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1st Century BC - 1st Century CE, IRON AGE BRITAIN, Tribe: Trinovantes, AE Unit, Struck c.10 BC – 10 CE in Camulodunum(?) in Essex under DubnovellaunusObverse: Head facing right, hair(?) lines on head divided by clear centre parting.
Reverse: Horse prancing left; complex pellets and circles above and below.
Diameter: 13.5mm | Weight: 1.61gms | Axis: 3h
SPINK: -- | BMC -- | ABC 2413
VERY RARE
Very rare uninscribed bronze unit of Dubnovellaunus found in Essex. The type is designated as a “Dubnovellaunus Centre Parting” bronze unit in ABC (Ancient British Coins), and to date (January, 2023) it is unlisted in any other major reference works.
DUBNOVELLAUNUS
It is generally thought that Dubnovellaunus succeeded his father Addedomarus as king of the Trinovantes somewhere around 10-5 BC and ruled for several years before being supplanted by Cunobelinus of the Catuvellauni.
In the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, a British king called Dumnovellaunus appears, alongside Tincomarus of the Atrebates, as a supplicant to Augustus in around AD 7 and, given the chronology, it is indeed possible that Dubnovellaunus of the Trinovantes is the same person as the Dumnovellaunus who presented himself to Augustus. The spelling variation is due to a Celtic, rather than a Latin, interpretation of the ruler's name.
It is worth mentioning that the authors of ABC (Ancient British Coins) also think that Dubnovellaunus of the Trinovantes could possibly be the same individual as the Dumnovellaunus who ruled in Kent in the 30s - 20s BC, they suggest that he could have been a Cantian king who later gained control over the southern part of the Trinovantes and that therefore he might have ruled both territories north and south of the Thames estuary for a few years. It should be noted however, that Van Arsdell, an authority on the Celtic Coinage of Britain, emphatically disputes this.
TRINOVANTES
The Trinovantes were one of the Iron Age Celtic tribes of Pre-Roman Britain. Their territory was on the north side of the Thames estuary in the present day counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk, and also included lands now located in Greater London. They were bordered to the north by the Iceni, and to the west by the Catuvellauni. Their capital was Camulodunum (modern Colchester).
Shortly before Julius Caesar's invasion of Britain in 55 and 54 BC, the Trinovantes were considered the most powerful tribe in Britain. At this time their capital was probably at Braughing (in modern-day Hertfordshire). In some copies of Caesar's Gallic War their king is referred to as Imanuentius, although no name is given in other copies which have come down to us. That said however, it seems that this king was overthrown by Cassivellaunus, king of the Catuvellauni, some time before Caesar's second expedition and that Imanuentius' son, Mandubracius, fled to the protection of Caesar in Gaul. During his second expedition Caesar defeated Cassivellaunus and restored Mandubracius to the kingship. Cassivellaunus agreed to pay tribute and also undertook not to attack him again.
The next identifiable king of the Trinovantes, known from numismatic evidence, was Addedomarus, who took power around 20 – 15 BCE, and moved the tribe's capital to Camulodunum. For a brief period, around 10 BCE, Tasciovanus of the Catuvellauni issued coins from Camulodunum, suggesting that he must have conquered the Trinovantes, but he was soon forced to withdraw, perhaps as a result of pressure from the Romans. Addedomarus was restored and Tasciovanus' later coins no longer bear the mark “REX”. Addedomarus was briefly succeeded by his son Dubnovellaunus, around 10 to 5 BCE, but a few years later the tribe was conquered by either Tasciovanus or his son Cunobelinus.
The Trinovantes do not appear in history again until their participation in Boudica's revolt against the Romans in 60 CE. After that though they seem to have embraced the Romanisation of Britain and their name was later given to one of the “civitates” of Roman Britain, whose chief town was Caesaromagus (modern Chelmsford in Essex).
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*Alex
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21 Pertinax DenariusPERTINAX
AR denarius, Rome
January 1–March 28, 193 AD
O: IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head of Pertinax right
R: PROVID DEOR COS II, Providentia standing l., raising r. hand toward star.
BMCRE 13. RIC 11(a). RSC 43. Very fine
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica
RI0132Sosius
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ILIRIA - DIRRAQUIO/EPIDAMNOSAR dracma 18X16 mm 2.4 gr.
Anv: "MENIΣ [KOΣ ]" (Nombre de la Autoridad Monetaria que la acuña), sobre una Vaca a der. mirando a su ternero que se amanta a izq.
Rev: "AYP / ΔIO / [NY] / [ΣIOY]" – Doble Forma estrellada, dividida por dos líneas y rodeada por una doble línea formando un contorno cuadrado.
Los diseños del reverso de Korkyra así como de sus colonias, Apollonia (Apolonia) y Dyrrhachion (Dirraquio), han sido objeto de mucha especulación numismática. Eckhel (Doctrina numorum veterum [Vienna, 1792/3], II:155) aceptó la opinión de Laurentius Beger (Observationes Et Conjecturae In Numismata Quaedam Antiqua [Brandenburg, 1691]), que argumentó que el diseño del reverso representa el jardín de Alkinoos, el mítico rey de Phaiakia, descrito en detalle por el poeta Homero (Od. 7.112-133). Basado en el supuesto de que mítica Phaiakia era la isla de la antigua Korkyra (mod. Corfú), y sabiendo que Korkyrans colonizaron tanto Apollonia y Dyrrhachion, Beger (ya través de él, Eckhel) concluyeron que los elementos centrales eran flores y que el diseño general debe representar tanto el diseño del jardín, o las puertas que conducen a ella. Más tarde, la mayoría de los numismáticos, como Böckh, Müller, Friedlander, y von Sallet, argumentaron que los elementos centrales del diseño eran más como la estrella, mientras que Gardner favoreciendo una interpretación floral, aunque sea como una referencia a Apolo Aristaios o Nomios, no el jardín de ALKINOOS. Más recientemente, Nicolet-Pierre volvió a examinar la cuestión del diseño del reverso en su artículo sobre la moneda arcaica de Korkyra ("À props du monnayage archaïque de Corcyre," SNR 88 [2009], pp. 2-3) y ofreció una nueva interpretación. Tomando nota de un pasaje de Tucídides (3.70.4) en la que ese autor citó la existencia en la isla de un recinto sagrado (temenos) dedicado a Zeus y ALKINOOS, sugirió que el diseño del reverso podría haber sido inspirada por esto, y no en el jardín de ALKINOOS que detalla Homero.
Acuñación: 200 - 30 A.C.
Ceca: Dyrrhachion - Illyria (Hoy Durré en Albania)
Referencias: Sear GCTV Vol.I #1900 var Pag.187 – BMC Vol.7 #62-64 Pag.69 – SNG Copenhagen #467 - Maier #201 - Ceka #320mdelvalle
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ROME. Germanicus. Died AD 19.
ƠTessera (21mm, 3.72 g, 2 h)
Cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; all within wreath
Large III; all within wreath
Buttrey 17/III
Ex Alberto Campana Collection (Numismatica Ars Classica 64, 17 May 2012), lot 2453Ardatirion
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SYRIA, Uncertain. Eloucion?
Magistrate, 2nd-3rd century AD.
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.06 g, 11 h)
HΛOV CION, bust of Shamash right, atop eagle(?)
Nike advancing left; star above crescent before, wheel below
Unpublished
The bust of Shamash (or perhaps Sol) on the obverse is distinctly Syrian in nature. Additionally, the style is dramatically different from the issues of Asia Minor. Ardatirion
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00001 Larissa Profile Left, Jason’s Sandal RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa
Obv: Archaic representation of Larissa in profile to the l. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Jason’s sandal to the r., Λ - Α above. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 500 - 479 BC; Weight: .65g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 210º; References, for example: Weber 2826, pl. 109; Herrmann Group 1 Obolen; SNG Cop 90; BCD Thessaly I 1098 (this coin); HGC 4, 404.
Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 133 Lot 53 21 Nov 2022, from the collection of “A Man In Love With Art.”; Ex. BCD Thessaly Nomos AG Auction 4 Lot 1098 May 10, 2011.
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Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars ClassicaTracy Aiello
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0001 - Quadrans Nero 64 ACObv/NERO CLAV CAE AVG GER, owl on altar.
Rev/PM TR P IMP PP, SC on field, olive branch.
Quadrans of small module, no value-mark.
AE, 12.84mm, 1.70g
Mint: Rome.
RIC I/260 [C] - Cohen 185 - RCV 1988 - BMCRE p.258
ex-Numismática Saetabisdafnis
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000411 Horse Prancing Right, Larissa Left Bouncing BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa
Obv: horse prancing r. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Λ - Α (lower l. corner, upper r. corner) Larissa walking l. wearing Chiton, l. hand lowered behind her and bouncing a ball in front of her with raised r. hand. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 460 - 440 BC; Weight: .99g; Diameter: 10mm: Die axis: 180º; References, for example: Imhoof-Blumer Nymphen: p. 69 no. 186 pl. V no. 18; Herrmann Group II b 𝛃 pl. I 16; Traité IV, 654 var. legend placement, Larissa r., pl. CCXCVI, 11; BCD Thessaly I 1111 (this coin); HGC 4 486.
Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 124 Lot 111 June 23, 2021, from the collection of “A Man In Love With Art.”; Ex. BCD Thessaly Nomos AG Auction 4 Lot 1111 May 10, 2011; Ex. Leu Numismatik 50 Lot 127 April 25, 1990.
Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars Classica
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Tracy Aiello
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0009 - Denarius Papia 79 BCObv/Head of Juno Sospita r., wearing goatskin, symbol behind.
Rev/Gryphon dancing r., symbol below, L PAPI in ex.
Ag, 19.9mm, 3.82g
Moneyer: L. Papius.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 384/1 [dies o/r: 211/211] - Syd. 773 - Calicó 1057 - RCV 311 - RSC Papia 1 - Cohen Papia 1
ex-Numismática Saetabisdafnis
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00092 Horse Prancing Left, Larissa Right with Wreath and BallThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa
Obv: Horse prancing l. on ground line. ΟΣ above with the Σ reversed. All within border of dots.
