865 below.

Rev: Columbia, holding an American flag, clasping hands with an Indian Chief, before a tomb surmounted by a bust of George Washington. At the feet of the Indian are the attributes of native life, and behind him is a buffalo hunt; at the feet of Columbia and behind her are the emblems of maritime and industrial progress.

Engraver: Anthony Paquet

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1865 (20th Century restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
846489.jpg
Antoninus Pius (138 - 161 A.D.)AE diobol
EGYPT, Alexandria
O:Laureate bust r., drapery on l. shoulder.
R: Agathodaemon erect, crowned with skhent; in field, L-IE. issued 151-2 (year 15)
7.45g
23mm
RPC Online 15718 (this coin), Dattari-Savio Pl. 162, 3066 (this coin).

From the Dattari collection.

From the Orfew collection, ex Naville 34 lot 281, 17.09.2017.

Giovanni Dattari assembled what was undoubtedly the best ever collection of Imperial-era Alexandrian coins in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; see Lucia Carbone, “Giovanni Dattari and His Fabled Collection of Alexandrian Coins,” ANS Journal (Issue 2, 2018), pp. 6-27.
2 commentsMat
bangka_jokoh.jpg
BANGKA ISLAND (Malaysia) - Jokoh (gambling token)BANGKA ISLAND (Malaysia) - Rare tin Jokoh (gambling token) with Chinese characters, c. 1700. `Jokoh` are a sort of tokens used in Indonesian in 17th-20th century. They were inspired by the Chinese coins and were issued by a range of establishments, from brothels to restaurants.dpaul7
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Benjamin Harrison, 1889 Indian Peace MedalObv: BENJAMIN HARRISON PRESIDENT, bearded bust of Benjamin Harrison (23rd President) facing left; U.S.A. 1889 below.

Rev: PEACE within a sunburst, above; scene of a farmer showing a Native American chief the benefit of civilization; in exergue: crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, encircled by laurel wreath.

Engravers: Charles E. Barber (obverse), George Morgan (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1889 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 59 x 76 mm
Matt Inglima
Roman_Bowl_With_Barbotine_Decoration.jpg
Bowl #2Roman
1st century AD
86 mm (w) x 30 mm (h)
(3 3/8" x 1 3/16”)

Description:
Red glazed, barbotine decoration around the rim in the form of stylized ivy leaves, loss to one side of rim, chips. Although acquired in North Africa in the first half of the 20th century by earlier collectors (see provenance below), a recognized antiquities expert states, “The bowl is likely of European manufacture and was exported in antiquity to the Roman North African colonies. I say this as the red slip is a little bit finer and glossier than the Roman North African local production (mostly around modern Tunisia). Also, this barbotine decoration was very popular throughout the Roman Empire and therefore widely exported/traded.”

Ex-private collection, Paris, France; inherited and formerly acquired in North Africa during the early to mid-20th century.
Kamnaskires
Coal_Shovel.jpg
Brass Coal ShuttleDate: Late 19th/early 20th century

This device was used to scoop coal easily. It has porcelain handles painted with a cobalt blue design.
1 commentsNoah
21_Chester_Arthur_Peace_Medal.JPG
Chester A. Arthur, 1881 Indian Peace MedalObv: CHESTER A. ARTHUR - PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1881, bust of Chester Arthur (21st President) facing left.

Rev: PEACE within a sunburst, above; scene of a farmer showing a Native American chief the benefit of civilization; in exergue: crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, encircled by laurel wreath.

Engravers: Charles E. Barber (obverse), George Morgan (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1881 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 59 x 76 mm
Matt Inglima
WangMang2.jpg
China: Han Interregnum, Usurper Wang Mang, 7-22 A.D.China: Han Interregnum, Usurper Wang Mang, 7-22 A.D. AE24 mm, Cash. Obv: Huo Chuan. Schjoth-165.

"As soon as his [Wang Mang's] power was sufficiently consolidated, 3 years after his return to court, lists of his political opponents were drawn up, and hundreds were executed. Shortly after this he established a new penal colony in Tibet in the far West, a sort of ancient gulag. Unfortunately we have no direct account as to the nature of the crimes of those exiled to Tibet. In 6 AD the reins of power were still more firmly in his grasp, and Mang ordered his first reform of the coinage. Fundamentally this was a stratagem to nationalize the gold stocks, and put the empire back on a copper standard. Gold was requisitioned and exchanged against very high value bronze tokens. Two years later the tokens were demonetized. The cash assets of the aristocracy and the wealthy merchants must have been largely wiped out overnight. It is in the first couple of years of Mang's independent reign that the astonishing breadth of his reform proposals appear. His reforms include:

1) the abolition of slavery.
2) the nationalization of land.
3) standard plots of arable land for all adult males who wished to work them.
4) farming families grouped in hamlets of 6 or 8, with a common tax assessment.
5) a national bank offering fair rates of interest to all.
6) government market activity to counteract cornering and monopolization.
7) a new currency system in 15 denominations - circulating by government fiat.
8) defeat of the Huns

His new taxes include

taxes to be paid in cash or kind on cultivated land (one tenth)

triple rates to be paid on uncultivated land (parks and gardens etc.)

c) all self-employed or professional people outside farming shall register for income tax, which will be universally levied at 10% per annum. Those avoiding registration, or submitting false accounts to be sentenced to one years hard labour.

d) the state monopolies on iron, salt, silk, cloth and coinage to be retained

e) a new state monopoly on wine to be introduced.

Discussion of the proposals

1) Events in his private life show Mang's abhorrence of slavery. He vilified the political system of the legalists, established in the Chin dynasty (221-206 BC) specifically by alluding to the manner in which they established market places for male and female slaves, "putting human beings in auction pens as if they were cattle."

Reforms 2, 3, 5 & 6) The nationalization of land and its distribution amongst the peasant farmers themselves is of course one solution to the central economic problem in all pre-modern civilizations, (which presumably finds its roots in the bronze age and persisting right down to the machine age). Peasants must have security of tenure and just returns for their labour, otherwise they will not be encouraged to work effectively - and the state and all within it will thereby be impoverished. However if they are made private landowners then clever, unscrupulous, hard-working individuals within and outwith the peasantry will begin to gain land at the expense of their neighbours. The chief mechanisms of this gradual monopolization of the land by a class of people distinguished by their wealth are:

Preying upon private 'misfortune', (illness, death, and marriage expenses) by loansharking.
Preying upon public misfortunes (bad harvests) by loansharking.
Creating shortages by rigging the markets, exacerbating private and public misfortunes, and then loansharking.

Unfairly biasing tax assessments, creating and exacerbating private and public misfortunes, and then loansharking.

The end result of this tendency is likely to be that the bulk of farmers lack security of tenure and or just returns, and cease to work effectively, to the impoverishment of all. Reforms 2, 3 & 5 bear on this problem in an obvious way.

Reform 6 - the "Five Equalizations" is a little more complicated, so I shall explain it at greater length. Fundamentally it required the installation of government officials at the five important markets of the empire who would "buy things when they were cheap and sell them when they were dear." In more detail: "The superintendent of the market, in the second month of each of the four seasons, shall determine the true price of the articles under their responsibility, and shall establish high, middle and low prices for each type of item. When there are unsold goods on the market, the superintendent shall buy them up at the cost (low?) price. When goods become expensive (ie exceed the high price?) the superintendent shall intervene to sell goods from the official store (and thereby reduce the price)." The regulation thus allows markets to operate, but provides for state intervention to stop speculation . . . Mang's regulations allow for a review and revision of the trading bands four times a year.

