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Image search results - "NCAP"
HENRY_VI_from__National_portrait_gallery.JPG
HENRY VI
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. The only child of Henry V, he succeeded to the English throne at the age of nine months when his father died.
This was during the period of the long-running Hundred Years' War (1337 - 1453) and Henry is the only English monarch to also have been crowned King of France (as Henri II), in 1431. During his early reign several people were ruling for him and by the time Henry was declared fit to rule in 1437 he found his realm in a difficult position, faced with setbacks in France and divisions among the nobility at home. Henry is described as timid, shy, passive, well intentioned, and averse to warfare and violence; he was also at times mentally unstable. Partially in the hope of achieving peace, Henry married the ambitious and strong-willed Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The peace policy failed and the war recommenced with France taking the upper hand such that by 1453 Calais was Henry's only remaining territory on the continent.
With Henry effectively unfit to rule, Queen Margaret took advantage of the situation to make herself an effective power behind the throne. Starting around 1453 Henry began suffering a series of mental breakdowns and tensions mounted between Margaret and Richard of York, not only over control of the incapacitated king's government, but over the question of succession to the throne. Civil war broke out in 1459, leading to a long period of dynastic conflict, now known as the Wars of the Roses. Henry was deposed on 29th March 1461 after a crushing defeat at the Battle of Towton by Richard of York's son, who took the throne as Edward IV. Margaret continuing to resist Edward, but Henry was captured by Edward's forces in 1465 and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Queen Margaret, who was first exiled in Scotland and then in France, was still determined to win back the throne on behalf of her husband and son. So, when Edward IV fell out with two of his main supporters, Richard Neville the Earl of Warwick and George the Duke of Clarence, Margaret formed a secret alliance with them backed by Louis XI of France. Warwick returned with an army to England, forced Edward IV into exile, and restored Henry VI to the throne on 30th October 1470, though Henry's position was nominal as Warwick and Clarence effectively ruled in his name.
But Henry's return to the throne lasted less than six months. Warwick overreached himself by declaring war on Burgundy, whose ruler responded by giving Edward IV the assistance he needed to win back his throne by force. Edward retook power in 1471, killing Warwick at the Battle of Barnet and Henry's only son at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Henry was again imprisoned in the Tower where, during the night of 21st May he died, possibly killed on Edward's orders.
*Alex
Athenian_Tetradrachm.jpg
01 Attica, Athenian TetradrachmAthenian Old Style Tetradrachm

Obv: head of Athena facing r., crested Attic helmet with three olive leaves and floral scroll, hair across forehead in parallel curves, almond shaped eye, round earing, wire necklace.
Rev: owl standing r. with erect posture, tail feathers as a single prong, head facing forward, a crescent and then an olive sprig to the l., A☉E at 90º and downward to the r., all within incuse square.
Denomination: silver tetradrachm; Mint: Athens; Date: 454 - 404 BC;1 Weight: 17.2g; Diameter: 24mm; Die axis: 270º; References, for example: BMC vol. 11, 62; SNG Cop vol. 14, 31; Cf. Starr pl. XXIII; SGCV I 2526; Kroll 8; SNG München issue 14, 49; HGC 4, 1597.

Notes:
1This is the date range given in HGC 4. SGCV I gives 449 - 413 BC.

NGC rates this coin as About Uncirculated with a 5/5 strike and a 4/5 surface. I intend to someday free it from its encapsulation.

This coin is part of an enormous issue apparently begun in order to pay for work necessary to rebuild the city's temples. Subsequent decades saw huge quantities of tetradrachms minted in order to finance the building of the Parthenon and other such massive projects, and later decades saw such minting in order to pay for the Peloponnesian War. (SGCV I, p. 236).

Provenance: Ex Forum Ancient Coins January 12, 2018; Ex Heritage Auction 231723 June 8, 2017, lot 62016.

Photo Credits: Forum Ancient Coins

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2 commentsTracy Aiello
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031a. Severus AlexanderCaesar (under Elagabalus) 221-222.
Augustus 11 March 222 – 19 March 235.

About 14 when he took throne. Very weak ruler, who was dominated by mother and grandmother. First part of his reign was peaceful, and he had no major threats to his position. Toward the end, however, major external threats erupted along the frontiers, and he proved incapable of providing good military leadership. He finally was killed by his soldiers.

Coin: AR Denarius. Rome, AD 226. IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bearded bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax running to left, holding olive branch and sceptre. RIC IV 168; BMCRE 363; RSC 187. 2.92g, 20mm, 6h. Roma Numismatics Auc 102, Lot 1014 (Nov 2022)
lawrence c
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078a. Domitian DomitianusUsurper ca.296-297

Seized control of Alexandria in 296. Diocletian sent forces against him, but in contrast to the situation with most usurpers, it required considerable time and a siege to oust Domitius, who was executed. This also marked the end of the very long lasting mintage of provincial coins in Alexandria.

Coin: Potin Octadrachm(?) (23mm, 11h) (23mm, 12.23 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). Radiate head right. ΔOMITIANOC CEB. / Sarapis standing right, wearing kalathos, raising his right arm in salute, holding transverse scepter with his left hand and arm; palm frond to right, L B (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10824; K&G 126.1; Emmett 4241.2. Removed from ANACS encapsulation 6202972, graded VF 20. Ex Roma E-Sale 30 (29 October 2016), lot 304. CNG Auc 534 (15 March 2023), Lot 462.
lawrence c
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078a. Domitius DomitianusUsurper, AD 297-298. Potin Octadrachm(?) (23mm, 11h) (23mm, 12.23 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (AD 297/298). Radiate head right. ΔOMITIANOC CEB. / Sarapis standing right, wearing kalathos, raising his right arm in salute, holding transverse scepter with his left hand and arm; palm frond to right, L B (date) to left. Köln –; Dattari (Savio) 10824; K&G 126.1; Emmett 4241.2. Removed from ANACS encapsulation 6202972, graded VF 20. Ex Roma E-Sale 30 (29 October 2016), lot 304. CNG Auc 534 (15 March 2023), Lot 462.lawrence c
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1658 Hadrian AS Roma 130-38 AD DaciaReference.
RIC II, 850; Strack 715; RIC III, 1658

Bust C2

Obv. HADRIANVS AVG COS III P P
Laureate, draped bust viewed from side

Rev. in ex. DACIA S C in field
Dacia seated left on pile of rocks, with foot on helmet, holding standard and falx (curved sword)

11.52 gr
26 mm
6h

Note.
At the time of the Dacian wars researchers have estimated that only ten percent of Spanish and Gallic warriors had access to swords, usually the nobility. By contrast Dacia had rich resources of iron and were prolific metal workers. It is clear that a large percentage of Dacians owned swords, greatly reducing Rome's military advantage.[7]
Marcus Cornelius Fronto described the large gaping wounds that a falx inflicted, and experiments have shown that a blow from a falx easily penetrated the Romans' lorica segmentata, incapacitating the majority of victims.
1 commentsokidoki
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1er Procopius365-366

AE3

Diademed, draped & cuirassed bust left, D N PROCOPIVS P F AVG
Procopius standing facing, head right, holding labarum in right hand, left resting on shield set on the ground; Chi-rho in upper right field & unidentified object in left at foot; mintmark CONS Gamma.