Rev: Larissa standing on ground line facing the viewer, head turned l. [viewer’s .r], wreath in raised l. hand and ball in lowered r. hand. On r. ΛΑ upwards, on l. ΡΙΣΑ downwards and retrograde. All within incuse square.
Denomination: silver obol; Mint: Larissa; Date: 420 - 400 BC1; Weight: .98g; Diameter: 12mm: Die axis: 330º; References, for example: Imhoof-Blummer p. 71, 193/pl. V, 25; Herrmann Group III Small Denominations under E, III 𝛂 Obols rev. II, pl. II, 20; BCD Thessaly II 364.3; HCG 495.
Notes:
1This is the date given in HGC 4.
Provenance: Ex. Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 123 May 9, 2021; Ex CNG e-sale 252, March 23, 2011 lot 46.
Photo Credits: Numismatica Ars Classica
CLICK FOR SOURCESTracy Aiello
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00095 Facing Head of Larissa - AI SignedThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa
Obv: Head of the nymph Larissa facing ¾ l., wearing ampyx with ΓΕΥ inscription (not visible)1, hair floating freely above head, tiny IA above top locks of hair (off of flan), prominent raised right shoulder2 (garment clasp visible?), spherical earring with bead pendant. Border of dots.
Rev: Horse crouching r., bucranium brand on haunch, forelegs spread, raised tail (off of flan), tiny AI under belly3, reign trails into exergue with exergue line sloping downward under horse's muzzle, ΛΑΡΙΣΑΙ directly below exergue line with ΣΑΙ breaking into that line.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 405/400 BC - c. 370 BC4; Weight: 6.11g; Diameter: 19mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: SNG Cop vol. 11, 126; Herrmann Group VII, Series I, Reverse II, pl. VI, 16 and 19; HGC 4, 434; Lorber - Shahar Group 3 Head Type 14 (O35/R2 - Sp. b, this very coin) = Florilegium Numismaticum Group One Head Type 11 with Reverse 21.2 - Sp. b (this very coin).
Notes:
1Lorber presumes that these letters are "...an abbreviated epithet of the nymph Larissa." (Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 261).
2Lorber invites us to interpret this "distinctive gesture" as the nymph "...tossing her ball, an action regularly depicted on trihemiobols and obols of the fifth century." (Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 262).
3Lorber understands these letters to be the signature of the mint's chief engraver, who replaced ΣΙΜΟ. See Lorber Early in FlorNum, p. 261.
4This is the date range provided in Lorber 2008, p. 126.
The city of Larissa was named after the local water nymph, said to be the daughter of Pelasgos. He was said to be the ancestor of the pre-Greek Pelasgians. According to myth Larissa drowned while playing ball on the banks of the Peneios river. (HGC 4 p. 130).
Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics October 30, 2019; Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 29, May 11, 2005, lot 176; Ex Numismatic Fine Arts Auction XXXIII, May 3, 1994, lot 929.
Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics
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Tracy Aiello
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002a, Aigina, Islands off Attica, Greece, c. 510 - 490 B.C.Silver stater, S 1849, SNG Cop 503, F, 12.231g, 22.3mm, Aigina (Aegina) mint, c. 510 - 490 B.C.; Obverse: sea turtle (with row of dots down the middle); Reverse: incuse square of “Union Jack” pattern; banker's mark obverse. Ex FORVM.
Greek Turtles, by Gary T. Anderson
Turtles, the archaic currency of Aegina, are among the most sought after of all ancient coins. Their early history is somewhat of a mystery. At one time historians debated whether they or the issuances of Lydia were the world's earliest coins. The source of this idea comes indirectly from the writings of Heracleides of Pontus, a fourth century BC Greek scholar. In the treatise Etymologicum, Orion quotes Heracleides as claiming that King Pheidon of Argos, who died no later than 650 BC, was the first to strike coins at Aegina. However, archeological investigations date the earliest turtles to about 550 BC, and historians now believe that this is when the first of these intriguing coins were stamped.
Aegina is a small, mountainous island in the Saronikon Gulf, about midway between Attica and the Peloponnese. In the sixth century BC it was perhaps the foremost of the Greek maritime powers, with trade routes throughout the eastern half of the Mediterranean. It is through contacts with Greeks in Asia Minor that the idea of coinage was probably introduced to Aegina. Either the Lydians or Greeks along the coast of present day Turkey were most likely the first to produce coins, back in the late seventh century. These consisted of lumps of a metal called electrum (a mixture of gold and silver) stamped with an official impression to guarantee the coin was of a certain weight. Aegina picked up on this idea and improved upon it by stamping coins of (relatively) pure silver instead electrum, which contained varying proportions of gold and silver. The image stamped on the coin of the mighty sea power was that of a sea turtle, an animal that was plentiful in the Aegean Sea. While rival cities of Athens and Corinth would soon begin limited manufacture of coins, it is the turtle that became the dominant currency of southern Greece. The reason for this is the shear number of coins produced, estimated to be ten thousand yearly for nearly seventy years. The source for the metal came from the rich silver mines of Siphnos, an island in the Aegean. Although Aegina was a formidable trading nation, the coins seemed to have meant for local use, as few have been found outside the Cyclades and Crete. So powerful was their lure, however, that an old proverb states, "Courage and wisdom are overcome by Turtles."
The Aeginean turtle bore a close likeness to that of its live counterpart, with a series of dots running down the center of its shell. The reverse of the coin bore the imprint of the punch used to force the face of the coin into the obverse turtle die. Originally this consisted of an eight-pronged punch that produced a pattern of eight triangles. Later, other variations on this were tried. In 480 BC, the coin received its first major redesign. Two extra pellets were added to the shell near the head of the turtle, a design not seen in nature. Also, the reverse punch mark was given a lopsided design.
Although turtles were produced in great quantities from 550 - 480 BC, after this time production dramatically declines. This may be due to the exhaustion of the silver mines on Siphnos, or it may be related to another historical event. In 480 BC, Aegina's archrival Athens defeated Xerxes and his Persian armies at Marathon. After this, it was Athens that became the predominant power in the region. Aegina and Athens fought a series of wars until 457 BC, when Aegina was conquered by its foe and stripped of its maritime rights. At this time the coin of Aegina changed its image from that of the sea turtle to that of the land tortoise, symbolizing its change in fortunes.
The Turtle was an object of desire in ancient times and has become so once again. It was the first coin produced in Europe, and was produced in such great quantities that thousands of Turtles still exist today. Their historical importance and ready availability make them one of the most desirable items in any ancient coin enthusiast's collection.
(Greek Turtles, by Gary T. Anderson .Cleisthenes
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0040 - Denarius Hadrian 136 ACObv/HADRIANVS AVG COS III PP, Hadrian bare head r.
Rev/HISPANIA, Hispania reclining l., holding branch and resting l. arm on rock; in front of her, a rabbit.
Ag, 18.0mm, 3.25g
Mint: Rome.
RIC II/305a [C]
ex-Numismática Pliego, auction 38, lot 237dafnis
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0048 - Denarius anonymous 115-4 BCObv/ Helmeted head of Roma r.; behind, X; below, ROMA.
Rev/Roma seated r. on pile of shields, holding spear; before, she-wolf r. suckling twins; two birds in the field.
Ag, 22.0mm, 3.93g
Moneyer: anonymous.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 287/1 [dies o/r: 82/102] - Syd. 530 - RCV 164 - RSC 176 - Calicó 58 - BMCRR Italy 562
ex-Numismática y Arqueología J. Antonio Salvadordafnis
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0054 - Denarius Vespasian 71 ACObv/IMP CAESAR VESP AVG PM, Vespasian laureate head r.
Rev/AVGVR TRI POT, l. to r. simpulum, aspergillum, jug and lituus (emblems of the augurate and potificate).
Ag, 18.9mm, 3.19g
Mint: Rome.
RIC II.1/356 [CC] - RCV 2282 - BMCRE 64 - RSC 45
ex-Numismática Craven (Valencia Coin Fair)dafnis
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0079 - Denarius Tituria 89 BCObv/Bearded head of king Tatius r., before TA, behind SABIN.
Rev/Rape of Sabines, two Roman soldiers hurrying l. carrying two Sabines; L TITVRI in ex.
Moneyer: L. Titurius L.f. Sabinus.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 344/1a [dies o/r: 294/327 (1a to 1c)] - Syd. 698
ex-Numismática Ramosdafnis
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0080 - Denarius Trajan 114-7 ACObv/IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC, laureate head of Trajan r., with aegis.
Rev/PHARTICO PM TR P COS VI PP SPQR, Felicitas standing l., holding caduceus and cornucopiae.
Ag, 19.2mm, 3.30g
Mint: Rome
RIC II/333 - Cohen 294
ex-Numismática Ramosdafnis
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0097 - Denarius Domitian 81 ACObv/ IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M, laureate head of D. r.
Rev/ COS VII TR P, dolphin coiled around anchor.
Ag, 18.7 mm, 3.12 g
Mint: Roma.
RIC II.1/2
ex-Numismática Craven (AENP Coin Convention Valencia, feb 2011)dafnis
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0106 - Punic - AE unit - 242-209 BCObv/ Head of Tanit (rough) l.
Rev/ Horse's head (rough) r.: before, punic letter “aleph”.
AE, 21.5 mm, 10.35 g
Mint: Qart Hadasht (Cartagena, Spain)
CNH/HC45 [R1]
ex-Sanrode Numismática – eBay, art. #260689847460dafnis
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0107 - As Caligula 37-38 ACObv/ C CAESAR AVG GERMANIC IMP PM TR P COS, laureate head of C. r.
Rev/ PM CN ATEL FLAC CN POM FLAC II VIR Q VINC, Salus (Cesonia?) r.; SAL - AVG in field.
AE, 29.0 mm, 14.76 g
Mint: carthago Nova.
APRH/185
ex-Numismática Hinojosa – eBay, art. #290555714886dafnis
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0120 - Punic - AE16 400-350 BCObv/ Head of Tanit l.
Rev/ Horse standing r.: behind, palm tree; before, three dots.