4). In resettling the people securely on the land, Mang choose to group them into "chings" of 6 or 8 families - attempting to restore the traditional "well field" system. This provided for the regular exchange of land between the families, to give all a go at the best ground, and for joint responsibility for a common tax demand. The ching system was believed, by the Confucian party in the 1st century BC at least, to have been destroyed by the growth of mercantilist exploitation under the Chin legalists. There are hints that the state went on to use the ching structure in crime prevention measures, by making all members of the ching culpable for the unreported crime of any single member. The installation of a land nationalization scheme under the banner of a return to the ancient Chou system of 'chings' had a great deal of propaganda value amongst the Confucian elite which surrounded Mang. A sentimental view of rural working class life seems to be a common weakness amongst aristocratic and middle class intellectuals of all periods. Mang's own observations of the labouring poor would necessarily have been made at a distance - perhaps he too shared in this sentimental myopia. The evidence suggests that the peasantry did not welcome this aspect of the reforms

7) Food was the first concern of Confucian government, but coinage was the second. Only fair prices could encourage the farmers. Only markets could create fair prices. Only with coins could markets exist. Mang introduced a rational set of 15 denominations of coin, valued from 1 to 1,000 cash and circulated by government fiat. Mang did not invent the idea of fiat or fiduciary currency, a brief attempt had been made to circulate one in China a century earlier. However Mang was the first to systematically think through the matter in a practical context, and to apply it over a protracted period. Future successful ancient and medieval experiments with fiat currency, first in China, then in Japan and Central Asia, and unsuccessful ones in medieval India and Persia all looked back - directly or indirectly - to Mang. The first successful fully fiduciary currencies in Europe are products of the 20th century, more than 700 years after Europeans became aware of Chinese practices. (I am neglecting a great deal of late Roman copper coin here of course. I am by no means knowledgeable on such coins, but my understanding is that in principle, if not in practice, Rome was generally on the silver or the gold standard, and copper was exchangeable on demand.) On my own reading of the text, Mang's main concern is to get gold and silver off the market, so they could not be used to bid his tokens down - his coinage was intended to replace gold coinage, not supplement it."--Robert Tye

For a more complete study of Wang Mang, see Robert Tye's compositon about this enigmatic leader at http://www.anythinganywhere.com/info/tye/Wang%20Mang.htm
Cleisthenes
WashingtonBeforeBoston.JPG
Comitia Americana - Washington before Boston, 1776.Obv. Bust of George Washington right, GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITA AMERICANA [at neck truncation] DU VIVIER / PARIS . F.
Rev. Siege of Boston, HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS [in exergue] BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM / XVII MARTII / MDCCLXXVI [at bottom right of canon in the foreground] DU VIV
AE68. 20th century US mint striking.

One of the most encouraging early victories during the Revolutionary War was the British evacuation of Boston on March 17, 1776. During the harsh winter months Henry Knox had transported a number of canon from Fort Ticonderoga in western New York to Boston. As soon as this heavy artillery arrived Washington mounted the canons on Dorchester Heights overlooking the city. Under the threat of bombardment the British troops quickly fled, making Boston the first major city liberated from British occupation. Eight days later, on March 25, 1776, the Continental Congress authorized a medal to commemorate this event. Up through 1787 Congress authorized ten additional medals commemorating war heroes, however no medals were actually produced until 1790. In that year the federal Congress commissioned the Paris mint to produce these long overdue items. The Washington Before Boston medal was considered the most important and was the largest in the series, which is now referred to as the Comitia Americana (or American Congress) medal series. A gold example was presented to Washington along with a collection of eleven silver medals (nine of which were from the eleven medals authorized by congress); the gold exampe is now in the Boston Public Library while Washington's collection of eleven silver medals now resides in the Massachusetts Historical Society.
1 commentsLordBest
IMG_4848.jpg
Constantine II, Issue 2, Toone 315CONSTANTI_NVS IVN N C, Radiate and trabeate bust left
BEATA TRAN_QVILLITAS, Altar
P/A//PLON
Weight 2.87g
Part of a small hoard found in the 19th or early 20th century during roadbuilding work at Sanderstead near Croydon
1 commentsAdrianus
brutustripod.jpg
Crawford 502/2, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Brutus, AR DenariusRome. The Imperators.
Brutus, 44-42 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.76g; 17mm).
Military Mint, Spring-Summer 42 BCE.

Obverse: L·SESTI - PRO·Q; Veiled and draped bust of Libertas, facing right.

Reverse: Q·CAEPIO·BRVTVS·PRO·COS; Tripod with axe on left and simpulum on right.

References: Crawford 502/2; HCRI 201; Syd 1290; BMCRR East 41; Junia 37; Sestia 2.

Provenance: Ex Alan J. Harlan Collection [Triton XXII (9 Jan 2019), Lot 951]; Kunker 288 (13 Mar 2017) Lot 314; Theodor Prowe Collection [Hess (20 May 1912) Lot 933].

Marcus Junius Brutus was posthumously adopted by his maternal uncle, Quintus Servilius Caepio. Afterward, Brutus sometimes used the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, which both honored his uncle and advertised his maternal descent from Gaius Servilius Structus Ahala. Ahala was a Roman Republican hero who had killed someone with regal aspirations. In his early political career, Brutus issued coins with the portrait of Ahala on one side (see Crawford 433/2; http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-144687). Following the assassination of Caesar, Brutus resurrected his use of the name Quintus Servilius Caepio Brutus, as on this coin, again alluding to this Servilian connection in his family tree. Combined with the bust of Liberty on the obverse of this coin, the message is clear: that the assassins were liberators from monarchy in the old Republican tradition of their ancestors. The reverse shows the symbols of Brutus’ membership in the college of priests.

This example comes from the collection of Theodor Prowe of Moscow, one of the great collections of the early 20th century, which was auctioned in three separate 1912 sales by Bruder Egger (Greek) and Hess (Roman).
2 commentsCarausius
AntonyVictoryDTVR.jpg
Crawford 545/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Marcus Antonius and D. Turullius, AR DenariusRome. The Imperators.
Marcus Antonius and Decimus Turullius, 44-30 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.84g; 19mm; 4h).
Military mint, 31 BCE.

Obverse: M ANTONIVS AVG IMP IIII COS TERT III VIR R P C; bare head of Antony, facing right.

Reverse: Victory holding filleted wreath and palm branch; D TVR to right; all within laurel wreath border.

References: Crawford 545/1; HCRI 387; Sydenham 1211(R7); BMCRR (East) 227; Antonia 146; Turullia 5.

Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction 3093 (29 Oct 2021) lot 31125; obverse collectors’ marks [fleur-de-lis stamp and India-inked #2] suggest a modern history in old European collections.

This is one of the final denarius issues struck by Antony in the lead-up to Actium. The obverse inscription is notable in that it mentions: an uncertain fourth imperatorial acclamation which is lost to history and likely not of real importance; and an intended third consulship with Octavian, which Antony never actually served (Octavian chose another partner).

Decimus Turullius was part of the assassination plot against Julius Caesar and initially fought with the Liberators against the Triumvirate. While a naval commander for Cassius, Turullius sourced wood for a fleet by ordering that a grove of trees sacred to Asclepios, on the Island of Cos, be cut down. He later defected to Antony after Philippi. Turullius was captured by Octavian following Actium, and it is said he was executed on Cos in that same sacred grove that he cut down years earlier.

