| Image search results - "denarii," |
04 - Hadrian Denarius - Moneta standing.~
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Ancient Roman Empire
Emperor Hadrian ( 117 - 138 AD)
Silver Denarius. Rome Mint.
obv: IMP CAESAR TRAJAN HADRIANUS AUG - Laureate head of Emperor Hadrian facing right.
rev: PM TR P COS III - Moneta (?) standing holding scales in one hand and cornucopia in other.
3.1 Grams
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~rexesq
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044 - Hadrian Denarius - RIC -Obv:- HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate head right with slight drapery on far shoulder (Legend reversed as AVGVSTVS HADRIANVS)
Rev:- COS III, Victory standing right holding wreath and palm (Legend reversed as III COS)
Minted in Eastern Mint. A.D. 129-131
Reference:- BMCRE -. Strack -. RIC -. RSC -. Apparently unpublished.
Strack knew just three Eastern denarii with this transposed obv. legend, including one with a Minerva standing rev. type in the Trau coll., Strack's pl. XVIII, *18. Curtis Clay has another example with this obverse with the Minerva type. This would appear to be a fifth specimen from this obverse die but with a new reverse type.
Additional information on this coin from Curtis Clay:-
"Interesting. Apparently a new rev. type on the Eastern denarii, of uncertain origin.
That's admittedly a fairly standard Victory advancing right rev. type, but I find no such type on any denarius of Hadrian from the mint of Rome, nor on his Asian cistophori.
A similar type does occur on Hadrian's silver quinarii, and on a rather scarce denarius of Trajan struck in 112 but these seem unlikely sources for a type on Hadrian's Eastern denarii.
Moreover on the Roman coins Victory grasps the stem of the palm over her shoulder in her left fist, thumb upwards, whereas on the Eastern denarius she palms the stem, holding it with her downwards pointing thumb while apparently keeping her fingers extended. I imagine that this detail may go back to the source copied, since it seems unlikely that the engraver changed it on his own whim."maridvnvm
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064 - Septimius Severus denarius - RIC -Obv:- L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP II, laureate head right
Rev:- VICT AVG TR P II COS II P P, Victory walking right, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left
Minted in Rome. A.D. 194
Reference:- BMCRE -. RIC -. RSC 690b (citing Gnecchi Coll., Rome)
Additional information courtesy of Curtis Clay:-
"I know a couple of other specimens too, BM probably has one from me and I may have another in my new collection.
Still very rare and interesting, IMP II generally rare on Rome-mint denarii, a muled obv.-rev. combination because COS II means after 1 Jan. 194, but the medallions prove that Septimius' IMP III must have already been known in Rome by about 25 Dec. 193."maridvnvm
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095/1a VictoriatusAnonymous. 211-208B.C. AR Victoriatus. Uncertain Mint. (2.74g, 16mm, 12h). Obv: Laureate head of Jupiter right. Rev: Victory standing right, crowing trophy; VB monogram between. Crawford 95/1a. Sydenham 113, RSC 36m.
An interesting denomination, he Victoriatus circulated at the same time as the denarius but was made of debased silver and could have been valued at ¾ a denarius. It was hoarded separately from denarii, and could have been used for trade in southern Italy among the Greek colonies. It was later remade into the Quninarri keeping the victory motif from the old Victoriatus.Lucas H
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3012 Hadrian Denarius 129-31 AD Victory Eastern mintReference.
RIC III, 3012; BMCRE --; Strack --; RIC --; C. --
Bust A2
Obv. AVGVSTVS HADRIANVS
Laureate head with drapery
Rev. III COS
Victory standing right holding wreath and palm
3.13 gr
19 mm
6h
Note.
Strack knew just three Eastern denarii with this transposed obv. legend, including one with a Minerva standing rev. type in the Trau coll., Strack's pl. XVIII, *18. Curtis Clay has another example with this obverse with the Minerva type. This would appear to be a fifth specimen from this obverse die but with a new reverse type.
Additional information on this coin from Curtis Clay:-
"Interesting. Apparently a new rev. type on the Eastern denarii, of uncertain origin.
That's admittedly a fairly standard Victory advancing right rev. type, but I find no such type on any denarius of Hadrian from the mint of Rome, nor on his Asian cistophori.
A similar type does occur on Hadrian's silver quinarii, and on a rather scarce denarius of Trajan struck in 112 but these seem unlikely sources for a type on Hadrian's Eastern denarii.
Moreover on the Roman coins Victory grasps the stem of the palm over her shoulder in her left fist, thumb upwards, whereas on the Eastern denarius she palms the stem, holding it with her downwards pointing thumb while apparently keeping her fingers extended. I imagine that this detail may go back to the source copied, since it seems unlikely that the engraver changed it on his own whim."
Ex maridvnvmokidoki
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Barbarians: Gallic Hero Vencingetorix as Pavor?Roman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius (3.57g, 19mm, 12h), Rome, 48 BCE.
Obv: Bearded bust of captive Gallic warrior with wild, corded hair (Vercingetorix as Pavor?) and chain around neck, facing right; to left, a Gallic shield.
Rev: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Two naked Gallic warriors in galloping biga right, one driving, holding whip in right hand and reins in left, and the other facing backward, holding shield in left hand and brandishing spear in right.
Ref: Crawford 448/2a; Hostilia 2; Sydenham 952.
Prov: Tauler y Fau 65 (Madrid, 6 Oct 2020), 1276.
Notes: This coin forms a pair with the other Hostilius Saserna Denarius in my Gallery -- and a trio with the Caesar "captives" Denarius. Two years later, Julius Caesar struck his Gallic captives & trophy series denarii, depicting the same two figures on the reverse (full-bodied, rather than just the head).
Reluctant as I am to disagree with Crawford (he does NOT believe it's Vercingetorix!), I do find it quite plausible that Vercingetorix is depicted here (possibly "as Pavor," or Dread). During the Republican & Early Empire the Romans were fond of building up the legends of their enemies, especially once defeated. Gallic warriors seem to hold a special fascination on Roman Republican coinage, so it might be even more surprising if they hadn't used the opportunity to boast of the most magnificent of their "trophy captives."Curtis JJ
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Barbarians: The "Dreadlocked Gallia," Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius, 48 BCERoman Republic. L. Hostilius Saserna AR Denarius (4,03g, 19mm, 8h), Rome, 48 BCE.
Obv: Head of Gallia (as Pallor) w/ corded hair, grimacing, facing r.; Gallic trumpet (carnyx) behind.
Rev: L•HOSTILIVS / SASERNA. Diana / Artemis of Massalia (after Ephesos) standing facing, holding spear & stag by antler.
Ref: Crawford 448/3; Hostilia 4; Syd 953; Fitzwilliam CM 1459-1963 (ill. on CRRO).
Prov: Bertolami Fine Arts Web Auction 92 (3 Oct 2020), Lot 987.
Notes: A classic of Republican "captives" coinage, the obverse depicts the same female captive shown on Julius Caesar's famous denarius (Craw 468/1); my specimen: [FAC Gallery LINK]. A second denarius was issued depicting the head of the male (Vercingetorix?).
The obverse dies for this type (Crawford observed 126 of them!) fall into two groups: those presenting an "idealized" Gallia (much more common), and those attempting greater "realism" (including this one). (Some dies in the latter group are dreadful.)
This particular die presents a uniquely vivacious portrait in highly realistic style. Was this a "master die" for the issue, based on an actual living Gallic captive as the model? Who was she? If one accepts Vercingetorix as the male captive on Caesar's & Saserna's denarii, could "Gallia" have been a member of his family?