AE, 16.5 mm, 3.20 g
Mint: Carthage
SNG Copenhagen 118 var.
ex-Numismática Hinojosa, eBay june 2011 - art. #280699851930dafnis
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0121 - Denarius Cipia 115-4 BCObv/ Helmeted head of Roma r.; before, M CIPI MF; behind, X.
Rev/ Victory in biga r., holding reins and palm-branch tied with fillet; below, rudder; in ex. ROMA.
Ag, 17.5 mm, 3.93 g
Moneyer: M. Cipius M.f.
Mint: Roma.
RRC 289/1 [dies o/r: 535/669] - Bab. Cipia 1 - Syd. 546
ex-Numismática Hinojosa, eBay june 2011 - art. #350470428453dafnis
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0134 - Nummus Constantine I 319-20 ACObv/ IMP CONSTANTIN-VS AVG, helmeted bust of C. l., cuirassed and with spear on r. shoulder.
Rev/ VICTORIAE LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories standing face to face, holding vota shield, with VOT / PR inscribed within; diamond mint mark inside altar, PLN in ex.
AE, 17.5 mm, 2.92 g
Mint: Londinium.
RIC VII/158 var. [S]
ex-Numismática Hinojosa, eBay jul 2011 - art. #280702971071dafnis
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0148 - Denarius Rustia 76 BCObv/ Helmeted head of Minerva r.; behind, SC; before, crossed X.
Rev/ Ram r., L RVSTI in ex.
Ag, 18.5 mm, 3.74 g
Moneyer: L.Rustius.
Mint: Roma.
RRC 389/1 [dies o/r: 42/47] - Syd. 782 - RSC Rustia 1
ex-Numismatica Tintinna, auction e11, lot 1063dafnis
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0149 - Denarius Antoninus Pius 147-8 ACObv/ ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P XI, laureate head of A.P. r.
Rev/ PRIMI DECEN COS IIII, inside oak wreath.
Ag, 18.5 mm, 3.29 g
Mint: Roma.
RIC III/171 [S]
ex-Numismatica Tintinna, auction e11, lot 2031dafnis
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0150 - Nummus Crispus 323-4 ACObv/ CRISPVS NOBIL C, laureate and cuirassed bust of C. l., spear on r. shoulder and shield on r.h.
Rev/ BEATA TRA-NQLITAS, globe set on altar inscribed VOT/IS/XX in three lines; above, three stars; PLON in ex.
AE, 19.8 mm, 2.50 g
Mint: Londinium.
RIC VII/278 [R3]
ex-Numismatica Tintinna, auction e11, lot 2122dafnis
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017. Crispina. AR Denarius. IVNOCrispina. Augusta, AD 178-182. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.03 g, 12h). Rome mint. Struck under Commodus. Draped bust right / Juno standing left, holding patera and scepter; to left, peacock standing left. RIC III 283 (Commodus); MIR 18, 12-4a; RSC 21. Toned, some iridescence and underlying luster, hairline flan crack
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 78 (26 May 2014), lot 2311.LordBest
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02.- Attica Tetradrachm (287-262 BC)ATTICA, Athens. Circa 287-262 BC. AR Tetradrachm (23mm, 16.80 g). Helmeted head of Athena right / Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and crescent behind; all within incuse square.
Purchased at Filatelia Numismatica Santos in 2015.Oscar D
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032 Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), RIC II 0734, Rome, AE-Quadrans, COS-III P P, Winged Caduceus, Very Rare !032 Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), RIC II 0734, Rome, AE-Quadrans, COS-III P P, Winged Caduceus, Very Rare !
avers:- HADRIANVS-AVGVSTVS, Bust of Hadrian, laureate, right.
revers:- COS III P P, Winged, Caduceus.
exe: -/-//--, diameter: 16-17mm, weight: 2,50g, axis: 6h,
mint: Rome, date: 132-134A.D., ref: RIC-II-734-p-, Very Rare !
"BMC p. 464, *, citing Cohen 506 (Gréau Sale, 6 francs).
Strack 495b: two spec. in Vatican, one in Vienna." by Curtis Clay
Q-001quadrans
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06 Attica, Athenian HemiobolObv: Head of Athena r. wearing Attic helmet with three olive leaves, frontal eye.
Rev: Owl standing r., tail feathers as a single prong, head facing, olive leaf to l., A☉E at 90º and downward to the r., all within incuse square.
Denomination: silver hemiobol; Mint: Athens; Date: 454 - 404 BC: Weight: .35g; Diameter: 6mm; Die axis: 90º; References, for example: Starr Group V Subgroup V. B. Series 5 pl. XXIV, z [?]; Svoronos Athens pl. 11, 50; Kroll 14; HGC 4, 1681.
Provenance: Ex. Shanna Schmidt Numismatics January 8, 2023 from the J. de Wilde Collection; Ex. Herbert Cahn Collection (Numismatica Genevensis SA Numismatic Auction 7, 27 November 2012), lot 103 (part of).
Photo Credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics
CLICK FOR SOURCESTracy Aiello
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:– IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:– TR P IIII IMP II COS, Mars standing right, resting on spear and shield
Minted in Alexandria, A.D. 194
References:– BMCRE -, RIC -, RSC -. cf. RIN (Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI (1994/1995)
Old image.maridvnvm
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:- TR P IIII IMP II COS II, Mars standing right, resting on spear and shield
Minted in Alexandria, A.D. 194
References:- BMCRE -, RIC -, RSC -. RIN (Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI (1994/1995)
2.72g. 17.78mm. 0o
Additional information from Curtis Clay:-
"Die match to example in British Museum, found at the site of a Roman villa in Kent, GB, in 1952. The same obv. die also occurs with the types MONETA AVG and LEG III IT AVG TR P COS.
Bickford-Smith recorded three other specimens, of which I also have plaster casts: his own coll. (probably now in BM), Klosterneuburg, and U.S. private collection. On these the rev. legend apparently ends COS rather than COS II.
This type was clearly struck in 194, when Septimius was TR P II and IMP III or IIII, so TR P IIII IMP II in the rev. legend is an error, the origin of which is obvious: the type is a rote copy of the identical type and legend on denarii of Lucius Verus of 164, Cohen 228-9. The titles apply to Lucius in 164, not Septimius in 194!" maridvnvm
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:- TR P IIII IMP II COS, Mars standing right, resting on spear and shield
Minted in Alexandria, A.D. 194
References:- BMCRE -, RIC -, RSC -. cf. RIN (Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI (1994/1995)
2.59g. 18.71mm. 0o
Additional information courtesy of Curtis Clay:-
"Bickford-Smith recorded three other specimens, of which I also have plaster casts: his own coll. (probably now in BM), Klosterneuburg, and U.S. private collection. On these the rev. legend apparently ends COS rather than COS II.
This type was clearly struck in 194, when Septimius was TR P II and IMP III or IIII, so TR P IIII IMP II in the rev. legend is an error, the origin of which is obvious: the type is a rote copy of the identical type and legend on denarii of Lucius Verus of 164, Cohen 228-9. The titles apply to Lucius in 164, not Septimius in 194!" maridvnvm
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:- TR P IIII IMP II COS, Mars standing right, resting on spear and shield
Minted in Alexandria, A.D. 194
References:- BMCRE -, RIC -, RSC -. cf. RIN (Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI (1994/1995)
Additional information courtesy of Curtis Clay:-
"Bickford-Smith recorded three other specimens, of which I also have plaster casts: his own coll. (probably now in BM), Klosterneuburg, and U.S. private collection. On these the rev. legend apparently ends COS rather than COS II.
This type was clearly struck in 194, when Septimius was TR P II and IMP III or IIII, so TR P IIII IMP II in the rev. legend is an error, the origin of which is obvious: the type is a rote copy of the identical type and legend on denarii of Lucius Verus of 164, Cohen 228-9. The titles apply to Lucius in 164, not Septimius in 194!" maridvnvm
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:- IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, Laureate head right
Rev:- TR P IIII IMP II COS, Mars standing right, resting on spear and shield
Minted in Alexandria, A.D. 194
References:- BMCRE -, RIC -, RSC -. cf. RIN (Rivista Italiana di Nvmismatica Vol. XCVI (1994/1995)maridvnvm
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0680 Hadrian Sestertius Roma 119-23 AD Spes Reference.
Strack 576; RIC II, 612b; Banti 595; RIC 680
Bust B1 crop
Obv. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
Laureate, cuirassed bust cropped of its pteryges (thunderbolt on leather strap)
Rev. P M TR P COS III S C
Spes advancing left, holding flower and hitching robe
28.15 gr
33 mm
6h
From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection. Ex Lepczyk 61 (13 March 1985), lot 365; Vatican Museum duplicate from St. John’s College Collection, no. 429.okidoki
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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).maridvnvm
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1. M. Aburius M. f. Geminus (132 BC)Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: 132 BC
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma right; GEM behind; XVI monogram below chin.
Rev: Sol driving galloping quadriga right, M ABVRI below horses; ROMA in exergue.
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.92 grams
Crawford 250/1
Mint: Rome
Ex: Roma Numismatics, Numismatica Ars Classica (Auction 52, 7 October 2009, 223)Romancollector
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1. Nerva (AD 96-98)AE Sestertius (33 mm, 24.14 g). Rome mint. AD 97. IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS III P P, laureate head right / PAX AVG, Pax seated left, holding branch in right hand and sceptre in left; S C in exergue. RIC III 88.
