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Image search results - "Portrait"

Faustina I, denarius with veiled portrait bust, PIETAS AVG reverse.3 comments

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

Constantine I Ae 3. Nicomedia Mint
Ancient Coins - Constantine I Ae 3. Nicomedia Mint zoom view

C. 328-329 AD
Reverse: PROVIDENTIAE AVGG, camp gate, SMNΓ in ex.
Toned with a super portrait and good metal.
Ref: RIC 153
3.13g
20mm
paul1888

Roman Imperial
Family of Constantine I (A.D. 307-363)
Constantine I. A.D. 307/10-337. ’ follis (23 mm, 4.10 g, 6 h). Rome, A.D. 312/3. IMP CONSTANTINVS P F AVG, laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantine I right / SOLI INV-I-CTO COMITI, Sol standing facing, head left, extending arm and holding globe; RT. RIC 336a. VF, dark olive-green patina, clashed reverse die. The portrait of Constantine is engraved such that he has 'eyes to God'. 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

Otacilia Severa, Augusta, February or March 244 - September or October 249 A.D.
|Otacilia| |Severa|, |Otacilia| |Severa,| |Augusta,| |February| |or| |March| |244| |-| |September| |or| |October| |249| |A.D.|, From the issue celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome. Celebrations included display of many exotic animals including, it seems, a hippopotamus.
RS76152. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV P116b, RSC IV 63, Hunter III 10, SRCV III 9160, Choice EF, near perfect centering and strike, much luster, excellent portrait, 4th officina, Rome mint, weight 4.040g, maximum diameter 22.6mm, die axis 180o, 248 A.D.; obverse OTACIL SEVERA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, hair in horizontal ridges, plait up the back of head, crescent behind shoulders; reverse SAECVLARES AVGG (Secular games [provided by] the Emperors), hippopotamus standing right, IIII (4th officina) in exergue; Ex Forum Ancient Coinspaul1888

Vespasian, 1 July 69 - 24 June 79 A.D.

SH110254. Silver denarius, RIC II-1 1431; RSC II 276; RPC II 833; BnF III 351; BMCRE II 457, SRCV I 2270, Choice EF, well centered, excellent portrait, light toning, slight double strike, 3.326g, 18.3mm, 180o, Ephesus mint, IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS III TR P P P, laureate head right; reverse PACI AVGVSTAE, Victory advancing right, wreath in extended right hand, palm frond over left shoulder in left hand, EPHE (PHE ligate) lower right; ex Inasta (San Marino) auction 100 (24 Jun 2022), lot 212 Ex: Forum Ancient Coins.

Ephesus peaked during the 1st and 2nd century A.D. when it was second in importance and size only to Rome, with a population estimated at 400,000 to 500,000 in 100 A.D. The city was famous for the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, and its theater, seating 25,000 spectators. Ephesus also had several large bath complexes and one of the most advanced aqueduct systems in the ancient world. Water powered numerous mills, one of which has been identified as a sawmill for marble. The city and temple were destroyed by the Goths in 263 A.D., marking the decline of the city's splendor.1 commentspaul1888

Metapontum, Lucania, c. 340 - 330 B.C.
|Italy|, |Metapontum,| |Lucania,| |c.| |340| |-| |330| |B.C.|, NEWLeukippos (or Leucippus) was a son of king Oinomaos of Pisa. He fell in love with the nymph Daphne and disguised himself as a girl to join her company. When she discovered his true identity in the bath, he was slain by the nymphs. Based on this portrait, his plan was doomed from the start.

Another Leukippos, unrelated to the coin, was a philosopher in the first half of 5th century B.C. This Leukippos was the first Greek to develop the theory of atomism; the idea that everything is composed entirely of various imperishable, indivisible elements called atoms. His theory was elaborated in far greater detail by his pupil and successor, Democritus. Leukippos was born in Miletus or Abdera.
GS110591. Silver nomos, Johnson-Noe B3.15 (same dies); SNG Fitzwilliam 497 (same); Historia Numorum Italy 1576; SNG ANS 443, VF, fine style, toned, areas weakly struck, irregularly shaped flan, Metapontion (Metaponto, Italy) mint, weight 7.812g, maximum diameter 22.5mm, die axis 315o, c. 340 - 330 B.C.; obverse ΛEYKIΠΠOΣ (clockwise from above), head of Leucippus right, bearded, wearing Corinthian helmet with a plain bowl, dog (control symbol) seated left behind; reverse barley ear, stalk and leaf on right, bird with open wings on leaf, META upward on left, AMI below leaf; from the CEB Collection, Ex: Numismatic Fine Arts, Inc, Summer Bid Sale, June 27, 1986, lot 45.paul1888

Philip I the Arab, February 244 - Late September249 A.D., Seleucia ad Calycadnum, Cilicia. Orichalcum medallion, cf. RPC VIII U2169; SNG Levante 778; SNG BnF 1040; SNG Righetti 1630; SNG Pfalz 1078; BMC Cilicia p. 140, 50 (various legend arrangements), VF, broad flan, portrait, dark brown patina, light encrustation, a few small pits, marks, Seleukeia ad Calycadnum (Silifke, Turkey) mint, weight 34.823g, maximum diameter 40.0mm, die axis 180o, obverse AYT K M IOYΛIOC ΦIΛIΠΠOC CEB, radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse CEΛEYKEΩN TΩN ΠPOCT, confronted busts of Tyche, right, draped, kalathos on head, cornucopia behind, and Apollo, left, laureate and draped, laurel branch before, KAΛYK/A∆N/Ω in three lines above, EΛEYΘEP/AC in two lines below; 40 millimeters1 commentspaul1888

JUSTINIAN I, AR Anonymous Half-Siliqua, struck c.530 at ConstantinopleObverse: No legend. Helmeted and draped bust of Constantinopolis facing right.
Reverse: Large K (Kappa) within pelleted circle.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 0.7gms | Die Axis: 12
Bendall, Anonymous, 8c. | Vagi 3051
Not in SBCV or DOC

The issue of this particular coin has been tentatively dated, based on style, to around 530 and struck in connection with the bicentennial of the founding of Constantinople.
According to the late Simon Bendall, type 8c is the commonest of all the anonymous types, the majority being quite crude, very light and obviously of sixth century date.
These issues are a copy of a type issued by Constantine I for the foundation of Constantinople in 330, but with the bust of Constantinopolis facing right rather than facing left as it did on Constantine's coin. There seems little doubt that the type was originally resuscitated by Justinian I on the anniversary of the 330 issue, presumably c.530. However, as the overall type is commoner than any sixth century silver coin bearing an imperial portrait, and is of varying degenerative styles and weights (the smallest specimens being the crudest) it would appear that some numbers of them must have continued to have been struck after 530, perhaps even as much as 50 or so years after. A number of theories have been put forward regarding the dating of these but, due to the scant archaeological, epigraphical and hoard evidence presently available, the exact date or dates of issue of individual coins of this type has so far proved to be inconclusive.
6 comments*Alex

Louis XIV (1643 – 1715), AE Jeton struck c.1650Obverse: LVD•XIIII•D•G•FR•ET•NAV•REX. Laureate and draped youthful bust of Louis XIV facing right.
Reverse: IVSTIS•SPES•PACIS•IN ARMIS. Pax, helmeted, seated on a pile of arms, holding an olive branch in her outstretched right hand and a narrow cornucopia in her left.
Dimensions: 27.94mm | Weight: 6.8gms | Die Axis: 12
Ref. Feuardent: 12482 var.