This scarce coin has an interesting pair of collectors’ marks on the obverse field – a stamped fleur-de-lis and an India ink “2”. The fleur-de-lis is likely not an ancient banker’s mark, but a modern collector stamp as occurs on coins from collections of royalty and nobility in the 17th- 19th centuries. The India ink number is probably later than the stamp, perhaps late 19th or early 20th century. Whether both marks are from the same collection is not yet known. I have so far been unable to determine a likely collection for the fleur-de-lis mark, although a French noble or French royal collection seems plausible.

1 commentsCarausius
crispus_little_bust.jpg
Crispus, Issue 3, Toone 369CRISPVS_NOBILC, Laureate, cuirassed bust left, shield on left shoulder, spear pointing forward
BEATTRA_NQLITAS, Altar
Mintmark -/-//PLON
Weight 3.00g
Part of a dispersed hoard found during road building operations at Sanderstead near Croydon in the late 19th or early 20th century
1 commentsAdrianus
Galerius_28CT_1_01_010_-_T134185_-_Grey_Small29.jpg
CT 1.01.010; RIC VI 4bGalerius, as Caesar, BI Nummus. London, c. AD 296. C VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB C, laureate head right / GENIO POPVLI ROMANI, Genius standing left holding patera and cornucopiae; LON in exergue. 9.70g, 27mm, 6h.

Ex Paul DiMarzio Collection (CNG Feature Auction 120; Lot 930) and previously purchased from Mike Vosper, 20th September 2017.
Paulus J
Constantine_I_28CT_7_10_003_-_Tx_-_White_SMALL29.jpg
CT 7.10.003; RIC VI 254Constantine I BI Nummus. London, c. AD 312-313. CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust right / MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars standing right, right hand resting on reversed spear, left on shield; star in left field, PLN in exergue. 4.53g, 22mm, 7h.

Ex Richard Stirk Collection (Roma Numismatics E-Sale 104, 15th December 2022, Lot 1389).
Ex Ken Elks Collection of Romano-British Coins (Roma Numismatics E-Sale 74, 20th August 2020, Lot 1121).
Previously purchased from Silbury Coins, 2005.

CT Rarity: C (many known examples).
Paulus J
Constantine_I_28CT_7_10_019_-_Tx_-_White_SMALL29.jpg
CT 7.10.019 (this coin); RIC -Constantine I BI Nummus. London, c. AD 312-313. CONSTANTINVS AVG, radiate, helmeted and cuirassed bust left, holding spear over right shoulder and shield on left arm / MARTI CONSERVATORI, Mars standing right, in military dress, right hand resting on reversed spear, left on shield; star in left field, PLN in exergue. 3.91g, 23mm, 6h.

Ex Paul DiMarzio Collection (CNG eAuction 525.2, 20th October 2022, Lot 1397) and previously purchased from Hookmoor Ancient Coins (Lee Toone) on 12th February 2016.

CT Rarity: RRR (only known example).

Notes: Whilst not one of the prettiest coins in my collection, it is surely one of the rarest. The obverse die is a match with CT 7.03.052 (an example of which is yet to be added to my collection).
Paulus J
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Demetrios I Sotor. Tyche Enthroned Tetradrachm of Antioch.Seleukids. Demetrios I Sotor 162-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.49 gm, 29.8mm, 12h) of Antioch on the Orontes, 152-151 BC. Diademed head of Demetrios I right. / Tyche draped & seated left on throne supported by winged tritoness right, holding sceptre & cornucopia. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ. Controls ΠΑ ΑΠ to left, date AΞP (SE 161) in ex. VF. Davissons EA42 #32. "From an American collection formed in the mid-20th C." SC 1641.6b; CSA 158; DCA 109; HGC 9 #798; Newell SMA #117=Mantis 1944.100.75354 (same obv. die); BnF Gallica Henri Seyrig R 3724 (same); SNG Spaer 1277.Anaximander
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E. Jewelry, Loop Removed: Q. Titius Denarius, 90 BCE, ex FAC (c. 2005-10)Roman Republic. Q. Titius AR Denarius (3.98g, 19.5mm, ~1.5h), Rome mint, 90 BCE.
Obv: Head of Bacchus or Liber right, wreathed with ivy.
Rev: Q•TITI inscribed on tablet beneath Pegasos rearing, preparing to fly right.
Ref: Crawford 341/2; SRCV 239; Sydenham 692; Titia 2.
Prov: JJ family collection, acq. by CSJ (my father) from Forum Ancient Coins (Inv. RR43729), c. 2005-10. I can't find it in FORVM's archive, but remarkably, the listing appears in a contemporary document on Scribd ("Coins Rome General," 24 Oct 2010, uploaded by Chiara Scantamburlo [?], https://scribd.com/document/38717387/).

Notes: Signs of alteration from jewelry & its removal can be seen on the edges ~12h & in the toning, where a loop was firmly soldered so the coin could be worn as a pendant. My impression is that the soldering was old, but not ancient (maybe 19th/early 20th cent.?), and that the loop may have been removed decades ago, but I need to research it (I have a jeweler/goldsmith uncle who has also contributed some coins to the collection).

When someone says their coin's defect "gives it character," I usually think they're just trying to make peace with an otherwise undesirable situation. In this case, though, the "damage" never bothered me. If anything, it's an additional point of curiosity, another "object biography" chapter to contemplate and research. And I like the way it looks; I'm a fan of patina/toning, and there is plenty of color & complexity to this one.
Curtis JJ
60319LG.jpg
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Franklin Pierce, 1853 Indian Peace MedalObv: FRANKLIN PIERCE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, bare head of Franklin Pierce (14th President) facing left; 1853 below.

Rev: A settler and a Native American standing, facing each other before an American flag; "LABOR," "VIRTUE," and "HONOR" inscribed above within three oval-shaped links of chain-like scroll; field landscape in background.

Engravers: Salathiel Ellis (obverse), Joseph Willson (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1853 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
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George Washington 1797 MedalObv: G. WASHINGTON PRES. UNIT. STA. bust of George Washington facing right.

Rev: COMMISS. RESIGNED : PRESIDENCY RELINQ., a banner, sword, fasces, and laurel branch laid upon an altar decorated with a shield, 1797 in exergue.

Designer: John Reich

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1805 (20th Century restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 39.7 mm
Matt Inglima
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George Washington, 1789 Indian Peace MedalObv: GEORGE WASHINGTON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, bust of Washington (1st President) facing right, 1789 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Note: Despite the fact that this medal uses a portrait of George Washington made in the 1780's by French engraver Pierre Duvivier, no peace medals of this type were distributed during his administration. This medal, with the Reich "Peace" reverse, was most likely produced in the 1820's as part of the U.S. Mint's Presidential series.

Engravers: Pierre Simon Duvivier (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1789 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
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George Washington, U.S. Mint Cabinet of MedalsObv: GEORGE WASHINGTON above, BORN FEB. 22 1732 * DIED DEC. 14, 1799 below; bust of George Washington facing right, within a circle.

Rev: WASHINGTON CABINET OF MEDALS, U. S. MINT above, INAUGURATED FEB. 22 1860 below; a pyramid shaped display of Washington medals surmounted with a bust, all within a circle.