Ex Ploil Collection
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale 2021 (10 May 2021), lot 1281.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 106 (9 May 2018), lot 1443.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton VII (12 Jan 2004), lot 907.Romancollector
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100 Réis - Getúlio Vargas 1940 CE
Obverse: Portrait of Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (1882-1954) left, President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. GETULIO VARGAS
Engraver: Orlando Moutinho Maia
Reverse: Denomination above date encircled by Marajoara decoration collar. BRASIL - 100 - RÉIS - 1940
Engraver: Leopoldo Alves CamposPericles J2
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119a Diocletianus (284-305 A.D.), Heraclea, RIC VI 010e (Not in RIC this Officina), AR-Argenteus, -/-/HЄ, VICTORIAE SARMATICAE, Four Tetrarchs, Very Rare! #1119a Diocletianus (284-305 A.D.), Heraclea, RIC VI 010e (Not in RIC this Officina), AR-Argenteus, -/-/HЄ, VICTORIAE SARMATICAE, Four Tetrarchs, Very Rare! #1
avers: DIOCLETI ANVS AVG, Laureate head right.
reverse: VICTORIAE SARMATICAE, The Four Tetrarchs sacrificing in front of 6 turreted City gate.
exergue: -/-/HЄ, diameter: 18,5-19,0mm, weight: 3,50g, axis:0h ,
mint: Heraclea, date: 296 A.D., ref: RIC VI 010e (? Not in RIC this Officina), p-, Jelocnik -; RSC 491b, Not in RIC this Officina Very Rare!
Q-001quadrans
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132 - Probus - RIC 128 - Bust Type C var. (Lugdunum) (Retrograde C in right field)Obv:– IMP C PROBVS • P • F • AVG, Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev:–SPES AVG, Spes standing left, holding flower and raising robe
Minted in Lugdunum (_ | Retrograde C) Emission 9, Officina 3. January to August A.D. 282
Reference(s) – Cohen 701. Bastien 420 (5 examples). RIC 128 Bust type C var (Officina mark not listed in RIC).
Ex. Barnaba6 Collection (Private Sale). Ex. NUMISMATICA VARESINA web shop May 2016
Uneven strike
2.72 g. 22.35 mm. 180 degrees maridvnvm
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136 Constantinus I. (306-309 A.D. Caesar, 309-910 A.D. Filius Augustorum, 307-337 A.D. Augustus), Trier, RIC VII ???, AR-Argenteus, -/-//PTR, VICTORIA LAETAE PRINC PERP, Not in RIC !!!136 Constantinus I. (306-309 A.D. Caesar, 309-910 A.D. Filius Augustorum, 307-337 A.D. Augustus), Trier, RIC VII ???, AR-Argenteus, -/-//PTR, VICTORIA LAETAE PRINC PERP, Not in RIC !!!
avers:- IMP CONSTANTI NVS AVG, bust l., high-crested helmet, cuir., dr., spear across r. shoulder..
rever:- VICTORIA LAETAE PRINC PERP, two Victories stg. facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT/PR on altar. PTR in exergue.
"UNLISTED ISSUE. This issue is listed erroneously in RIC VII as regular follis (TRIER 208A, p. 181), but in fact it is "billon argenteus" (c. 25% of silver) and belongs to the group of TREVERI 825-826 in RIC VI. Note that only PTR mark is correct, because of only one officina working at that time at Treveri. Note also that the bust type is similar to H11 from RIC VII, but there are also a few differences: bust is usually larger, half-length, and could be described as cuirassed and draped. Coin should be listed after TREVERI 826. See: Bastien, P., "L’émission de monnaies de billon de Treves au début de 313", Quaderni Ticinesi (Numismatica e Antichità Classiche) 1982, XI, p. 271-278. See: CORRIGENDA, VOL. VII, p. 181, CORRIGENDA, VOL. VI, p. 224" by Lech Stepniewski, in "Not in RIC" , thank you Lech Stepniewski,
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/notinric/6tre-826.html
exergo: -/-//PTR, diameter: 19mm, weight: 2,73g, axis: h,
mint: Trier, date: 318-319 A.D., ref: RIC VI Trier 825-6?, RIC VI, "TREVERI [after 826], CONSTANTINE I, UNLISTED ISSUE" by Lech Stepniewski,
Q-001quadrans
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2. Julia Domna (Augusta, AD 193-217)Denomination: AE Sestertius
Date: AD 215, struck under Caracalla.
Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed and draped bust right.
Rev: SAECVLI FELICITAS S C, Felicitas standing left, sacrificing out of patera over altar and holding sceptre.
Diameter: 31mm
Weight: 26.52 g
Mint: Rome
RIC IV 590
Ex Jack A. Frazer Collection.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 117 (19 May 2021), lot 577.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group Triton XXIII (14 Jan 2020), lot 797.
Ex James Fox Collection.
Ex Classical Numismatic Group 40 with Numismatica Ars Classica (14 Dec 1996), lot 1573.
Ex Leu 50 (25 April 1990), lot 335.Romancollector
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2. Trajan (AD 98-117)AE Sestertius (35mm, 27.71 g). Rome mint. AD 106-107. IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS V P P, laureate head right with drapery on left shoulder / S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, Dacia seated left on shield in attitude of mourning, before trophy; S C in exergue. RIC III 564 var.
Ex Ploil Collection.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Spring Sale 2021 (10 May 2021), lot 1299.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 101 (24 Oct 2017), lot 249.
Ex Gorny & Mosch Auction 125 (13 October 2003), lot 475.Romancollector
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200 Réis Getúlio Vargas1938 CE
Obverse: Portrait of Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (1882-1954), President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954.
GETULIO VARGAS
Engraver: Leopoldo Campos
Reverse: Denomination above date within wreath.
BRASIL
200
RÉIS
1938Pericles J2
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3. M. Herennius (108-107 BC)Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: 108-107 BC
Obv: Head of Pietas right, wearing stephane; PIETAS downwards behind.
Rev: Amphinomus running right, carrying his father; M•HERENNI downwards behind, control mark before.
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.91 grams
Mint: Rome
Crawford 308/1b
Ex: Roma Numismatics, Numismatica Ars ClassicaRomancollector
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300 Réis - Getúlio Vargas 1940 CE
Obverse: Portrait of Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (1882-1954) left, President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. GETULIO VARGAS
Engraver: Leopoldo Alves de Campos
Reverse: Denomination above date encircled by Marajoara decoration collar. BRASIL - 300 - RÉIS - 1940
Engraver: Benedito de Araújo Ribeiro. Pericles J2
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3805 SYRIA Laodicea ad Mare. Hadrian Tetradrachm 123-24 AD Tyche Reference.
RPC III, 3805/6; Prieur 1109; Adra 1562-5; Paris 1157
Issue Year 170 (OP)
Obv. ΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙСΑΡ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟС ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒΑСΤ
Laureate and cuirassed bust of Hadrian right, with gorgoneion on breastplate
Rev. ΙΟΥΛΙΕωΝ ΤωΝ ΚΑΙ ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕωΝ
Turreted and draped bust of Tyche, right; in field, right, ΟΡ soldiers arming the battlements/towers on Tyche's head
13 gr
25 mm
12h
Note.
From the Michel Prieur Collection. Ex Robert O. Ebert Collection (Part I, Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio 174, 11 January 2013), lot 5142; Numismatica Ars Classica 1 (39 March 1989), lot 862; Münzen und Medaillen AG FPL 279 (August 1967), no. 40.okidoki
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4. Trajan (AD 96-117)AE Sestertius (35mm, 27.84 g). Rome mint. AD 114-116. IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS VI PP, laureate and draped bust right / Trajan in military dress, seated on platform, haranguing soldiers; by his side two officers and in front of him on the ground another officer with four soldiers. In the background, three standards. In exergue, IMPERATOR VIII S C. RIC III 658.
Ex Ploil Collection
Ex Naville Numismatics Live Auction 70 (12 December 2021), lot 435.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 125 (24 June 2021), lot 689.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 101 (24 October 2017), lot 254.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auction 23 (2002), lot 1544.Romancollector
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400 Réis - Getúlio Vargas1938 CE
Obverse: Portrait of Getúlio Dornelles Vargas (1882-1954) left, President of Brazil, first as dictator, from 1930 to 1945, and in a democratically elected term from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. GETULIO VARGAS
Engraver: Leopoldo Alves de Campos
Reverse: Denomination above date encircled by Marajoara decoration collar. BRASIL - 400 - RÉIS - 1938
Engravers: Walfrides Bruno Trindade, Orlando Moutinho Maia Pericles J2
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5. L. Livineius Regulus (42 BC)Denomination: AR Denarius
Date: 42 BC
Obv: bare head right.
Rev: LIVINEIVS/REGVLVS, curule chair between six fasces.
Diameter: 19mm
Weight: 3.94 grams
Mint: Rome
Crawford 494/28
Ex: the Andrew McCabe Collection, Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. (KG, Auction 262, 13 March 2015, lot 7752), Numismatica Varesi S.R.L. (Auction 51, 23 April 2008, lot 284)Romancollector
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59-55 - SEVERO ALEJANDRO (222 - 235 D.C.)NICEA en Bitinia
Hoy Iznik, situado en la orilla de un lago cerca de la costa asiática del mar de Mármara
AE19 19 mm 3.4 gr.
Anv: ”M AVP CEV AΛE[ΞANΔPOC ---]” – Cab. laur. viendo a der.
Rev: ”NI/KA/IE/ΩN", Leyenda entre tres estandartes militares.
Acuñada: 222-235 D.C.
Referencias: BMC 13 #99-100 P.168, Sear GICV #3287 var. (Corte Leyenda reverso) P.312, SNG Cop #520 var. (Corte Leyenda reverso), RG II #617 p.477, SNG Von Aulock #623 var. (Corte Leyenda reverso)mdelvalle
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59-56 - SEVERO ALEJANDRO (222 - 235 D.C.)NICEA en Bitinia
Hoy Iznik, situado en la orilla de un lago cerca de la costa asiática del mar de Mármara
AE20
20 mm 3.4 gr.
Anv: ”M AVP CEV AΛEΞANΔPOC AV” – Cab. laur. viendo a der.
Rev: ”N/IK/AI/E", Leyenda entre tres estandartes militares, "ΩN" en exergo.
Acuñada: 222-235 D.C.
Referencias: BMC 13 #102-103 P.168, Sear GICV #3287 P.312, SNG Cop #520 var. (busto anverso), RG II #617 p.477, SNG Von Aulock #623 var. (Busto anv.), Weiser #30 var.mdelvalle
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59-57 - SEVERO ALEJANDRO (222 - 235 D.C.)NICEA en Bitinia
Hoy Iznik, situado en la orilla de un lago cerca de la costa asiática del mar de Mármara
AE20
20 mm 3.4 gr.