More notes, references linked, coin-in-hand video: [website LINK]Curtis JJ
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CaracallaANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Laureate head of Caracalla right
LAETITIA TEMPORVM
The spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing l., with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina's other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing l.; below, seven animals: an ostrich at l. and bear at r.; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther attacking a bison.
Rome 206 AD
3.34g
Ex-Londinium coins, Ex Professor K.D. White with original envelope.
Sear 6813, RIC 157, BMCRE 257, CSS 793
Very rare! Only 2 examples in the Reka Devnia hoard
Better in hand
Notes by Curtis Clay:
This famous type commemorates the chariot races and animal hunt that took place on the seventh and final day of Severus' Saecular Games in 204 AD, as described in the inscriptional acts of those games which were found in Rome in the 1870s and 1930s. According to the acts, after three days of sacrifices and three days of honorary stage shows, Severus and Caracalla held circus games on the seventh day, consisting of chariot races and then a hunt of 700 beasts, 100 each of "lions, lionesses, panthers, bears, bisons, wild asses, ostriches". Dio Cassius describes the same hunt, adding the detail that the cage from which the animals were discharged was formed like a boat: "The entire receptacle in the theater had been fashioned in the shape of a boat and was capable of receiving or discharging four hundred beasts at once; and then, as it suddenly fell apart, there came rushing forth bears, lionesses, panthers, lions, ostriches, wild asses, bisons, so that 700 beasts in all, both wild and domesticated, at one and the same time were seen running about and were slaughtered. For to correspond with the duration of the festival, which lasted seven days, the number of the animals was also seven times one hundred." In Dio's text this passage follows directly on his account of Severus' Decennalian Games in 202 AD, causing scholars to accuse Dio of misdating the hunt or to postulate that similar hunts of 700 animals were held both in 202 and in 204. But the true explanation, in my opinion, is that Dio's Byzantine epitimator Xiphilinus, on whom we are dependent for this section of Dio's text, has simply jumped without warning or transition from Dio's description of the Decennalian Games of 202 to his description of the circus spectacle concluding the Saecular Games of 204. This hypothesis easily explains why Dio's text as we have it makes no mention of the Saecular Games themselves or of any event of 203: Xiphilinus omitted this whole section of Dio's history! The seven kinds of animals named by both Dio and the inscriptional acts are also depicted in the coin type: on good specimens, especially the aureus BM pl. 34.4, the ostrich and the bear are clear, the lion has a mane, the ass has long ears, the bison has horns and a hump. Two large felines remain, of which we may suppose that the one accompanying the lion is the lioness and the one attacking the bison is the panther. The animals are named somewhat differently in Cohen, BMC, and other numismatic works: though numismatists have long cited Dio's text to explain the coin type, no one previously seems to have posed the question whether the seven animals in the lower part of the type might not be the same seven that Dio and now the inscriptional acts too name! These circus games with the ship and 700 animals were held in 204 AD, but the coin type commemorating them did not appear until two years later: on aurei of Septimius the type is die linked to a dated type of 206 AD, and for Caracalla the type passes from a draped and cuirassed obverse type on the aureus to the "head only" type on his denarii, a transition that took place in 206 AD according to his dated coins.
SOLD October 2014Jay GT4
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Claudius. Cistaphoric Diana Ephesia.Roman Empire. Claudius. 41-54 AD. AR Cistaphoric Tetradrachm (= 3 denarii, 11.05 gm, 26.0mm, 7h) of Ephesus, 41-42 AD. Bare head of Claudius left. ↑TI CLAVD ⤸CAES AVG. / Cult statue of Diana Ephesia (Artemis) in tetrastyle temple, polos on head and fillets from wrists. DIAN-EPHE. VF. Bt. Herakles Numismatics, 2003. BMCRE 229; RIC I (Claudius) p. 130, #118corr. (obv. type A), plate 17; RPC I #2222; RSC II #30; SRCV I #1839.Anaximander
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Constantine I MARTI CONSERVATORI from TrierConstantine I
AD 316
22x23mm 5.1gm
CONSTANTINVS P F AVG; laureate, draped and cuirassed bust seen from the rear.
MARTI CON-SERVATORI; Mars, helmeted, stg. r. leaning on reversed spear, l. resting shield on ground; T/F across fields.
In ex. PTR
RIC VI Trier 864
ex- Elberling 1867
Dr. Elberling (1797- 1873) had a very large collection of Roman coins with many rarities. He published ten articles about the rarest coins in his collection, and material from these articles was used in Henri Cohen's Roman Imperial catalogues - Description historique des monnaies frappées sous l'empire romain
"Dr. Elberling was a German army doctor who was born in 1797 in Silesia, and retired to Luxembourg. He began collecting coins in 1842, after his retirement, and he published ten articles on "The most important Roman Coins in my Collection" in a Luxembourg scientific journal, 1862-1874 (the last posthumous, and with an obituary, whence I derive these facts). He died in Dec. 1873, and his collection, comprising 775 gold coins, over 1000 Republican denarii, c. 2700 Roman imperial denarii, c. 5500 bronze coins, and c. 100 medallions in the various metals, was acquired by the Paris coin dealer Rollin & Feuardent. He particularly sought rare and unpublished coins, and it was 547 coins of this sort that he published in his articles, with 24 plates of quite accurate line drawings. Cohen, and after Cohen's death Feuardent, of course drew on Elberling's ten articles when compiling the second edition of Cohen's famous Roman imperial catalogue."
thanks to Curtis Clay for the above quote
This coin (along with many others) was donated to the Academic coin cabinet of Leiden in 1867, by Dr. Elberling. The academic cabinet merged with the National coin cabinet, but the gifts and donations remained at the university; until recently, when they were reincorporated into the National Numismatic Collection in the NetherlandsVictor C
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Cr 167/1 AR Denarius AnonymousRome, c. 179-170 BCE
o: Helmeted head of Roma right; behind, X
r: The Dioscuri galloping right; in exergue, ROMA
3.42 gm 20.00 mm
An "OK, meh" example of the group of anonymous denarii, likely the 167/1 although some of the distinquishing features, such as Roma's earring shape, are difficult to make out. PMah
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Crawford 083/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, Anonymous Spear Head Victoriatus - RARERome. The Republic.
Anonymous Spear Head (First) Series, 211-210 BCE
AR Victoriatus (2.67g; 17mm).
S.E. Italian mint
Obverse: Laureate head of Jupiter facing right.
Reverse: Victory crowns trophy; ROMA in exergue.
References: Crawford 83/1b; RBW 337; Sydenham 223var (no spear head); BMCRR 320var (no spear head).
About 212 BCE, when the Romans introduced the denarius system, they also introduced a collateral denomination of silver coin, the victoriatus. As evidenced by its different weight standard, debased metal, iconography and missing denominational mark, the victoriatus was not integral to the denarius system but was produced for a special purpose. While the denarius and its fractions, the quinarius and sestertius, all depicted Roma and the Dioscuri, victoriati depicted Jupiter and Victory crowning a trophy. Further, while denarii were produced from nearly pure silver, victoriati were made from debased silver of about 70% purity. Based on the weight standard of Magna Graecia drachms, victoriati were likely designed specifically for payments to Greek cities of southern Italy and hoard evidence supports circulation largely in southern Italy.
Like early denarii, victoriati were produced in both anonymous series and in series marked with letters or symbols. Some anonymous series are clearly related to letter/symbol series of identical style and fabric, and it's interesting to ponder whether the anonymous or letter/symbol series came first and why. This rare coin is an anonymous version of Spear Head Series victoriatus, being identical in style to its marked cousin. Note, on the obverse, the three loose ringlets at Jupiter’s neck and, on the reverse, the large knot and drape in the front of Victory’s garment and the bulbous, round base to the trophy stem – all these stylistic cues are identical in those marked Victoriati of the first Spear Head Series.