Engraver: Anthony C. Paquet

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1860 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 59.7 mm
Matt Inglima
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German Occupation of Poland: 4 Groschen Polish 20th Anniversary Overprint, issued Mar-1940 (Scott-N34; Michel Deutschland-Spezial #18)In March 1940, the Generalgouvernement issued these overprints of Poland's 20th Anniversary Issues.Quant.Geek
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German Occupation of Poland: 8 Groschen Polish 20th Anniversary Overprint, issued Mar-1940 (Scott-N36; Michel Deutschland-Spezial #20)In March 1940, the Generalgouvernement issued these overprints of Poland's 20th Anniversary Issues Quant.Geek
German_States.jpg
German StatesHannover - Km116 - 1/24 Thaler - 1817-1818
Hesse Cassel - Km571.2 - 4 Heller - 1826-1831
Meckleburg Schwerin - Km204 - 1 Schilling - 1763-1785
Prussia - Km453.1 - 120th Thaler / 3 Pfenninge - 1846-1860
Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld - Km138.3 - 6 Kreuzer - 1821-1826
Saxony - Km1136 - 3 Pfennige - 1836-1837
Saxe Gotha-Altenburg - Km280 - Heller - 1744-1750
Daniel F
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GREEK, SICILY, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm, struck ca. 480-475 BC.Boehringer, Die Münzen von Syrakus, 1929 and reprint 1974, Plate 7, # 156

SICILY, Syracuse. Deinomenid Tyranny. 485-466 BC. AR Tetradrachm, struck ca. 480-475 BC.
16.93 g, 24 mm, 12 h, test cut.

Obverse: Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, holding kentron and reins; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses.

Reverse: ΣVRAK—ΟΣΙ—O—N, Head of Arethusa right, wearing pearl diadem, surrounded by four dolphins swimming clockwise.

Reference: Boehringer # 156 (V70/R108) (this coin), Prinz Waldeck # 488 (this coin), SNG ANS # 44

Pedigree:
- Ex-Prince (Fürst) Waldeck of Arolsen collection # 488.
- Berlin Coin Cabinet between ca. 1921 - 1931 (plaster casts were made).
- Boehringer plate coin # 156 ("Die Münzen von Syrakus", 1929).
- Ex-Münzhandel Basel, Vente publique N° 4, 1st of October, 1935, Lot # 488.
- Ex-Heinz Rühmann Collection (famous German movie actor).
- Ex-Gerhand Hirsch Nachfolger, Auction 332, 20th of September, 2017, Lot # 2069.
- Ex-Stock; Dealer Hamborg, Bernd.
- The Asena Collection (Burak Cebeci), purchased at Dortmund Coin Fair, 01.09.2019.
- Illustrated on Wildwinds as Boehringer 156 (http://wildwinds.com/coins/greece/sicily/syracuse/deinomenid/t.html)
Istinpolin
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Grover Cleveland, 1885 Indian Peace MedalObv: GROVER CLEVELAND PRESIDENT, bust of Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th President) facing right; U. S. A. 1885 below.

Rev: PEACE within a sunburst, above; scene of a farmer showing a Native American chief the benefit of civilization; in exergue: crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, encircled by laurel wreath.

Engravers: Charles E. Barber (obverse), George Morgan (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1885 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 59 x 76 mm
Matt Inglima
hadrian_276.jpg
Hadrian RIC II, 276Hadrian, AD 117-138
AR - denarius, 18mm, 3.83g
Rome, AD 134-138
obv. HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P
Bare head right
rev. T - ELLVS - STABIL
Tellus, wearing tunica, stg. facing, head left, right breast exposed, plow handle
in right hand, rake in left, two grain ears growing behind
RIC II, 276; C.1425; BMC 738; Hill 528
VF

Struck to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hadrian's reign. Praises the stabile world under his rule. For more informations please look at the thread 'Coins of mythological interest'!
1 commentsJochen
JCT_Hebrew_Kindergarten_C.JPG
Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home (New York , N.Y. & Far Rockaway, Queens County, N.Y.)AE token, 32.5 mm., undated.

Obv: HEBREW KINDERGARTEN & INFANTS HOME and 35 & 37 MONTGOMERY ST. N.Y.C./CENTRAL & PLAINVIEW AVES. FAR ROCKAWAY, along toothed rim, bust of boy facing within laureate wreath in center.

Rev: HAVE A HEART/HELP THE/ORPHANS/ -- AND --/GOD WILL/HELP YOU, within laureate wreath, GOOD LUCK COIN along toothed rim, beneath.

Ref: Kaplan, Steven H.. “Great Appeal, Kindergarten Tokens Asked for Support,” The Shekel, XLIV No. 1 (January-February 2011) 49-53, Figure 3 (this token).

Note: The Hebrew Kindergarten and Day Nursery Association was established in 1905 at 29 Montgomery Street as a nursery for the care of children of working mothers. It purchased 35 and 37 Montgomery Street in 1913 for the construction of a three-story building, which was dedicated in May 1914. In November 1918, it opened a ward for children whose mothers had influenza, and also began to care for children whose mothers had died during the epidemic. By then, there had already been a fund drive in August 1918 to raise $50,000 for an orphanage at Far Rockaway, and another fund drive, to raise $100,000 for the completion of its new building. It was then known as the Hebrew Kindergarten, Day and Night Nursery. It formally changed its name to Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home, Inc. in August 1925, although it was apparently using that name as early as 1923. Its infant home in Far Rockaway was at the intersection of Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue/Beach 20th Street, and an address of both 310 Central Avenue and 310 Beach 20th Street. It still operates an early childhood program/day care program for ages pre-kindergarten through kindergarten on a nonsectarian basis at that location.

Note: Three different fundraising tokens were issued, all of which contain the address of the day school on Montgomery Street as well as the addresses of the orphanage on Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue, in Far Rockaway. The most common of the three tokens was apparently issued in connection with the August 1923 fund drive for the completion of that building, and this token was apparently issued at a later date in connection with a lesser fund drive.
Stkp
JCT_Hebrew_Kindergarten_B.JPG
Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home (New York , N.Y. & Far Rockaway, Queens County, N.Y.)AE token, 32.5 mm., undated.

Obv: HEBREW KINDERGARTEN & INFANTS HOME and 35 & 37 MONTGOMERY ST. N.Y.C./CENTRAL & PLAINVIEW AVES. FAR ROCKAWAY, along toothed rim, bust of boy facing within laureate wreath in center.

Rev: HAVE A HEART/HELP THE/ORPHANS/ -- AND --/GOD WILL/HELP YOU, within laureate wreath, GOOD LUCK COIN along toothed rim, beneath.

Ref: Kaplan, Steven H.. “Great Appeal, Kindergarten Tokens Asked for Support,” The Shekel, XLIV No. 1 (January-February 2011) 49-53, Figure 2 (this token).

Note: The Hebrew Kindergarten and Day Nursery Association was established in 1905 at 29 Montgomery Street as a nursery for the care of children of working mothers. It purchased 35 and 37 Montgomery Street in 1913 for the construction of a three-story building, which was dedicated in May 1914. In November 1918, it opened a ward for children whose mothers had influenza, and also began to care for children whose mothers had died during the epidemic. By then, there had already been a fund drive in August 1918 to raise $50,000 for an orphanage at Far Rockaway, and another fund drive, to raise $100,000 for the completion of its new building. It was then known as the Hebrew Kindergarten, Day and Night Nursery. It formally changed its name to Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home, Inc. in August 1925, although it was apparently using that name as early as 1923. Its infant home in Far Rockaway was at the intersection of Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue/Beach 20th Street, and an address of both 310 Central Avenue and 310 Beach 20th Street. It still operates an early childhood program/day care program for ages pre-kindergarten through kindergarten on a nonsectarian basis at that location.