Anv: ”M AVP CEV AΛEΞANΔPOC AVΓ” – Busto rad., vest, y acoraz. viendo a der.
Rev: ”N/IK/AI/E", Leyenda entre tres estandartes militares, "ΩN" en exergo.
Acuñada: 222-235 D.C.
Referencias: BMC 13 #102-103 P.168, Sear GICV #3287 P.312, SNG Cop #520 var. (busto anverso), RG II #616 p.477, SNG Von Aulock #624, Weiser #30 var.mdelvalle
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69-72 - Nicea - GORDIANO III (238 - 244 D.C.)NICEA en Bitinia
Hoy Iznik, situado en la orilla de un lago cerca de la costa asiática del mar de Mármara
AE19
19 mm 3.9 gr.
Anv: ”M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AVΓ" – Busto rad., vest, y acoraz. viendo a der.
Rev: ”N/I/K/A/I - EΩN", en exergo, Leyenda entre cuatro estandartes militares, los centrales con Águilas legionarias. "ΩN" en exergo.
Acuñada: 222-235 D.C.
Referencias: BMC 13 #119 P.171, Sear GICV #3671 P.353, SNG Cop #526, RG II #712 P.489mdelvalle
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7. Lucilla (Augusta, AD 164-182/183)AE Sestertius (33mm, 28.99 g). Rome mint. AD 164-169. LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F, draped bust of Lucilla right, seen from front, hair in waves and coiled up in chignon at back of head / PIETAS, Pietas, draped, standing facing, diademed and veiled head left, dropping incense from right hand into lighted altar at feet, holding box of incense in left. RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) 1756.
Ex Heritage Auctions World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3093 (29 October 2021), lot 31139.
Ex Heritage Auctions Auction 3061 NYINC (7 January 2018), lot 29396.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica Auctions 97 & 98 (12 December 2016), lot 336.
Ex Hess-Divo Auction 321 (25 October 2012), lot 267.
Ex Frank Sternberg (November 1975), lot 124.Romancollector
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706a, Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D.6, Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D. AE setertius, Date: 66 AD; RIC I 516, 36.71 mm; 25.5 grams; aVF. Obverse: IMP NERO CAESAR AVG PONT MAX TR POT PP, Laureate bust right; Reverse: S C, ROMA, Roma seated left, exceptional portrait and full obverse legends. Ex Ancient Imports.
NERO (54-68 A.D.)
It is difficult for the modern student of history to realize just how popular Nero actually was, at least at the beginning of his reign. Rome looked upon her new Emperor with hope. He was the student of Seneca, and he had a sensitive nature. He loved art, music, literature, and theatre. He was also devoted to horses and horse racing—a devotion shared by many of his subjects. The plebs loved their new Emperor. As Professor of Classics Judith P. Hallett (University of Maryland, College Park) says, “It is not clear to me that Nero ever changed or that Nero ever grew-up, and that was both his strength and his weakness. Nero was an extraordinarily popular Emperor: he was like Elvis” (The Roman Empire in the First Century, III. Dir. Margaret Koval and Lyn Goldfarb. 2001. DVD. PBS/Warner Bros. 2003).
De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families
Herbert W. Benario
Emory University
Introduction and Sources
The five Julio-Claudian emperors are very different one from the other. Augustus dominates in prestige and achievement from the enormous impact he had upon the Roman state and his long service to Rome, during which he attained unrivaled auctoritas. Tiberius was clearly the only possible successor when Augustus died in AD 14, but, upon his death twenty-three years later, the next three were a peculiar mix of viciousness, arrogance, and inexperience. Gaius, better known as Caligula, is generally styled a monster, whose brief tenure did Rome no service. His successor Claudius, his uncle, was a capable man who served Rome well, but was condemned for being subject to his wives and freedmen. The last of the dynasty, Nero, reigned more than three times as long as Gaius, and the damage for which he was responsible to the state was correspondingly greater. An emperor who is well described by statements such as these, "But above all he was carried away by a craze for popularity and he was jealous of all who in any way stirred the feeling of the mob." and "What an artist the world is losing!" and who is above all remembered for crimes against his mother and the Christians was indeed a sad falling-off from the levels of Augustus and Tiberius. Few will argue that Nero does not rank as one of the worst emperors of all.
The prime sources for Nero's life and reign are Tacitus' Annales 12-16, Suetonius' Life of Nero, and Dio Cassius' Roman History 61-63, written in the early third century. Additional valuable material comes from inscriptions, coinage, papyri, and archaeology.
Early Life
He was born on December 15, 37, at Antium, the son of Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbusand Agrippina. Domitius was a member of an ancient noble family, consul in 32; Agrippina was the daughter of the popular Germanicus, who had died in 19, and Agrippina, daughter of Agrippa, Augustus' closest associate, and Julia, the emperor's daughter, and thus in direct descent from the first princeps. When the child was born, his uncle Gaius had only recently become emperor. The relationship between mother and uncle was difficult, and Agrippina suffered occasional humiliation. But the family survived the short reign of the "crazy" emperor, and when he was assassinated, it chanced that Agrippina's uncle, Claudius, was the chosen of the praetorian guard, although there may have been a conspiracy to accomplish this.
Ahenobarbus had died in 40, so the son was now the responsibility of Agrippina alone. She lived as a private citizen for much of the decade, until the death of Messalina, the emperor's wife, in 48 made competition among several likely candidates to become the new empress inevitable. Although Roman law forbade marriage between uncle and niece, an eloquent speech in the senate by Lucius Vitellius, Claudius' closest advisor in the senatorial order, persuaded his audience that the public good required their union. The marriage took place in 49, and soon thereafter the philosopher Seneca [[PIR2 A617]] was recalled from exile to become the young Domitius' tutor, a relationship which endured for some dozen years.
His advance was thereafter rapid. He was adopted by Claudius the following year and took the name Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar or Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus, was preferred to Claudius' natural son, Britannicus, who was about three years younger, was betrothed to the emperor's daughter Octavia, and was, in the eyes of the people, the clear successor to the emperor. In 54, Claudius died, having eaten some poisoned mushrooms, responsibility for which was believed to be Agrippina's, and the young Nero, not yet seventeen years old, was hailed on October 13 as emperor by the praetorian guard.
The First Years of Rule
The first five years of Nero's rule are customarily called the quinquennium, a period of good government under the influence, not always coinciding, of three people, his mother, Seneca, and Sextus Afranius Burrus, the praetorian prefect. The latter two were allies in their "education" of the emperor. Seneca continued his philosophical and rhetorical training, Burrus was more involved in advising on the actualities of government. They often combined their influence against Agrippina, who, having made her son emperor, never let him forget the debt he owed his mother, until finally, and fatally, he moved against her.
Nero's betrothal to Octavia was a significant step in his ultimate accession to the throne, as it were, but she was too quiet, too shy, too modest for his taste. He was early attracted to Poppaea Sabina, the wife of Otho, and she continually goaded him to break from Octavia and to show himself an adult by opposing his mother. In his private life, Nero honed the musical and artistic tastes which were his chief interest, but, at this stage, they were kept private, at the instigation of Seneca and Burrus.
As the year 59 began, Nero had just celebrated his twenty-first birthday and now felt the need to employ the powers which he possessed as emperor as he wished, without the limits imposed by others. Poppaea's urgings had their effect, first of all, at the very onset of the year, with Nero's murder of his mother in the Bay of Naples.
Agrippina had tried desperately to retain her influence with her son, going so far as to have intercourse with him. But the break between them proved irrevocable, and Nero undertook various devices to eliminate his mother without the appearance of guilt on his part. The choice was a splendid vessel which would collapse while she was on board. As this happened, she swam ashore and, when her attendant, having cried out that she was Agrippina, was clubbed to death, Agrippina knew what was going on. She sent Nero a message that she was well; his response was to send a detachment of sailors to finish the job. When she was struck across the head, she bared her womb and said, "Strike here, Anicetus, strike here, for this bore Nero," and she was brutally murdered.
Nero was petrified with fear when he learned that the deed had been done, yet his popularity with the plebs of Rome was not impaired. This matricide, however, proved a turning point in his life and principate. It appeared that all shackles were now removed. The influence of Seneca and Burrus began to wane, and when Burrus died in 62, Seneca realized that his powers of persuasion were at an end and soon went into retirement. Britannicus had died as early as 55; now Octavia was to follow, and Nero became free to marry Poppaea. It may be that it had been Burrus rather than Agrippina who had continually urged that Nero's position depended in large part upon his marriage to Octavia. Burrus' successor as commander of the praetorian guard, although now with a colleague, was Ofonius Tigellinus, quite the opposite of Burrus in character and outlook. Tigellinus became Nero's "evil twin," urging and assisting in the performance of crimes and the satisfaction of lusts.
Administrative and Foreign Policy
With Seneca and Burrus in charge of administration at home, the first half-dozen years of Nero's principate ran smoothly. He himself devoted his attention to his artistic, literary, and physical bents, with music, poetry, and chariot racing to the fore. But his advisors were able to keep these performances and displays private, with small, select audiences on hand. Yet there was a gradual trend toward public performance, with the establishment of games. Further, he spent many nights roaming the city in disguise, with numerous companions, who terrorized the streets and attacked individuals. Those who dared to defend themselves often faced death afterward, because they had shown disrespect for the emperor. The die was being cast for the last phases of Nero's reign.
The Great Fire at Rome and The Punishment
of the Christians
The year 64 was the most significant of Nero's principate up to this point. His mother and wife were dead, as was Burrus, and Seneca, unable to maintain his influence over Nero without his colleague's support, had withdrawn into private life. The abysmal Tigellinus was now the foremost advisor of the still young emperor, a man whose origin was from the lowest levels of society and who can accurately be described as criminal in outlook and action. Yet Nero must have considered that he was happier than he had ever been in his life. Those who had constrained his enjoyment of his (seemingly) limitless power were gone, he was married to Poppaea, a woman with all advantages save for a bad character the empire was essentially at peace, and the people of Rome enjoyed a full measure of panem et circenses. But then occurred one of the greatest disasters that the city of Rome, in its long history, had ever endured.