Struck at unverified mint, probably Monnaie de Louvre, Paris, France
Die engraver: Jean Varin

Jean Varin (6 February 1604 Liège – 26 August 1672 Paris) was a French sculptor and engraver who made important innovations in the process of minting coins. He moved to Paris in 1625 or 1626 where, after demonstrating his talent as an engraver, he obtained the support of Cardinal Richelieu and in 1629 he was assigned as a “Conducteur de la Monnaie du Moulin”. In 1647 he was appointed head of the French mint, and became “engraver of the king's seal” and a member of the Academy of painting and sculpture. Varin brought back the use of the screw press in the mint, initially using it to produce a gold coin, the Louis d'or, which featured his youthful portrait of the King which is similar to that on this jeton.

This jeton, likely struck between 1650 and 1653, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Münster between France and the Holy Roman Empire on 15 May 1648 which ended the Thirty Years War. France, to the detriment of the Holy Roman Empire, retained control of the bishoprics of Metz, Toul and Verdun near Lorraine as well as receiving the city of Pignerol near the Spanish Duchy of Milan and the cities of the Décapole in Alsace, excluding Strasbourg.
*Alex

Scipio AfricanusSCIPIO AFRICANUS
Æ15, Spain, Carthago Nova, (2.4g) c. 209 B.C.

Male Roman style head left, probably Scipio Africanus before he was given title Africanus / Horse head right

SNG Cop. 298, Lindgren Eur. Mints 6. Toynbee p. 18-19. VF, green patina, encrust.

This coin may be the earliest depiction of a living Roman. Carthago Nova also produced rare likely portraits of Hannibal.
RR0029Sosius

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

26 Geta?Never nailed this one down. It was discussed here:

http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=70693.msg443086#msg443086

From FORVM member Pscipio:
"Probably Geta as Caesar rather than Caracalla, cf. SNG Aulock 7165 for what looks like an obverse die match (different reverse type). Note that a similar left facing portrait also exists for Caracalla, but laureate, thus as Augustus: SNG Aulock 7162, which is clearly from the same hand and therefore probably belongs to the same emission.

The countermark appears to be Howgego 68."Sosius

27 ISLAMIC, Anatolia & al-Jazira (Post-Seljuk). Artuqids (Mardin). Najm al-Din Alpi, AH 547-572 / AD 1152-1176. Dirhem (Bronze, 30.5 mm, 13.82 g, 3 h), unlisted mint, possibly Mardin. Diademed Seleukid-style bust to right; laqab of Alpi across neck. Rev. Name and ancestors of Alpi: 'Îl-Ghazi/ Malik al-umarâ / Abû al-Muzaffar / Alpî bin (in Arabic) in four lines; to right and left, Timurtash bin / bin Artuq' (in Arabic). Album 1827. S&S Type 27. Fine portrait and strike. Black surfaces. Light roughness, otherwise, good very fine.

Ex NomoSimon

293 - 305, CONSTANTIUS I (Chlorus) as Caesar, AE Follis, struck 298 - 300 at Londinium (London), EnglandObverse: FL VAL CONSTANTIVS NOB C. Laureate and cuirassed bust of Constantius I facing right.
Reverse: GENIO POPVLI ROMANI. Genius, kalathos on head, standing facing left, holding patera in right hand and cornucopia in left; no mintmark (London).
Diameter: 28mm | Weight: 10.97gms | Die Axis: 6h
RIC VI: 14a | SRCV IV: 14034 | SPINK: 706
Rare
Ex Asprey Coins, London

Group II. Early example with the style of Constantius' portrait appearing to show the influence of Carausius/Allectus die engravers.*Alex

30 Severus Alexander and Julia MamaeaSEVERUS ALEXANDER & JULIA MAMAEA
AE27, Edessa, Mesopotamia

Confronting portraits of Severus Alexander and Julia Mamaea / City-goddess seated left, holding small temple; River-god swimming beneath her

SGI 3390 Sosius

32 Gordian I AfricanusGORDIAN I AFRICANUS
AE Sestertius, Rome Mint
27-29 mm, 17.75 g
March 19 to April 9, 238 A.D.
IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / VICTORIA AVGG, S-C, Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm.
RIC IV, 2, p. 161, 12. Very rare. Good portrait and fully readable name. Very fine.
Ex-Auctiones

Gordian I, an 80-year-old senator, was proclaimed as emperor during a revolt in Africa but commited suicide after his son and co-ruler Gordianus II was defeated by Maximinus' legate. Their rule only lasted for 20 days, hence the rarity of their coins.1 commentsSosius

7 MaxentiusMAXENTIUS
AE Follis, Rome Mint

IMP C MAXENTIVS PF AVG, laureate bust of Maxentius right / CONSERV VRB SVAE, Roma seated in temple, RET in ex.