Rome ceased issuing victoriati circa 170 BCE. Perhaps because of their debased metal (which discouraged hoarding), victoriati continued to circulate in Gaul for many years until they functioned as de facto quinarii due to metal loss from wear. Their continued popularity caused Rome to later issue quinarii bearing the same devices (Jupiter/Victory and trophy).
For further information on anonymous victoriati, I recommend Ken Friedman’s and Richard Schaefer’s guide hosted on Steve Brinkman’s website: http://stevebrinkman.ancients.info/anonymous/AnonymousVictoriatii.html.
Carausius
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Crawford 322/1, ROMAN REPUBLIC, C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, AR DenariusRome. The Republic.
C. Fabius C. f. Hadrianus, 102 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.99g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Veiled and turreted head of Cybele, facing right; Є behind.
Reverse: Victory in fast biga galloping right; heron/stork below; C· FABI· C· F in exergue.
References: Crawford 322/1a; Sydenham 589; BMCRR 1581; Fabia 15.
Provenance: Ex Nomisma 58 (6 Nov 2018) Lot 93.
This is the second variety of Fabius’ denarii, without the obverse inscription referencing public silver [EX· A· PV] behind the head of Cybele. For more on the public silver inscription variety and an explanation of the heron/stork on Fabius’ coinage, see my other gallery entry here: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-149699
Carausius
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Crawford 340/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Piso Frugi, AR Quinarius - Knife SymbolRome, The Republic.
L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, 90 BCE.
AR Quinarius (2.06g; 15mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo, facing right; knife symbol behind.
Reverse: Victory standing toward right, holding wreath and palm; L·PI - SO in fields; FRVGI in exergue.
References: Crawford 340/2e; Sydenham 672; Calpurnia 13b.
Like the denarii of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, the quinarii have a series of symbols, numbers and letters marking either or both dies. Each symbol appears on only one die. The quinarii are remarkably scarcer than the denarii, with Crawford counting about one-tenth the number of obverse and reverse quinarius dies versus denarius dies. Victory on the reverse, like the Victory appearing on the reverse of the Asses of this series, likely refers to the ongoing Social War.
Carausius
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Crawford 340/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Piso Frugi, AR Quinarius - Owl SymbolRome, The Republic.
L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, 90 BCE.
AR Quinarius (1.84g; 13mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo, facing right; owl symbol behind.
Reverse: Victory standing toward right, holding wreath and palm; L·PI - SO in fields; FRVGI in exergue.
References: Crawford 340/2e; Sydenham 672; Calpurnia 13b.
Provenance: Ex Naville Numismatics 56 (22 Mar 2020) Lot 417.
Like the denarii of L. Calpurnius Piso Frugi, the quinarii have a series of symbols, numbers and letters marking either or both dies. Each symbol appears on only one die. The quinarii are remarkably scarcer than the denarii, with Crawford counting about one-tenth the number of obverse and reverse quinarius dies versus denarius dies. Victory on the reverse, like the Victory appearing on the reverse of the Asses of this series, likely refers to the ongoing Social War.
Carausius
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Crawford 464/2, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, T. Carisius, AR DenariusRome, Moneyer Issues of the Imperatorial Period.
T. Carisius, 46 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.91g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Juno Moneta facing right; MONETA behind.
Reverse: Anvil with garlanded Vulcan cap (die?) above; tongs to left; hammer to right; T. CARISIVS above; surrounded by wreath.
References: Crawford 464/2; Sydenham 982; BMCRR 4056; Carisia 1.
Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction #231946 (14 Nov 2019) Lot 62150; Nomisma 59 (14 May 2019), Lot 92.
Little is known about T. Carisius beyond his coins and some ambiguous prosopographical evidence. He may be the Carisius that commanded the left wing of Octavian’s fleet during a naval battle with Sextus Pompey at Tauromenium, as reported in Appian. He may be the T. Carisius identified as praetor of the Volcae in Narbonese Gaul on inscriptions found in Avignon, France in 1841 and in Beaueaire, France in 2001. He may also be the father or brother of P. Carisius, who served as legatus pro praetor in Spain, ca. 25-23 BCE, and issued a large coinage for Augustus.
Caesar celebrated multiple triumphs in 46 BCE, and the massive output by the moneyers T. Carisius and M. Cordius Rufus may have been to pay the largesse owed to Caesar's legionaries. Carisius issued a large series of silver coins, including various designs of denarii, quinarii and sestertii. His fractional silver are notoriously scarce.
This reverse design of this coin is often debated, with scholars falling into two camps: those who think that coin-striking implements, including a garlanded reverse punch die, are depicted; and those who think general metal smithing implements and a garlanded cap of Vulcan (pileus) are depicted. Crawford (1974) called the disputed device a punch die. Sydenham (1952) called the device "cap of Vulcan, laureate" (See Syd. #982). In BMCRR (1910), Grueber called the device "cap of Vulcan (pileus), laureate" (See BMCRR vol 1, 4056). Barfeldt (1896), correcting Babelon, believed it was a cap of Vulcan. Babelon (1883) identifies it as a die. I believe the upper device is a garlanded cap of Vulcan, not a punch die. It matches similar depictions of garlanded caps of Vulcan on other Roman Republican coins (see, e.g. my Crawford 266/2 here: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-166897 ). Some have noted a pellet, resembling a coin, on some dies between the anvil and “punch die”. I believe these pellets are merely central compass points used by the die engravers which are exposed on some dies.
Carausius
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Crawford 544/14, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Antony Legion II DenariusRome. The Imperators.
Marcus Antonius, 44-31 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.64g; 17mm).
Military Mint traveling with Antony, 32-1 BCE.
Obverse: ANT AVG III VIR R P C; galley facing right.
Reverse: LEG II; Aquilia between two standards.
References: Crawford 544/14; Sydenham 1216; HCRI 349; BMCRR East 190-92; Antonia 105.
Provenance: Ex Pat Coyle Coll. [Goldberg Auction 69 (29 May 2012) Lot 3471]; NAC 40 (16 May 2007), Lot 624.
Produced by Antony in the lead-up to his final defeat at Actium by Octavian’s navy (commanded by Agrippa), the legionary series was a huge issue that recognized 23 legions under Antony’s command. These coins would continue to circulate throughout the Empire for several centuries after Antony’s loss, partly because their notoriously debased silver discouraged hoarding. Forty examples of the LEG II variety appeared in the 1905 Delos hoard of 604 Antony Legionary denarii, making it one of the most common varieties of the series.
The Legio II was likely a legion that was disbanded after Actium.
Carausius
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Crawford 544/18, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Antony Legion V DenariusRome. The Imperators.
Marcus Antonius, 44-31 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.79g; 19mm).
Military Mint traveling with Antony, 32-1 BCE.
Obverse: ANT AVG III VIR R P C; galley facing right.
Reverse: LEG V; Aquilia between two standards.
References: Crawford 544/18; HCRI 354; Sydenham 1221; BMCRR (East) 196; Banti 75 (this coin); Antonia 110.
Provenance: Ex Kress 109 (24-25 Oct 1958), Lot 749.
Produced by Antony in the lead-up to his final defeat at Actium by Octavian’s navy (commanded by Agrippa), the legionary series was a huge issue that recognized 23 legions under Antony’s command. These coins would continue to circulate throughout the Empire for several centuries after Antony’s loss, partly because their notoriously debased silver discouraged hoarding. Thirty-seven examples of the LEG V variety appeared in the 1905 Delos hoard of 604 Antony Legionary denarii, making it one of the most common varieties of the series. However, an example with a verifiable old provenance, such as this coin, is quite rare.
