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Image search results - "III,"

ANTONINVS PIVS - As - 145/161
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P COS IIII, laureate head right
Rev.: PIETAS AVG S-C, Pietas standing left holding patera in r. hand, left arm in fold of dress.
Gs. 12,7 mm. 26,5
RIC 823

Maxentius

ANTONINVS PIVS - Denarius - 145/161 AD
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right
Rev.: COS IIII, Pax stg. left, holding olive branch and caduceus
Gs. 3,5 mm. 18
Cohen 258, RIC 1301 commentsMaxentius

Legionary Denarius - 32/31 BC. - Mint moving with Mark Anthony (Patrae?)
MARCVS ANTONIVS - Gens Antonia
Obv.: ANT AVG III VIR R P C, Praetorian galley right
Rev.: LEG III, eagle between standards.
Gs. 3,6 mm. 17,20x17,96
Craw. 544/15, Sear 1479, Grueber II (East) 193

2 commentsMaxentius

Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AE – Sestertius
Rome, 145-161 AD
Head, laureate, r.
ANTONINVS PIVS PP TR P
Pax standing l., setting fire with torch to heap of arms and holding cornucopiae
COS IIII, PAX AVG in field, SC in exergue
RIC 777
C
Ardatirion

Seleukid Kings of Syria, Demetrios III Eukairos, 97-87 BC.
Radiate, diademed and bearded head of Demetrios III, r / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ
/ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ, Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm,
date below, Damaskos mint, HGC 9, 1309. Coin #627
cars100

GREEK; Antiochus III, King of Syria, 223-187 BC;
AE 12, Antioch mint; Obv: Laureated head of
Apollo right. Rev: Apollo standing left, holds
arrow and leans on bow. Houghton 70
Spaer 583 Coin #622
cars100

Romanus III, Class B Follis, Constantinople, 1028-1034 AD

IC to left, XC to right
Christ, bust facing, square in each limb of nimbus cross,
holding book of gospels
IS-XS / BAS-ILE / BAS-ILE
cross with dots at the ends, on three steps
SB 1823
11.8g / 27mm
Antonivs Protti

Königreich Polen - Stadt Riga

Sigismund III., 1587 - 1632

III Gröscher 1593, Mzz. Lilie

Vs: Gekrönter Kopf nach rechts.

Rs: Wertzahl III, darunter Stadtburg zwischen Jahrzahl und Wertangabe in Schrift.

Iger R.93.1c

Erhaltung: Sehr schön.

Durchmesser: 21 mm

Gewicht: 2,3 g Silber _4896Antonivs Protti

TITUS
AE As. 80-81 A.D.
28mm, 10.8 grams

OBV: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII, laureate head left
REV: AETERNIT AVG, Aeternitas standing right, foot on globe, holding scepter &cornucopiae.
S-C across fields. Rome Mint
RIC- II -122b

ANTONINUS PIUS
Sestertius 152-153 AD
32.4mm, 23.3 grams

OBV: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVII, laureate head right
REV: INDVLGENTIA AVG COS IIII, Indulgentia seated left, extending hand & holding Scepter.
SC below.
RIC- III – 914

ANTONINUS PIUS
Sestertius 145-161 A.D.
30.5 mm, 22.2 grams

OBV: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP COS IIII, laureate head right.
REV: LIBERALITAS AVG V, Liberalitas standing left,holding account-board and cornucopiae.
S-C in field
RIC- III -776

HADRIAN
Sestertius. 125 – 128 AD
33.5mm, 27.1 grams

OBV: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head right
REV: COS III, Roma seated left, holding Victory and cornucopiae,
SC in ex. Rome Mint

RIC-II-636

ANTONINUS PIUS
Sestertius. 153-154 AD
33.2mm, 22 grams

OBV: ANTONINVS AVG PI VS P P TR P XVII, laureate head right.
REV: LIBERTAS COS III, Libertas standing right, holding pileus and extending right hand.
S-C across field.
RI- III-916a

CARACALLA
AR Denarius
18.9 mm, 3.2 grams

OBV: ANTONINVS PIVS AVG,
Laureate, draped bust, right
REV: PART MAX P M TR P IIII, two captives seated right and left, mourning, at foot of trophy.
RIC-IVa-54b

JAMES IV OF SCOTLAND
James IV was the King of Scotland from June 1488 until his death in battle at the age of 40 on the 9th September, 1513.
James IV's mother, Margaret of Denmark, was more popular than his father, James III, and though somewhat estranged from her husband she raised their sons at Stirling Castle until she died in 1486. Two years later, a rebellion broke out, where the rebels set up the 15-year-old Prince James as their nominal leader. The rebels fought James III at the Battle of Sauchieburn where, on 11th June 1488, the king was killed. Prince James assumed the throne as James IV and was crowned at Scone on 24th of June. However he continued to bear an intense guilt for the indirect role which he had played in the death of his father.
James maintained Scotland's traditional good relations with France, and this occasionally created diplomatic problems with England, but James recognised nonetheless that peace between Scotland and England was in the interest of both countries, and established good diplomatic relations with England as well. First he ratified the Treaty of Ayton in 1497, then, in 1502 James signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with Henry VII which was sealed by his marriage to Henry's daughter Margaret Tudor the next year. Anglo-Scottish relations generally remained stable until the death of Henry VII in 1509.
James saw the importance of building a fleet that could provide Scotland with a strong maritime presence, he founded two new dockyards and acquired a total of 38 ships for the Royal Scots Navy. These including the "Great Michael" which, built at great expense, was launched in 1511 and was at that time the largest ship in the world.
When war broke out between England and France, James found himself in a difficult position as an ally by treaty to both countries. But relations with England had worsened since the accession of Henry VIII, and when Henry invaded France, James reacted by declaring war on England.
James sent the Scottish navy, including the "Great Michael", to join the ships of Louis XII of France and, hoping to take advantage of Henry's absence at the siege of Thérouanne, he himself led an invading army southward into Northumberland. However, on 9th September 1513 at the disastrous Battle of Flodden James IV was killed, he was the last monarch in Great Britain to be killed in battle. His death, along with many of his nobles including his son the archbishop of St Andrews, was one of the worst military defeats in Scotland's history and the loss of such a large portion of the political community was a major blow to the realm. James IV's corpse was identified after the battle and taken to Berwick, where it was embalmed and placed in a lead coffin before being transported to London. Catherine of Aragon, wife of Henry VIII, sent the dead king's slashed, blood-stained surcoat to Henry, who was fighting in France, with the recommendation that he use it as a war banner.
James IV's son, James V, was crowned three weeks after the disaster at Flodden, but he was not yet two years old, and his minority was to be fraught with political upheaval.*Alex