RIC 258 Rome. aVF, very strong portrait in great style.2 commentsSosius

Gallic 3 Marius, May - August or September 269 A.D.Bronze antoninianus, Schulzki AGK 8a, Mairat 238, SRCV III 11123, RIC V 17, aEF, rev a bit weak, 2.822g, 19.5mm, 180o, Colonia Agrippinensis (Cologne) mint, 2nd emission; obverse IMP C M AVR MARIVS AVG, radiate and cuirassed bust right; reverse VICT-O-R-IA AVG, Victory standing left, wreath in right, palm frond in left; nice portrait, nice dark sea-green patina, slightly irregular flan; scarce

Purchased from FORVM1 commentsSosius

Lucilla RIC 1756, 164-169 CE.Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus
Obverse - LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG FB, draped bust right.
Reverse – PIETAS, Pietas standing left, right hand over lighted altar and holding box of incense in left. SC in field
30 mm diam. 19.8g. RIC 1756
Reverse clearly shows an inverse portrait caused by a clashed die
sold 1-20181 commentsNORMAN K

Phoenicia, Akko-Ptolemais Valerian I. 253-260 AD. AE 26Valerian I. 253-260 AD. AE 26 . Phoenicia, Akko-Ptolemais.
Obv: IMP C P L - [VALERIANVS] AVG Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust right, seen from front.
Rx: COL - P - T - OL Sacred tree between serpents rising from two altars or baskets; to right, winged caduceus. Rare: this type missing in BM, Lindgren, Berk photofile, and Wildwinds. CoinArchives includes a specimen from the same reverse die, but with radiate portrait on obverse: Heritage 357, Long Beach, 9 September 2004, lot 12092. Cohen 374 (de Saulcy Collection). Adjustment marks on obverse.
1 commentsMaritima

Phraates IV (38 -2 BC) AR Tetradrachm 286 SE /26 BCObv: Phraates diademed and cuirassed bust left with long pointed beard - no royal wart on forehead.
Rev: The king enthroned r. being presented with a palm branch by Tyche, standing l. before him holding cornucopiae with pellet above arm. Seleucid date 286 (C Pi Sigma) above palm. Greek inscription in 7 lines BASILEOS/BASILEON; on r. ARSAKOY/EUERGETOY' below [DIKAOY]; on l. EPIPHANOUS/PHILELLANOS; month off flan below
Wt 14.1 gm, 26.3 mm, Sellwood type 55

The coin could be that of Tiridates I who also ruled for a few months in 26 BC. The features of the king on this coin are much closer to that of Phraates than of much rarer Tiridates I according to a reclassification of Sellwood types by deCallatay and this is the most believable. The lower lines of the inscription would also settle the issue but are lost on this coin.
Early coins of the Parthian empire showed strong Greek empahasis on classical Greek forms and humanism which is gradually lost as the empire matured and finally decayed. The coins become schematic and emphasize suface ornament rather than sculptural quality. One senses from the portrait of Phraates that brutality was a prerequisite for Parthian kings who routinely bumped off fathers and brothers in their rise to power. Like the Spartans, they had a powerful empire in their time but its contribution to civilization was limited in the long term.1 commentsdaverino

Plautilla, overviewThere are five main types of portrait for Plautilla’s denarii at the Rome mint :

A - With a draped bust right, hair coiled in horizontal ridges and fastened in bun in high position. Her facial expression is juvenile
B - Hair being coiled in vertical ridges, with bun in low position. Plautilla looks here more like a young beautiful woman
C - The third bust shows a thinner face of Plautilla with hair in vertical ridges and no bun but braids covering her neck
D - The fourth type has a similar appearance with the former, but the vertical ridges disappear, hair being plastered down, still showing the right ear
E - Plautilla appears with mid long hair plastered down and covering her ears

In the mean time there are seven different reverses :

1 - CONCORDIAE AETERNAE
2 - PROPAGO IMPERI
3 - CONCORDIA AVGG
4 - CONCORDIA FELIX
5 - PIETAS AVGG
6 – DIANA LVCIFERA

Not every combination exists, but some of the above reverses can be shared by several obverse portraits. Noticeable also is an evolution of the obverse legend, being PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE (a) in 202, and becoming PLAVTILLA AVGVSTA (b) soon after

You can see the evolution of this interesting coinage in my Plautilla's gallery.
3 commentsPotator II

RIC-10(a) Pupienus Clasped HandsIMP CAES M CLOD PVPIENVS AVG - Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
CARITAS MVTVA AVGG - (Mutual Clarity of the Emperors), clasped hands

This is the scarcer variant of RIC 10. Superb portrait. David Sear ANCCS certified.
From Forum ancient Coins12 commentsjimwho523

Î› (or possibly Î”)CILICIA. Adana (?). Elagabalus. Æ 34. A.D. 218-222. Obv: AVKMAVPANTÎ©NEINOCCEÎ“ (or similar), Î -Î on either side of portrait. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right; countermark on head. Rev: AÎ”AN-EÎ©N (?). Zeus seated left on throne, holding staff in left hand and patera right hand, right arm extended. Ref: BMC -. Axis: 165°. Weight: 22.31 g. CM: Î› (or possibly Î”) in circular punch, 5 mm. Howgego -. Note: Deeply recessed countermark. Collection Automan.Automan

ROME
PB Tessera (19mm, 2.71 g, 12 h)
Imperial issue (?)
Venus Victrix standing right, resting arm on cippus and holding transverse scepter and clasping hands with Mars, standing left
Fortuna standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia
Rostowzew 153, pl. III 2; München 16-7; Kircheriano 572, 582, 738, and 741

Rostowzew places this with the "Tesserae capitibus et nominibus imperatorum signatae" on the basis of type. In my studies, I have noticed that many of the types bearing Imperial portraiture or names are much more finely engraved, often with a centering dot and pronounced rims.Ardatirion

ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.53 g, 12h)
Victory standing right, foot on helmet, inscribing shield set on palm tree
Apex; palm frond to left
M. & B. Overbeck, “Romische Bleimarken als Zeugnis des Ersten Jüdischen Krieges,” in Helas und der Grechen Osten, p. 211-216, 1; Rostovtsev 1840, pl. VII, 37; BMC 802-4

The similarities between the obverse of this piece and the Judaea Capta issues of Caesarea Maritima cannot be overstated. This type, as well as a few others that bear the portrait of Vespasian or palm trees, undoubtedly played some role in the triumph that followed the conclusion of the First Jewish War.2 commentsArdatirion

IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (14mm, 2.28 g)
Female head right
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç - (but cf. 183 and 184 for other female portraits)Ardatirion

ROME. temp. Hadrian-Antoninus Pius. Circa AD 120-161
Æ Quadrans (16mm, 2.94 g, 7h)
Rome mint
Petasus
Winged caduceus; S C flanking
Weigel 18; RIC II 32; Cohen 36

Weigel reconsiders the anonymous quadrantes as a cohesive group. The seriesportrays a pantheon of eleven deities: Jupiter, Minerva, Roma, Neptune, Tiber, Mars, Venus, Apollo, Mercury, Bacchus/Liber, and Hercules. Types are primarily a portrait of the god, with an attribute on the reverse and are usually influenced by (but not directly copied from) earlier designs, primarily from the Republic. He updates the series to the reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus.5 commentsArdatirion

Volusian. AD 251-253
Æ Antoninianus? (17mm, 1.83 g)
Copying an uncertain issue
Radiate, [draped, and cuirrassed] bust right
Blank