RIC 17a

Zosimus tells us: On [Valens'] departure from Constantinople, the rebellion of Procopius commenced. This person had been intrusted by Julian, being one of his relations, with a part of his forces, and had been charged to march with Sebastianus through Adiabene, and to meet Julian, who took another route. Permission, moreover, was given him to wear a purple robe, for a reason which no other person was acquainted with. But the deity being pleased to ordain it otherwise, and Jovian having succeeded to the imperial dignity, Procopius immediately delivered up the imperial robe which he had received from Julian, confessing why it had been given to him, and entreating the emperor to absolve him from his military oath, and to allow him to live in retirement, and to attend to agriculture and his own private affairs. Having obtained this, he went with his wife and children to Caesarea in Cappadocia, intending to reside in that place, where he possessed a valuable estate. During his abode there, Valentinian and Valens being made emperors, and being suspicious of him, sent persons to take him into custody. In that they found no difficulty, for he surrendered himself voluntarily; and desired them to carry him wherever they pleased, if they would suffer him first to see his children. To this they consented, and he prepared an entertainment for them. When he perceived them to be intoxicated, he and his family fled towards the Taurica Chersonesus. Having remained there for some time, he found the inhabitants to he a faithless race, and was apprehensive lest they should deliver him to his persecutors. He, therefore, put himself and his family on board a trading vessel, and arrived in the night at Constantinople. He there resided in the house of an old acquaintance, and making observations on the state of the city after the departure of the emperor, he attempted to raise himself to the empire, and formed his design on the following incident.

A eunuch, named Eugenius, had not long before been discharged from the court, who entertained but little friendship for the emperors. Procopius therefore won this man to his interest. . . . Their first attempt was to bribe the court guards, which consisted of two legions. Then arming the slaves, and collecting with ease a considerable multitude, chiefly volunteers, they sent them in the night into the city, and occasioned a general commotion; the people issuing from their houses, and gazing on Procopiusas on a king made in a theatre. But the city being in general confusion, and no person being sufficiently collected in mind by reason of the surprise to know how to act, Procopius imagined his design to be still undiscovered, and that he might secure the empire if the enterprise were no further revealed. Having then seized on Cesarius, whom the emperors had made prefect of the city, and on Nebridius, who was appointed to succeed Sallustius in tbe prefecture of the court, he compelled them to write to the subjects of the empire whatever he wished. He also kept them separate, that they might not consult with each other. Having formed these projects, he proceeded in a splendid manner towards the palace. Ascending a tribunal before the gate, he gave the people great hopes and promises. He then entered the palace to provide for the remainder of his affairs.

The new emperors having divided the army between them, Procopius determined to send persons to the soldiers, who were as yet in confusion, and went by the command of the emperors from place to place without any order. He thus hoped to seduce some of them to his party. Nor did he fail of accomplishing his purpose with ease by distributing money amongst the soldiers and their officers; by which means he collected a considerable force, and prepared to make an open attack on the enemy. Procopius then sent Marcellus into Bithynia with an army against Serenianus and the imperial cavalry that was under his command, in hope of cutting them to pieces. This force having fled to Cyzicus, Marcellus, whose army was superior to theirs both by sea and land, took possession of that town; and having taken Serenianus, who fled into Lydia, put him to death. Procopius was so elevated by this fortunate commencement, that his forces considerably augmented, many being of opinion that he was able to contend with the emperors. Both the Roman legions and the Barbarian troops now flocked to his standard. Besides the reputation of being related to Julian, and of having accompanied him in all the wars he had ever been engaged in, attracted many partizans. He likewise sent ambassadors to the chief of Scythia beyond the Ister, who sent to his assistance ten thousand men. The other Barbarian nations likewise sent auxiliaries to share in the expedition. Procopius however considered that it would be imprudent in him to engage with both emperors together, and therefore thought it best to advance against him who was nearest, and afterwards deliberate on what course to pursue.

Thus was Procopius employed; while the emperor Valens, who heard of this insurrection at Galatia in Phrygia, was filled with consternation at the news. Arbitrio having encouraged him not to despair, he prepared the troops that were with him for war, and sent to his brother to inform him of the designs of Procopius. Valentinian however was little disposed for sending auxiliaries to one who was incapable of defending the empire committed to his charge. Valens was therefore under the necessity of. preparing for war, and appointed Arbitrio to the command of his army. When the armies were ready to engage, Arbitrio circumvented Procopius by a stratagem, and thereby seduced from him a great number of his men, from whom he received previous information of the designs of Procopius. On the advance of the emperor and Procopius towards each other, the two armies met near Thyatira. Procopius at first appeared to have the advantage, by which he would have gained the supreme authority, Hormisdas in the engagement having overpowered the enemy. But Gomarius, another of the commanders of Procopius, imparting his intention to all the soldiers of Procopius who were attached to the emperor, in the midst of the battle cried out Augustus, and gave a signal for them to imitate his example. Thus the most of the troops of Procopius went over to Valens.

After having obtained this victory, Valens marched to Sardes, and from thence into Phrygia, where he found Procopius in a town called Nacolia. Affairs having been ordered for the advantage of the emperor by Naplo, an officer of Procopius, Valens again prevailed, and took him prisoner, and soon afterwards Marcellus, both of whom he put to death.
Blindado
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203. MACRINUSMACRINUS. 217-218 AD.

Caracalla's mother, Julia Domna, had toyed with the idea of raising a rebellion against Macrinus shortly after her son's murder, but the empress was uncertain of success and already suffering from breast cancer. She chose to starve herself to death instead.

The grandchildren of her sister, Julia Maesa, would become the focus of the successful uprising that began on 15 May 218. Her 14-year-old grandson Avitus (known to history as Elagabalus) was proclaimed emperor by one the legions camped near the family's hometown of Emesa. Other troops quickly joined the rebellion, but Macrinus marshalled loyal soldiers to crush the revolt. Macrinus also promoted his son to the rank of emperor.

The forces met in a village outside Antioch on 8 June 218. Despite the inexperience of the leaders of the rebel army, Macrinus was defeated. He sent his son, Diadumenianus, with an ambassador to the Parthian king, while Macrinus himself prepared to flee to Rome. Macrinus traveled across Asia Minor disguised as a courier and nearly made it to Europe, but he was captured in Chalcedon. Macrinus was transported to Cappadocia, where he was executed. Diadumenianus had also been captured (at Zeugma) and was similarly put to death.

Contemporaries tended to portray Macrinus as a fear-driven parvenu who was able to make himself emperor but was incapable of the leadership required by the job. An able administrator, Macrinus lacked the aristocratic connections and personal bravado that might have won him legitimacy. His short reign represented a brief interlude of Parthian success during what would prove the final decade of the Parthian empire.