JAMES III
James III was crowned at Kelso Abbey in 1460 at the age of nine, he was the son of James II and Mary of Guelders. During his childhood, the government was led by successive factions until 1469 when he began to rule for himself. That same year he married Princess Margaret of Denmark. Margaret's father, King Christian I of Denmark and Norway was unable to raise the full amount of her dowry so pledged his lands and rights in Orkney and Shetland as security for the remainder. But Christian I was never able to redeem his pledge, and Orkney and Shetland have remained Scottish possessions ever since.
Soon after his marriage, James faced great difficulties in restoring a strong central government. His preference for the company of scholars, architects and artists coupled with his extravagance and partiality to favourites alienated him from the loyalty of his nobles. Even his own brothers, Alexander, Duke of Albany and John, Earl of Mar regarded him with jealousy verging on hatred. In 1479, James' brothers were arrested on suspicion of conspiring against the Crown. John Stewart, the Earl of Mar, died in suspicious circumstances, whilst Alexander Stewart, the Duke of Albany, escaped and fled to England.
The ever-present English threat had been temporarily solved by a truce with Edward IV in 1463 but James' estrangement from his brothers and a strong faction within the Scottish nobility led to the final loss of Berwick.
Although James had tried to settle his differences with Alexander, Duke of Albany, his brother again tried to take his throne in a coup after Edward IV recognised him as Alexander IV of Scotland in 1482. Some minor members of James III's household were hanged, including Robert Cochrane, the king's favourite. But James was removed to Edinburgh Castle where he survived and Alexander was exiled to France.
After his queen's death in 1486, James lived in increasing isolation amidst the growing resentment of the nobility. Finally, in 1488, the Scottish nobles seized James' eldest son, also called James, placed him at their head, and rose against the king. At the Battle of Sauchieburn, three miles from Stirling, James III, defeated, was thrown from his horse as he fled from the field. He was carried into a nearby cottage where he was set upon and stabbed to death.
James III was buried at Cambuskenneth Abbey near Stirling and his son, the figurehead of the revolt against him, was hailed as James IV.
*Alex

Domitian. A.D. 81-96. AR denarius (18 mm, 3.38 g, 7 h). Rome, A.D. 88/9. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head of Domitian right / IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva advancing right, holding shield and wielding javelin. RIC 667: BN 145; BMC 151; RSC 252. Ex:Triskeles Auctions Sale 31, lot 190, March 27, 20203 commentspaul1888

Domitian Ar. denarius, Rome, AD 88, IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head r., Rev., COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC, herald with feather in cap walking left, holding round shield and wand. RIC 596.2 commentspaul1888

CARIA, Knidos. Circa 490-465 BC. AR Drachm (16.5mm, 6.11 g, 6h). Forepart of lion right / Head of Aphrodite right within incuse square. Cahn Series III, 65 (V33/R47); HN Online 301.
From the Sigmund Collection.paul1888

Roman Imperial: Philip I Arabs 244-249, 23.20 g. Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG bust with laurel wreath to the right, Reverse: SAECVLARES AVGG column with dedication inscription COS / III, in the field S - C
From the Schürer collection.
paul1888

Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.
Copper as, RIC II-1 336, BMCRE II 616, BnF III 595, Cohen I 632, Hunter I 119, SRCV I -, Choice VF, superb portrait, well centered on a tight flan, green patina with bare metal high points, scattered porosity, Rome mint, weight 11.694g, maximum diameter 26.9mm, die axis 180o, 71 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head right; reverse VICTORIA NAVALIS (the naval victory), Victory standing right on a galley prow, wreath in extended right hand, palm frond over left shoulder in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking low across field; from an Israeli collection, Ex Forum 1 commentspaul1888

Greek Coins
Pangaean District, Eion. Trihemiobol; Pangaean District, Eion; 5th Century BC, Trihemiobol, 0.77g. Cf. SNG ANS-287 (H behind goose's feet) and 291 (H right of goose's neck). Obv: Goose standing r., head turned back, lizard above, H (faint) before goose's feet. Rx: Four-part incuse square. Ex Morton and Eden/Sotheby 51, A Collection of Exceptional Greek Coins, 24 October 2011, lot 97; ex NFA VIII, 6 June 1980, lot 97. Formerly in the collection of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Catalogue (1955), 610; acquired by Boston as part of the Edward Perry Warren Collection, Regling, Sammlung Warren (1906), 569; obtained by Warren as part of the Canon Greenwell Collection in 1901.paul1888

Hadrian, 11 August 117 - 10 July 138 A.D. Silver denarius, RIC II-3 308, RSC II 908, BMCRE III 291, RSC II 908, Hunter II 102, SRCV II 3504, VF, radiating flow lines, iridescent toning, Rome mint, weight 3.031g, maximum diameter 17.0mm, die axis 225o, 119 - 125 A.D.; obverse IMP CAESAR TRAIAN - HADRIANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P COS III, Hadrian seated left on camp stool on platform, togate, extending right hand offering money, citizen before him holding out fold of toga to receive largesse, LIBERAL AVG / III in two lines in exergue; Ex: Forum 2 commentspaul1888

Trajan, 98-117. AR Denarius Rome. (19 mm, 3.02 g), Rome. Obv. IMP CAES NER TRAIAN OPTIM AVG GERM DAC Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Trajan right. Rev. PARTHICO P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R Mars advancing right, holding spear and trophy. RIC 331 var. (no cuirass); BMCRE III, 616 var. (same).paul1888

Perdikkas II, 451 - 413 BC. AR Heavy Tetrobol, struck 437 - 431 BC at Aigai in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Rider, wearing chlamys and kausia (an ancient Macedonian flat hat, also called a petasos), holding two spears on horse prancing right.
Reverse: No legend. Forepart of lion with straight lined truncation facing right, both paws visible; kerykeion (caduceus), placed horizontally, in left field above, all within incuse square.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 2.1gms | Die Axis: 6h
Sear GCV: 1491
Grainy surfaces | Rare (R2)

Perdikkas II features prominently in Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War, in which he is described as switching sides between the Peloponnesians and the Athenians several times.
The lion on the reverse of this coin alludes to the Nemean lion killed by Herakles who was claimed to be the ancestor of Perdikkas.