Carausius
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Domitian as Caesar RIC II V1087Domitian as Caesar 69-81 A.D. AR Denarius. Rome Mint. 79, to 24 June A.D. (3.39g, 17.7mm, 6h). Obv: CAESAR AVG F DOMITIANVS COS VI, laureate head right. Rev: Vesta std. l., with Palladium and scepter. RIC II V1087, BMC 262, RSC 378.
Vesta was the virgin goddess of home, hearth, and family. This was a part of the last issue of precious metal coins before Vespasian’s death, and this reverse is not shared with Vespasian or Titus.
This is another upgrade. When I first narrowed by primary collecting area to Flavian denarii, I tended to pick up common coins without regard for condition. In the back of my mind, I wondered if another would come along at all, much less in a price range I could afford. After watching the market for a longer period of time and understanding it better, I see my mistake, and now have the patience to wait for better examples of common coins. However, this leaves me correcting some of my early mistakes with upgrades.
This example is well centered and the obverse lettering is very sharp.
Lucas H
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Domitian RIC II 0845Domitian. 81-96 A.D. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm. Rome Mint for Asia. 82 A.D. (10.73g, 25.2m, 6h). Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG P M COS VIII, laureate head r. Rev: DOMITIA AVGVSTA, bust of Domitia, draped, right, hair massed in front and long plait behind. RIC II 845. RPC 866.
Cistophoric tetradrachms show enough stylistic links that most agree they were minted in Rome, but for circulation in the East. Valued at 3 denarii, cistophori, named for the cista mystica, the basket of snakes used during the initiation rites for the cult of Dionysus, were the denomination of the kingdom of Pergamum in Asia Minor.Lucas H
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Domitian RIC II 0847Domitia. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm. Rome Mint for Asia. 82 A.D. (10.66g, 26.6m, 6h). Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA, bust of Domitia, draped, right, hair massed in front and long plait behind, [pellet under bust.] Rev: VENVS AVG, Venus stg. r. leaning on column, with helmet and spear. RIC II 847.
My first example of an Empress during the era of the 12 Caesars. Cistophoric tetradrachms were valued at 3 denarii, and during the Flavian era, were likely minted in Rome for distribution in the East. Worn, and slightly off center, I still enjoy the denomination.Lucas H
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Domitian, Cast Limes DenariusDomitian 81-96 A.D. AE Cast Limes Denarius. Uncertain Mint (2.54g, 20.5m, 6h). Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V, laureate head right. Rev: IMP VIII COS XI CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to right owl. (M2). Copies RIC 343. Ex Warren Esty.
There is a large degree of uncertainty about so called, limes denarii, found primarily on the frontiers of the empire. They might have been official products made in areas where silver was in short supply, or, they could be unofficial productions, and/or barbarous imitations. Whatever their role, I find them fascination. While many were struck, some, like this example, were actually cast. Some have evidence of a silver wash, but this specimen does not. Limes denarii remain an enigma, and that was a large part of the appeal of this coin for me. Lucas H
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Domitian, Fouree gamesDomitian 81-96 A.D. Unknown, unofficial mint. (1.62g, 6h). Obv: [I]MP CAES DOMIT [], laureate head right. Rev: , COS XIIII across field; column inscribed LVD SAEC FEC; all within laurel wreath. Copying RIC II 604.
I’ve seen a number of Domitian fouree denarii, but the issue this one attempts to copy is what interested me. The original was minted to celebrate the Secular Games, and only issued for a brief time. If you were going to copy something, it would see the ubiquitous Minerva reverses would be more likely to avoid close scrutiny. Lucas H
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Elagabalus (AD 218 - 222) AR Denarius - Abundantia and AR Antoninianus 'Salus'-----------------------------
left:
Roman Empire
Silver Antoninianus of Emperor Elagabalus (218 - 222 AD).
Struck at the Rome Mint.
obv: IMP CAES M AUR ANTONINUS - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed.
rev: SALVS ANTONINI AUG - Salus standing facing right, holding snake, which she feeds from patera in other hand.
Weight: 5.20 Grams
Size: 23 mm - 24 mm
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right:
Ancient Roman Empire
Silver Denarius of Emperor Varius 'Elagabalus' Antoninus.
Struck at the Rome Mint.
obv: IMP ANTONINUS PIUS AUG - Laureate bust of Emperor facing right, draped.
rev: ABUNDANTIA AUG - Abundantia standing facing left, emptying the contents of a cornucopia. Star in right field.
Weight 3.0 Grams
Size: 21 mm
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Elagabalus (AD 218 - 222) AR Denarius - Abundantia and AR Antoninianus 'Salus'left:
Roman Empire
Emperor Elagabalus (218 - 222 AD) Silver Antoninianus.
Rome Mint.
obv: IMP CAES M AUR ANTONINUS - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed.
rev: SALVS ANTONINI AUG - Salus standing facing right, holding snake, which she feeds from patera in other hand.
Weight: 5.20 Grams
Size: 23 mm - 24 mm
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right:
Ancient Roman Empire
Silver Denarius of Emperor Varius 'Elagabalus' Antoninus.
Struck at the Rome Mint.
obv: IMP ANTONINUS PIUS AUG - Laureate bust of Emperor facing right, draped.
rev: ABUNDANTIA AUG - Abundantia standing facing left, emptying the contents of a cornucopia. Star in right field.
Weight 3.0 Grams
Size: 21 mm
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Elagabalus AR Antoninianus - FIDES EXERCITUS - #2AD218-222 Emperor Elagabalus AR Antoninianus
obv: IMP CAES M AUR ANTONINUS AUG - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed.
rev: FIDES EXERCITUS - Fides seated left, holding eagle and standard, another standard before her.
Weight: 4.5 Grams
Size 26 mm
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Elagabalus AR Antoninianus - FIDES EXERCITUS - #3Ancient Roman Empire
Emperor Elagabalus (218 - 222 AD)
Silver Antoninianus - Rome Mint
obv: IMP CAES M AUR ANTONINUS AUG - Radiate bust right, draped and cuirassed. Seen from Behind.
rev: FIDES EXERCITUS - Fides seated left, holding eagle and standard, another standard before her.
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Faustus Cornelius SullaAR denarius. 56 BC. 4.05 g, 9h. Head of young Hercules right, wearing lion's skin headdress, paws knotted below his chin; SC above FAVSTVS monogram behind. / Globe surrounded by four wreaths, the larger jewelled and tied with fillet; aplustre and stalk of grain below. Crawford 426/4a. RSC Cornelia 61 .
This coin is one of ten million denarii that the Senate of Rome commissioned for the purchase of wheat in the year 56 BC. All those extra denarii, struck alongside the normal coin issues, bear the letters S.C for "Senatus Consulto" (by decree of the Senate) on their obverse, behind the head of Hercules. The ligated letters FAVS refer to the moneyer, Faustus Cornelius Sulla.
The ear of grain on the reverse illustrates that this denarius was indeed minted in connection with the purchase of wheat. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, who transacted the business, was the father in law of the moneyer Sulla, and effectually used his son in law's position to advertise himself. Three of the wreaths on the reverse commemorate the three triumphs of Pompey: He was the first Roman to celebrate a triumph on each of the three then-known continents. With this Pompey had made Rome a world power, which is symbolized by the globe in the middle. The fourth wreath, larger than the others, stands for the extraordinary honor that Pompey was bestowed with in 63 BC, when he was allowed to wear a golden headdress when going to the circus or the theater.benito
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Hadrian Denarius, 134-8, from the Ropsley (Lincolnshire) Hoard 2018, buried 150-2Hadrian (11 Aug 117 - 10 Jul 138 CE), Silver Denarius, Ropsley Hoard 21, RIC II 234d, RSC II 615, BMCRE III 608, Strack II 231, Hunter II -, SRCV I -, gEF, excellent portrait, well-centred and sharply struck on a tight flan, lightly toned, little wear, some hoard encrustations both sides, edge cracks, plain edge, weight 3.27g, composition Ag, diameter 18.0mm, thickness 2.62mm, die axis 210°, Rome mint, 134-8 CE; obverse HADRIANVS-AVG COS III P P, laureate head right; reverse FELICI-T-AS AVG (Happiness of the Emperor), Felicitas, draped, standing half-left, caduceus in right hand, olive branch in left; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Silbury Coins (15 Aug 2022); £350.00.