AR Denarius (18mm 3.55 gm). IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust with short beard right / SALVS PVBLICA, Salus seated left, feeding snake rising up from altar, holding sceptre in left. RIC IV 86; Good VF; Ex-CNG
2 commentsecoli
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511. ValensAfter a brief stay aimed at building his troop strength and gaining a toehold in Thrace, Valens moved out to Adrianople. From there, he marched against the confederated barbarian army on August 9, 378 in what would become known as the battle of Adrianople. Although negotiations were attempted, these broke down when a Roman unit sallied forth and carried both sides into battle. The Romans held their own early on but were crushed by the surprise arrival of Visigoth cavalry which split their ranks.

The primary source for the battle is Ammianus, who is quoted at length by Edward Gibbon (The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, XXVI). Valens had left a sizeable guard with his baggage and treasures depleting his force. His right wing, cavalry, arrived at the Gothic camp sometime before the left wing arrived. It was a very hot day and the Roman cavalry was engaged without strategic support, wasting its efforts while they suffered in the heat.

Meanwhile Fritigern once again sent an emissary of peace in his continued manipulation of the situation. The resultant delay meant that the Romans present on the field began to succumb to the heat. The army's resources were further diminished when an ill timed attack by the Roman archers made it necessary to recall Valens’ emissary, Count Richomer. The archers were beaten and retreated in humiliation.

Gothic cavalry under the command of Althaeus and Saphrax then struck and, with what was probably the most decisive event of the battle, the Roman cavalry fled. The Roman infantry was abandoned, surrounded and cut to pieces. Valens was wounded and carried to a small wooden hut. The hut was surrounded by the Goths who put it to the torch, evidently unaware of the prize within. According to Ammianus, this is how Valens perished.

When the battle was over, two-thirds of the eastern army lied dead. Many of their best officers had also perished. What was left of the army of Valens was led from the field under the cover of night by Count Richomer and General Victor.

J.B. Bury, a noted authority on the barbarian invasion of Europe provides specific interpretation on the significance the battle; It was "a disaster and disgrace that need not have occurred."

For Rome, the battle incapacitated the government. Emperor Gratian, nineteen years old, was overcome by the debacle, and until he appointed Theodosius, unable to deal with the catastrophe which spread out of control.

Date: 364-367 AD
Obverse: D N VALEN-S P F AVG, Cuirassed and draped, pearl diademed bust right.
Reverse: RESTITV-TOR REIP, Valens stg. Looking r. holding labarum in r. hand and Victory on globe presenting wreath on emperor on l. hand. TES delta in exergue.
ecoli
Claudius_NCAPR_Sestertius_Kowsky_Baker_NGC_CNG_Photos.jpg
C. Countermark: NCAPR on Imitative (?) Claudius Sestertius, stamped under Nero (?)Photo sources (edited): CNG (coin) & A. Kowsky (tag) [LINK]
Roman Imperial (Imitative, Pseudo-Imperial [?]). Claudius AE Sestertius (35mm, 21.84g, 6h), Contemporary imitation (?) or Western “Branch Mint,” c. 41/2 CE (host coin), temp. Nero, c. 54-68 CE (countermark). Obv: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP. Laureate head right; behind, countermark "NCAPR" downward. Rev: SPES AVGVSTA S C. Spes, draped, advancing left, holding flower in right hand and raising skirt with left.

Ref (host coin): Cf. RIC (I) 99 (for Rome mint issue); RPC (I) 1958 (for Eastern mint). Ref (countermark): Martini-Pangerl Nos. 1 & 60 [Nvmmvs? Caesare? Avgvsto? PRobatvs?] (available: http://www.romancoins.info/Countermarks.html); BMCRE (1) pp. xxxi, xxxiv; Baker (SAN 1984) Cat. 2b, p. 54 [LINK]; Kraay, "The Behavior of Early Imperial Countermarks” (in Essays Mattingly, 1956), pp. 132ff; Museum of Roman Countermarks [Andreas Pangerl, w/ R. Baker], “Nero & Later” [LINK]

Provenance: Ex-Richard Baker Countermark Collection, CNG EA 439 (6 Mar 2019), Lot 224; Al Kowsky Collection, CNG EA 483 (6 Jan 2021), Lot 408 (CT Thread 334702 [LINK]); NGC Ancients, 2101304-007 [LINK].
Prov. Notes: Between 1981 and 2011, Los Angeles-area collector Richard Baker formed one of the best-known and most important private collections of Roman countermark coins. Much of it is published alongside Andreas Pangerl's on his "Museum of Roman Countermarks" website (linked above). Baker published the 1984 article, "Countermarks Found On Ancient Roman Coins: A Brief Introduction," in SAN: Journal of the Society for Ancient Numismatics vol. XV, No. 3 [LINK]. His countermark coll. was sold by CNG over several auctions in 2018 and 2019 (more coins, incl. Greek, Roman, Byzantine without countermarks, appearing through 2022).

Numis. Notes: One of the most common countermarks on Roman Imperial bronzes; also the source of unanswered questions & controversy. "NCAPR" is probably a "validating countermark," indicating that worn Sestertii from previous reigns & certain imitative copies would be sanctioned for continuing use as official currency. (Imitations were especially common & important in the reign of Claudius due to an Empire-wide shortage of bronze coinage in the provinces. This countermark, found on official & unofficial coins alike, shows a policy of open toleration for -- even reliance upon -- such local imitations.)
Most catalogers and authors accept Nero's reign as the period of counter-stamping (whether the "N" is for Nero is less certain). There has been suggestion of a later date based on a single Vespasian AE As with the countermark (probably Pangerl 60h). Such a revision is probably too much weight for a single specimen not widely published, and has not been widely acknowledged.
On the vast majority of coins, the countermark is placed on the obverse, in the field behind the bust. Occasionally, it is found on the reverse (especially for coins w/ no obv. bust). Rarely, it appears in front of the obverse bust.
Curtis JJ
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Cilicia, Tarsos (under Mazaios) AR Stater, Ex-Athena Fund, Seventko, JB CollectionsGreek (Classical, Asia Minor). Cilicia, Tarsos. Mazaios (Satrap, 361-334 BCE). AR Stater (10.65g, 22.5mm, 12h)
Obv: "BLTRZ" (Baaltars, all legends Aramaic) to r. Baal seated left, holding eagle, grain ear, grapes, and scepter; "TR" lower left, "M" below throne. Rev: "MZDI" (Mazaios). Lion attacking bull left; monogram (ankh) below.
References: SNG Levante 106 (same dies); Casabonne Series 2, Group C.
Provenance: Ex-Athena Fund (c. 1988-1993); Sotheby’s NFA-Athena Fund Sale II (Zurich, 27 October 1993), Lot 808.1 (part of, this reverse illustrated); CNG MBS 29 (30 March 1994), Lot 252; Dr. Joseph M. Seventko Collection; ICG (AU53) #5571290112 (removed from slab, Feb 2021); Heritage Auctions 296 (New York, 30 July 2002), 11134; Calgary Coin Galleries (Roberto Kokotailo), 2004; J.B. (Edmonton, d. 2019) Collection; CNG e-Auction 455 (30 Oct 2019) 168
Notes: Presumably ex-"Tarsus Hoard" (unknown findspot, late 1970s). (See Bing 1988: 73 ff.; LINK.) This coin was part of several defining moments in the history of the ancient coin market of the past 50 years. Not only was it in a famous 1980s ancient coin investment fund but was later one of the first ancient coins encapsulated by TPGs (part of a major promotion with Heritage Auctions in 2002). See the "Provenance Chart" (LINK) for this coin.
3 commentsCurtis JJ
Claudius_14.jpg
Claudius (Augustus) Coin: Brass SestertiusTI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P - Laureate head right with NCAPR countermark behind head.
NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMAN IMP, S C - Arch of Nero Claudius Drusus: triumphal arch consisting of single arch & decorated piers set on raised base with four columns supporting ornate attic.
Exergue:



Mint: Rome (42AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 24.20g / 35mm / 180
Rarity: Scarce
References:
RIC 114
Cohen 48
BMC 187
Acquisition/Sale: shpadoinkle24 Ebay $0.00 8/17
Notes: Jan 9, 19 - NCAPR Countermark

The Gary R. Wilson Collection
GRWilson
Claudius__Sestertiu-removebg-preview.png
Claudius (Augustus) Coin: Brass SestertiusTI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P - Laureate head right, NCAPR counterstamp behind bust
EX S C / P P / OB CIVES / SERVATOS - Legend within wreath
Mint: Rome (50-54AD)
Wt./Size/Axis: 23.42g / 36.39mm / 180
Rarity: Scarce
References:
RIC² 112
Cohen 38
BMC 185
Sear 1850
Provenances:
Marc Breitsprecher
Old Roman Coins.Com
Acquisition/Sale: Ancient Imports Internet $0.00 8/17
Notes: Jan 9, 19 - The Gary R. Wilson Collection

GRWilson
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Cr 519/2 Cn. Domitius Ahenobarbus AR Denariusc. 41 b.c.e. Greek coastal mint or possibly a Shipboard mint

o: Bearded head of Lucius (?) Ahenobarbus r., AHENOBAR before
r: CN.DOMITIVS.IMP Ship's prow r., w/ military trophy

HCRI 339 Domitia 21

3.79 gm.

A flip-flopper of exquisitely flexible principles, Gnaeus salvaged his family’s future by deserting to Octavian days before the battle of Actium, paving his posthumous way to becoming Emperor Nero’s great-grandfather. Suetonius says that Gnaeus “omnibus gentis suae procul dubio praeferendum” -- was “undoubtedly the best of his entire extended family, ever”. Considering that the entire extended family was considered remarkably depraved, Nero’s father most of all, that is faint praise indeed.

Lucky he was also to have previously commanded the "Liberators' " fleet and at sea instead of standing in the mud at Philippi, as the trophy presumably represents his irrelevant victory over Domitius Calvinus in October 42. To my eye, the trophy is not distinctly nautical standing alone and perhaps the entire design reflects a naval trophy that he erected on a friendly shore point.

His allies Brutus and Cassius having committed suicide, Gnaeus took his 72 ships and two legions a-pirating rather successfully for nearly a decade. Thinking he had made a good pile of stolen booty but that the tide was turning (indeed, he also struck an aureus), he then struck a deal with Antonius (an add-on to the Sextus Pompeius work-out) and became consul for 32. Dry land politics being more fickle than piracy, he soon had to choose between Octavian and Antonius and headed east. There, he suddenly became a Model Virtuous Roman in antagonism to Cleopatra, persuading no one, and finally rowed over to Octavian, who accepted him rather than having Agrippa treat him to a game of "walk the plank". Yet he died a few days later of “fever”, which tended to happen to temporarily incapacitated power brokers recuperating near Octavian (see my Cr. 449/2 Pansa) or Livia Drusilla (see, "I, Claudius"). His defection and various marriage connections (and I would like to think a map to his buried pirate treasure, but wrong movie ...) kept his descendants comfortably depraved for almost 100 years.

This denarius is scarce, and particularly scarce with anything other than a horrible obverse. It perhaps depicts pater Lucius, who also ran afoul of Caesar and Antonius (see my post of Cr. 448/3 L. Hostilius Saserna). This specimen shares the weak obverse strike seen on most, yet is a slight bit less worn and less marked than many. On the better-struck coins, whichever Ahenobarbus this is can be seen to sport a scraggly beard, presumably to cue the "red beard" cognomen, but the portraits on almost all dies are quite distinctively coarse. The reverse, which is the main appeal of this specimen, is much more carefully engraved, with distinct waves, "eye", oar box and trophy. The keel and "beak"/rostrum are clear, and the prow-stem is outlined and shows internal beam-structure.
1 commentsPMah
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E. Jewelry, "Edge Altered": Syracuse Tetradrachm, c. 450 BCEThis coin also in my "Greek Coins" Album, w/ notes on its unpublished (unique?) die pair: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=180304

Greek (Classical). Sicily, Syracuse, AR Tetradrachm (16.19g, 28mm, 12h), Second Democracy (466-405 BCE), c. 450 – 440.
Obv: Charioteer, wearing long chiton, holding kentron and reins, driving slow quadriga right; above, Nike flying right, crowning with wreath a horse to outside left, rearing up to receive it; in exergue, Pistrix (Sea serpent or ketos) right; all within pearl border, except the charioteer, whose head breaks the dotted circle.
Rev: ΣVRAKOΣ-IO-N. Head of Arethusa facing right, wavy hair rolled up in back under a thin band (or diadem), wearing beaded necklace with a jewel, and loop-and-pendant earrings; four dolphins around, facing clockwise.
Ref: Böhringer series XV, unlisted die pair (V274/R378). Only known example to my knowledge, in trade or published. Cf. SNG ANS 177; du Chastel 28-29 type; HGC 2, 1311; BMC 85; SNG München 1018-9; McClean 2663.
Prov: Ex Goldberg 84 (27 Jan 2015), Lot 3010 [LINK]; NGC #3763070-001 (XF; Strike: 4/5, Surface: 2/5, Edge altered), encapsulated by 2014 [LINK].