A most curious piece. The attribution to Volusian is suggested by the shape of the facial hair and the generally youthful portrait. 1 commentsArdatirion

ROME. temp. Domitian-Antoninus Pius. Circa AD 81-160
Æ Quadrans (16mm, 3.99 g, 12 h)
Rome mint
Griffin seated left, paw on wheel
Tripod; S C flanking
Weigel 15; RIC II 28; Cohen 38

Weigel reconsiders the anonymous quadrantes as a cohesive group. The seriesportrays a pantheon of eleven deities: Jupiter, Minerva, Roma, Neptune, Tiber, Mars, Venus, Apollo, Mercury, Bacchus/Liber, and Hercules. Types are primarily a portrait of the god, with an attribute on the reverse and are usually influenced by (but not directly copied from) earlier designs, primarily from the Republic. He updates the series to the reigns of Hadrian and Antoninus.Ardatirion

(741-775) Sizilien Follis Constantin LeoConstantin V. mit Leo IV., 741-775

CONSTANTIN V et LÉON IV
(6/06/751-14/09/775)
Sur les monnaies de Constantin V, le portrait du fondateur de la dynastie isaurienne, Léon III (720-741) figure souvent au revers. Cette dynastie devait durer presque cent ans jusqu'à la déposition d'Irène, femme de Léon IV, mère de Constantin VI qu'elle fit aveugler pour régner seule.B*Numis

0 - Caracalla - Antioch, Syria Tetradrachm #4Ancient Roman Empire
Emperor Caracalla (198 - 217 AD)
Silver Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria. - #4

(titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate head of Emperor facing right.
rev: Eagle standing facing, head left, tail left, holding wreath in beak. Prow of ship between legs.

Weight: 13.0 Grams
Size: 28 mm
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*Note: Wonderful portrait of the emperor on the obverse and the eagle on the reverse, I am very proud of this coin.4 commentsrexesq

0 - Macrinus Tetradrachm - Beroea Mint, Syria.Roman Empire, Syro-Phoenician 4 Drachm.
SYRIA, Cyrrhestica. Beroea.
Emperor Macrinus (217-218 AD). Silver Tetradrachm.

(titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate, and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front.

rev: Eagle standing facing holding wreath in beak, head and tail facing left; Palm leaf in upper left field.
Winged Animal (Possibly a Phoenix) between eagle's legs; 'B-E' flanking either side, one letter under each one of the eagle's feet.

14.4 Grams
27 / 26.5 mm
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Bust, cut.rexesq

0 - Roman Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria~~~
Ancient Roman Empire

Silver Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria. RARE type.

(Titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate bust of Emperor facing right, draped and cuirassed. Seen from behind.
rev: Eagle standing with body facing right, head and tail facing left, holding wreath in beak.
Greek letters to either side of eagle's head.
~~~~~
*notes: AMAZING PORTRAIT!!! Very Rare type, I have only ever seen ONE other example with this bust style.
~~~
~1 commentsrexesq

000 - Vespasian AR Denarius - Clasped HandsVespasian Silver Denarius - Clasped Hands
Rome Mint, AD 73
obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG PM COS IIII CEN - Laureled head right.

rev: FIDES PVBL - Clasped hands holding wheat ears, opium poppies and caduceus.
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A bit off-center, but a beautiful portrait of the Emperor, and great detail on the poppy heads.
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**
**More photos of this Vespasian Denarius below, in Alphabetical order...4 commentsrexesq

000 - Vespasian AR Denarius - Clasped Hands Vespasian Silver Denarius - Clasped Hands
Rome Mint, AD 73
obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG PM COS IIII CEN - Laureled head right.

rev: FIDES PVBL - Clasped hands holding wheat ears, opium poppies and caduceus.
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A bit off-center, but a beautiful portrait of the Emperor, and great detail on the poppy heads.
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** These photos slightly bright and off-color due to lighting
**More photos of this Vespasian Denarius below, in Alphabetical order...
1 commentsrexesq

0001 Sextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet [Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]Q. Nasidius for Sextus Pompey

Obv: NEPTVNI (open P) downward on the l., bareheaded portrait of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus facing r., trident with prongs pointing upward on the r., dolphin facing r. below neck, banker's mark to r. of bottom of neck. Border of dots.
Rev: Q. NASIDIVS below galley moving r. with billowing sail and bank of rowers, steersman on l. facing r. on stern with star above, pilot on r. facing r. standing on prow. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date 42 BC2; Weight: 3.87g; Diameter: 19mm: Die axis: 150º; References, for example: Cohen 15; Babelon Nasidia 1 and Pompeia 28; BMCRR v. II Sicily 21; Crawford RRC 483/2; Sydenham 1350; CRI 235.

Notes:

Q. Nasidius, a naval commander under Pompey the Great, eventually wound up in the services of Sextus. See Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily p. 564 and Sear CRI pp. 139 - 140.

1Sydenham, Crawford RRC, and Estiot (2006) place the minting of this coin type in Sicily, but without referencing a location. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily also places the minting of this coin in Sicily and hesitatingly suggests the city of Catana. By his own admission "...this attribution is quite conjectural" (p. 557). Sear CRI, however, argues for a completely different location. On the basis of the naval theme and the absence of the title PRAEF⦁ORAE⦁MARIT⦁ET⦁CLAS⦁S⦁C, which for him pushes the date of minting to a time prior to April of 43 BC, Sear posits the minting of this coin to Sextus' time at the port of Massilia in southern Gaul.
2This is the date argued for in Estiot (2006) (p. 145), "...possibly around the time just before the beginning of the issue of Sextus Pompieus" imp. iter. praef. clas. et orae marit ex S C. coinage" [translation my own]. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily proposes 38 - 36 BC with Sydenham and DeRose Evans (1987) following suit. Crawford RRC suggests 44 - 43 BC.

Provenance: Ex CNG Auction 114 May 13, 2020 Lot 646; From the B. G. Collection, Ex CNG Auction 108 May 16, 2018 Lot 526.