Perdikkas II was a member of the Argead dynasty which would rule Macedonia for almost 400 years.
The founder of the dynasty, Perdikkas I, had led the people who called themselves Macedonians eastward from their home on the Haliacmon River around 700 BC. Aegae (Edessa) became their capital, and by the reign of Amyntas I in the 6th century BC, Macedonian power dominated the neighbouring Thracian tribes and when Amyntas’ successor, Alexander I advanced the Macedonian frontiers eastward to the Strymon River their power was further increased.
After the death of Alexander I in 454, Macedonia began to fall apart, but around 450 BC Perdikkas II, who was Alexander I's son, came to the throne after having asserted his succession against his brothers. Perdikkas had four brothers, Alcetas II, Philip, Menelaus and Amyntas, he also had a sister, Stratonice. Alcetas II preceded him on the throne until he was murdered by Perdikkas' son Archelaus I resulting in Perdikkas' elevation to the throne. During his reign Perdikkas united the Greek cities of Chalcidice in a federation centred on the city of Olynthus.
Perdikkas II died in 413 BC leaving his son Archelaus as heir to the throne. Archelaus adopted a strongly philhellenic policy and introduced Greek artists to his new capital at Pella. He strengthened Macedonia by building roads and fortresses, improved army equipment, and encouraged city life. However, following his assassination in 399 BC, there was seven years of murder and anarchy until finally, around 393 BC, Amyntas III, a great-grandson of Alexander I, took the throne and, although his reign was filled with anarchy and intrigue, he successfully brought unity to Macedonia.

Aigai (also Aegae, Aegeae or Aigeai) was the original capital of the Macedonians and it was also the burial-place of the Macedonian kings. It was built on a site near the modern town of Vergina.1 comments*Alex

Amyntas III, 393 - 370/369 BC. AE17 Dichalkon. Struck at an uncertain mint in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Head of Herakles, wearing lion's skin, facing right.
Reverse: AMYNTA above Eagle standing facing right, grasping snake in it's talons and attacking it with it's beak.
Diameter: 16.92mm | Weight: 3.17gms | Die Axis: 6
SNG ANS 100 - 109 | SNG Munchen 49-52 | AMNG 160, 7

Amyntas III was king of Macedonia from about 393 to 370/369 BC, he was the father of Philip II and the grandfather of Alexander the Great. His skillful diplomacy in Greek affairs prepared the way for Macedonia's emergence as a great power under his son Philip II.
Amyntas came to the throne during a period of some confusion after the sudden death of king Archelaus who was killed while out hunting in 399 BC. Archelaus was succeeded by his young son Orestes, who ruled with his guardian Aeropus for four years until his death, possibly at the hands of Aeropus. Aeropus then ruled alone as Aeropus II, until he died of an illness two years later and was succeeded by his son Pausanius.
Diodorus gives two versions of the start of Amyntas' reign but both versions agree that Amyntas came to the throne after assassinating Pausanias but was then driven out by the Illyrians. Amyntas recovered his kingdom in the following year however, with the aid of the Spartans and the Thessalians. He continued to maintain his position by the expedient of siding with the powers ascendant in Greece, securing his alliance with Athens by supporting their claim to Amphipolis, and by adopting the Athenian general Iphicrates as his son. Iphicrates later helped Amyntas' son, Perdikkas III, to secure his claim to the throne.
Several significant figures worked in Macedonia during Amyntas' reign, including Nicomachus, the father of Aristotle, who served as court physician to Amyntas, and Aristotle himself who served as the tutor to Amyntas' grandson, Alexander the Great.
Amyntas died at an advanced age in 370-369 BC, leaving his throne to the eldest of his three sons, Alexander II, who ruled from 369 to 366 BC. Amyntas' other two sons also ended up ruling Macedon, Perdikkas III from 365 to 359 BC and Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, from 359 to 336 BC.2 comments*Alex

2.75 AgrippaAGRIPPA
Æ As. Struck under Caligula, 37-41 AD

M AGRIPPA L F COS III, head left wearing rostral crown / S-C, Neptune standing facing, head left, naked except for cloak draped behind him & over both arms, holding small dolphin in right hand & vertical trident in left.

Cohen 3, RIC 58 [Caligula], Cohen 3, BMC 161 [Tiberius] Fine, roughness
RI0003Sosius

3 Tiberius, Utica, Zeugitana, Ex John Quincy Adams CollectionBronze dupondius, RPC I 739, F, holed, 13.158g, 29.8mm, 90o, Zeugitana, Utica mint, 298 - 30 A.D.; obverse TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVG IMP VIII, bare head left; reverse C VIBIO MARSO PRCOS III C SALLVSTIVS IVSTVS II, Livia seated right, scepter in left, patera in extended right, M - M / I - V across fields; with John Quincy Adams Collection tag from the Stack's Sale; scarce
RI0001
Ex John Quincy Adams Collection, 6th President of the United States, and His Descendants, ex Massachusetts Historical Society Collection, ex Stack’s Sale , 5-6 March 1971, lot 763.

Purchased from FORVMSosius

Philip I. RIC 28c RomeSilver Antoninian of Philippus I, 244-249 CE
Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed
Reverse: ANNONA AVGG, Annona standing left, holding corn-ears over
a modius left and cornucopiae.
Rome mint: 246 CE (5th Issue, 5th Officina) = RIC IViii, 28c, page 71 - Cohen 25
21.3 mm., 3.9 g.
sold 4-2018NORMAN K

064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC 096a Obv:- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, Laureate head right
Rev:- VOTA PVBLICA, Severus standing left, holding patera over altar sacrificing
Minted in Rome. A.D. ???
Ref:- RIC 96a. RSC 777. BMCRE W178maridvnvm

1 Gordian IIIGordian III
AR Ant 4.4g

O: IMP GORDIANVS PIVS FEL AVG, radiate and draped bust right.

R: LIBERALITAS AVG III, Liberalitas standing front, head left, holding abacus & cornucopiae.

RIC IV-3 67; Cohen 142; Sear (5) 8621Sosius

1 Gordian III, Moushmov 2728GORDIAN III
AE25 (7.52g) Hadrianopolis Mint
238-244 AD

O: Laureate and draped bust r.

R: Nemesis stg. l. with rod and cornucopia; at feet, wheel

Moushmov 2728
aVF

Sosius

1.5 Julia DomnaJulia Domna
AE25 of Edessa, Macedonia.

ΙΟΥΛΙΑ ΔΟMNA CEB, draped bust right / ΕΔΕC/CΕΩΝ (below), Roma Nikephoros seated l. on cuirass, shield behind, goat to l., Tyche of Edessa behind, crowning her with wreath.

Moushmov 6261; BMC 20; Mionnet Supp. III, 443.Sosius

10 Vespasian AE As, 71 ADVESPASIAN
AE As. 71 AD.

O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head right

R: AEQVITAS AVGVSTI S-C, Aequitas standing left with scales & palm.

Cohen 19, RIC 290

Very Rare reverse with Aequitas holding palm, VF/aVF
RI0068Sosius

10 Vespasian AE As, 71 ADVESPASIAN
AE As, Rome Mint, 71 A.D.;

O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head right

R: FORTVNAE REDVCI S C, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe in right, cornucopia in left

RIC II 487
RI0059Sosius

10 Vespasian AE As, 71 ADVESPASIAN
AE As. , 71 AD.

O: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, laureate head right

R: AEQVITAS AVGVSTI S-C, Aequitas standing left, holding scales & rod.