Notes: The NGC tag indicates "edge altered." Although the reason for alteration is not suggested, jewelry seems most likely. Syracuse tetradrachm flans from this period rarely approximate a perfect circle, so this coin's edges were likely shaved to fit a circular bezel. I see no tool marks on the edges or periphery, so I'm not sure whether there was also some smoothing. Despite being exceptionally broad, the weight is 0.5-1.0g too light (it should weigh ~16.7 - 17.4g), suggesting metal was removed. (Of course, I'd really like to be able to double-check NGC's weight and make sure a digit isn't in error!)
Assuming the toning is natural, I'd guess the housing was from the 19th century, but that's just speculation until I find a prior provenance (a long shot, since Boehringer didn't find it) or get a technical opinion based on how the coin was modified.
Curtis JJ
EB0903_scaled.JPG
EB0903 Nero Claudius Drusus / ClaudiusNero Claudius Drusus, father of Claudius, AE Sestertius, Struck by Claudius, Rome mint 41-42 AD.
Obverse: NERO CLAVDIVS DRVSVS GERMANICVS IMP, bare head of Nero Drusus left; counterstamp NCAPR (possibly for Nero Ceasar Augustus Populi Romani).
Reverse: TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP, Claudius, togate, seated left on curule chair, holding branch; arms lying around; SC in ex.
References: RIC I 93 [Claudius], Cohen 8, BMC 157.
Diameter: 36mm, Weight: 24.03g.
EB
Coin1001_quad_sm.jpg
Galerius Concordia Militum Ӕ post-reform radiate fraction (295 - 299), Cyzicus mintGAL VAL MAXIMIANVS NOB CAES, radiate, draped (?) and cuirassed bust right / CONCORDIA MI-LITVM + KB in lower centre, Prince (the left figure) standing right in military dress, holding parazonium or baton of imperium, receiving small Victory with a wreath and palm branch on globe from naked Jupiter (the right figure) standing left holding tall scepter.

Ó”, 20mm, 2.36g, die axis 6h, base metal seems red, high copper content.

Galerius ruled as Caesar from 293 to 305, but most sources give minting years for this type of coin as 295-299.

RIC VI Cyzicus 19b (18b?), Sear 3713. 19b has cuirassed and draped bust, 18b -- only cuirassed. I think the edge of the military cape on the shoulder means it is draped in this case, but distinction seems very vague to me. Looking at coins identified as 18b and 19b I cannot see any clear pattern, it seems that many are confused in this respect just like myself.

GALerius VALerius MAXIMIANUS NOBilitas CAESar (in this era the title of "junior" emperor while Augustus was a "senior" one), CONCORDIA MILITVM = [Dedicated to] harmony with the soldiers, K = Kysikos (Cyzicus) mint, B = officina Beta (workshop #2). The figure to the right is naked except for a cape, so it is a god, the sceptre points to him being Jupiter, the ruler of gods. Jupiter is also typically associated with Victory, he was often depicted with Victory in the right hand and sceptre in the left. The line across his head probably designates a wreath, also a common feature of Jupiter. Victory holds her common attributes, the triumphal wreath and a palm branch, the orb she stands on represents the world (thus meaning dominion over it). Round Earth was a firmly established concept in Roman times. The left figure, the prince (Galerius in this case) is identified by his full battle dress and the hand-held short elongated shape, which is either the ivory baton of imperium (the high command) or, more likely, a parazonium, a long triangular dagger, typically cradled in the bearer's left arm. A Roman parazonium blade tended to be leaf shape and approximately 15"-19" long. It was a ceremonial weapon, a mark of high rank, used to rally the troops.

GALERIUS, * c. 250, near Serdica, Dacia Ripensis (Sofia, Bulgaria) or in a Dacian place later called Felix Romuliana (Gamzigrad, Serbia) † late Apr or early May 311 (aged ~60), Serdica, Dacia Ripensis (Sofia, Bulgaria) ‡ 1 Mar or 21 May 293 – 1 May 305 (as Eastern Caesar, under Diocletian), 1 May 305 – late Apr or early May 311 (as Eastern Augustus with many co-emperors).

Galerius was born of humble parentage and had a distinguished military career. On March 1, 293, he was nominated as Caesar by Diocletian, the supreme ruler of the empire, to help him govern the East. Galerius divorced his wife and married Diocletian’s daughter, Valeria. After ruling from Egypt from 293 to 295, Galerius assumed command of defensive operations against the Sasanians in 297. After being defeated, he then won a decisive victory that increased his influence with Diocletian. Galerius next proceeded to the Balkans and won numerous victories in the region. A staunch pagan, he persuaded the emperor to initiate the persecution of the Christians at Nicomedia in 303.

When Diocletian abdicated on May 1, 305, Galerius became Augustus of the East, ruling the Balkans and Anatolia. Since Galerius had arranged the appointment of two of his favourites, Maximinus (his nephew) and Flavius Valerius Severus, to be Caesars in both East and West, he was in effect the supreme ruler. When Constantius Chlorus died in 306, Galerius insisted that Severus govern the West as Augustus, but he grudgingly conceded the subordinate title of caesar to Chlorus’s son, Constantine, who was correctly suspected of Christian sympathies. Galerius’s supremacy was, however, short-lived. Severus was soon overthrown (306) and killed by Maxentius (son of the former emperor Maximian). Galerius invaded Italy but was forced to retreat. In 308 he induced Diocletian and Maximian to meet him at Carnuntum on the Danube and to declare Maxentius a usurper. On November 11, Galerius proclaimed as Augustus of the West his friend Licinius, who had effective control only in the region of the Danube.

A ruthless ruler, Galerius imposed the poll tax on the urban population and maintained the persecution of the Christians. In the winter of 310–311, however, he became incapacitated with a horrible disease. Fearing, perhaps, that his illness was the vengeance of the Christian God, he issued on April 30, 311, an edict grudgingly granting toleration. Shortly afterward he died. He was succeeded by his nephew Maximinus Daia.

Diocletian's money reform of 293.

Trying to fight the runaway inflation that he did not understand and to return people's faith in Roman coins, Diocletian did a complete overhaul of the Roman monetary system. He introduced a new theoretical base monetary unit called the denarius communis or d.c. (only rarely represented by actual coins, one example being old pre-Aurelian antoniniani still in circulation, valued now at 1 d. c., another – minted only on a small scale 1.5g coin with the reverse legend VTILITAS PVBLICA, "for public use"). Then he started minting new types of coins including a gold aureus of new purity and weight standard (1/60 pound of pure gold), a quality silver coin, argenteus, roughly similar to the early imperial denarius in size and weight, a new billon coin, of a copper alloy but with a small fraction of silver mostly in the form of coating, roughly similar to the old antoninianus when it was just introduced, however bearing now a laureate rather than a radiate bust. This type of coin is now commonly referred to as a follis or a nummus. Finally, a new radiate bronze coin, now referred to as a "radiate fraction" or a radiatus was introduced, similar to the early imperial aes in value, but much smaller in weight and size. There were also rare issues of ½ and ¼ nummus coins, mostly in connection to some celebration. Interestingly, the obverses of these new coins were chosen to represent some identical "generic" image of a "good emperor" independent of the actual likeness of the August or Caesar in whose name they were issued, thus affirming the unity of all the tetrarchy rulers. Very roughly one may think of a new radiatus as a price of one loaf of bread, a new argenteus as a very good daily wage, and a new aureus as a price of a good horse. An approximate relationship between these units was as follows: 1 aureus ≈ 20 argentei ≈ 1000 d.c. (some scholars prefer 25 argentei and 1250 d.c.); 1 argenteus ≈ 5 nummi ≈ 50 d.c.; 1 nummus ≈ 5 radiati ≈ 10 d.c.; 1 radiatus ≈ 2 d.c. Of course we know that this reform was ineffective and inflation continued, so all these values were constantly shifting due to changing markets. Diocletian himself stopped minting argenteus in c. 305, and Constantine in his monetary reforms only re-established a new and highly successful gold standard, solidus (1/72 pound of pure gold, surprisingly actually first introduced also by Diocletian in 301, but only as a pilot version). As for billon and bronze coins, "folles" or "nummi", they were minted in all shapes and sizes all over the 4th century, often horribly debased by inflation, and their values at each point can only be guessed. It seems that in later times up to 1000 small bronze coins were sealed in a leather pouch to produce a reasonable unit of payment, thus giving rise to the name follis (lit. "bag" in Latin), which is now anachronistically applied to many billon and bronze coins of the late 3d and 4th century.
Yurii P
Germanicus_(CM)_RIC_57.JPG
Germanicus, father of Caligula, brother of ClaudiusObv: GERMANICVS CAESAR, Germanicus standing in a slow quadriga right, holding an eagle-tipped scepter.