Photo Credits: CNG

CLICK FOR SOURCES4 commentsTracy Aiello

0002 Sextus Pompey -- Neptune and Naval TrophySextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]
Obv: [MAG or MA (ligatured) G]⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER; Portrait of Neptune facing r., diademed and bearded, trident over l. shoulder. Border of dots.
Rev: [PRAE (AE ligatured) F⦁CLAS⦁ET⦁ORAE (AE ligatured)]⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C⦁; Naval trophy with trident on top and anchor on bottom, prow stem on l. and aplustre on r., at base two representations of Charybdis and two dog heads of Scylla. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC2; Weight: 3.89g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 333; BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 variant3; Sydenham 1347 variant3; Crawford RRC 511/2a or 2b4.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Sear CRI, Crawford RRC, Sydenham, and DeRose Evans (1987) all place the minting of this coin type in Sicily, but they do not reference a possible location. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily suggests Messana.
2This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.562 proposes 38 - 36 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 adopts the same datation. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.
3Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 and Sydenham 1347 only list a reverse legend containing MAR (ligatured) I but the coin here is MAR (ligatured) IT.
4It is impossible to see the full obverse legend, so it cannot be determined if MA is ligatured or not. The reverse legend is clearly the first variety of 2a or 2b, a variety not found on 2c.

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics April 11, 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland; acquired from Hess AG in Luzern, from the Ernst Haeberlin collection, Cahn & Hess, Frankfurt, July 17, 1933 Lot 2889.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

CLICK FOR SOURCES10 commentsTracy Aiello

0006 Sextus Pompey -- Pompey the Great and Neptune with Catanaean BrothersSextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]

Obv: [MAG⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER]; portrait of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus r.; behind jug; before lituus. Border of dots.
Rev: above, [PRAE (AE ligatured) F]; in exergue, CLAS⦁ET⦁[ORAE (AE ligatured)⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C]; Neptune standing l., wearing diadem, aplustre in r. hand, cloak over l. arm, r. foot on prow,; on either side a Catanaean brother bearing one of his parents on his shoulders1. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location2; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC3; Weight: 3.68g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 334; BMCRR v. II Sicily 7, 8, 9, and 10; Sydenham 1344; Crawford RRC 511/3a.

Notes:

Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]

1Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily appears a bit hesitant in his pronouncement that the representation of the Catanaean brothers in fact refers to Sextus' title Pius (p. 561), but Sear CRI appears to have no such hesitation when he states "...the type illustrates the theme of 'Pietas' in connection with the assumption of the name Pius." (p.203). DeRose Evans (1987) goes further (pp. 115 - 116), arguing that Sextus chose the Catanaean brothers ("...he consciously identifies himself with the south Italian heroes") as a way to deliberately contrast his Pietas with that of Octavian's.
2Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily tentatively suggests Catana as a possible location and Sear CRI follows suit.
3This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.560 proposes 42 - 38 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 follows suit. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.

Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics 11 June 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland, acquired from Hess AG in Luzern prior to 1975. Ex Dr. Jacob Hirsch 33, 17 November 1913 Lot 1058.

Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics

CLICK FOR SOURCES4 commentsTracy Aiello

001 - Philip II - AR Tetradrachm, Antioch, Syria - Frontal bust, armored; RARE Bust.Ancient Roman Empire

Philip II ( 244 - 249 AD ). Silver Tetradrachm, from Antioch, Syria.

( titles in Greek )
obv: Laureate bust facing left, rare cuirassed/armored portrait, seen from the front.
rev: Eagle facing left, wreath in beak, standing above city name over " S C ", wings open.
11.3 Grams, 28mm2 commentsrexesq

001n2. FulviaAR Quinarius. 43 BC. Lugdunum Mint. Obv: III VIR R P C, bust of Victory right with the probable likeness of Fulvia
Rev: Lion right between A and XLI; ANTONI above, IMP in ex. Cr489/6; Sy 1163.

NOTE: Although the portrait is not absolutely confirmed as being Fulvia, it is very similar to those of other provincial coins that are attributed to her.1 commentslawrence c

002a. Agrippa Agrippa

A close friend of Octavian (later Emperor Augustus), he won a name in the wars in Gaul before becoming consul in 37 He organized Octavian's fleet and is generally given much credit for the defeat (36 ) of Sextus Pompeius in the naval battles at Mylae and Naulochus (N Sicily). Agrippa took part in the war against Antony, and his naval operations were the basis of Octavian's decisive victory at Actium in 31 He was perhaps the most trusted of all Augustus' lieutenants and rendered many services, notably in putting down disorders in both the East and West. His third wife was Augustus' daughter Julia.

AS. M AGRIPPA L F COS III Head left, wearing rostral crown. / Neptune standing, head left, S C at sides.

It seems like the quality and price of Agrippa coins run the whole spectrum...I think a decent example can be had for as little as $20. This is a bit more than that but I am happy with the quality of the metal and portrait.ecoli

002c1. AgrippaGAUL. Nemausus. Ae As. 11.71 g., 25mm. Obv: IMP / DIVI F. Heads of Agrippa, wearing combined rostral crown and laurel wreath, and Augustus, bare, back to back. Rev: COL - NEM. Crocodile chained to palm frond with wreath attached, two branches below.
RPC I 523; RIC² 155.
[For a solo portrait of Agrippa, see under Caligula.]lawrence c

002h. Marcellus
Nephew and son-in-law of Augustus. RPC 5415 identifies a provincial coin with his portrait.lawrence c

003 - IULIUS CAESARGaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

004c. Drusilla & Other SistersDrusilla was the sister of Caligula, with whom he was reported to have an incestuous relationship. She has some solo portraits on provincial coins. His other two sisters, Agrippina the Younger and Julia, were on coins as part of the trio of sisters. For a portrait coin of Agrippina, see 005c.lawrence c

004c01. Drusilla & Other SistersGaius (Caligula). Æ Sestertius (33.5mm, 23.85 g, 7h). Rome mint. Struck AD 37-38. C CAESAR AVG GERMANICVS PON M TR POT, Laureate head left / AGRIPPINA DRVSILLA IVLIA Gaius' three sisters standing facing: Agrippina (as Securitas) leaning on column, holding cornucopia, and placing hand on Drusilla (as Concordia), holding patera and cornucopia; on right, Julia (as Fortuna) holding rudder and cornucopia. RIC I 33. Portrait defaced in antiquity. CNG Auction 553, Lot 463.3 commentslawrence c

005. Nero 54-68AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, 63AD. DECVRSIO. 38.6mmObv. Laureate ead right, wearing aegis NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP P P
Rev. Nero on horseback prancing right, wearing cuirass, short tunic, and billowing cloak, spear in right hand, to right soldier moving right. carrying vexillum; to leftin shallow relief, soldier running right DECVRSIO in ex
BMCRE 155; Cohen 94, RIC I 176 var (obv legend)
38.6mm, 180o, 63 A.D. Rome mint.
This sestertius was an early emission from the Rome Mint, which resumed striking bronze after about 10 years of inactivity. The talented engraver, perhaps with extra time for this initial project, produced one of the best dies in the entire imperial bronze series. The special style, complemented by superior execution, has similarities to later medallions.