Cohen 13, RIC 287, Sear5 #2356
RI0057Sosius

11 TitusTITUS
AE As. 80 AD

O: IMP T CAES VESP AVG PM TRP COS VIII, laureate head r.

R: PAX AVGVST S-C, Pax standing facing, head l., holding branch & long winged caduceus.

RIC 229; Choice F
RI0055Sosius

11 TitusTitus. A.D. 79-81. AE as. Rome mint, A.D. 80-81. From the RJM Collection.
Titus. A.D. 79-81. AE as (10.14 g, 5 h). Rome mint, A.D. 80-81. IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P COS VIII, laureate head right / AEQVITAS AVGVST, Aequitas standing left, holding scales and rod. RIC 214. VF, green and red-brown patina, some roughness.

From the RJM Collection.

Ex Agora Auctions, 5/9/20172 commentsSosius

138 - 161, ANTONINUS PIUS, AE As, Struck 154 - 155Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XVIII, laureate and draped bust of Antoninus Pius facing right.
Reverse: BRITANNIA COS IIII, Britannia seated facing left on rock, shield and vexillum in background; S C in exergue.
Diameter: 26mm | Weight: 9.4gms | Die Axis: 7h
RIC III: 934 | SRCV: 4296 | Cohen: 117
SCARCE

The bronze coins of Antoninus Pius bearing the "Britannia" reverse type have been found in considerable quantities in Britain, but are not generally recorded from Roman sites in France and Germany. The many "Britannia" issues of Antoninus Pius found in Coventina's Well, Carrawburgh, seem to have come from only a few dies, suggesting that the place of mintage for them was not far distant, though it is possible that the issue was both issued at Rome and produced locally in Britannia.
The reverse type of Britannia seated on a rock, eventually adorned Great Britain's coinage many centuries later when the design was reintroduced by Charles II in 1672.

COVENTINA'S WELL
Dedications to Coventina and votive deposits were found in a walled area, now called "Coventina's Well", which had been built to contain the outflow from a spring near the site of a Roman fort and settlement, on Hadrian's Wall. Now called Carrawburgh, the site is named as Procolita in the 5th century "Notitia Dignitatum". The remains of a Roman Mithraeum and Nymphaeum were also found near the site.
*Alex

15 HadrianHadrian. A.D. 117-138. AE sestertius. Rome mint, struck A.D. 119.
Hadrian. A.D. 117-138. AE sestertius (35.51 mm, 26.94 g, 7 h). Rome mint, struck A.D. 119. IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIA-NVS AVG P M TR P COS III, laureate, bare-chested "heroic" bust right, drapery on left shoulder / PROVIDENTIAE DEORVM S - C, Hadrian, togate, standing facing, head left, right hand receiving scepter borne by eagle descending from sky on left and scroll (?) in left hand. RIC 589; BMC 1203. good VF/VF, fantastic sensitive portrait on heroic bust, green patina with spots of red, particularly on reverse. Ex Agora Auctions 5/9/20171 commentsSosius

15 Hadrian SestertiusHADRIAN
AE Sestertius
IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG, laureate bust right / PONT MAX TR POT COS III, Felicitas standing, head left, holding corn ears & cornucopia
RIC 563a, Cohen 1192, Sear'88 #1119
RI0097Sosius

17 Antoninus Pius RIC 204ANTONINUS PIUS
Denarius, Rome 138-161 AD
M ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XXIII, laur. head right / COS IIII, Annona standing left, stalks of grain in right, left placed on modius on ship
RIC 204 BMC 765 RSC 288
Ex Artifact Man Ancient Coins
RI00771 commentsSosius

17 Antoninus PiusANTONINUS PIUS
AR Denarius, 3.6g
ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P TR P XIIII, laureate bearded head right / COS IIII, Fortuna standing left with rudder & cornucopia
RIC 194, RSC 265.
RI00761 commentsSosius

17 Antoninus PiusAntoninus Pius. A.D. 138-161. Æ sestertius (34.0 mm, 25.29 g, 11 h). Rome mint, Struck A.D. 145-161. ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P COS IIII, laureate head right / FELICITAS AVG, SC, Felicitas standing left, holding capricorn and long caduceus. RIC 770; BMCRE 1677. aVF.
Ex 1030, sale 53, lot 106. Ex- Dave Surber Collection.
Ex Agora Auction 28, lot 874 commentsSosius

17 Antoninus Pius AsANTONINUS PIUS
Rome Mint
AE As.
147-148 AD.
ANTONINVS PIVS P P TR P XI, Laureate head right / PRIMI DECEN NALES COS IIII S C, Legend in five lines within oak wreath.
RIC III, 853a; Cohen 676; BMC 817, RIC 853a
RI00751 commentsSosius

18 Marcus Aurelius MARCUS AURELIUS
AR Denarius
170-171 AD
M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXV, laureate head right / COS III, Mars advancing right with spear & trophy.
RSC 126, RIC 231, Sear5 #4886
Ex D. Loates Fine Art
RI01021 commentsSosius

24 Septimius SeverusSEPTIMIUS SEVERUS
AR Denarius

L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, laureate head right / ADVENTI FELICISSIMO, Severus on horseback right raising hand.

RSC 6, RIC 74, Sear 6256Sosius

25 Caracalla DenariusCaracalla
AR Denarius. 209 AD

ANTONINVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right / PONTIF TR P XII COS III, Concordia seated left, holding patera and double cornucopiae.

RSC 465, RIC 111, Sear 6868 Sosius

4996A EGYPT, Alexandria. Hadrian Tetradrachm 117-18 AD Harpocrates standingReference.
RPC III, 4996A; Emmett 850.2; Dattari 1375

http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/3/4996A/

Issue L B = year 2

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙΝΟС (sic) ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС
Laureate head right; drapery on left shoulder

Rev. LB
Harpocrates standing facing, raising hand to mouth and holding cornucopia, leaning on column.