Countermark: NCAPR in incuse rectangle.

Rev: SIGNIS RECEPT / DEVICTIS GERM, Germanicus, in military attire, advancing left, raising his right arm and holding an aquila.

Orichalcum Dupondius, Rome mint, 37 - 41 AD

13.4 grams, 29.3 mm, 225°

RIC I Caligula 57, S1820

Ex: FORVM
Matt Inglima
Pergamon.jpeg
Greek, Mysia, PergamonMid-late 2nd century BC
AE 16mm, 0 degrees

O: Helmeted head of Athena right; star on helmet

R: Owl, with wings spread, standing facing, on palm branch; K to left, Σ to right

Ref: SNG France 1920-2

Notes: Dark green patina. In NGC encapsulation 5872733-107, graded XF. Has been removed from encapsulation, tag remains

Ex- CNG Keystone Aucttion 4, From the Robert W. Bartlett Bequest Sold for the Benefit of the American Numismatic Society, purchased from Olympic Coins, Lincoln, NE, November 1983
2 commentsVirgil H
Kushan2.JPG
Kushano-Sasanian KingdomPeroz II
303-330 AD
AE unit 14mm, 2.15 grams, 180 degrees
ANACS VF 30 #7320859
Bactrian mint (probably Balkh)

O: Bust of Peroz II right, wearing flat crown with bull's horns and lotus bud feature above; dotted border

R: Exalted god emerging from fire altar, head left, flames emanating from head and shoulders, crescent on crown, diadem in outstretched right hand, spear raised in left; dotted border.

Ref: ANS Kushan 2343-2349. Göbl 1081-1083. 

Note: This was removed from ANACS encapsulation, I have the tag

Ex- Heritage Auction #232322 Lot 61099, June 2023
1 commentsVirgil H
Livia_IVSTITIA.jpg
Livia DupondiusIVSTITIA
Diad. and draped bust of Livia as Justitia right

TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVG P M TR POT XXIIII around large SC

Rome 22-23AD

12.61g

Sear 1739

Countermark on reverse NCAP?:
There are several interpretations of what this, the most interesting of all Julio-Caludian ctmk., means. The two most likely are:
1. Nero Ceasar Augustus Populi Romani
2. Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit
In the first instance it is a congiarium or public dole given by Nero to the people of Rome. In the second, it is a revalidation of the earlier coins of ones predecessors still in circulation.
Possible is also a later use, eg. by Nerva, or that no emperors name was part of the countermark, Countermark Martini Pangerl Collection 1; 20; 60 depending on subtype
2 commentsJay GT4
Livia_IVSTITIA~0.jpg
Livia dupondius with Nero CountermarkIVSTITIA
Diad. and draped bust of Livia as Justitia right

TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVG P M TR POT XXIIII around large SC

Rome 22-23AD

Sear 1739

Countermark on reverse NCAP:
There are several interpretations of what this, the most interesting of all Julio-Caludian ctmk., means. The two most likely are:
1. Nero Ceasar Augustus Populi Romani
2. Nero Caesar Augustus Probavit
In the first instance it is a congiarium or public dole given by Nero to the people of Rome. In the second, it is a revalidation of the earlier coins of ones predecessors still in circulation.
Possible is also a later use, eg. by Nerva, or that no emperors name was part of the countermark, Countermark Martini Pangerl Collection 1; 20; 60 depending on subtype
Jay GT4
livia_(Tiberius)47_countermark_NCAPR.jpg
Livia, RIC I (Tiberius) 47 countermarked with NCAPRLivia, died AD 29, wife of Augustus
AE - Dupondius, 12.69g, 28.8mm, 180°
struck under Tiberius, Rome, AD 21-22
obv. Bust of Livia as Salus, draped, r.; hair bound in knot on back
rev. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVG TR POT XXIIII (beginning upper r.)
in field big SC
upper left c/m NCAPR in rectangular incus
ref. RIC I, Tiberius 47; BMCR (Tiberius) 82
c/m Pangerl 60a; Werz 139
Scarce, about VF
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!

NACPR mostly is explained as "Nero Caesar Augustus Populo Romano". Excavations of the Meta Sudans and at the north-eastern slope of the Palatine Hill indicate that this countermark was distributed to the people during Nero's congiarium AD 57.
4 commentsJochen
LuciusVerus_ParthianCaptive.jpg
Lucius Verus Sestertius Parthian captiveLucius Verus. AD 161-169. Æ Sestertius (32mm, 22.35 g). Rome mint. Struck AD 165. Laureate head right / Bound Parthian captive seated right at base of trophy; arms before. RIC III 1433. Near VF, brown surfaces
CNG Auction 163, Lot: 313.
1 commentsmattpat
AntoniaDup.jpg
NCAPRAntonia, daughter of Marc Antony, mother of Claudius, grandmother of Caligula
6174. Orichalcum dupondius, RIC 104, S 1902, BM 166, G, Rome mint, 13.83g, 31.1mm, 180o, 41-42 A.D.; obverse ANTONIA AVGVSTA, bare- headed bust right, countermark; reverse TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP S C, Claudius veiled and togate, standing left, holding simpulum; sold.
whitetd49
3890402.jpg
Parthia, Mithradates II AR DrachmMithradates II. 121-91 BC. AR Drachm (20mm, 4.17 g, 12h). Ekbatana mint. Struck circa 120/19-109 BC. Diademed bust left / Archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow. Sellwood 26.1; Sunrise 290-1; Shore 77 In NGC encapsulation graded Ch AU, Strike: 5/5; Surface: 4/5.

Ex Dr. Patrick H.C. Tan Collection. Ex Roma E-Sale 14 (27 December 2014), lot 252.
1 comments
P1190334_JPGzugezusafertig.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Claudius, AE Sestertius.EX SC PP OB CIVES SERVATOS

Countermarked: NCAPR behind head.
1 comments
AugustusLivia.jpeg
Roman Provincial, Ionia, Ephesus, Augustus and Livia27 BC- AD 14
AE 21mm, 1h
Asklas and Euphron, magistrates.