The fine expressive portrait has higher relief than the more common Lugdunum issues.
The reverse uses the roundness of the flan and three geometric planes of relief to both present the scene in a format that draws the eye to the emperor and show movement that is lacking on almost all other Roman coins. The rare use of geometric planes was repeated on ADLOCVTIO sestertii of Galba five years later, perhaps the work of the same artist. Rome sestertii after 70 A.D. are of far less impressive style.

The lack of SC leaves the reverse fields uncluttered. SC stood for Senatus Consultum, "By Decree of the Senate" and signified the role of the Senate in the minting of brass and bronze coinage. Many sestertii of Caligula and some brass and bronze of Nero lack SC. Subsequent issues include SC again, until inflation produced the demise of the sestertius under Gallienus, c. 265 AD5 commentsLordBest

005. Nero 54-68AD. AE Sestertius, Rome mint, 65AD. Annona & Ceres. 35.6mm Orichalcum sestertius, RIC I 138, BMCRE I 129, Mac Dowall WCN 128, Cohen I 18, BnF II -, Hunter I -, SRCV -, EF, superb portrait, full legends, attractive toning, bumps, light smoothing, Rome mint, weight 26.564g, maximum diameter 35.6mm, die axis 180o, 65 A.D.; obverse NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P (Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Pontifex Maximus Tribunicia Potestate Imperator Pater Patriae), laureate head left, short beard visible, no globe at point of bust; reverse ANNONA AVGVSTI CERES, Annona standing right, right hand on hip, cornucopia in left hand, facing Ceres enthroned left, veiled, feet on footstool, stalks of grain in right hand, torch in left hand; in center modius on garlanded altar, prow behind, S C (senatus consulto) in exergue3 commentsLordBest

007a. Civil Wars 68-69The Civil Wars erupted in Gaul in March 68 under the leadership of Vindex, quickly followed by Galba in Spain. Vindex was beaten, but Galba's revolt continued. Clodius Macer also rose up in Africa. About a year later, in March 69, pro-Vitellian forces rose up in Gaul. Finally, in late 69, a separate widespread revolt under the leadership of Julius Civilis erupted in Southern Gaul, but eventually was crushed. Some portrait coins were struck, but the majority of coinage from the firsy period was one of three types: 1) denarii with the portrait of Augustus; 2) denarii with symbolic devices; and 3) bronze coins of Nero that were overstruck with SPQR lawrence c

008a. Clodius MacerDuring his revolt in 68 AD, Clodius Macer isssued very rare portrait denarii.lawrence c

008a. GalbaEmperor 3 Apr 68 AD - 15 Jan 69

Servius Sulpicius Galba. After Nero's suicide, Galba seized power. He reportedly was ruthless and greedy. He assumed the role of emperor, but quickly lost the support of the praetorians. Overthrown by Otho and executed. He also had struck portrait coins as imperator.lawrence c

009. Vespasian, 69-79AD. AR Denarius.Vespasian 69-79. Rome mint, AR Denarius. Struck in 75A.D.
Obv. Laureate head right IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Rev. Pax seated left, holding branch PON MAX TRP COS VI

19.5mm, 2.84g. RSC 366, RIC 772 (90).

A very craggy Vespasianic portrait. Pax appears to be bared to the waist, unusual. 1 commentsLordBest

01 - Gordian III Tetradrachm #3 - Ram leaping left beneath Eagle, head reverted, Crescent Moon above ramAncient Roman Empire
Emperor Gordian III ( 238 - 244 AD ) Silver Tetradrachm.
Struck at the Roman Mint at Antioch, Syria.

(Titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate bust right, draped and cuirassed. Seen from behind.
rev: Eagle standing, holding laurel wreath in beak, head facing left.
BELOW: Ram leaping left, head turned facing behind (right), with Crescent Moon above head of Ram, all between the legs of the Eagle.

Weight: 14.76 Grams

~~~~
::Great detail on the head and beak of the Eagle, as well as on the Emperor's portrait, very nice coin, good weight for the type too. ::
~~~

*ex Amphora Ancient Coins, with photo-authenticity COA signed by David Hendin, author of Guide to Biblical Coins.
~~
~5 commentsrexesq

010. VespasianVespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius (20mm, 2.96 g). Ephesos mint. Struck AD 71. Laureate head right / Turreted and draped female bust right. RIC II 327 var.; BMCRE 450 var. ; RPC II 828 var.; RSC 293a var. This issue is normally accompanied by a mint mark below the bust on the reverse. No mintmark can be seen on this specimen, but striking weakness could have prevented it from being fully struck in this area. The obverse portrait is almost certainly from the same hand as RPC II 828, an issue marked with a BY monogram. Ex-CNGecoli

011a4. VespasianDenarius. 70 AD. Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right. Rev: COS ITER T-R POT, Pax seated left, holding branch and caduceus. RIC 29, BMCRE 26; RSC 94h.

COIN NOTE: RIC II/1, p. 59, notes that in this issue, there were considerable variations in the portrait of Vespasian. This coin would seem to support that.lawrence c

013 - MARCUS ANTONINVSMarcus Antonius, commonly known as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

014 - FVLVIAFulvia was an aristocratic Roman woman who lived during the Late Roman Republic. She gained access to power through her marriage to Publius Clodius Pulcher, Gaius Scribonius Curio, and Mark Antony.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click here

shanxi

018 - AUGUSTUSAugustus

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

019a08. Marcus AureliusDenarius. 161 AD. Obv: IMP M AVREL ANTONINVS AVG, bare head right. Rev: CONCORD AVG TR P XV, COS III in ex, Concordia seated left, holding patera; cornucopiae under seat. RIC 2, RSC 30.

COIN NOTE: This coin has an unusually high-relief striking of the portrait.lawrence c

02 - 01 - Philip II as Caesar (244 - 247 AD) AR Tetradrachm - Bare head, draped and cuirassed, seen from the FrontAncient Roman Empire
Philip II as Caesar (Prince) - Large Silver Tetradrachm
Struck in Antioch, Syria between 244 and 247 AD.

(titles in Greek)
obv: Bare head of Philip II facing right. Draped and cuirassed. Bust seen from the front.

rev: Eagle standing on Palm branch facing, wings open holding wreath in beak, head and tail facing left.
'S C' Below.