The fire began in the southeastern angle of the Circus Maximus, spreading through the shops which clustered there, and raged for the better part of a week. There was brief success in controlling the blaze, but then it burst forth once more, so that many people claimed that the fires were deliberately set. After about a fortnight, the fire burned itself out, having consumed ten of the fourteen Augustan regions into which the city had been divided.
Nero was in Antium through much of the disaster, but his efforts at relief were substantial. Yet many believed that he had been responsible, so that he could perform his own work comparing the current fate of Rome to the downfall of Troy. All his efforts to assist the stricken city could not remove the suspicion that "the emperor had fiddled while Rome burned." He lost favor even among the plebs who had been enthusiastic supporters, particularly when his plans for the rebuilding of the city revealed that a very large part of the center was to become his new home.
As his popularity waned, Nero and Tigellinus realized that individuals were needed who could be charged with the disaster. It so happened that there was such a group ready at hand, Christians, who had made themselves unpopular because of their refusal to worship the emperor, their way of life, and their secret meetings. Further, at this time two of their most significant "teachers" were in Rome, Peter and Paul. They were ideal scapegoats, individuals whom most Romans loathed, and who had continually sung of the forthcoming end of the world.
Their destruction was planned with the utmost precision and cruelty, for the entertainment of the populace. The venue was Nero's circus near the Mons Vaticanus. Christians were exposed to wild animals and were set ablaze, smeared with pitch, to illuminate the night. The executions were so grisly that even the populace displayed sympathy for the victims. Separately, Peter was crucified upside down on the Vatican hill and Paul was beheaded along the Via Ostiensis. But Nero's attempt, and hope, to shift all suspicion of arson to others failed. His popularity even among the lower classes was irrevocably impaired.
[For a detailed and interesting discussion of Nero’s reign please see http://www.roman-emperors.org/nero.htm]
The End - Nero's Death and its Aftermath
Nero's and Tigellinus' response to the conspiracy was immediate and long-lasting. The senatorial order was decimated, as one leading member after another was put to death or compelled to commit suicide. The year 66 saw the suicides of perhaps the most distinguished victims of the "reign of terror," Caius Petronius and Thrasea Paetus. Petronius, long a favorite of Nero because of his aesthetic taste, had been an able public servant before he turned to a life of ease and indolence. He was recognized as the arbiter elegantiae of Nero's circle, and may be the author of the Satyricon. At his death, he left for Nero a document which itemized many of the latter's crimes. Thrasea, a staunch Stoic who had been for some years an outspoken opponent of Nero's policies, committed suicide in the Socratic manner. This scene is the last episode in the surviving books of Tacitus' Annals.
In the year 68, revolt began in the provinces. . . the end of Nero's reign became inevitable. Galba claimed the throne and began his march from Spain. Nero panicked and was rapidly abandoned by his supporters. He finally committed suicide with assistance, on June 9, 68, and his body was tended and buried by three women who had been close to him in his younger days, chief of whom was Acte. His death scene is marked above all by the statement, "Qualis artifex pereo," (What an artist dies in me.) Even at the end he was more concerned with his private life than with the affairs of state.
The aftermath of Nero's death was cataclysmic. Galba was the first of four emperors who revealed the new secret of empire, that an emperor could be made elsewhere than in Rome. Civil war ensued, which was only ended by the victory of the fourth claimant, Vespasian, who established the brief dynasty of the Flavians. The dynasty of the Julio-Claudians was at an end.
Nero's popularity among the lower classes remained even after his death.
. . . .
It is not excessive to say that he was one of the worst of Rome's emperors in the first two centuries and more of the empire. Whatever talents he had, whatever good he may have done, all is overwhelmed by three events, the murder of his mother, the fire at Rome, and his savage treatment of the Christians.
Precisely these qualities are the reasons that he has remained so well known and has been the subject of many writers and opera composers in modern times. These works of fiction particularly merit mention: Henryk Sienkiewicz's Quo Vadis, one of the finest works of the 1907 Nobel Laureate in Literature, and John Hersey's The Conspiracy. Nero unquestionably will always be with us.
Copyright (C) 2006, Herbert W. Benario.
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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708a, OthoOtho (69 A.D.)
John Donahue
College of William and Mary
Introduction
In January 69 Otho led a successful coup to overthrow the emperor Galba. Upon advancing to the throne, he hoped to conciliate his adversaries and restore political stability to the Empire. These ambitions were never to be realized. Instead, our sources portray a leader never fully able to win political confidence at Rome or to overcome military anarchy abroad. As a result, he was defeated in battle by the forces of Vitellius, his successor, and took his own life at the conclusion of the conflict. His principate lasted only eight weeks.
Early Life and Career
Marcus Salvius Otho was born at Ferentium on 28 April 32 A. D. His grandfather, also named Marcus Salvius Otho, was a senator who did not advance beyond the rank of praetor. Lucius Otho, his father, was consul in 33 and a trusted administrator under the emperors Tiberius, Gaius and Claudius. His mother, Albia Terentia, was likely to have been nobly born as well. The cognomen "Otho" was Etruscan in origin, and the fact that it can be traced to three successive generations of this family perhaps reflects a desire to maintain a part of the Etruscan tradition that formed the family's background.
Otho is recorded as being extravagant and wild as a youth - a favorite pastime involved roving about at night to snare drunkards in a blanket. Such behavior earned floggings from his father, whose frequent absences from home on imperial business suggest little in the way of a stabilizing parental influence in Otho's formative years. These traits apparently persisted: Suetonius records that Otho and Nero became close friends because of the similarity of their characters; and Plutarch relates that the young man was so extravagant that he sometimes chided Nero about his meanness, and even outdid the emperor in reckless spending.
Most intriguing in this context is Otho's involvement with Nero's mistress, Poppaea Sabina, the greatest beauty of her day. A relationship between the two is widely cited in the ancient sources, but the story differs in essential details from one account to the next. As a result, it is impossible to establish who seduced whom, whether Otho ever married Poppaea, and whether his posting to Lusitania by Nero should be understood as a "banishment" for his part in this affair. About the only reliable detail to emerge is that Otho did indeed become governor of Lusitania in 59, and that he assumed the post as a quaestor, a rank below that of praetor or consul, the minimum usually required for the office. From here he would launch his initial thrust towards the imperial throne.
Overthrow of Galba
Nero's suicide in June 68 marked the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and opened up the principate to the prerogatives of the military beyond Rome. First to emerge was Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, who had been encouraged to revolt by the praetorians and especially by Nymphidius Sabinus, the corrupt and scheming praetorian prefect at Rome. By this time Otho had been in Spain for close to ten years. His record seems to have been a good one, marked by capable administration and an unwillingness to enrich himself at the expense of the province. At the same time, perhaps seeing this as his best chance to improve his own circumstances, he supported the insurrection as vigorously as possible, even sending Galba all of his gold and his best table servants. At the same time, he made it a point to win the favor of every soldier he came in contact with, most notably the members of the praetorian guard who had come to Spain to accompany Galba to Rome. Galba set out from Spain in July, formally assuming the emperorship shortly thereafter. Otho accompanied him on the journey.
Galba had been in Rome little more than two months when on 1 January 69 the troops in Upper Germany refused to declare allegiance to him and instead followed the men stationed in Lower Germany in proclaiming their commander, Aulus Vitellius, as the new ruler. To show that he was still in charge Galba adopted his own successor, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi Licinianus, an aristocrat completely without administrative or military experience. The choice meant little to the remote armies, the praetorians or the senate and particularly angered Otho, who had hoped to succeed Galba. Otho quickly organized a conspiracy among the praetorians with promise of a material reward, and on 15 January 69 they declared him emperor and publicly killed Galba; Piso, dragged from hiding in the temple of Vesta, was also butchered. On that same evening a powerless senate awarded Otho the imperial titles.
Otho's Principate in Rome
It is not possible to reconstruct a detailed chronology of Otho's brief eight and a half weeks as princeps in Rome (15 January-15 March). Even so, Galba's quick demise had surely impressed upon Otho the need to conciliate various groups. As a result, he continued his indulgence of the praetorian guard but he also tried to win over the senate by following a strict constitutionalist line and by generally keeping the designations for the consulship made by Nero and Galba. In the provinces, despite limited evidence, there are some indications that he tried to compensate for Galba's stinginess by being more generous with grants of citizenship. In short, Otho was eager not to offend anyone.
Problems remained, however. The praetorians had to be continually placated and they were always suspicious of the senate. On the other hand, the senate itself, along with the people, remained deeply disturbed at the manner of Otho's coming to power and his willingness to be associated with Nero. These suspicions and fears were most evident in the praetorian outbreak at Rome. Briefly, Otho had decided to move from Ostia to Rome a cohort of Roman citizens in order to replace some of Rome's garrison, much of which was to be utilized for the showdown with Vitellius. He ordered that weapons be moved from the praetorian camp in Rome by ship to Ostia at night so that the garrison replacements would be properly armed and made to look as soldierly as possible when they marched into the city. Thinking that a senatorial counter-coup against Otho was underway, the praetorians stormed the imperial palace to confirm the emperor's safety, with the result that they terrified Otho and his senatorial dinner guests. Although the praetorians' fears were eventually calmed and they were given a substantial cash payment, the incident dramatically underscored the unease at Rome in the early months of 69.
Otho's Offensive against Vitellius
Meanwhile, in the Rhineland, preparations for a march on Rome by the military legions that had declared for Vitellius were far advanced. Hampered by poor intelligence gathering in Gaul and Germany and having failed to negotiate a settlement with Vitellius in early 69, Otho finally summoned to Italy his forces for a counterattack against the invading Vitellian army. His support consisted of the four legions of Pannonia and Dalmatia, the three legions of Moesia and his own imperial retinue of about 9,000. Vitellius' own troops numbered some 30,000, while those of his two marshals, Aulus Caecina Alienus and Fabius Valens, were between 15,000 and 20,000 each.