Note: Three different fundraising tokens were issued, all of which contain the address of the day school on Montgomery Street as well as the addresses of the orphanage on Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue, in Far Rockaway. The most common of the three tokens was apparently issued in connection with the August 1923 fund drive for the completion of that building, and this token was apparently issued at a later date in connection with a lesser fund drive.
Stkp
JCT_Hebrew_Kindergarten_A.JPG
Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home (New York , N.Y. & Far Rockaway, Queens County, N.Y.)AE token, 32.5 mm., undated (probably ca. 1923).

Obv: HEBREW KINDERGARTEN & INFANTS HOME and 35 & 37 MONTGOMERY ST. N.Y.C./CENTRAL & PLAINVIEW AVES. FAR ROCKAWAY, along toothed rim, girl standing with outstretched arms within solid laureate wreath in center.

Rev: HAVE A HEART/HELP THE/ORPHANS/ -- AND --/GOD WILL/HELP YOU, within solid laureate wreath, GOOD LUCK COIN along toothed rim, beneath.

Ref: Kaplan, Steven H.. “Great Appeal, Kindergarten Tokens Asked for Support,” The Shekel, XLIV No. 1 (January-February 2011) 49-53, Figure 1 (this token); Meshorer, Coins Reveal 144.

Note: The Hebrew Kindergarten and Day Nursery Association was established in 1905 at 29 Montgomery Street as a nursery for the care of children of working mothers. It purchased 35 and 37 Montgomery Street in 1913 for the construction of a three-story building, which was dedicated in May 1914. In November 1918, it opened a ward for children whose mothers had influenza, and also began to care for children whose mothers had died during the epidemic. By then, there had already been a fund drive in August 1918 to raise $50,000 for an orphanage at Far Rockaway, and another fund drive, to raise $100,000 for the completion of its new building. It was then known as the Hebrew Kindergarten, Day and Night Nursery. It formally changed its name to Hebrew Kindergarten & Infants Home, Inc. in August 1925, although it was apparently using that name as early as 1923. Its infant home in Far Rockaway was at the intersection of Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue/Beach 20th Street, and an address of both 310 Central Avenue and 310 Beach 20th Street. It still operates an early childhood program/day care program for ages pre-kindergarten through kindergarten on a nonsectarian basis at that location.
Note: Three different fundraising tokens were issued, all of which contain the address of the day school on Montgomery Street as well as the addresses of the orphanage on Plainview Avenue and Central Avenue, in Far Rockaway. This is the most common of the three tokens, and apparently issued in connection with the August 1923 fund drive for the completion of that building.
Stkp
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Imperial Japan: Anonymous (ca. 14-16th century) AE shima-sen (Hartill-2.6)Obv: 開元通寶 Kaigen Tsuho
Rev: Blank

References
Munro, Neil G., Coins of Japan, Box of Curios ,1904
Sakuraki et al., Catalogue of the Japanese Coin Collection (pre-Meiji) at the British Museum, Trustees of the British Museum, 2010
Quant.Geek
20thanna.jpg
India. Princely States. Travancore. Bala Rama Varma II M.E. 1101 - 1126 (A.D. 1926 - 1949) copper cash ND.India. Princely States. Travancore. Bala Rama Varma II M.E. 1101 - 1126 (A.D. 1926 - 1949) copper kasu ND. 8 pointed star / ORU KASU.

KM 41.2
Italy- Rome- The Arch of Constantine The Great.jpg
Italy- Rome- The Arch of Constantine The GreatArch of Constantine
The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome, situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill. It was erected to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312 AD. Dedicated in 315 AD, it is the latest of the extant triumphal arches in Rome, from which it differs by the extensive re-use of parts of earlier buildings.

General Description
The arch is 21 m high, 25.7 m wide and 7.4 m deep. It has three archways, the central one being 11.5 m high and 6.5 m wide, the lateral archways 7.4 m by 3.4 m each. The lower part of the monument is built of marble blocks, the top (called attic) is brickwork revetted with marble. A staircase formed in the thickness of the arch is entered from a door at some height from the ground, in the end towards the Palatine Hill. The general design with a main part structured by detached columns and an attic with the main inscription above is modelled after the example of the Arch of Septimius Severus on the Forum Romanum. It has been suggested that the lower part of the arch is re-used from an older monument, probably from the times of the emperor Hadrian (Conforto et al., 2001; for a defence of the view that the whole arch was constructed in the 4th century, see Pensabene & Panella). The arch spans the Via Triumphalis, the way taken by the emperors when they entered the city in triumph. This route started at the Campus Martius, led through the Circus Maximus and around the Palatine Hill; immediately after the Arch of Constantine, the procession would turn left and march along the Via Sacra to the Forum Romanum and on to the Capitoline Hill, passing both the Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus. During the Middle Ages, the Arch of Constantine was incorporated into one of the family strongholds of ancient Rome. Works of restoration were first carried out in the 18th century; the last excavations have taken place in the late 1990s, just before the Great Jubilee of 2000.

Decoration
The decoration of the arch heavily uses parts of older monuments, which are given a new meaning in the context of the Constantinian building. As it celebrates the victory of Constantine, the new "historic" friezes illustrating his campaign in Italy convey the central meaning: the praise of the emperor, both in battle and in his civilian duties. The other imagery supports this purpose: decoration taken from the "golden times" of the Empire under Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius places Constantine next to these "good emperors", and the content of the pieces evokes images of the victorious and pious ruler. Another explanation given for the re-use is the short time between the start of construction (late 312 at the earliest) and the dedication (summer 315), so the architects used existing artwork to make up for the lack of time to create new one. As yet another possible reason, it has often been suggested that the Romans of the 4th century lacked the artistic skill to produce acceptable artwork and therefore plundered the ancient buildings to adorn their contemporary monuments. This interpretation has become less prominent in more recent times, as the art of Late Antiquity has been appreciated in its own right. It is, of course, possible that a combination of two or all three of those explanations are correct, as they are not mutually exclusive.

Attic
Above the middle archway, the main inscription (see below) takes the most prominent place of the attic. It is identical on both sides of the arch. Flanking the inscription on both sides, there are pairs of relief panels above the minor archways, 8 in total. They were taken from an unknown monument erected in honour of Marcus Aurelius, and show (north side, left to right) the emperor's return to Rome after the campaign (adventus), the emperor leaving the city and saluted by a personification of the Via Flaminia, the emperor distributing money among the people (largitio), the emperor interrogating a German prisoner, (south side, left to right) a captured enemy chieftain led before the emperor, a similar scene with other prisoners, the emperor speaking to the troops (adlocutio), and the emperor sacrificing pig, sheep and bull. Together with three panels now in the Capitoline Museum, the reliefs were probably taken from a triumphal monument commemorating Marcus Aurelius' war against the Sarmatians from 169 - 175, which ended with his triumphant return in 176. On the largitio panel, the figure of Marcus Aurelius' son Commodus has been eradicated after the latter's damnatio memoriae. On top of each of the columns stand marble statues of Dacian prisoners from the times of Trajan, probably taken from the Forum of Trajan. From the same time date the two large (3 m high) panels decorating the attic on the small sides of the arch, showing scenes from the emperor's Dacian Wars. Together with the two reliefs on the inside of the central archway, they came from a large frieze celebrating the Dacian victory. The original place of this frieze was either the Forum of Trajan, as well, or the barracks of the emperor's horse guard on the Caelius.