Sometime, during 150-2 CE in the North Eastern corner of the Roman province of Britannia, a citizen was compelled to bury his pot of 522 denarii, equivalent in value to around £12,500 ($15,684.99) in modern-day currency. A substantial amount given that a Roman soldier would have been paid around 300 denarii per year. The coins were reportedly found in a possible crude cist inside a Roman greyware vessel (complete but broken, with interior staining from coins).
The Ropsley (Lincolnshire) Hoard 2018 (LANCUM-F93E5B) comprised denarii, from Mark Antony (32 BCE) to Faustina II (152 CE), but many were of Hadrian (117-38 CE). The silver hoard was found in Lincolnshire on 16th March 2018 by a metal detectorist, not far from the Roman town of Ancaster (Causennis) and Ermine Street, the Roman road connecting London to Lindum Colonia (Lincoln) and Eboracum (York).
What compelled the citizen to bury the hoard we can only imagine; was it for safekeeping while he headed to market in nearby Ancaster (Causennis), just a short trip up Ermine Street or had he been asked to head north and help with the trouble caused by the Caledonians near Hadrian’s Wall? Perhaps they were stolen by a mischievous slave who was then caught, sold and could never return to recover his loot. Who knows for certain, but these coins were not recovered, at least not in Roman times. Intriguingly, burnt charcoal fragments were also recovered by British Museum conservators and scientifically identified as willow.Serendipity
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Marcus Salvius OthoAD 69 January 15 to mid-April. 20mm, 3.35 g. Rome mint.
O: IMP M OTHO C[AESA]R AVG TR P, Bare head right
R: PAX ORBIS TERRARVM, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and caduceus.
- RIC I 4; RSC 3.
Otho assumed the title of Pont Max on March 9, 69. This type was therefore likely struck in the first two of his three month reign. Mattingly observed that PAX ORBIS TERRARVM could have been Otho's cry to counter the "Salus Generis" and "Pax P R" of the Galban faction of the civil wars.
Long before there was Metta World Peace, there was Otho. While his earlier denarii took features from Nero's coinage and Plutarch says Otho took Nero's name, signing imperial documents "Nero Otho", this is much less offensive than the fact that Nero took Otho's wife.
For some very interesting reading on the style and composition of Otho denarii, see http://www.forumancientcoins.com/numiswiki/view.asp?key=Denarii%20of%20OthoNemonater
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Mark Antony Legionary denarius LEG X IMPVESPANT AVG III VIR R P C
Galley r. mast with banners at prow
IMPVESP counter mark above galley
LEG X?
Legionary eagle between two standards IMPVESP countermark
Patrae mint 32-31BC
3.01g
Ex-Incitatus
Obverse countermarked IMPVESP during Vespasian's reign showing this denarius was in circulation for well over 100 years! In hand I can make out X for the legion number but can't be sure if any other numerals appear after it. This countermark appears mostly on late Republican and Imperatorial denarii, although denarii of Augustus and denarii of the Flavians struck at Ephesus are also recorded. The MP VES countermarks circulated specifically within the province of Asia Minor. Martini noted that the output of silver coinage in relation to the civic bronze for this region was much smaller during the Julio-Claudian period. This suggests the denarii were countermarked to validate locally circulating silver coinage at an acceptable weight while the regional mints opened by Vespasian were gearing up production, a theory which the countermarking of cistophori with the contemporary MP VES AVG countermarks seems to support. The similarly countermarked Flavian denarii struck at Ephesus can be accounted for then as examples accidentally countermarked by unobservant mint workers during the transition.
LEG X (later called Gemina) was levied in 59 BC or earlier by Julius Caesar. It was the first legion levied by him personally and was raised in Spain. It played a major role in the Gallic war featuring prominently in Caesar's "Gallic Wars." Legio X was his most trusted and loyal Legion. In 45 BC the Legion was disbanded and given land grants in Southern Gaul.
During the civil war that followed Caesar's assassination, Legio X was reconstituted by Lepidus in the winter of 44/43 BC making use of many retired legionaries who re-enlisted. It was eventually turned over to Antony and fought for him until the final Battle of Philippi. The veterans obtained lands near Cremona, and an inscription reports that the name of the legion at the time was Veneria, "devoted to Venus." This alluded to Julius Caesar's claimed descent from Venus.
The newly levied Tenth was then taken by Antony to Armenia for his Parthian campaign. During Antony's civil war, the legion fought for him until his defeat at the Battle of Actium, after which the legion changed sides and moved into Octavian's army. They were then taken to Egypt to finish off Antony and Cleopatra. Octavian never fully trusted the 10th Legion as it had been fiercely loyal to both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After Antony's death Octavian left the legion in the East in Syria. In 29 BC the legion was due to be discharged. When the legionaries pressed for their release and land grants Octavian was slow in complying. Suetonius says that the entire legion rioted and Octavian dishonorably discharged the entire legion.
Octavian now recruited new legionaries to fill the 10th Legion in its traditional recruiting grounds of Spain. Some of the senior Centurions may have re-enlisted for a third term to serve with the 10th. These men would have been in their late 40's or early 50's. The new legionaries marched over land to Syria to take up their posting. The new 10th Legion's home base was on the Euphrates to keep an eye on the Parthians.
The next discharge date would be 14-13 BC. This time the 10th Legion was settled in Beirut and the city was given Colony status. Ten years later the 10th Legion under Publius Quintilius Varus was marched down to Jerusalem to garrison the city after Herod the Great died. The 10th Legion would remain in Jerusalem until 6 AD.Jay GT4
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RIC 026 DomitianAR Denarius, 3.53g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS VII DES VIII P P; Dolphin coiled round anchor
RIC 26 (R). BMC spec. acquired 1987. RSC 63. BNC -.
Acquired from CGB, November 2017. Ex CGB Live Auction, 1 August 2017, lot brm_440753 (unsold).
An interesting denarius from Domitian's Group 3 denarii, a carry-over type from Titus' pulvinaria series. Curiously, the reverse legend lacks a TRP date (a title Domitian was awarded upon accession), yet it is matched with an obverse legend employed later in the year. This reverse legend is more appropriate chronologically paired with the early 'PONT' obverse dies with which it also shares a link. RIC notes the chronology is not precise with these issues from 81 and they are grouped only for 'convenience'. A possible explanation for such an odd legend pairing would be the mint workers continuing to use old reverse dies with newly engraved obverses. With that in mind, it is not surprising die links between Groups 2, 3, and 4 are known. Generally, denarii with the reverse legend lacking TRP are quite scarce - all of the types in the group have a frequency rating of rare or very rare. The dolphin and anchor reverse is probably the most common one in the issue.
A pleasing 'pinched' portrait in fine metal.David Atherton
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RIC 0342Domitian. Denarius. Rome 85 CE. (Fifth Issue)
Obv: Head laureate r; IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TR P V
Rev: Minvera advancing r with spear and shield; IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP
RIC-342. (R2)
Jesus Vico Mail bid auction # 153 Lot 3136 March 7, 2019
This is yet another rare coin of Domitian. It is so scarce that even the British museum does not have an example. What makes it rare is the legend on the reverse.Note that instead of CENS PPP the legend reads CENS POT PP. There were only 2 issues that used this legend on denarii, the fourth and the fifth. All of the coins in this issue are rare. They are all either R2 (very few examples known) or R3 (unique).