Otho's strategy was to make a quick diversionary strike in order to allow time for his own forces to assemble in Italy before engaging the enemy. The strategy worked, as the diversionary army, comprised of urban cohorts, praetorians and marines all from Rome or nearby, was successful in Narbonese Gaul in latter March. An advance guard sent to hold the line on the Po River until the Danubian legions arrived also enjoyed initial success. Otho himself arrived at Bedriacum in northern Italy about 10 April for a strategy session with his commanders. The main concern was that the Vitellians were building a bridge across the Po in order to drive southward towards the Apennines and eventually to Rome. Otho decided to counter by ordering a substantial part of his main force to advance from Bedriacum and establish a new base close enough to the new Vitellian bridge to interrupt its completion. While en route, the Othonian forces, strung out along the via Postumia amid baggage and supply trains, were attacked by Caecina and Valens near Cremona on 14 April. The clash, know as the Battle of Bedriacum, resulted in the defeat of the Othonian forces, their retreat cut off by the river behind them. Otho himself, meanwhile, was not present, but had gone to Brixellum with a considerable force of infantry and cavalry in order to impede any Vitellian units that had managed to cross the Po.
The plan had backfired. Otho's strategy of obtaining victory while avoiding any major battles had proven too risky. Realizing perhaps that a new round of fighting would have involved not only a significant re-grouping of his existing troops but also a potentially bloody civil war at Rome, if Vitellius' troops reached the capital, Otho decided that enough blood had been shed. Two weeks shy of his thirty-seventh birthday, on 16 April 69, he took his own life.
Assessment
To be sure, Otho remains an enigma - part profligate Neronian wastrel and part conscientious military commander willing to give his life for the good of the state. Our sources are at a loss to explain the paradox. Perhaps, like Petronius, he saw it was safer to appear a profligate in Nero's court? In the final analysis, Otho proved to be an organized and efficient military commander, who appealed more to the soldier than to the civilian. He also seems to have been a capable governor, with administrative talents that recalled those of his father. Nevertheless, his violent overthrow of Galba, the lingering doubts that it raised about his character, and his unsuccessful offensive against Vitellius are all vivid reminders of the turbulence that plagued the Roman world between the reigns of Nero and Vespasian. Regrettably, the scenario would play itself out one more time before peace and stability returned to the empire.
Copyright (C) 1999, John Donahue
Edited by J.P.Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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A. Postumius Albinus. DenariusRRC 372/2
81 BC
Obverse: HISPAN, Veiled head of Hispania r
Reverse: ·S·N – ALBIN Togate figure standing l., raising hand; to l., legionary eagle and to r., fasces with axe.
Issued when Rome had won the supremacy in Italy but was still fighting the last of the Marians in Spain.
....and so the magistrate has been iddentified as the praetor Lucius Postumius Albinus who had gone to further Spain in 180 and had his term prorogued into 179. He fought two major battles with the Vaccaei, killing a reported 35,000. (....) If the magistrate on the coin is the victorious praetor, his century old triumph over the Lusitanians was especially relevant in 81, for ir was among the Lusitanians where Sertorius found the greatest support. (Harlan)
The moneyer is assumed to be a grandson of the consul of 110 and a son of the moneyer of 96 (Crawford)
--
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Auction 78; Lot 635, 26 - 27 May 2014Norbert
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ALFOLDI 041.087OBVERSE: IMP C M AVR PROBVS P F AVG
REVERSE: PAX AVG
BUST TYPE: F5 = Radiate, cuirassed bust left, holding spear
FIELD / EXERGUE MARKS: -/P//XXI
WEIGHT 3.33g / AXIS: 6h / WIDTH 21-22mm
MINT: Siscia
RIC 704
ALFOLDI 041.087 (5 ex. cited)
COLLECTION NO. 1172
Provenance: Ebay auction (numismaticanaissus) no. 192400973480 of 2017-12-24Barnaba6
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Anonimo, Vittoriato (dopo il 211 a.C.)Denario "vittoriato", post 211 a.C., Roma
AR, 3,24 gr, 17 mm, qBB
D/ Testa laureata di Giove.
R/ ROMA (esergo); una Vittoria che incorona un trofeo.
Cr. 44/1
Provenienza: collezione Berardengo (Roma, Italia, dal 15 ottobre 2018, numero catalogo 392), ex collezione Vanni, Tinia Numismatica (Follonica, Italia, fino al 15 ottobre 2018)
paolo
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Anonymous half-unitAnonymous half-unit (AE)
RRC 26/4
234 - 231 bc
11 mm; 1,34 gr
Av: Head of Roma r., wearing Phrygian helmet.
Rv: Rev. Dog r.; in exergue, ROMA.
This one is tiny. What you see at the side is the edge from a one Euro Cent coin.
Crawford lists this as 'half litra' and before the As of the series
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich; Auction 92 - Part II; 24 May 2016; lot no 1514
Norbert
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Anonymous UnciaAnonymous Uncia
RRC: 18/6
275-270 bc
22,10 gr
AV: Barley-grain; pellet to l.
RV: Barley-grain; pellet to r.
ex
Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich | Auction 114 - Part II | 7 May 2019 | Los 1242Norbert
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Anonymus QuartunciaAnonymus Quartuncia
RRC 38/8; Mc Cabe group AA?
217-215 bc
16 mm ; 2,92 gr
Av: Helmeted head of Roma r
Rv: Prow r, ROMA above
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich | Auction 92 - Part II | 24 May 2016 Norbert
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Antoninus Pius (Augustus) Coin: Brass SestertiusANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P - Laureate head right
TR POT COS III - Juno Sospita advancing right, brandishing spear and shield; serpent before
Exergue:
Mint: Rome (140-144AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 23.25g / 32mm / 360
Rarity: Extremely Rare
References:
BMCRE pg. 210
and note = Strack 887
Unpublished
RIC 608 var (legends)
Acquisition/Sale: distinctivecoins Ebay $0.00 9/17
Notes: Jun 13, 18 - See CNG auction 67, Lot: 1503
The Gary R. Wilson Collection
Extremely Rare. From CNG: Strack only identified two examples, in Münich and the Vatican, but the latter of which may have a third example.
GRWilson
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Antoninus Pius, RIC 620, Sestertius of AD 143-144 (king of the Quadi)Æ sestertius (22.4g, 31mm, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 143-144.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius facing right.
Rev.: REX QVADIS DATVS [around] S C [in ex.] Antoninus Pius, togate, standing left, placing a diadem in the hand of the king of the Quadi, standing right.
RIC 620 [R2]; BMC 1275; Cohen 688; Strack 852; Banti 323 (2 spec.); Foss (Roman Historical Coins) 126:42; Sear (Roman Coins & Their Values II) 4210
ex Cayón Numismática Live Auct.15.
In A.D. 143, Antoninus Pius appointed kings for the Armenians and the Quadi and dedicated separate issues for both events. Charles S
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Antoninus Pius, RIC 746, Sestertius of AD 140-144 (Italia)Æ Sestertius (29.2, 35mm, 7h). Rome, AD 140-144.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS III, laureate head right.
Rev.: ITALIA in ex., S | C, Italia seated left on globe holding scepter and cornucopiae.
RIC 746 (C); Strack 836
Ex Cayón Numismática, Auction 26, June, 2015.Charles S
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Antoninus Pius, RIC 928, Sestertius of AD 154-155 (Libertas)Æ Sestertius (26.0g, Ø33mm, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 154-155.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right.
Rev.: LIBERTAS COS IIII (around) S C (in field), Libertas, draped, standing front, head turned right, holding pileus and extending left hand.
RIC 928; Cohen 540; BMCRE IV 1962; Strack 1105 (4 collections); Banti (I Grandi Bronzi Imperiali II-3) 226 (4 specimens)
ex Aurea Numismatica s.r.o. auct. 19Charles S
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Apollo kitharoidos, Vatican Museum, a 2nd-century AD colossal marble statue by an unknown Roman sculptor.An Apollo Citharoedus is a statue or other image of Apollo with a Kithara (lyre). Among the best-known examples is this Apollo Citharoedus of the Vatican Museums, a 2nd-century AD colossal marble statue by an unknown Roman sculptor. Apollo is shown crowned with laurel and wearing the long, flowing robe of the Ionic bard. The statue was found in 1774, with seven statues of the Muses, in the ruins of Gaius Cassius Longinus' villa near Tivoli, Italy. The sculptures are preserved in the Hall of the Muses, in the Museo Pio-Clementino of the Vatican Museums. Joe Sermarini
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Apollo SauroktonosNikopolis ad Istrum/Moesia inferior, Geta 198-202
AE 25, 11.38g
obv. L CEPTIMI GETAC KAICAR
bust draped, bare head r.
rev. [YP AVR G]A[LL]OC NIKOPOLITWN PROC ICTRON
Apollo, naked, laureate, with crossed legs, stg. r., r. hand raised behind holding arrow, l. hand resting on tree before him; at the tree a lizard, touching Apollo
AMNG 1654, VF, lizard only partially visible due to a weak strike, but nice green patina
Rare, only one spec. in AMNG ex coll. Löbbecke
From Pliny the Elder we know the detailed description of a famous bronze sculpture of Praxiteles (4th century BC) named Sauroktonos, the Lizard-killer. The original sculpture is lost. We have two Roman marble copies in the Louvre and in the Musei Vaticani in Rome. May be the coin is the pic of Pliny's description or may be not. But the reverse shows clearly the two sides of Apollo: Here the youthful smiling bringer of light and in the same moment the merciless killer for fun.Jochen
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Archelaus Philopatris Ktistes Drachm HGC 7, 857Archelaus Philopatris Ktistes AR drachm
3.65g, 18.0mm, 0 degrees, Kingdom of Cappadocia. Eusebeia (Caeserea) under Mount Argaios, Regnal year 42 (6/7 CE)
Attribution: HGC 7, 857. Simonetta 5.
O: Diademed head right.
R: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡXEΛΑOV ΦIΛOΠATPIΔOΣ KAI KTIΣTOV, Club of Herakles, Regnal year date MB across fields.