O: Conjoined heads of Augustus and Livia right

R: Stag standing right; bowcase above.

Ref: RPC I 2591; SNG Copenhagen 360.

Note: Light green patina. In NGC encapsulation 5872734-031, graded VF. A couple of interesting things about this one, this is to this day the least expensive coin I have ever bought at auction. ANS probably lost money getting this one encapsulated unless they really got a deal from NCG. And I popped it out of its prison as soon as I got it. I did keep the little NCG tag in case it matters one day and I suspect it will not. The only email ANS has never answered me on was my email asking why they sent all these coins to NCG.

Ex- CNG Keystone 4, Sep 2021; Ex-the Robert W. Bartlett Bequest Sold for the Benefit of the American Numismatic Society, purchased from Louis DiLauro, May 1981.
3 commentsVirgil H
Trachy.jpg
Theodore Mancaphas, 1188-1189. TrachyChrist standing on dais, IC - XC / Theodore standing facing, holding patriarchal cross-scepter transversely with both hands.
Philadelphia, 1188-1189.
26.7-29.0 mm, 4.2 g.
A. Urs Sommer 64.1
2 commentsPekka K
Usurper_Theodore_Mancaphas_(the_Crazed)_lg.jpg
Tyre5_33p.jpg
Tyre, PhoeniciaUncertain King, 393-358 B.C.
AR Shekel
12.07 g, 20 mm, 9 h
Obv.: Bearded deity (Melqart?), holding reins and bow, riding hippocamp right above two lines of waves; below, dolphin right; cable border
Rev.: Owl standing right, head facing; crook and flail in background; Regnal year date ǀǀǀǀ to right (4=385/4 BC?).
Former NGC encapsuled 1883248-009

HGC 10, 319;
BMC p. 229, 15;
Elayi & Elayi grp. II.1.2.1.i
Jaimelai
FR_Valois_CharlesV_DuPlessy360A_.jpg
Valois, Charles V le Sage. Franc à Pied. Valois, Charles V le Sage. 1364‑1380. AV Franc à pied (3.79 gm, 29mm, 2ʰ). Auth. 20 April 1365. King standing facing under Gothic arch in field of lis, holding sword and Main de Justice. KAROLVS ˣ DI ˣ GR FRAȠCORV ˣ RЄX. / Cross tréflée with pellet in quadrilobe at center; lis in 1ˢᵗ and 4ᵗʰ qtrs, crown in 2ⁿᵈ and 3ʳᵈ; all within polylobe; lis in spandrels. ᛭XPI 🞯 VIИCIT 🞯 XPˀC 🞯 REGИAT 🞯 XPC 🞯 IMPERAT. MS 62 (EF). CNG EA 1550 #763. Duplessy 360; Ciani 457A; Friedberg 284. NGC encapsulation 6532187-043, graded MS 62.2 commentsAnaximander
FR_Valois_HenriIV_Duplessy_1224_.jpg
Valois, Henri IV le Grand. Quart d’écu of Bayonne.France. Valois, Henri IV le Grand. 1589-1640 AR Quart d’écu (28mm, 9.41 g, 10h) of Bayonne, 4th type, dated 1600 L. Cross fleuronnée with quatrefoil at center. ✠HENRICVS IIII D•G• FRANC•E• NAVA• R•X•1600 (star inside D). / Crowned coat of arms; II II flanking. SIT• NOMEN• DOMINI• BENEDICTVM ⚓♣•L•. VF. CNG EA505 #580. ex-NGC encapsulation 2848917-007. Duplessy 1224; BnF Gallica Trésor de Pantin.10, N8418; Ciani 1517; Lafaurie 1066. cf. Roberts 3263 (year 1592).Anaximander
JP2TurinShroudBW.jpg
Vatican 500 Lire John Paul II 1998 SilverVatican 500 Lire John Paul II, 1998, Silver; KM Y-292. Obverse: Pope John Paul II; Reverse: Head of the Turin Shroud. BU. Ex ECIN.

Pope John Paul II
(Latin: Ioannes Paulus PP. II, Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born Karol Józef WojtyÅ‚a on 18 May 1920; he died 2 April 2005. He reigned as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City from 16 October 1978, until his death, almost 27 years later, making his the second-longest pontificate in modern times after Pius IX's 31-year reign. He is the only Polish pope, and was the first non-Italian pope since the Dutch Adrian VI in the 1520s. He is one of only four people to have been named to the Time 100 for both the 20th century and for a year in the 21st. Although not yet formally canonized, he was made the patron of World Youth Day for 2008 in Sydney, Australia. He started those days for youth in 1986.

His early reign was marked by his opposition to communism, and he is often credited as one of the forces which contributed to its collapse in Central and Eastern Europe. In the later part of his pontificate, he was notable for speaking against war, fascism, communism, dictatorship, materialism, abortion, contraception, relativism, unrestrained capitalism, and what he deemed the "culture of death".

John Paul II was Pope during a period in which the Catholic Church's influence declined in developed countries but expanded in the Third World. During his reign, the pope traveled extensively, visiting over 100 countries, more than any of his predecessors. He remains one of the most-traveled world leaders in history. He was fluent in numerous languages: his native Polish and also Italian, French, German, Dutch, English, Spanish, Croatian, Portuguese, Russian and Latin. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he canonized a great number of people.

In 1992, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. On 2 April 2005 at 9:37 p.m. local time, Pope John Paul II died in the Papal Apartments while a vast crowd kept vigil in Saint Peter's Square below. Millions of people flocked to Rome to pay their respects to the body and for his funeral. The last years of his reign had been marked by his fight against the various diseases ailing him, provoking some concerns as to leadership should he become severely incapacitated, and speculation as to whether he should abdicate. On 9 May 2005, Pope Benedict XVI, John Paul II's successor, waived the five year waiting period for a cause for beatification to be opened.

John Paul II emphasized what he called the "universal call to holiness" and attempted to define the Roman Catholic Church's role in the modern world. During his lifetime, he personally experienced many of the pivotal events of the 20th century and he was a towering and at times controversial figure on the world stage. He spoke out against ideologies and politics of communism, Marxism, Socialism, imperialism, hedonism, relativism, materialism, fascism, Nazism, racism and unrestrained capitalism. In many ways, he fought against oppression, secularism and poverty. Although he was on friendly terms with many Western heads of state and leading citizens, he reserved a special opprobrium for what he believed to be the corrosive spiritual effects of modern Western consumerism and the concomitant widespread secular and hedonistic orientation of Western populations.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II

John Paul II was a scholar (he earned--as opposed to being awarded--two doctorates in philosophy); he was an author (numerous works of "non-fiction"); he was a poet and dramatist. In his youth he was an actor. Well know for his athleticism, he was an avid enviromentalist.