The fourth and fifth issues of Domitian's denarii for 85 CE are important because the mark a reform to the coinage. According to RIC this reform took place between the third issue (CENS POTES) and the fourth issue (CENS POT). This reform reduced the fineness of the denarii to post reform Neronian standards.
For me the above does increase the interest of the coin, but I bought it because I loved the look of it. I love the way the CENS POT legend on the reverse frames the figure of Minerva. and I find the portrait well done and attractive.
orfew
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RIC 048 DomitianAR Denarius, 2.96g
Rome mint, 81 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: TR P COS VII DES VIII P P; Curule chair, wreath above
RIC 48 (C). BMC 18. RSC 570. BNC 17.
Acquired from Lucernae, eBay, December 2014.
This fairly common denarius was struck towards the end of 81 and is part of the group 4 denarii, the largest issue of the year. The curule chair reverse is a carry-over from the pulvinaria types struck by Titus. Presumably the mint had no new reverse types in readiness for Domitian and had to recycled those from the previous reign.
A good, early style portrait struck on a tight flan.David Atherton
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RIC 0700 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.68g
Rome Mint, 74 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: OB CIVES SERVATOS around oak wreath
RIC 700 (R2). BMC p. 7 †. RSC 275. BNC -.
Ex Private Collection.
A very rare variant of the oak wreath type struck for Vespasian in 74. The much more common variants of this type have SPQR within the oak wreath. Alternately, here we have the legend OB CIVES SERVATOS around the wreath: OB CIVES above; SERVATOS below. This variant is so rare Mattingly citing Cohen in BMCRE stated in a footnote that this type needed verification. Curiously, in the RIC concordance with the first edition, this type is listed as old RIC 17 'Unverified: plated hybrid?' (again citing Cohen) without a new corresponding RIC number even though it is in the catalogue as RIC 700 with no such disclaimers. My example possibly has evidence of being plated; however, the flaking and cracking on the surface could just be due to preservation issues, the style is consistent with official denarii, and it is a double die match with the similarly worn RIC plate coin which shows no signs of plating. Additionally, Curtis Clay has an example from different dies that is solid silver.
The corona civica was originally a military honour bestowed upon a Roman who had saved a fellow citizen's life in battle. It was one of the greatest public honours. In the imperial era the honour developed from a coveted military decoration into an imperial emblem granted by the Senate to the emperor. The wreath was made of oak leaves and is sometimes called a corona quercea after the common name for the oak. The Wreath was awarded to Vespasian by the Senate for rescuing the Roman people from civil war and bringing about peace.
NB: The coin was originally posted here in 2015: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?topic=103696.0David Atherton
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RIC 133 TitusÆ Sestertius, 23.26g
Rome mint, 80 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l., Captive stg. r.; to r., Judaea std. r.
RIC 133 (R2). BMC -. BNC -. Hendin 1589.
Acquired from Solidus, March 2023. Ex Solidus Auction 108, 8 November 2022, lot 299.
An extremely rare Judaea Capta commemorative sestertius struck for Titus in early 80, possibly to coincide with the opening of the massive Flavian Amphitheater. A recently discovered dedicatory inscription of the building states "The Emperor Titus Caesar Vespasian Augustus Commanded the New Amphitheater to be Built from the Spoils of War." Combined with the original decoration scheme of palm trees, shields, and captives it is compelling evidence that Titus' 'Judaea Capta' coins were issued during the structure's inaugural games in the late spring or early summer of 80. The reverse copies a similar Judaea Capta type struck for Vespasian in 71, possibly serving as a 'stop-gap' issue until new reverse designs were prepared for Titus (RIC, p.184). The coin features a couple of differences from the more common 'IVD CAP' sestertii struck later in the same year: the obverse legend is counter clockwise with 'VESPASIAN' fully spelled out, and the reverse fully spells 'IVDAEA CAPTA' with some minor differences in the design (figures are reversed around the palm, shield instead of plough near standing captive). RIC places this coin as a Rome mint issue struck in early 80 alongside two other types - Mars and Pax, based on the 'Rome mint' style of the portraits, all of which share the same obverse die. Curtis Clay has proposed (Gemini IX, lot 448) a Thracian origin for the issue because of the flat fabric of the flans (a trademark of the Thracian mint), many of the specimens came to market after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the reverse designs match those struck later at the Thracian mint. He further argues the 'Rome mint' style can be explained by Roman die engravers being transferred to Thrace. The style indeed mirrors contemporary Rome mint denarii, which can only be a result of the same engravers working on both issues. Despite the flat fabric of the flans, the style does not match up to the later Thracian issues (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits), and the circulation pattern appears to be similar with the Rome mint issues. Therefore, I believe the coins were struck in Rome, possibly for circulation in the East. Missing from both the BM and Paris collections.David Atherton
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RIC 135A TitusÆ Sestertius, 23.19g
Rome mint, 80 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA; S C in exergue; Palm tree; to l., Titus stg. r. with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r.
RIC 135A (R3). BMC -. BNC -. Hendin -.
Acquired from Felicitas Perpetua, eBay, March 2023.
A unique Rome mint Judaea Capta sestertius struck in early 80 as part of a newly discovered transitional issue. The first issue of 80 (Group 1) consists of three rare reverse types: Judaea Capta with standing captive, Pax, and Mars all with outwardly inscribed obverse legends starting counter clockwise from the lower right. Group 2 is the massive bronze issue Titus struck between 80-81 with inwardly inscribed obverse legends clockwise starting from the lower left and featuring 'VESP' instead of the previous issue's 'VESPASIAN'. With the discovery of this Judaea Capta sestertius along with an obverse die match Mars type (as on RIC 135 from the previous group), we can now say for certain that there was a brief transitional issue struck between the two groups, (now called Group 1A) featuring inwardly inscribed legends with 'VESPASIAN'. This Judaea Capta reverse with standing emperor copies the famous prototype originally struck under Vespasian and previously only known for Titus in a rare issue from the Thracian mint. The type was likely fleetingly struck until proper reverse designs were newly prepared for Titus's Group 2 bronze issue - the common 'IVD CAP' with standing captive would replace it. As of now, this unique specimen is the only known sestertius with the old Vespasianic design struck at Rome* for Titus. A tremendous discovery that rewrites the history of Titus' bronze coinage! Ian Carradice has assigned it as RIC 135A in the RIC II.1 Addenda & Corrigenda.
*Curtis Clay has proposed (Gemini IX, lot 448) a Thracian origin for the Group 1 issue because of the flat fabric of the flans (a trademark of the Thracian mint), many of the specimens came to market after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the reverse designs match those struck later at the Thracian mint. He further argues the 'Rome mint' style can be explained by Roman die engravers being transferred to Thrace. The style indeed mirrors contemporary Rome mint denarii, which can only be a result of the same engravers working on both issues. Despite the flat fabric of the flans, the style does not match up to the later Thracian issues (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits), and the circulation pattern appears to be similar with the Rome mint issues. For the time being I'll attribute Group 1 and 1A to Rome until further evidence comes to light. FWIW, the above coin appears to be a metal detectorist find, possibly from the UK. David Atherton
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RIC 135B TitusÆ Sestertius, 23.85g
Rome mint, 80 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: S C in field; Mars, with cloak over shoulders, adv. r., with spear and trophy
RIC 135B, BMC -. BNC -.
Ex N&N London Auction 16, 1 May 2023, lot 454.