Ex-CNG e-auction 559, lot 135, April 3, 2024. Ex-Weise Collection. Ex-Münzen und Medaillen GmbH 19 (16 May 2006), lot 259, EX-Numismatica Ars Classica B (25 February 1992), lot 1499.Ron C2
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Athalaric - Rome - 2 1/2 nummiAthalaric (516-534), Ostrogothic king (526-534). Æ 2.5 Nummi (11 mm, 1.17 g), Rome. Obverse: diademed bust right, IVSTI-NIANI. Reverse: Monogram within wreath. Metlich 88.
Ex Numismatica Tintinna Auction 10, lot 2505, 2011.Jan
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Athens, Greece, Old Style Tetradrachm, 449 - 413 B.C.Silver tetradrachm, SNG Cop 31 ff., SGCV I 2526, VF, near full crest, Athens mint, 16.410g, 25.1mm, 90o. Obverse: head of Athena right, almond shaped eye, crested helmet with olive leaves and floral scroll, wire necklace, round earring, hair in parallel curves; Reverse: AQE right, owl standing right, head facing, erect in posture, olive sprig and crescent left, all within incuse square.
This coin is one of the most familiar of all the coins struck throughout the ancient Mediterranean. The images of Athena and her Owl, while not static, changed undramatically, in an unhurried and deliberate way. Although its production rests firmly during the time that numismatists call the Classical era (479 BC --336 BC), this coin's "style" better reflects the earlier Archaic period.
The Athenian "Owl" (until its debasement as a result of the Peloponnesian War) was the standard of its day. Between the late 5th century BC and the late 3rd century BC, these coins were the currency against which all other coins were measured. This high esteem was due to the Athenian tetradrachms' consistent weight and quality of silver.
"The little elf-like owl dear to ancient Athens had greenish-blue-gray eyes that could see clearly where humans could not. Glaukopis -- the "shining eyed one" was often shortened to glaux, a nickname for the tetradrachm that bore the owl's likeness" (http://notes.utk.edu/bio/unistudy.nsf/0/da0222e2e80272fd85256785001683e4?OpenDocument).
It is only with the emergence of the Imperial coinage of Alexander the Great (beginning quickly after his ascension to the throne in 336 BC) that the ancient world had another coin as widely accepted. As Martin J. Price notes, "“The impressive list of twenty-three mints on Asian soil and one in Egypt, all used to strike Alexander’s imperial coinage during his lifetime, shows that there was a conscious policy of providing this form of money on an empire-wide basis" (Price, Martin J. The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus. Zurich: The Swiss Numismatic Society in Association with British Museum Press, 1991. 72).
More than two millennia after the Athenian Tetracrachm was first struck, the 26th President of The United States, Theodore Roosevelt (b. 1858; d. 1919), is said to have carried an Athenian "Owl" in his pocket--to remind him just how beautiful a coin could be.
J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
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ÁTICA - ATENASAR Tetradracma 23 mm 16.99 gr.
Anv: Cabeza de Atenas vistiendo Casco coronado, crestado y ornamentado con tres hojas de oliva y detalles florales.
Rev: "A Θ E" – Búho parado a derecha, su cabeza viendo al frente. Una rama de olivo y medialuna detrás.
Según el catálogo "Imperial Persian Coinage" de G.F. Hill editado en 1919, el resello/contramarca/marca de Banquero que aparece en esta moneda, se encuentra individualizada con el numero 45ff, según el Autor se trataría de una creciente (hay seis tipos diferentes) y posiblemente realizada en la región indo-bactriana.
Acuñación: 431 - 413 A.C.
Ceca: Atenas - Ática
Referencias: Sear GCTV Vol.I #2526 Pag.236 – BMC Vol.11 (Attica, Megaris, Aegira) #67/71 Pag.7 – SNG Copenhagen #31 - Kroll #8 - SNG VIII Hart #774/7 - Headlam #360/1mdelvalle
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ÁTICA - ATENASAR Tetradracma 23 mm 16.99 gr.
Anv: Cabeza de Atenas vistiendo Casco coronado, crestado y ornamentado con tres hojas de oliva y detalles florales.
Rev: "A Θ E" – Búho parado a derecha, su cabeza viendo al frente. Una rama de olivo y medialuna detrás.
Corte/marca de comprobación en la frente de búho en reverso.
Acuñación: 431 - 413 A.C.
Ceca: Atenas - Ática
Referencias: Sear GCTV Vol.I #2526 Pag.236 – BMC Vol.11 (Attica, Megaris, Aegira) #67/71 Pag.7 – SNG Copenhagen #31 - Kroll #8 - SNG VIII Hart #774/7 - Headlam #360/1mdelvalle
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Atilia 1Atilia 1 (155BC)
Denarius
Ob: head of Roma; X behind
Rev: Victory in biga right with whip in right and reigns in left
SA / R underneath; ROMA in exergue
BMCRR I 744 (earring 3 drops)
Sydenham 377
Crawford 199/1a moneyer is perhaps Sex. Atilius (Serranus = Saranus) cos. 136
Northumberland Tablet II 48 “...of the object of this device, or the advantage it may celebrate,
we know nothing.”
Ex: Colosseum Coin Exchange 2007 said to be a deaccession from Vatican; no tags.
Dark toned with iridescent highlights with slight pitting on obv, larger pit over horses’ heads
rennrad12020
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Augustus RIC-471Æ As, 9.20g 28mm
Rome mint, 11-12 A.D.
Obv: IMP CAESAR DIVI F AVGVSTVS IMP XX; Head of Augustus, Bare, L.
Rev: PONTIF MAXIM TRIBVN POT XXXIIII; Large SC in middle fields.
RIC 471 (C) CBN 883
Acquired from Filatelia Numismatica Centrale, Coin Shop in Rome, June 8, 2022. ($160)
This type was one of the first copper coins minted in Rome since before 4 B.C. when prior to that date, the copper coinage minted in Rome portrayed the tresviri monetales (three moneyers) on the legends of the coins. Following the return of copper coinage to Rome in A.D. 11, the moneyers names were now taken off the coin to clear up the final remnants of the Roman Republic and to show the emperor as the sole authority. This coin type would not only replace the Moneyers names on the legends of the coins with that of the emperor's titles, but it would also set the standard style for many of the copper asses of the later Julio-Claudian Dynasty. (Courtesy of DzikiZdeb)
Very Fine style and dark patinated surfacesTrajanus
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Augustus, 27 BC - 14 ADObv: CAESAR AVGVSTVS, oak-wreathed head of Augustus facing right.
Rev: (D)IVVS - IVLIVS across field, a comet of eight rays with upward tail.
Note: "Sidus Iulium" or the Julian Star was a fiery comet that appeared in the heavens in May of 44 BC. On the opening day of the funeral games for Julius Caesar the comet's brightness dramatically intensified so that it was visible even in daylight. The timely appearance of the comet was taken as a sign of Caesar's apotheosis.
Silver Denarius, Caesaraugusta mint, 19 - 18 BC
3.7 grams, 19.5 mm, 180°
RIC I 37a, RSC 98, S1607 (var.), VM 57Matt Inglima
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Baduila - Rome - 2 or 2 1/2 nummiBaduila (-552), Ostrogothic king (541-552). Æ 2 or 2½ Nummi (10 mm, 1.00 g), minted in Rome 550-552. Obverse: frontal bust with unusually large helmet, (...)-REX. Reverse: lion advancing right. Metlich 99.
Undescribed variant with obverse legend (…)-REX, instead of the usual DN BAD-VEL or DN BA-DV.
Ex Numismatica Tintinna Auction 10, lot 2511, 2011.
Jan
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Basiliscus SolidusObv: Basiliscus in Military dress standing facing. DN BASILISCVS PP AVG
Rev: Victory standing left supporting long jeweled cross. In right field star. VICTORIA AVGGG Δ. CONOB in exergue.
Weight: 4.45g
475 - 476 AD
RIC 1003
Ex Diana Numismatica Rome October 2014
Shares the same obverse die as these examples:
Jean Elsen & ses Fils Auction 154, lot 894.
CNG 88, Lot: 1454.
Heritage Auctions 3032, lot: 23794.JayAg47
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Bust of Plautilla - Citta del Vaticano / Musei Vaticani Bust of Plautilla
Marble
ca. 202 A.D.
Citta del Vaticano
Musei Vaticani, Museo Pio Clementino, Sala dei Busti
Inv.-No. 687
With special thanks to Prof. A. Nesselrath from the Musei Vaticani who allowed me to visit this amazing girl. nummis durensis
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bust of TraianVatican museumsJ. B.
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C. Egnatuleius C.f. Quinarius C. Egnatuleius C.f. Quinarius
RRC 333/1
97 bc
Av: Laureate head of Apollo r.; behind, C EGNATVLEI C F Q.
Rv: Victory standing l. inscribing shield set on trophy; on l., carnyx; between, Q; in exergue, ROMA.
Ex Numismatica Ars Classica, Zurich | Auction 92 - Part II | 24 May 2016
From the collection of E.E. Clain-Stefanelli.Norbert
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C. Fonteius, DenarRRC 290/1
114 - 113 BC.
Obv: Laureate janiform heads of the Dioskuri, M to left, * to the right and five pellets below,
Rev: C•FONT ROMA Galley left with three rowers, gubernator at stern,
Numismatica Ars Classica -Auction P - 05.2005
Norbert
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C. Maianius, QuadransC. Maianius, AE Quadrans
RRC 203/5
153 bc
AV: Head of Hercules right, wearing lion's skin; behind, three pellets.
Rv: Prow right; above, C. MAIANI; before, three pellets; below, ROMA.
Ex Artemide Aste Asta Numismatica XLVI (3-4 Dicembre 2016 - live ore 15:00), Lot 98:
Norbert
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C. Scribonius, DeariusC. Scribonius, Dearius
RRC 201/1
154 bc
3,80 gr
Av: Helmeted head of Roma, X behind.
Rv: The Dioscuri riding right, C. SCR below; ROMA in linear frame.
Ex
Artemide Aste Asta Numismatica XLVI (3-4 Dicembre 2016 - live ore 15:00), Lot 95:
Norbert
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