The Shroud of Turin

The story of the Shroud of Turin is fascinating. It began, for me, ironically when I thought the "story" had finally been laid to rest. Carbon 14 dating conducted in 1988 had just proved that the Shroud was medieval. Along with most, I accepted these results--the fact that two of my former Alma Maters (The University of Arizona and Oxford University) were involved in the testing lent a comfortable sense of closure (to give them their due, scientists from the Institut für Mittelenergiephysik in Zurich, Columbia University, and the British Museum were also involved in the tests). I was re-engaged by the Shroud story in 2005 when an article in the scholarly, peer-reviewed scientific journal Thermochimica Acta by an equally eminent scientist, Raymond N. Rogers, of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, subverted the 1988 tests. Very briefly, the sample cut from the Shroud in 1988 was shown not to be valid. In fact, the article noted, the Shroud was much older than the carbon 14 tests suggested. Curiouser and curiouser. . . and I'll leave the story at this juncture. If you are interested, see the following site:
http://www.shroudofturin4journalists.com/pantocrator.htm

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Cleisthenes
VespasianCapricorn2.jpg
Vespasian DenariusStruck under Titus, 80-81 AD. Laureate head right, DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS / Shield inscribed S C supported by two capricorns.
8 commentssocalcoins
MacrinusDiadumenian_Hygeia_Marcianopolis.jpg
[1006a] Macrinus, 11 April 217 - 8 June 218 A.D.; Diadumenian, mid May - 8 June 218 A.D.Macrinus and Diadumenian, AMNG 750, 217-218 AD, 12.4 g, 27.25 mm; Moesia Inferior Marcianopolis; aVF; Obverse: Busts of Macrinus and Diadumenian facing each other; Reverse: Rv.: Asklepios standing left, with snake coiled on staff, lovely jade green patina; Ex Colosseum; Ex Ancient Imports.


De Imperatoribus Romanis,
An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors


Macrinus (217-218 A.D.)


Michael L. Meckler
Ohio State University


Marcus Opellius Macrinus was the first emperor who was neither a senator nor of a senatorial family at the time of his accession. His 14-month reign was spent entirely in the East, where he proved unable to maintain the influence gained in the region by the campaigns of his predecessor, Caracalla, nor was Macrinus able to shake the suspicion that he was responsible for Caracalla's murder.

Macrinus was born in Caesarea in Mauretania around the year 165 AD. While it is highly conjectural that, as a young man, the future emperor was the dedicatee of Ampelius' encyclopedic Liber memoralis, Macrinus undoubtedly received a literary education that enabled him to rise high as a bureaucrat in the imperial service during the reign of the emperor Severus. Caracalla made Macrinus a praetorian prefect, an equestrian post that was second to the emperor in power. Macrinus shared the position with the experienced soldier Adventus, and the pair served Caracalla during the emperor's campaigns in the East.

By the end of the second campaigning season in the winter of 216-17, rumors were flying both in Rome and in the East that Macrinus was promoting himself as a possible future emperor. Caracalla must have been aware of the rumors concerning Macrinus, for the contemporary historian Cassius Dio notes the emperor was already reassigning members of Macrinus' staff. Such personnel moves may have accelerated Macrinus' plot.

Shortly before the campaigning season was to begin, Caracalla paid a visit to a temple near Carrhae. The emperor was accompanied by a hand-picked corps of bodyguards. The guards returned with Caracalla's murdered body, along with the body of one of the guards and a story that the dead guard killed the dead emperor. Not everyone was convinced, but Macrinus was able to translate his authority as praetorian prefect into that of emperor, being proclaimed by the troops on 11 April 217. Macrinus soon named his son, Diadumenianus, as Caesar and heir. The new emperor also got his former colleague, Adventus, out of the way by sending him back to Rome as urban prefect.

Macrinus straightaway sent conciliatory messages to the Parthian ruler Artabanus V, but Artabanus sensed weakness and raised an army to avenge his losses from the previous year's campaign. Macrinus hoped to avoid a battle with the Parthians, but fighting erupted between the armies while both sides were encamped around Nisibis. The Parthians gained victory and, during the following autumn and winter, peace negotiations were held. Macrinus ended up paying the Parthians large bribes and reparations. Settlements were also reached with the Armenians, and, in the lower Danube, with the Dacians, who had launched attacks on the Romans after learning of Caracalla's death.

By not returning to Rome in 217, Macrinus opened himself to criticism. Dissatisfaction was especially high in the city after a particularly violent, late-August thunderstorm started a fire that damaged much of the Colosseum and caused widespread flooding, especially in the Forum. Adventus proved himself incompetent as urban prefect and had to be replaced.

But grumblings in Rome were insignificant compared to the growing unease among the soldiers on campaign in the East. The defeat at Nisibis disheartened troops. Macrinus also introduced an unpopular, two-tier pay system in which new recruits received less money than veterans. The move was a way to save money after the pay raise granted by Caracalla, but it lowered morale as well.

Earlier, Caracalla's mother, Julia Domna, had toyed with the idea of raising a rebellion against Macrinus shortly after her son's murder, but the empress was uncertain of success and already suffering from breast cancer. She chose to starve herself to death instead.

The grandchildren of her sister, Julia Maesa, would become the focus of the successful uprising that began on 15 May 218. Her 14-year-old grandson Avitus (known to history as Elagabalus) was proclaimed emperor by one the legions camped near the family's hometown of Emesa. Other troops quickly joined the rebellion, but Macrinus marshalled loyal soldiers to crush the revolt. Macrinus also promoted his son to the rank of emperor.

The forces met in a village outside Antioch on 8 June 218. Despite the inexperience of the leaders of the rebel army, Macrinus was defeated. He sent his son, Diadumenianus, with an ambassador to the Parthian king, while Macrinus himself prepared to flee to Rome. Macrinus traveled across Asia Minor disguised as a courier and nearly made it to Europe, but he was captured in Chalcedon. Macrinus was transported to Cappadocia, where he was executed. Diadumenianus had also been captured (at Zeugma) and was similarly put to death.

Contemporaries tended to portray Macrinus as a fear-driven parvenu who was able to make himself emperor but was incapable of the leadership required by the job. An able administrator, Macrinus lacked the aristocratic connections and personal bravado that might have won him legitimacy. His short reign represented a brief interlude of Parthian success during what would prove the final decade of the Parthian empire.

Copyright (C) 1997, Michael L. Meckler. Published on De Imperatoribus Romanis, An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors;http://www.roman-emperors.org/macrinus.htm. Used by permission.

Diadumenian
Much of what we know of Diadumenianus comes to us from the unreliable Scriptores Historiae Augustae. While it is true that Curtius does give the boy-Emperor some copy, suffice it to say that Diadumenian was the son of Macrinus and made Caesar at the age of nine in 217 A.D. and Augustus in 218. After his father's defeat he fled towards Parthia but was overtaken and executed.
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/roman-and-greek-coins.asp?vpar=573&pos=0

A very minor player in the history of Rome, Diadumenian is most conspicuous because of his impressive issue of Greek Imperial (Roman Privincial) coinage, most notably in Moesia Inferior.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
1 commentsCleisthenes
36 files on 1 page(s)

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