Main Section
The general layout of the main facade is identical on both sides of the arch. It is divided by four columns of Corinthian order made of Numidian yellow marble (giallo antico), one of which has been transferred into the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano and was replaced by a white marble column. The columns stand on bases showing victory figures on front, and captured barbarians and Roman soldiers on the sides. The spandrels of the main archway are decorated with reliefs depicting victory figures with trophies, those of the smaller archways show river gods. Column bases and spandrel reliefs are from the times of Constantine. Above each lateral archway are pairs of round reliefs dated to the times of emperor Hadrian. They display scenes of hunting and sacrificing: (north side, left to right) hunt of a boar, sacrifice to Apollo, hunt of a lion, sacrifice to Hercules, (south side, left to right) departure for the hunt, sacrifice to Silvanus, hunt of a bear, sacrifice to Diana. The head of the emperor (originally Hadrian) has been reworked in all medaillons: on the north side, into Constantine in the hunting scenes and into Licinius or Constantius I in the sacrifice scenes; on the south side, vice versa. The reliefs, c. 2 m in diameter, were framed in porphyry; this framing is only extant on the right side of the northern facade. Similar medaillons, this time of Constantinian origin, are placed on the small sides of the arch; on the eastern side, showing the Sun rising, and on the western side, the Moon, both on chariots. The main piece from the time of Constantine is the "historical" relief frieze running around the monument under the round panels, one strip above each lateral archway and at the small sides of the arch. These reliefs depict scenes from the Italian campaign of Constantine against Maxentius which was the reason for the construction of the monument. The frieze starts at the western side with the "Departure from Milan". It continues on the southern, "outward" looking face, with the siege of a city, probably Verona, which was of great importance to the war in Northern Italy; also on that face, the Battle of Milvian Bridge with Constantine's army victorious and the enemy drowning in the river Tiber. On the eastern side, Constantine and his army enter Rome; the artist here has avoided to use the imagery of the triumph, as Constantine probably did not want to be shown triumphant over the Eternal City. On the northern face, looking "towards" the city, two strips with the emperor's actions after taking possession of Rome: Constantine speaking to the citizens on the Forum Romanum, and distributing money to the people.

Inner Sides of the Archways
In the central archway, there is one of the large panels of Trajan's Dacian War on either wall. Inside the lateral archways, eight portraits busts (two on each wall), destroyed to such an extent that it is not possible to identify them any more.

Inscriptions
The main inscription reads:

IMP · CAES · FL · CONSTANTINO · MAXIMO · P · F · AVGUSTO · S · P · Q · R · QVOD · INSTINCTV · DIVINITATIS · MENTIS · MAGNITVDINE · CVM · EXERCITV · SVO · TAM · DE · TYRANNO · QVAM · DE · OMNI · EIVS · FACTIONE · VNO · TEMPORE · IVSTIS · REM-PUBLICAM · VLTVS · EST · ARMIS · ARCVM · TRIVMPHIS · INSIGNEM · DICAVIT

Which means in English:

To the Emperor Caesar Flavius Constantinus, the greatest, pious, and blessed Augustus: because he, inspired by the divine, and by the greatness of his mind, has delivered the state from the tyrant and all of his followers at the same time, with his army and just force of arms, the Senate and People of Rome have dedicated this arch, decorated with triumphs.

The words instinctu divinitatis ("inspired by the divine") have been much commented. They are usually read as sign of Constantine's shifting religious affiliation: The Christian tradition, most notably Lactantius and Eusebius of Caesarea, relate the story of a vision of the Christian god to Constantine during the campaign, and that he was victorious in the sign of the cross at the Milvian Bridge. The official documents (esp. coins) still prominently display the Sun God until 324 AD, while Constantine started to support the Christian church from 312 on. In this situation, the vague wording of the inscription can be seen as the attempt to please all possible readers, being deliberately ambiguous, and acceptable to both pagans and Christians. As was customary, the vanquished enemy is not mentioned by name, but only referred to as "the tyrant", drawing on the notion of the rightful killing of a tyrannical ruler; together with the image of the "just war", it serves as justification of Constantine's civil war against his co-emperor Maxentius.

Two short inscriptions on the inside of the central archway transport a similar message: Constantine came not as conqueror, but freed Rome from occupation:

LIBERATORI VRBIS (liberator of the city) - FUNDATORI QVIETIS (founder of peace)

Over each of the small archways, inscriptions read:

VOTIS X - VOTIS XX SIC X - SIC XX

They give a hint on the date of the arch: "Solemn vows for the 10th anniversary - for the 20th anniversary" and "as for the 10th, so for the 20th anniversary". Both refer to Constantine's decennalia, i.e. the 10th anniversary of his reign (counted from 306), which he celebrated in Rome in the summer of 315 AD. It can be assumed that the arch honouring his victory was inaugurated during his stay in the city.




Peter Wissing
20_James_Garfield_Peace_Medal.JPG
James A. Garfield 1881 Indian Peace MedalObv: JAMES A. GARFIELD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1881, bust of President Garfield (20th President) facing left.

Rev: PEACE within a sunburst, above; scene of a farmer showing a Native American chief the benefit of civilization; in exergue: crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, encircled by laurel wreath.

Engravers: Charles E. Barber (obverse), George Morgan (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1881 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 59 x 76 mm
Matt Inglima
15_James_Buchanan_Peace_Medal.JPG
James Buchanan, 1857 Indian Peace MedalObv: JAMES BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, bust of James Buchanan (15th President) facing right, 1857 below.

Rev: A settler and a Native American standing, facing each other before an American flag; "LABOR," "VIRTUE," and "HONOR" inscribed above within three oval-shaped links of chain-like scroll; field landscape in background.

Engravers: Salathiel Ellis (obverse), Joseph Willson (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1857 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
11_James_Polk_Peace_Medal.JPG
James K. Polk, 1845 Indian Peace MedalObv: JAMES K POLK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of Polk (11th President) facing left, 1845 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: John Chapman (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1845 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
04_James_Madison.JPG
James Madison, 1809 Indian Peace MedalObv: JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1809, draped bust of James Madison (4th President), facing left.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Designer: John Reich

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1809 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
05_James_Monroe.JPG
James Monroe, 1817 Indian Peace MedalObv: JAMES MONROE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1817, draped bust of James Monroe (5th President) facing right.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: Mortiz Furst (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1817 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
02_John_Adams_Peace_Medal.JPG
John Adams, 1797 Indian Peace MedalObv: JOHN ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE U. S., bust of John Adams (2nd President) facing right, A. D. 1797 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Note: The John Adams medal was likely produced in the 1820's as part of the Mint's Presidential series. Even though it used the "Peace" reverse, it was never issued for that purpose.

Engravers: Mortiz Furst (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1797 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
06_John_Q_Adams.JPG
John Quincy Adams, 1825 Indian Peace MedalObv: JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of John Q. Adams (6th President), facing right; 1825 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: Mortiz Furst (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1825 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
John_Tyler_Peace_Medal.JPG
John Tyler, 1841 Indian Peace MedalObv: JOHN TYLER, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of John Tyler (10th President) facing left, 1841 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: Ferdinand Pettrich (obverse), John Reich (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1841 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
539_-_540_JUSTINIAN_I_Nummus_of_Carthage.JPG
JUSTINIAN I, AE Nummus, struck 539 - 540 at CarthageObverse: Legend illegible. Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of Justinian I facing right.
Reverse: VOT XIII (regnal year 13) in two lines within circle, all within wreath.
Diameter: 10mm | Weight: 0.9gms | Die Axis: 9
SBCV: 278 | DOC: 302
RARE

The use of VOTA inscriptions as yearly dates on these coins would seem to indicate that the original significance of the inscription had been completely forgotten during the period that Carthage was under Vandal rule. Now classed as Imperial issues by DOC and SBCV, these coins were, at the beginning of the 20th century, originally assigned to the Vandals by Warwick William Wroth FSA. Wroth was Senior Assistant Keeper of Coins and Medals in the British Museum as well as a numismatist and a biographer. His chief contributions to the literature of his particular department of the British Museum included a "Catalogue of the Greek Coins," which appeared in 1903, and the "Catalogue of the Imperial Byzantine Coins in the British Museum" which appeared in 1906. Wroth died on the 26th of September, 1911 at the age of 53.