13.60 gr
23 mm
12hokidoki

893cfCarausius 287-93AD
Antoninianus
Obv “IMP CARAVSIVS P AVG”
Radiate, draped consular bust left holding eagle tipped sceptre
Rev “PAX AVG”
Pax standing left with transverse sceptre
Unmarked mint
RIC - (cf 893ff)
Obverse die duplicate in the Albert Baldwin collection (Glendinings 20-21 November 1969, pl XIII, lot 332)mauseus

Alexander I, BalasSerrated AE 21, Syria, Alexander I Balas, Obv: Alexander right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ;, Athena with Nike, monograms, aVF. Lindgren III, pl. 62, 1074, Hoover HGC 9, 900 (R1-2).Molinari

Alexander II, ZebinaAE 21, Syria, Alexander II Zebina, ca. 128-123 BC, Obv: Alexander right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Athena standing by Nike, Epsilon Psi above, VF. Lindgren III, pl. 63, 1110, SC 2233, Hoover HGC 9, 1163 (C-S).1 commentsMolinari

Antiochos VIII, GryposAE 19, Antiochos VIII, Grypos, 121-96 BC, Obv: Radiate head right. Rev: Eagle with scepter in background, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΞΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, die break on reverse, aXF. S 7154, B.M.C. 4.90, 27. Molinari

Antoninus Pius 138 – 161 CESilver denarius, RIC III 276, RSC II 1037, Rome mint, 2.4g, 16.8mm, 157-158 CE.
Obverse: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P IMP II, laureate head right.
Reverse: TR POT XXI COS IIII, Aequitas standing left holding balance and cornucopia.
Rome MintNORMAN K

Bohemond III, Majority, (1163-1201 CE) Billion denierObverse: +BOAMVNDVS Helmeted head l., mail compsoed of crescents, star r., crescent l.
Reverse: +AMTIOCNIA cross pattee with crescent pointing downwards in second angle.
Mint: Antioch
Date: 1163-1201 CE
.98 gm 17mm
Malloy 214.65
wileyc

Cappadocia, Caesarea. Six corn earsGordian III, 238-244 A.D. Cappadocia, Caesarea. 7,1g, 23mm. Obv: AV KAI M ANT GORDIANOC; Draped and laureate Gordian III right; Rev: [MHTP] KAI NE (in field) [E]T - Z ("Münze von Kaisareia, Metropolis und Inhaberin einer Neokorie"); Six corn ears, Year Z (= 7, Year 244 A.D.) Cf. Sydenham 616; SNG Österreich, Slg. Leypold II 2812 and 2814. Podiceps

County of Tripoli, Raymond III, 1152 - 1187 Bronze pougeoise County of Tripoli, Raymond III, 1152 - 1187 Bronze pougeoise
O : + CIVITAS fortified gateway, five rows of masonry, five crenellations, large divided door
R : + TRIPOLIS, St. Andrew's cross pommetée, circle in center, crescent and pellet in each quarter
CCS 13
Ex FORUM ; Ex MalloyVladislav D

Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Silver denarius, RIC II, part 1, 669 (C3); BMCRE II 153; BnF III 147; RSC II 251Silver denarius
Obverse: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head right.
Reverse: IMP XIX COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing left, helmeted and draped, thunderbolt in right hand, spear vertical behind in left hand, grounded shield at feet behind.
2.85 g., 18.7 mm, Rome mint
sold 4-20181 commentsNORMAN K

EAGLE, GORDIAN & TRANQUILLINA. ANCHIALUS. AE 26. Eagle. GORDIAN & TRANQUILLINA. ANCHIALUS. AE 26. Eagle. Choice
ROMAN PROVINCES - THRACE, ANCHIALUS
GORDIAN III, Emperor, AD 238-244
GORDIAN III & TRANQUILLINA
AE27 (Copper, 13.02 grams, 26.50 mm).
Obverse: Greek legend: AVT K M AN GORDIANOC CAV CAB / TPANKVLLI/NA Their two draped busts confronted.
Reverse: Greek legend: OVLPIANWN ANXIALEVN Eagle standing facing on thunderbolt with open wings, head right, holding wreath in its beak. Reference: Sear GIC -, BMC # 21 page 86.

6500 2 commentsAntonivs Protti

Gordian III / RIC 177 over 187, 1'st series.Antoninianus, 238-239 AD, Antioch mint.
Obverse: IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG / Radiate bust of Gordian.
Reverse: AEQVIT LIBER / Body and feet of Aequitas holding scales; Body and feet of Libertas holding pileus (Liberty cap) .
5.00 gm, 22 mm.
RIC #177 over #187. Bland 18/21.

This coin has two different reverses: the Aequitas type (RIC #177) is overstruck at 180 degree rotation on top of the Libertas type (RIC #187). Or, perhaps it is the other way around: The Libertas type (RIC #187) is overstruck on top of the Aequitas type (RIC #177).

The T of AEQVITAS AVG is almost flattened out and is just barely visible. At Antioch, Libertas with the pileus always has the legend LIBERALITAS AVG rather than LIBERTAS AVG.

There is a footnote to RIC #231 (vol. IV, part III, p. 39) which is quite intriguing:

"231. A strange Antoninianus (G. B. Pears Coll.) shows rev. type of AEQVIT[AS] apparently overstruck with type of LIBER[TAS] -- obv. of Gordian III, rev. of Philip overstruck with rev. of Trebonianus Gallus (?)."

I posted this coin on Forvmancientcoins.com and got this reply from Curtis Clay:

"A neat example of this error, and one I hadn't been aware of before, despite its mention in the RIC footnote!
As you expected, you now own the coin formerly in the Pears collection: we know because there is a plaster cast of it so labeled in the BM, which is illustrated in Roger Bland's dissertation, pl. 10, 18/21 !
One of the reverse types is Libertas with cap, but its legend must have been LIBERALITAS not LIBERTAS AVG: the Eastern mint always mislabeled its Libertas type as Liberalitas. RIC made the same mistake regarding the reverse legend; corrected by Bland, who lists the coin under the type LIBERALITAS AVG.
I had never heard of G. B. Pears or his collection before, so can supply no information in that regard."1 commentsCallimachus

Gordian III, Bithynia, Nicaea
Bithynia, Nicaea. Gordian III. A.D. 238-244. Æ 20(20.2 mm, 3.6 g ).
Obverse: M ANT Î“OP-Î”IANOC AV, radiate bust right, drapery on shoulder.
Reverse: N-IK-AI-Ð„/Î©N, three legionary standards, the two outer surmounted by capricorns, the middle by an eagle.
Rec Gen 716; Weiser NORMAN K

Gordian III, Miletopolis AE20
Gordian III, 238 - 244. Miletopolis, Mysia.
Α Κ Μ ΑΝΤ ΓΟΡ∆ΙΑΝΟC, LDC-R
MEIΛHTΟ - ΠΟΛΕΙΤΩΝ, basket with 3 ears of grain.
axis 12, 4.1 g.
RPC VII 1. 91 1 commentsPekka K

Gordian III, The Kingdom of Edessa,The Kingdom of Edessa, Abgar X, 242-243 AD. AE25 of Edessa. Laureate, draped & cuirassed bust of Gordian III rt., star before / Draped bust of Abgar right, bearded, wearing a diadedemed tiara, star behind. ecoli

IMPERATOR II (Winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae)Denarius, Rome AD 140-144, 15 mm
Obverse: Laureate head right, ANTONINVS AVG.PIVS P.P.TR.P.COS.III, Reverse: Winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae, IMPERATOR II,
References: RSC 451; RIC 112Podiceps

Italy- Pompeii- The BasilacaBASILICA
Forum of Pompeii c. 120 B.C. These more massive columns are from the basilica, the most important public building in Pompeii. Constructed prior to the Roman period, the basilica had three aisles and five entrance doors onto the forum. In the rear we see a two-tiered colonnade which has columns in the Doric style on the bottom and slender Ionic columns on top of a cross beam. In Pompeii many columns were made of brick and covered with stucco.