An extremely rare sestertius struck for Titus in early 80 as part of a newly discovered transitional issue. The first issue of 80 (Group 1) consists of three rare reverse types: Judaea Capta with standing captive, Pax, and Mars all with outwardly inscribed obverse legends starting counter clockwise from the lower right. Group 2 is the massive bronze issue Titus struck between 80-81 with inwardly inscribed obverse legends clockwise starting from the lower left and featuring 'VESP' instead of the previous issue's 'VESPASIAN'. With the recent discovery of this Mars type along with the newly discovered Judaea Capta sestertius T135A I previously shared, we can now say for certain that there was a brief transitional issue struck between the two groups, (now called Group 1A) featuring inwardly inscribed legends with 'VESPASIAN'. This is the second known example of the Mars type for Group 1A, it would later be more commonly struck at the Thracian mint. RIC II.1 co-author Ian Carradice has assigned the new variety as RIC 135B in the Addenda & Corrigenda. It must be noted this Mars type was not struck for the subsequent Rome mint Group 2.
Curtis Clay has proposed (Gemini IX, lot 448) a Thracian origin for the Group 1 issue because of the flat fabric of the flans (a trademark of the Thracian mint), many of the specimens came to market after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the reverse designs match those struck later at the Thracian mint. He further argues the 'Rome mint' style can be explained by Roman die engravers being transferred to Thrace. The style indeed mirrors contemporary Rome mint denarii, which can only be a result of the same engravers working on both issues. Despite the flat fabric of the flans, the style does not match up to the later Thracian issues (heavily seriffed letters, large portraits), and the circulation pattern appears to be similar with the Rome mint issues. For the time being I'll attribute Group 1 and 1A to Rome until further evidence comes to light.David Atherton
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RIC 1542 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.81g
Antioch mint, 70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: VIRTVS AVGVST; Virtus stg. r., l. foot on prow with spear and parazonium
RIC 1542 (R2). BMC 499. RSC 640. RPC 1916 (5 spec.). BNC 315.
Ex G&N, eBay, 2 May 2011.
Minted at Antioch in 70 AD, this early eastern type of Vespasian is one of only two times that i know of that Virtus appears on Flavian denarii, the other type being Vespasian RIC 1379 a unique coin. Virtus here symbolizes the military prowess of the emperor on both land and sea. The type was normally popular during Roman Civil Wars, so it is not at all surprising that Vespasian issued it coming out of one.
The coin is scratched and the flan is ragged and uneven but the high profile portrait remains showing a unique Antiochene style.
David Atherton
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RIC 1555 VespasianAR Denarius, 3.30g
Antioch Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: NEP RED; Neptune, naked, standing l., r. foot on globe, r. knee bent, holding acrostolium in r. hand, which rests on r. knee, and vertical sceptre in l. hand
RIC 1555 (C). BMC 506. RSC, 274. RPC 1928 (9 spec.). BNC 54.
Acquired from Nemesis, ANA Pittsburgh, August 2004.
An Antiochene denarius featuring Neptune as 'home-bringer' - copying a Rome mint type from 70. It was issued to symbolise the safe return of Vespasian over the seas after the Civil War.
A wonderful coin in excellent condition. I quite like the Antioch denarii, and this one is a good example why!David Atherton
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RIC 170 TitusÆ Sestertius, 23.63g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR P P P COS VIII; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: S C in field; Spes stg. l., with flower
RIC 170 (C2). BMC 183. BNC 174.
Acquired from Ampex, eBay, May 2020.
Spes was a common reverse type under Vespasian, connected to future dynastic hope and harmony. It continued to be struck by Titus and can be viewed as his hope for the future with his chosen heir Domitian. As Mattingly put it: '...the recurring types of Spes suggests that Titus gave Domitian full due as heir to the throne.' The left facing portrait variants of the type tend to be in a somewhat finer style than those facing right, likely the handiwork of one talented engraver who preferred lefties. Unlike with Titus' denarii, left portraits in bronze are quite common.
Honest wear in fine style.David Atherton
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RIC 184 TitusÆ Sestertius, 24.48g
Rome mint, 80-81 AD
Obv: No legend; Flavian amphitheatre; to l., Meta Sudans; to r., porticoed building
Rev: IMP T CAES VESP AVG P M TR PPP COS VIII; Titus std. l. on curule chair with branch and roll; around, arms; S C in field
RIC 184 (R2). BMC 190. BNC 189. Hendin 1594.
Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 225, 30 November 2023, lot 456. Ex Harlan J Berk BBS 35, 12 February 1985, lot 361.
In June of 80 AD Titus spectacularly opened the Flavian amphitheatre with a series of inaugural games lasting 100 days. This rare sestertius commemorates the event in a no less impressive fashion. Vespasian had begun construction nearly a decade before, but it was Titus who virtually completed it. The obverse* features an inventive bird's eye view of the structure from the Temple of Claudius on the Caelian Hill, with the Meta Sudans to the left and the porticoes of the Baths of Titus to the right. The depiction of the three structures on the obverse is strong evidence the Romans viewed the amphitheatre as part of a larger entertainment complex. The reverse features Titus seated surrounded by a pile of captured arms, identical to sestertii struck for Claudius. Taken together both obverse and reverse pays homage to Claudius, an emperor highly regarded by the Flavians. At the same time, the captured arms on the reverse and the decorative motif of the amphitheatre featuring palm trees and triumphal imagery commemorate the Jewish War which was still a major theme of Titus' coinage. Also, a recently discovered inscription which originally adorned one of the entrances proclaims the Flavian amphitheatre was built from the spoils of the Jewish War. Nathan T. Elkins believes the rarity of these coins today may hint that they were issued primarily for distribution at the opening games as souvenirs of the occasion. Ben Lee Damsky has convincingly argued Titus' extensive pulvinar precious metal coinage commemorates the inaugural games as well. If that is the case, a large portion of Titus' coinage was devoted to these opening games and the fantastic venue in which they were held, emphasising the prominent place it held for Titus and the Flavian dynasty. The fact that it still serves as a symbol of the Roman Empire today shows that Titus was correct in his estimation of its importance. Like the Eid Mar denarii, the Colosseum sestertii are seen today as one of the most well known and iconic coin types struck by the Roman Empire.
*Older references place the Colosseum on the reverse, but this is incorrect. Reverse dies at the Rome mint typically have concave flans. The seated Titus side is concave on these sestertii, therefore it was almost certainly intended as the reverse. David Atherton
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RIC 362 Divus Vespasian [Titus]AR Denarius, 3.08g
Rome mint, 79-80 AD
Obv: DIVVS VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: EX SC in exergue; Tensa r., surmounted by two Victories
RIC 362 (R2). BMC 117. RSC 147a. BNC 91. Hendin 1585a.
Ex eBay, May 2012.
I've been wanting to add this very rare Divus Vespasian denarius type to my collection for quite sometime. Minted under Titus in either 79 or 80 AD, the reverse shows a tensa facing right. The much more common variant of the type is the tensa facing left. The unique obverse legend, DIVVS VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS, also differs from the other Divus Vespasian denarii, showing up only on this tensa facing right type. I've only seen two other examples of this type in trade, all (including my example and the RIC plate coin) from the same die pair, indicating just how rare this type is.
The gunmetal toning is really quite nice in hand.
David Atherton
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RIC 847 Domitia [Domitian]AR Cistophorus
Rome mint (for Asia), 82 AD
Obv: DOMITIA AVGVSTA; Bust of Domitia, draped r., hair massed in front and in long plait behind
Rev: VENVS AVG; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear
RIC 847 (R). BMC 256. RSC 19. RPC 870 (8 spec.). BNC 226.
Ex CNG E424, 11 July 2018, lot 471.