In March, 534, the Vandal king Gelimer surrendered to the Byzantine general Belisarius ending the Vandal kingdom and returning the African provinces to the empire.
Large numbers of captured Vandals were transported to Constantinple and in April Belisarius returned to Constantinople and left a small force in Africa under general Solomon to complete the subjugation of the African provinces.
During the Summer, Belisarius was permitted by Justinian I to celebrate a triumph, the first non-imperial triumph for over 500 years.

2 comments*Alex
Bithynia4.jpg
Kingdom of Bithynia, Prusias II Kynegos182-149 BC
AE 18, 3.06 grams, 0°



O: Head of Prusias II right wearing winged diadem



R: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ Herakles standing left holding club and lion skin, monogram to right.



Ref: HGC 7 634;SNG von Aulock 2571524; SG 7268

; RecGen page 225 Number 25, see PDF document of this early 20th century book in French. Monograms are listed. This monogram is tough to decipher.

Ex-Jean Elsen Lot (part of), July 2022
Virgil H
Lincoln_Mourning_Medal.JPG
Lincoln Mourning MedalObv: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right.

Rev: A scroll, before a broken column that is flanked by two American flags.

Engravers: Anthony C. Paquet and William Barber (whose initial "B" is visible on the truncation of Lincoln's neck).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: c. 1865 (20th Century restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 18.36 mm
Matt Inglima
IMG_4674.JPG
Lincoln Mourning MedalObv: Bust of Abraham Lincoln facing right.

Rev: A scroll, before a broken column that is flanked by two American flags.

Engravers: Anthony C. Paquet and William Barber (whose initial "B" is visible on the truncation of Lincoln's neck).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: c. 1865 (20th Century restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 18.36 mm
Matt Inglima
LOUIS_XIV_AE__NEC_PACE_MINOR.JPG
LOUIS XIV (1643 – 1715), AE Jeton struck c.1699 Obverse: LVDOVICVS•MAGNVS•REX•. Head of Louis XIV facing right; T•B in small letters below head.
Reverse: NEC•PACE•MINOR•. Hercules standing facing, head left, leaning on club in his left hand and holding cloak at his hip with his right; in exergue, crossed palms.
Dimensions: 26.5mm | Weight: 5.1gms | Die Axis: 6
Ref. Feuardent: 12788

Struck at unidentified mint, possibly Caen, France
Die engraver: Thomas Bernard
Thomas Bernard entered the King's service while still young and from 1685 to 1688 famously engraved dies to produce a history of Louis XIV in gold medallions. He was Engraver General at the Caen mint between 1693 and 1703.


This jeton was struck under the authority of the “Extraordinaire des Guerres” in commemoration of the signing of the “Peace of Rijswijk” on the 20th of September 1697. This treaty settled the War of the League of Augsburg (Nine Years' War), which had seen France pitted against the Grand Alliance of England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the United Provinces.

Louis XIV was unusual by taking particular pleasure from having a large collection of coins and medals, claiming that he used his coins to instruct himself in classical history. He enjoyed his coin collection so much that, at Versailles, he had his cabinet of coins and medals placed where visitors passed every day, between the grand staircase and his apartments, so that he could see them and show them off.
*Alex
08D88887-A5AB-45A5-98B2-22AD2C29B37C.jpeg
Marcus Aurelius: Augustus 160-180 ADMarcus Aurelius AR Denarius
Denomination: AR Denarius
Year: ca. 166 AD
Bust: Laureate Head Right
Obverse: M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
Reverse: TR P XX IMP IIII COS III
Type: Victory, naked, to waist, standing front, head right, holding palm, upright, in right hand and with left hand firing shield, inscribed VIC PAR, on palm tree right.
Mint: Rome
Weight & Measures: 3.00g; 18mm
RIC: RIC III-163
Provenance: Ex. Gert Boersema Ancient Coins (February 2024)

Translation: OB: Marcus Antoninus Augustus, conquerer of the Armenians and Parthians, Maximus (the greatest).
Translation: REV: Tribunicia Potestate for the 20th time, Emperor for the 4th time, Consul for the 3rd time.

Notes: Commemorates victory over the Parthians. The Roman-Parthian war raged from A.D. 161 to 166, when Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus successfully defeated the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon. This coin was struck in the final year of that war to commemorate their ultimate victory over the Parthians.

Although the Parthian empire was never taken by the Romans, this battle helped to end the grandeur of this eastern empire. There were several more battles between the Romans and Parthians along this same territory, but the Parthian empire eventually succumbed to the Sasanians in A.D. 228, thus ensuing another bloody rivalry between Rome and the east.
2 commentsJustin L1
LEG_XX_002.jpg
Mark Antony Legionary Denarius LEG XX ANT AVG III VIR R P C
galley r. mast with banners at prow

Rev LEG XX legionary eagle between two standards

Patrae mint 32-31BC

SOLD

The 20th legion was founded in 49 BC by Julius Caesar.

B. The 20th Valeria was founded by Pompey in 84 BC, it was given the vacant 20th number by Augustus in 31-30 BC. Augustus granted the legion the title "Victrix" in about 25 BC.

Unfortunately I can't link the 20th legion of Mark Antony to an exact Imperial Legion. David Sear writes that Legio XX may have been raised after Actium, in which case it could have contained some elements of Antony's disbanded twentieth.
Jay GT4
LEG_XX.jpg
Mark Antony Legionary Denarius LEG XXANT AVG III VIR R P C
galley right, mast with banners at prow

LEG XX
legionary eagle between two standards

IE bankers marks on the reverse.

Patrae mint 32-31BC
2.89g

The 20th legion was founded in 49 BC by Julius Caesar.

B. The 20th Valeria was founded by Pompey in 84 BC, it was given the vacant 20th number by Augustus in 31-30 BC. Augustus granted the legion the title "Victrix" in about 25 BC.

Unfortunately I can't link the 20th legion of Mark Antony to an exact Imperial Legion. David Sear writes that Legio XX may have been raised after Actium, in which case it could have contained some elements of Antony's disbanded twentieth.
1 commentsJay GT4
08_Martin_Van_Buren_Peace_Medal.jpg
Martin Van Buren, 1837 Indian Peace MedalObv: MARTIN VAN BUREN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, draped bust of Martin Van Buren (8th President) facing right, A.D. 1837 below.

Rev: PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP, two clasped hands, crossed peace pipe and tomahawk above.

Engravers: Mortiz Furst (obverse), John Reich (reverse)

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1837 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
Millard_Fillmore_Peace_Medal.JPG
Millard Fillmore, 1850 Indian Peace MedalObv: MILLARD FILLMORE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, bust of Millard Fillmore (13th President) facing right, 1850 below.