BASILICA (VIII,1,1)
Built in the second half of the 2nd cent. BC, as part of the plan to create monuments throughout the city. It has a rectangular layout, with three naves, with a ceiling sloping straight down in both directions from the central columns and half columns at the top of the walls, where there are still remains of decorations in ‘first style’: at the back is the tribunal, where the magistrates sat, reached by a wooden staircase. The building was dedicated to administering justice and for business negotiations.

Peter Wissing

Latin trachy type C small module Sear 2046small module as SB 2023

Obverse:MP_OV barred in upper fields. Virgin nimbate, wearing tunic and maphorion, seated upon throne with back;holds beardless nimbate head of Christ on breast.
Reverse. Emperor seated on throne without back, collar-peice and paneled loros of simplified type; holds in r. hand labarum-headed scepter, and in l., anexikakia. Manus Dei in upper rt. field.
Mint:?Constantinople
Date 1204-
SB 2046, DOC LIII,32
15mm
wileyc

Macedonia, Alexander III, Ar drachmPrice 1382 / 310-301 BC
obv: Head of young Heraclea r. wearing lion-skin headdress
rev: ALEXANDROU Zues enthrond l. holding eagle and scepter forpart of
Pegasus l. monogram NO below thronehill132

Macedonian Kingdom: Philip III Arrhidaios (323-317 BCE) AR Drachm, Abydus (ADM II series VIII, 124-5)Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin
Rev: Î¦Î™Î›Î™Î Î ÎŸÎ¥; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on backless throne; right leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle in right hand, scepter in left; branch upward in left field, horse leg left below throne
Dim: 17mm, 4.27 gm, 5hQuant.Geek

Manuel I Komnenus clipped billion aspron trachy SB1966Obverse: IC-XC (bar above) in field, Christ bearded and nimbate, wearing tunic and colobion, seated upon throne without back; holds gospels in left hand.
Reverse: MAN(monogram)HA AECIIOT or var, MP OV bar above in upper right field, Full-length figure of emperor, bearded on left, crowned by Virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar-peice, and jewelled loros of simplified type; holds in right hand labarum-headed scepter, and in left globus cruciger. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.
four main varieties:
Mint: Constantinople
Date: 1167-1183?
Sear 1966 Var d, Fourth coinage; H 16.14,15; 17.1-4
rev: Jewel within circle on loros waist
16mm .89gm
As discussed in the Byzantine forumThese are the "neatly clipped" trachies.
During the reign of Manuel I the silver content of the trachy was dropped from c.6% to c.3%, but later types were sometimes issued with the higher silver content.
In Alexius III's time these high silver types were clipped down to half size, probably officially, presumably so as to match the lower silver content of the later issues.
Of course this would only have worked as long as the populace accepted the idea that the clipped coins were all high silver versions to start with. Once smarties started clipping ordinary coins these types would soon have have fallen out of favour and been withdrawn.

Ross G.

During the reign of Alexius III were reused coins of previous releases, clipping its border in a very regular mode and thus reducing to half their weight. Regularity of shearing and the fact that they were found to stock uniforms, suggesting that this clipping is a formal issuance of mint. Based on the stocks found in Constantinople , some of which consist only of clipped coins, it may safely be dated between 1195 and 1203.
Hendy and Grierson believe that this shearing was a consequence of the devaluation of trachy mixture during the reign of Isaac II and Alexius III. They reduced by half the already low silver content of this coin: shearing coins of previous emperors, still widely in circulation, made their trachy consistent with the intrinsic value of current emissions. Of course, this does not justify the clipping of coins already degraded of Isaac II and Alexius III. Therefore, reason for their declassification is not understood. I think that reason of Ross is right!
The structure of their dispersion in hoards indicates that, however, were made after the other emissions. Clipped trachys appear in small amounts along with regular trachy in hoards, represents a rarity. Were clipped trachys of Manuel I, Andronicus I, Isaac II and Alexius III, and perhaps of John II; those of Manuel are less scarce. In principle, we must believe that all trachys after Manuel I have been clipped, although many have not yet appeared.

Antvwala
wileyc

Philip I, Viminacium Moushmov 36, VIII, Obverse: IMP M IVL PHILIPPVS AVG, laureate, draped bust right.
Reverse: PMS COL VIM, Moesia standing between bull and lion. ANVIII in ex. = year 8.
28.7mm., 16.9 g.
Viminacium Moushmov 36,VIIINORMAN K

SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS., 193-211 CE. AR Denarius17 x 18 mm, 3.3 gm). Struck 197 AD.
Obverse: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, laureate head right.
Reverse: PM TR P V COS II P P,Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe in right hand, cornucopia in left.
RIC IV104; BMCRE 229; RSC 442.
NORMAN K

#Mysia, Germe, Conventus of Cyzicus. Pseudo-autonomous AE20 Between 138 and 192 AD.
Obverse: ΙΕΡΑ Σ ΥΝΚΗ[ΤΟΣ], draped bust of the Senate (youthful), r.
Reverse: [ΓΕΡ]Μ ΗΝΩΝ, Nude Heracles standing, facing, head, l., resting arm on club, holding lion-skin
BMC 16 S80,6(1); Lindgren III, Addendum A 726Aancientone

ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 2.84 g)
Amor standing left, holding an ucnertain object
Wreath
Rostovtsev 2006.1, pl. VIII, 24 = Scholz 368 (this coin, illustrated)

Ex Trau CollectionArdatirion

ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 2.73 g, 12h)
Head of a young athlete right; (AV) to left, II to right
Apollo standing left, holding branch, resting left arm on tripod
Rostovtsev 843, pl. VIII, 53 corr. (obv. legend); Rostovtsev & Prou 532; Munich 179-80; Ruggerio 1408; BM 28-31, 33Ardatirion

ROME
PB Tessera (19mm, 4.71 g, 12 h)
Neptune standing left, holding dolphin and trident
Dolphin swimming right; trident behind
Rostowzew 2120, pl. VIII, 35

Ex Artcoins Roma Electronic Auction 5 (29 May 2012), lot 247 (part of)Ardatirion

ROME
PB Tessera (14mm, 1.30 g, 6 h)
Tree
DI
Cf. Rostowzew 426, pl. III, 48 (similar tree)

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 267, lot 685 (part of)Ardatirion

ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 4.06 g, 1 h)
Venus standing left, holding mirror and adjusting hair; TIVS to right
Venus standing left, holding mirror and adjusting hair; palm frond to right
Rostowzew 3091, pl. VIII, 2; München 594

Ex Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 267, lot 685 (part of)Ardatirion

Dy.187 Louis VIII (the Lion) or IX (Saint Louis): denier tournoisLouis VIII, king of France (1223-1226) or Louis IX, king of France (1226-1270)
Denier tournois (1223-1250)

Billon, 0.81 g, diameter 19 mm, die axis 4h30
O: +LVDOVICVS REX; cross pattée
R: +TVRONVS CIVI; châtel tournois

The question of the attribution of this denier to Louis VIII or to the first part of Louis IX's reign is difficult. Indeed, Louis VIII only ruled for 3 years and both the father and the son have the same name...