Weight: 13.03 Grams
Size: 26.3 mm* - *(at the narrowest part)
---
-
---
ex Amphora Coins

with Photo Certificate of Authenticity signed by Author of "Guide to Biblical Coins" David Hendin.
-----
Seller photo. Great 'Frontal Bust' portrait and very large flan!4 commentsrexesq

02 B.C. - 4 A.D Augustus DenariusSilver denarius, S 1597, RIC 207, BMC 533, EF, Lugdunum mint, 3.876g, 19.2mm, 180o, 2 B.C. - 4 A.D.;
obverse CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE, laureate head right;
reverse C L CAESARES AVGVSTI F COS DESIG PRINC IVVENT, Caius and Lucius Caesars togate stand facing, each resting hand on a round shield with spear behind, above center on l. a simpulum r. and on r. a lituus l.;
lustrous, nice portrait, reverse slightly off centerjimwho523

020 - MARCUS AGRIPPAMarcus Agrippa was a Roman general, statesman and architect. He was a close friend, son-in-law, and lieutenant to Augustus.shanxi

020 - Nero AE As - RIC 543 AE As
Obv:- IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P (separated with dots), Bare head right with globe at tip
Rev:- -, Victory flying left holding shield inscribed S P Q R, S - C
Minted in Lugdunum. Circa A.D. 66
Reference:- BMCRE 381. RIC Vol I Nero 543

A decent example with a broken patina, a decent portrait, clear legends with the dots in the legends clearly visible.

Please click on the image to see a larger photograph. 2 commentsmaridvnvm

020 Vespasian (69-79 A.D.), AR-Denarius, Portrait, Vespasian (69-79 A.D.), AR-Denarius, Portrait, 3 commentsquadrans

020 Vespasian (69-79 A.D.), RIC² 0019, RIC II(1962) 004D, AR-Denarius, Rome, COS ITER FORT RED, Fortuna, draped, standing left, #1020 Vespasian (69-79 A.D.), RIC² 0019, RIC II(1962) 004D, AR-Denarius, Rome, COS ITER FORT RED, Fortuna, draped, standing left, #1
avers: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Laureate head right.
reverse: COS ITER FORT RED, Fortuna, draped, standing left, setting right hand on prow and holding cornucopiae in left hand.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 17,5-18,0mm, weight: 2,99g, axis: 6h,
mint: Rome, date: 70 A.D., ref: RIC² 0019, RIC II(1962) 004D, p-16, RSC 84, BMC 7,
Q-001

Interesting portrait. "It's like Vitelius"3 commentsquadrans

020a, CARIA, Knidos. Circa 465-449 BC. AR Drachm.CARIA, Knidos. Circa 465-449 BC. AR Drachm - 16mm (6.06 g). Obverse: forepart of roaring lion right; Reverse: archaic head of Aphrodite right, hair bound with taenia. Cahn 80 (V38/R53); SNG Helsinki 132 (same dies); SNG Copenhagen 232 (same dies). Toned, near VF, good metal. Ex Barry P. Murphy.

While this coin falls within the time frame that numismatists call "Classical" Greek coinage, I have chosen to place it in both the "Archaic" (coin 020a) and "Classical" Greek sections of my collection. This specimen is one of those wonderful examples of transition--it incorporates many elements of the "Archaic" era, although it is struck during the "Classical" Greek period and anticipates characteristics of the later period.

As noted art historian Patricia Lawrence has pointed out, "[this specimen portrays] A noble-headed lion, a lovely Late Archaic Aphrodite, and [is made from]. . . beautiful metal." The Archaic Aphrodite is reminiscent of certain portraits of Arethusa found on tetradrachms produced in Syracuse in the first decade of the 5th century BC.

Knidos was a city of high antiquity and as a Hellenic city probably of Lacedaemonian colonization. Along with Halicarnassus (present day Bodrum, Turkey) and Kos, and the Rhodian cities of Lindos, Kamiros and Ialyssos it formed the Dorian Hexapolis, which held its confederate assemblies on the Triopian headland, and there celebrated games in honour of Apollo, Poseidon and the nymphs.

The city was at first governed by an oligarchic senate, composed of sixty members, and presided over by a magistrate; but, though it is proved by inscriptions that the old names continued to a very late period, the constitution underwent a popular transformation. The situation of the city was favourable for commerce, and the Knidians acquired considerable wealth, and were able to colonize the island of Lipara, and founded a city on Corcyra Nigra in the Adriatic. They ultimately submitted to Cyrus, and from the battle of Eurymedon to the latter part of the Peloponnesian War they were subject to Athens.

In their expansion into the region, the Romans easily obtained the allegiance of Knidians, and rewarded them for help given against Antiochus by leaving them the freedom of their city.

During the Byzantine period there must still have been a considerable population: for the ruins contain a large number of buildings belonging to the Byzantine style, and Christian sepulchres are common in the neighbourhood.

Eudoxus, the astronomer, Ctesias, the writer on Persian history, and Sostratus, the builder of the celebrated Pharos at Alexandria, are the most remarkable of the Knidians mentioned in history.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidus

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.1 commentsCleisthenes

022 - GAIVSGaius Caesar was consul in AD 1 and the grandson of Augustus

for obverse, reverse and coin details click here

shanxi

022b. Titiana and Pertinax JuniorTitiana was the wife of Pertinax and Pertinax Junior his son. The two are on a tetradrachm of Alexandria, reportedly unique. A solo portrait of Pertinax Junior is on an Alexandrian tetradrachm.lawrence c

023 - LVCIVSLucius Caesar was a grandson of Augustus.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

024 - TiberiusTiberius was the second Roman emperor, reigning from AD 14 to 37.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

027b. PlautillaWife of Caracalla. Divorced, banished, and executed by him. One note on portraiture: On most augustae's portraits the hair style remains consistent. For whatever reason, on the coins of Plautilla, her portrait shows very different hair styles between the types.lawrence c

028 - ANTONIAAntonia

Antonia 36 BC - 37 was the younger of two daughters of Mark Antony and Octavia Minor. She was a niece of the Emperor Augustus, sister-in-law of the Emperor Tiberius, paternal grandmother of the Emperor Caligula and Empress Agrippina the Younger, mother of the Emperor Claudius, and both maternal great-grandmother and paternal great-aunt of the Emperor Nero

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

029 - GERMANICVSGermanicus Julius Caesar was a popular and prominent general of the Roman Empire.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

03 01 Tiberius RIC 4Tiberius 14-37 A.D. AR Denarius. Lugdunum Mint, 15-16 A.D. (3.74g, 17.6mm, 6h). Obv: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate head right. Rev: [TR POT X]VII. IMP [VII] in exergue, Tiberius, laur. And cloaked, stg. In slow Quadriga r., holding laurel branch and eagle tipped scepter. RIC I 4 (R2), BMC 7, RSC 48.