Rev: A settler and a Native American standing, facing each other before an American flag; "LABOR," "VIRTUE," and "HONOR" inscribed above within three oval-shaped links of chain-like scroll; field landscape in background.

Engravers: Salathiel Ellis (obverse), Joseph Willson (reverse).

Mint: Philadelphia, Date: 1850 (20th Century Restrike), Bronze, Diameter: 76 mm
Matt Inglima
IMG_3543_2~2.jpeg
Owl of AthenaThe little owl (Athene noctua) and Athenian owl tetradrachm (reverse).

The little owl (Athene noctua), also known as the owl of Athena or owl of Minerva, is a bird that inhabits much of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, the Palearctic east to Korea, and North Africa. It was introduced into Britain at the end of the 19th century and into the South Island of New Zealand in the early 20th century.
4 commentsSerendipity
SinopeBourdeauCompleteImage.png
Phaphlagonia, Sinope125 - 120 BC
AE 17 mm, 3.57 grams, 0 degrees

O: Veiled bust of Laodike right, star countermark to left
R: ΣΙΝΩΠΗΣ, facing statue of Apollo Iatros holding branch over tripod and phiale

Ref: SNG Black Sea 1542; HGC 7 423 (references do not include countermark).

Ex- Marc Breitsprecher, Feb 2023; ex-Chicago family collection; ex-Elie Boudeau, Paris dealer, includes his tag from before 1912.

Notes: Good Fine+. Very interesting coin and pedigree. Very rare (Hoover rarity is R2); minted under Mithradates V and there is only one official royal coin of Mithradates V. Sinope was the capital of Pontos at this point and had been conquered in the 180's BC. The countermark seems to be even more rare and the star countermark is associated with Pontos and the royal family of Pontos. On AcSearch, only four specimens exist from 2016 to 2023, three do not have the countermark. Fascinating coin in so many ways. Needs more research by me.

On the dealer, Elie Boudeau: tag dating prior to 1912 - with dealer name, coin description and price (1.00 franc, about 20 cents) hand-written in French with an ink pen. Élie Boudeau (1853-1912) was a politician and numismatist in late 19th century-early 20th century Paris. He served in the 5th legislature of the Third French Republic from 12 November 1889 to 14 October 1893. He owned a shop in the numismatic district of Paris at 11 Rue Rameau, only a stones throw from the Bibliotheque Nationale and one block from the Rue Vivienne where several coin shops, including CGB, still exist today.

Thanks to Curtis JJ for help with the image for this coin and tag
2 commentsVirgil H
vespasian.jpg
Portrait of VespasianDigital paint of a sculpture, Capitoline Museum, Palazzo Nuovo, Rome. Photo from a series done in the early 1900s by the Alinari brothers.
ALINARI: Photographic documentation of art and architecture in Italy compiled by Alinari in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
4 commentsScotvs Capitis
Presidential_Peace_Medal_Group.jpg
Presidential Indian Peace Medals 1789 - 1889Indian Peace medals were issued by the United States Mint from 1801 to 1889 (Washington and John Adams medals were produced in the 1820's). This gallery consists of restrikes minted during the 20th Century.

Note: No medals were minted for 9th President William Henry Harrison, who died one month after taking office. A medal honoring Harrison's brief Presidency was issued in the 1880's, but is not a part of the Peace series.

To see individual medals with full descriptions, click link below:

Indian Peace Medals
Matt Inglima
14992_14993.jpg
Provincial, Anchialus, Thrace, AE27, OYΛΠΙΑΝΩΝ ΑΓΧIAΛεΩΝAE27
AE
Roman Provincial: Anchialus, Thrace
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
Issued: ?
27.00mm 10.67gr 8h
O: AYK Λ CεΠΤ CεΥΗΡΟC; Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust, right.
R: OYΛΠΙΑΝΩΝ ΑΓΧIAΛεΩΝ; City gate with two towers, three cupolas and one door.
Anchialus, Thrace Mint
AMNG 485; cf. Bmc Thrace p. 35, #18; Moushmov 2810.
Savoca Munich/Claudia Savoca 120th Blue Auction, Lot 515
12/12/21 5/17/22
Nicholas Z
9030_9031.jpg
Provincial, Elaia, Aiolis, AE17, εΛΑΙΤΩΝAE17
Roman Provincial: Elaia, Aiolis
Julia Domna
Born: ca. 170AD - Died: 217AD
Augusta: 193 - 217AD
Issued:
17.0mm 2.68gr 6h
O: IOΥ ΔΟΜΝΑ CεΒ; Draped bust, right.
R: εΛΑ-ΙΤΩΝ; Asklepios, standing right, holding serpent-entwined staff.
Elaia, Aiolis Mint
Fine
With original tag: "ex. Numismatica XIX, Lot Nr. 572 Hollschek Slg., m2a 45,- Schu 11105."
Lindgren 331; SNG von Aulock 1617; Mionnet 215; BMC -.
Savoca Auctions Munich/Claudia Savoca 20th Blue Auction, Lot 878.
5/18/19 7/6/19
Nicholas Z
10463_10464.jpg
Provincial, Irenopolis-Neronias, Cilicia, AE22, εΙΡΗΝΟΠΟΛΙΤωΝAE22
Roman Provincial: Irenopolis, Cilicia
Julia Domna
B. ca. 170 - D. 217AD
22.0 x 20.0mm 5.40gr 6h
O: ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟΜΝΑ CεΒ; Draped bust right; beaded border.
R: εΙΡΗΝΟ-ΠΟΛΙΤωΝ; Athena right, wearing high-crested Corinthian helmet; beaded border.
Exergue: ΑΣΡ
Irenopolis, Cilicia Mint
Ex. Savoca 20th Blue Auction, Lot 1439, 5/18/19.
VF
ANS 167.7
Savoca Munich/Claudia Savoca 27th Blue, Lot 1040
12/29/19 2/25/20
Nicholas Z
14996_14997.jpg
Provincial, Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior, AE26, YΠ KYNTIΛIANOY MARKIANOΠOΛεITΩΝAE26
AE
Roman Provincial: Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior
Caracalla
Caesar: 195 - 197AD
Augustus: 197 - 217AD
Issued: ?
Magistrate: Quintilianus
26.00mm 14.49gr 2h
O: [AN]TΩNINOC AYΓOYCTO [IOYΛIA ΔΟΜΝΑ]; Laureate head of Caracalla, right, facing draped bust of Julia Domna, left; beaded border.
R: YΠ KYNTIΛIANOY MARKIANOΠOΛεITΩΝ; Tetrastyle temple, pellet in pediment.
Exergue: E, mark of value.
Markianopolis, Moesia Inferior Mint
aVF
Varbanov 813; Moushmov 500.
Savoca Munich/Claudia Savoca 120th Blue Auction, Lot 597.
12/12/21 5/17/22
Nicholas Z
14998_14999.jpg
Provincial, Nicaea, Bithynia, AE15, NIKAIEΩNAE15
AE
Roman Provincial: Nicaea, Bithynia
Septimius Severus
Augustus: 193 - 211AD
15.00mm 2.04gr 7h
O: CεΟΥΗΡΟC AYΓOCT; Laureate head, right; beaded border.
R: NIKA-IEΩN; Prize urn, with two palm fronds out of the top; beaded border.
Nicaea, Bithynia Mint
RecGen 358
aVF
Savoca Munich/Claudia Savoca 120th Blue Auction, Lot 676
12/12/21 5/19/22
Nicholas Z
123 files on 2 page(s) 1

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