Dy.188 Louis VIII (the Lion) or IX (Saint Louis): denier tournoisLouis VIII, king of France (1223-1226) or Louis IX, king of France (1226-1270)
Denier tournois (1223-1250)

Billon, 0.70 g, diameter 19 mm, die axis 11h
O: +LVDOVICVS REX; cross pattée
R: +TVRONIS CIVI; châtel tournois

Just a slightly modified legend (TVRONIS instead of TVRONVS) with respect to the previous denier.

Dy.202A Philip III (the Bold): Gros tournois Philip III, king of France (1270-1285)
Gros tournois (1270-1280)

Silver (958 ‰), 4.04 g, diameter 26 mm, die axis 1h30
O: inner circle: +PhILIPVS.REX; cross pattée; outer circle: BNDICTVâ‹®SITâ‹®HOmÐ„â‹®DNIâ‹®nRIâ‹®DÐ„Iâ‹®IhV.XPI
R: inner circle: +TVRONV.S.CIVIS; châtel tournois; outer circle: a circlet of 12 fleur-de-lis

This type exactly continued the Gros tournois of Saint Louis, Philip's father.

Dy.204 Philip III (the Bold): denier tournois Philip III, king of France (1270-1285)
Denier tournois (1270-1280)

Billon (299 ‰), 1.00 g, diameter 18 mm, die axis 1h30
O: +PhILIPVS.REX; cross pattée
R: +TVRONVS.CIVIS.; châtel tournois

This is the exact continuation of previous denier tournois types.

Dy.204 Philip III (the Bold): denier tournois Philip III, king of France (1270-1285)
Denier tournois (1270-1280)

Billon (299 ‰), 0.85 g, diameter 19 mm, die axis 11h
O: +PhILIPVS.REX; cross pattée
R: +TVRONVS.CIVIS.; châtel tournois

Another example of this type, quite hard to find in a very good state.

D.1041 Louis III (denier, Tours)Louis III, king of the Franks (879-882)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 1.78 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +IIISIRICORDIÎ› DI REX; Louis' monogram (legend beginning at 3h)
R/ +HTVRâ—ŠNES CIVITAS; croix pattée

Louis III became king of West Francia at 16 after his father Louis II died quite young. As he was the only living son of Charles II, Louis II had inherited the full kingdom of West Francia from his father. At opposite, when Louis II died, his sons Louis III and Carloman II divided the kingdom into a northern part for Louis III and a southern part for his brother Carloman II. During his reign, Louis III (in alliance with his brother) achieved military successes, especially against Vikings. However, Louis III's reign didn't last long. Louis III died inadvertently at 19 while chasing a girl on his horse. He hit violently the lintel of a door with his head.
Louis III's coinage is hard to distinguish from Louis II's. Both bear the same name et both reigns were very short. Three kinds of coins can be found:
* coins with legend LVDOVICS REX and a KRLS monogram : these coins have been found for northern and southern mints and are consequently given for Louis II;
* coins with a LVDOVICVS monogram ; they have only been found for the northern mints, and are consequently supposed to be Louis III's;
* coins of Toulouse with LV/DO, imitating the ones of Charles emperor with CA/RL. The attribution to Louis II seems to be straightforward due to the southern position.
The legend of the coin is different from the traditional Gratia di Rex, but still shows a religious origin. However its success remained very limited, with some scare coins of Louis III and Eudes. 3 comments

"As de Nîmes" or "crocodile" Ӕ dupondius of Nemausus (9 - 3 BC), honoring Augustus and AgrippaIMP DIVI F , Heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus the oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm-shoot with short dense fronds and tip right; two short palm offshoots left and right below, above on left a wreath with two long ties streaming right.

Ó”, 24.5 x 3+ mm, 13.23g, die axis 3h; on both sides there are remains of what appears to be gold plating, perhaps it was a votive offering? Rough edges and slight scrapes on flan typical for this kind of coin, due to primitive technology (filing) of flan preparation.

IMPerator DIVI Filius. Mint of COLonia NEMausus (currently Nîmes, France). Known as "As de Nîmes", it is actually a dupontius (lit. "two-pounder") = 2 ases (sometimes cut in halves to get change). Dupondii were often made out of a golden-colored copper alloy (type of brass) "orichalcum" and this appears to be such case.

Key ID points: oak-wreath (microphotography shows that at least one leaf has a complicated shape, although distinguishing oak from laurel is very difficult) – earlier versions have Augustus bareheaded, no PP on obverse as in later versions, no NE ligature, palm with short fronds with tip right (later versions have tip left and sometimes long fronds). Not typical: no clear laurel wreath together with the rostral crown, gold (?) plating (!), both features really baffling.

But still clearly a "middle" kind of the croc dupondius, known as "type III": RIC I 158, RPC I 524, Sear 1730. It is often conservatively dated to 10 BC - 10 AD, but these days it is usually narrowed to 9/8 - 3 BC.

It is a commemorative issue, honoring the victory over Mark Antony and conquest of Egypt in 30 BC. The heads of Augustus and Agrippa were probably positioned to remind familiar obverses of Roman republican coins with two-faced Janus. Palm branch was a common symbol of victory, in this case grown into a tree, like the victories of Augustus and Agrippa grown into the empire. The two offshoots at the bottom may mean two sons of Agrippa, Gaius and Lucius, who were supposed to be Augustus' heirs and were patrons of the colony. Palm may also be a symbol of the local Nemausian deity, which was probably worshiped in a sacred grove. When these coins were minted, the colony was mostly populated by the settled veterans of Augustus' campaigns, hence the reminiscence of the most famous victory, but some of the original Celtic culture probably survived and was assimilated by Romans. The crocodile is not only the symbol of Egypt, like in the famous Octavian's coins AEGYPTO CAPTA. It is also a representation of Mark Antony, powerful and scary both in water and on land, but a bit slow and stupid. The shape of the crocodile with tail up was specifically chosen to remind of the shape of ship on very common "legionary" denarius series, which Mark Antony minted to pay his armies just before Actium. It is probably also related to the popular contemporary caricature of Cleopatra, riding on and simultaneously copulating with a crocodile, holding a palm branch in her hand as if in triumph. There the crocodile also symbolized Mark Antony.

Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born c. 64-62 BC somewhere in rural Italy. His family was of humble and plebeian origins, but rich, of equestrian rank. Agrippa was about the same age as Octavian, and the two were educated together and became close friends. He probably first served in Caesar's Spanish campaign of 46–45 BC. Caesar regarded him highly enough to send him with Octavius in 45 BC to train in Illyria. When Octavian returned to Rome after Caesar's assassination, Agrippa became his close lieutenant, performing many tasks. He probably started his political career in 43 BC as a tribune of the people and then a member of the Senate. Then he was one of the leading Octavian's generals, finally becoming THE leading general and admiral in the civil wars of the subsequent years.

In 38 as a governor of Transalpine Gaul Agrippa undertook an expedition to Germania, thus becoming the first Roman general since Julius Caesar to cross the Rhine. During this foray he helped the Germanic tribe of Ubii (who previously allied themselves with Caesar in 55 BC) to resettle on the west bank of the Rhine. A shrine was dedicated there, possibly to Divus Caesar whom Ubii fondly remembered, and the village became known as Ara Ubiorum, "Altar of Ubians". This quickly would become an important Roman settlement. Agrippina the Younger, Agrippa's granddaughter, wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Emperor Nero, would be born there in 15 AD. In 50 AD she would sponsor this village to be upgraded to a colonia, and it would be renamed Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (colony of Claudius [at] the Altar of Agrippinians – Ubii renamed themselves as Agrippinians to honor the augusta!), abbreviated as CCAA, later to become the capital of new Roman province, Germania Inferior.

In 37 BC Octavian recalled Agrippa back to Rome and arranged for him to win the consular elections, he desperately needed help in naval warfare with Sextus Pompey, the youngest son of Pompey the Great, who styled himself as the last supporter of the republican cause, but in reality became a pirate king, an irony since his father was the one who virtually exterminated piracy in all the Roman waters. He forced humiliating armistice on the triumvirs in 39 BC and when Octavian renewed the hostilities a year later, defeated him in a decisive naval battle of Messina. New fleet had to be built and trained, and Agrippa was the man for the job. Agrippa's solution was creating a huge secret naval base he called Portus Iulius by connecting together lakes Avernus, Avernus and the natural inner and outer harbors behind Cape Misenum at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. He also created a larger type of ship and developed a new naval weapon: harpax – a ballista-launched grapnel shot with mechanisms that allowed pulling enemy ships close for easy boarding. It replaced the previous boarding device that Romans used since the First Punic War, corvus – effective, but extremely cumbersome. A later defence against it were scythe blades on long poles for cutting ropes, but since this invention was developed in secret, the enemy had no chance to prepare anything like it. It all has proved extremely effective: in a series of naval engagements Agrippa annihilated the fleet of Sextus, forced him to abandon his bases and run away. For this Agrippa was awarded an unprecedented honour that no Roman before or after him received: a rostral crown, "corona rostrata", a wreath decorated in front by a prow and beak of a ship.

That's why Virgil (Aeneid VIII, 683-684), describing Agrippa at Actium, says: "…belli insigne superbum, tempora navali fulgent rostrata corona." "…the proud military decoration, gleams on his brow the naval rostral crown". Actium, the decisive battle between forces of Octavian and Mark Antony, may appear boring compared to the war with Sextus, but it probably turned out this way due to Agrippa's victories in preliminary naval engagements and taking over all the strategy from Octavian.

In between the wars Agrippa has shown an unusual talent in city planning, not only constructing many new public buildings etc., but also greatly improving Rome's sanitation by doing a complete overhaul of all the aqueducts and sewers. Typically, it was Augustus who later would boast that "he had found the city of brick but left it of marble", forgetting that, just like in his naval successes, it was Agrippa who did most of the work. Agrippa had building programs in other Roman cities as well, a magnificent temple (currently known as Maison Carrée) survives in Nîmes itself, which was probably built by Agrippa.

Later relationship between Augustus and Agrippa seemed colder for a while, Agrippa seemed to even go into "exile", but modern historians agree that it was just a ploy: Augustus wanted others to think that Agrippa was his "rival" while in truth he was keeping a significant army far away from Rome, ready to come to the rescue in case Augustus' political machinations fail. It is confirmed by the fact that later Agrippa was recalled and given authority almost equal to Augustus himself, not to mention that he married Augustus' only biological child. The last years of Agrippa's life were spent governing the eastern provinces, were he won respect even of the Jews. He also restored Crimea to Roman Empire. His last service was starting the conquest of the upper Danube, were later the province of Pannonia would be. He suddenly died of illness in 12 BC, aged ~51.

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages. Through some of his children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He has numerous other legacies.Yurii P

(0098) TRAJAN98-117 AD
AE 26 mm 9.40 g
O: IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P COS III, Laureate head right
R: SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI S-C, Aequitas standing left holding cornucopia and scales
RIC 498
1 commentslaney

(0138) ANTONINUS PIUS138 - 161 AD
Struck 140-144 AD.
AE As 27 mm 9.35 g
O: IMP CAES T AEL HADR ANTONINVS AVG PIVS P P, laureate head right
R: TR POT XIIII COS IIII S-C, ANNONA AVG in ex. Annona seated left, holding corn ears and cornucopia, modius to left
RIC III, 880; Cohen 49laney

(0161) MARCUS AURELIUS161 - 180 AD
Struck 161 - 162 AD
AE Dupondius, 25 mm 10.87 g
O: IMP CAES M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG P M, Radiate head right.
R: CONCORD AVGVSTOR TR P XVI COS III, Aurelius and Verus facing each other, clasping hands.
Ref: RIC 828
laney

(0161) MARCUS AURELIUS 161 - 180 AD
Struck 161 - 162 AD
AE Dupondius, 25 mm 9.90 g
O: Radiate of M. Aurelius head right.
R: CONCORD AVGVSTOR TR P XVI COS III, Aurelius and Verus facing each other, clasping hands.
cf: RIC 828laney

(0161) MARCUS AURELIUS (limes denarius)161-180 AD
struck 164/5
Limes Denarius 18 mm, 2.11 g
O: M ANTONINVS AVG ARMENIACVS, laureate head right.
R: P M TR P XIX IMP III COS III, Annona standing left, holding grain ears over modius, and cornucopia in left hand
Rome; cf RIC 125laney

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