For an emperor with relatively long reign, Tiberius’ silver coinage was remarkably unvaried with the ubiquitous “tribute penny” making up the bulk of his denarii. This is a decent example of, perhaps, the second most common silver coin. Although the reverse legends are largely off the flan, the obverse has a decent portrait and legend.2 commentsLucas H

030 - Vespasian Dupondius - RIC 481 var.Obv:– IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III, Radiate head right, globe on neck
Rev:– VICTORIA NAVALIS S - C, Victory standing right on prow, holding wreath and palm
Minted in Lugdunum. A.D. 70-71
References:– Cohen -. RIC II 481 var (Not listed in RIC with this bust and legend combination)

Additional comments coutesy of Curtis Clay:-

“A coin like yours, from the same obv. die, was in M&M's Voirol Sale of 1968, lot 385, ex Hall Sale, 1950, lot 1203. A second spec. from that same die pair is publ. by Giard, Lyon, 42/1a, pl. XLIII, Coll. Gricourt.
BMC 809 pl. 38.7 has obv. CAESAR not CAES and a broader portrait on shorter neck.
Paris doesn't have this type on a COS III dup. of Vesp. at Lugdunum, but their As, Paris 812 pl. LXVII, is from the same rev. die as your dupondius!
Obviously quite a scarce item, and an attractive specimen!”1 commentsmaridvnvm

032 - CALIGVLACaligula (formally known as Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus), was the third Roman emperor, ruling from AD 37 to 41.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click here shanxi

032. Otacilia Severa AR Antoninianus PVDICITIAOtacilia Severa, Augusta, 244-249. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 4.34 g, 6 h), Rome, 244-245. MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa set to right on crescent. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia seated left, raising veil with her right hand and holding long transverse scepter in her left. Cohen 53. RIC 123c. A lovely example with a sharply struck portrait. Struck from a slightly worn reverse die and with minor deposits, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.
2 commentsLordBest

033 Sabina (???-136 A.D.), RIC II 1037, Rome, AE-As, CONCORDIA AVG, -/-//S-C, Concordia seated left, #1033 Sabina (???-136 A.D.), RIC II 1037, Rome, AE-As, CONCORDIA AVG, -/-//S-C, Concordia seated left, #1
avers:- SABINA-AVGVSTA-HADRIANI-AVG-PP, Her bust draped right wreathed in grain with hair fastened in a small knot at back. RARE portrait type depicting the empress with hair tied back and wreathed in grain.
revers:- CONCORDIA-AVG/S-C, Concordia seated left holding patera and leaning left elbow on figure of Spes, cornucopiae below chair.
exerg: -/-//S-C, diameter: mm, weight: g, axes: h,
mint: Roma, date: 128-136 A.D., ref: RIC-II 1037,
Q-001quadrans

033 Sabina (???-136 A.D.), RIC II 1037, Rome, AE-As, CONCORDIA AVG, -/-//S-C, Concordia seated left, #2033 Sabina (???-136 A.D.), RIC II 1037, Rome, AE-As, CONCORDIA AVG, -/-//S-C, Concordia seated left, #2
avers:- SABINA-AVGVSTA-HADRIANI-AVG-P-P, Her bust draped right wreathed in grain with hair fastened in a small knot at back. RARE portrait type depicting the empress with hair tied back and wreathed in grain.
revers:- CONCORDIA-AVG/S-C, Concordia seated left holding patera and leaning left elbow on figure of Spes, cornucopiae below chair.
exerg: -/-//S-C, diameter: 26,5-27,5mm, weight: 9,30g, axes: 7h,
mint: Roma, date: 128-136 A.D., ref: RIC-II 1037,
Q-0022 commentsquadrans

033. Herennia Etruscilla AR Antoninianus PVDICITIAHerennia Etruscilla, Augusta, 249-251. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 4.41 g, 1 h), Rome, 249-250. HER ETRVSCILLA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Herennia Etruscilla set to right on crescent. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia, veiled, seated left, drawing veil in front of her face with her right hand and holding long transverse scepter in her left. Cohen 19. RIC 59b. A nicely toned coin with a charming portrait. Extremely fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.1 commentsLordBest

034 Cnut EricssonBracteate of Cnut Ericsson, king of Sweden 1173-1195
Mint: Sigtuna
SMB 25

The coins of Cnut of Sweden feature a facing bust of Cnut holding a sword, which later degenerates into a simplified pellet portrait.

Ex- R Delzanno, MISAB 40 (lot 4)St. George's Collection

035 - Domitian Ae AS - RIC II 385aObv:- IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII CENS PER P P, Laureate head right
Rev:- COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC - SC, Domitian , togate,standing left, sacrificing from patera over garlanded altar, on the other side of which are two flute players facing the emperor, one of which is partly obscured by the altar, hexastyle temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in background.

This variety, not distinguished in the catalogues, where the second musician's lower body is obscured by the large altar. see BMC pl. 79.3, with obv. portrait left, is from the same rev. die. On other dies, apparently the normal variety, the altar is narrower and you see the second musician's legs descending to the ground.

Celebrates the Secular Games4 commentsmaridvnvm

035 - Domitian denarius - RIC II new p. 128, 958 (Vespasian)Obv:- CAESAR AVG F [D]OMITIANV[S], Laureate head of Domitian to left
Rev:- Horseman galloping to right, right hand raised; below, COS V
Minted in Rome. A.D. 77-78
Reference:- RIC II new p. 128, 958 (Vespasian) (R3)

Rare with left facing portrait.2 commentsmaridvnvm

036. Trajan Decius, 249-251AD. AE Sestertius. AE Sestertius. Rome mint..
Obv. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. IMP C M Q TRAIANVS DECIVS AVG

Rev. The two Pannoniae standing left holding military standards. PANNONIAE SC

RIC 124a, Cohen 87.

Beautiful patina, wonderful portrait. gVF.
LordBest

037 - CLAVDIVSClaudius was Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54.

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

040. Magnia UrbicaMagnia Urbica. AE Antoninianus. Lugdunum mint.

Obv. Draped and diademed bust right on crescent MAGNIA VRBICA AVG.

Rev. Venus Genetrix standing left holding gapple and sceptre, shield at feet VENVS GENETRIX, D in left field.

RIC V pt. 2, 337. R2.

A coin ive been looking for for a long time, Magnia Urbica has by far the finest portraits of any post-Severan empress
LordBest

043 - AGRIPPINA MINORAgrippina Minor was the younger sister of emperor Caligula, the niece and fourth wife of emperor Claudius, and the mother of emperor Nero

for obverse, reverse and coin details click hereshanxi

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