A brief issue of cistophori were struck for Domitia as Augusta under Domitian in 82. Venus leaning on column was the sole reverse type chosen for her rare cistophori. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the home mint. K. Butcher and M. Ponting's metal analysis reveal they were struck from a different stock of metal than contemporary Rome mint denarii, possibly from recycled older denarii. At 80% silver fineness these early cistophori were likely struck before Domitian's major coinage reform of 82 when the denarius was raised to nearly 100% fineness.
Domitia Longina was the daughter of the famed Roman general Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo who was commanded to commit suicide by Nero for alleged treason. Domitian courted and married Domitia soon after Vespasian's accession, despite her already being the wife of Aelius Lamia. It was a good match - distancing the Flavians from the reign of Nero and uniting them to a beloved general's family. Soon after Domitian become emperor, Suetonius tells us he briefly divorced Domitia because of an adulterous affair she had with the actor Paris. Dio claims Domitian actually considered executing her but was persuaded from doing so by the praetorian prefect Ursus. He soon reunited with her after a brief separation alleging the people demanded it. Where this coin fits into that time frame is hard to tell. We don't know exactly when the divorce occurred or how long it lasted. However, it is likely this coin was struck after their reconciliation and can be seen as symbolically strengthening Domitia's position at court.
Struck in fine early style.
David Atherton
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RIC 851 DomitianAR Cistophorus, 9.99g
Rome mint (for Asia), 95 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P XIIII IMP XXII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS XVII CENS P P P; Aquila between two standards, one surmounted by a banner, the other by a hand; G in exergue
RIC 851 (C). BMC 253. RSC 94. RPC 873 (8 spec.). BNC -.
Ex NFC Coins, eBay, 18 April 2018.
A small issue of cistophori were struck by Domitian in 95. Style and die axis identify Rome as the home mint. Curiously, K. Butcher and M. Ponting's metal analysis reveal they were struck from a different stock of metal than contemporary denarii, possibly from recycled older denarii. The traditional military type of aquila and standards is the most commonly encountered reverse from the series. It is copied from coins struck for Nero and Galba. The 'G' in exergue may be the mark of an officina.
Struck in good late style.David Atherton
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RIC 855 DomitianAR Cistophorus, 10.28g
Rome mint (for Asia), 95 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMITIANVS; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: Temple with two columns, inscribed ROM ET AVG in entablature, enclosing Augustus. stg. front to l., with spear, crowned by Roma to r., with cornucopiae; G in exergue
RIC 855 (C). BMC p. 352, *. RSC 407. RPC 875 (2 spec.). BNC -.
Acquired from Emerald Imports, eBay, May 2018. Formerly in NGC holder 4278229-001, grade 'Ch VF', strike 5/5, surface 4/5, 'Fine style'.
A small issue of cistophori were struck by Domitian in 95. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the probable mint. Interestingly, K. Butcher and M. Ponting's recent metal analysis of the series reveals it was struck from a different stock of metal than contemporaneous denarii, possibly from recycled republican and early imperial pieces. This rare reverse features the temple of Roma and Augustus at Pergamum copied from the cistophori of Claudius. The temple was erected in 29 BC and was an important centre of the imperial cult in the region. No archaeological remains have been found of the structure, only the coins hint at how it may have appeared. RPC speculates the 'G' in exergue may be the mark of an officina, although, why the Rome mint would use a mint mark on the cistophori and not on any other issues is quite puzzling.
This coin originally came in a NGC slab which noted it as 'fine style'. I quite agree.David Atherton
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Roman Empire / Emperor Caracalla , Silver Denarius. Caracalla, 198 - 217 A.D.
Obverse: ANTONINVS PIVS - AVG BRIT Laureate head right.
Reverse: PM TRP XV COS III PP Salus seated left, feeding out of patera snake coiled around altar, and holding cornucopia.
Rome mint , 212 A. D.
1.79 gr, 19 mm , RIC 196
Julius Bassianus was born in 188 A.D., the son of the future emperor Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. In 195, his father, emperor since 193, raised him to the rank of Caesar, and changed his name to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, emphasizing a fictional tie between the House of Severus, and that of the Antonines. In 198, he was named Co-Emperor with his father. Caracalla was his nickname, based on the long Gallic cloak which he made fashionable in Rome.
In 208, he went with his family to Britain, where he led the last campaigns himself, due to Severus’ illness. In 209, his brother Geta was also named Co-Emperor. In 211, Severus died, and Caracalla and Geta were left as Co-Emperors. The two brothers hated each other, and despite the efforts of their mother, Julia Domna, Caracalla soon had Geta assassinated.
As sole emperor, Caracalla faced major financial concerns, and the two most memorable acts of his reign were attempts to deal with this financial difficulty. He introduced a new coin denomination, which modern collectors refer to as the Antoninianus. This coin was apparently valued at two denarii, but by weight, it only measured one and a half denarii, allowing a major profit to the treasury. His other act, for which he is best remembered to history was the Constitutio Antoniniana, a sweeping law granting the full Roman citizenship to almost the entire free population of the empire. The reason for this was most likely fiscal, only citizens were subject to the taxes on manumission of slaves, and inheritance taxes.
In 214, Caracalla made preparations for the conquest of Parthia. In 217, after some success, Caracalla was murdered at the instigation of his Praetorian Prefect, Macrinus, who became the next emperor.
From The Sam Mansourati Collection.Sam
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ROMAN EMPIRE, Domitian ancient counterfeit denariusAncient counterfeit denarius, 3.13g, IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII, laur. head r. with aegis
TR POT III CENS P P P, Minerva 2
The obverse of this coin is a technically correct copy of the April 85 A.D. denarii, save for the odd style. The lettering style is exceptionally good. But the reverse is wrong. It displays again a TR P date, and in addition from the previous year (84 A.D.) while the second part consisting in CENS P P P is a form only used from late 85 onwards. This coin shares its dies with a coin from the Warren Esty coll.
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RPC 1503 DomitianAR Drachm, 3.22g
Rome mint (for Lycia), 95 AD
Obv: AYT KAIC ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: ЄTOYC IΔ YPATOY IZ; Two lyres with owl perched on top
RPC 1503 (2 spec.).
Ex Lanz, eBay, October 2017.
A small issue of drachms were struck by Domitian for Lycia in 95. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the home mint. These drachms were produced alongside Domitian's Roman style cistophori from the same year. Both issues share the same Macedonian silver content of 80% fineness. The drachms weighed about one third of a cistophorus and likely were valued accordingly. It is not known if the two denominations circulated together or separately. Because of the drachms similar weight and appearance with contemporary denarii, they appear in denarius hoards all over the empire and seemed to have circulated with them. Interestingly, this drachm has the traditional Lycian lyres along with Athena's owl, perhaps an appropriate nod to Domitian's favourite deity.
Old cabinet toning and fine late style.David Atherton
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RPC 1504 DomitianAR Drachm, 3.28g
Rome mint (for Lycia), 95 AD
Obv: AYT KAIC ΔOMITIANOC CЄBACTOC ΓЄPM; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: ЄTOYC IΔ YPATOY IZ; Caduceus between two lyres
RPC 1503 (5 spec.).
Acquired from Tom Vossen, June 2022.
A small issue of drachms were struck by Domitian for Lycia in 95. The style and six o'clock die axis point to Rome as the home mint. These drachms were produced alongside Domitian's Roman style cistophori from the same year. Both issues share the same Macedonian silver content of 80% fineness. The drachms weighed about one third of a cistophorus and likely were valued accordingly. It is not known if the two denominations circulated together or separately. Because of the drachms similar weight and appearance with contemporary denarii, they appear in denarius hoards all over the empire and seemed to have circulated with them. Several reverse designs were employed, this drachm featuring two lyres is one of the more common types struck for the issue.David Atherton
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Septimius Severus - Legionary Denarius overstruck on Pescennius NigerSeptimius Severus
Denarius
194 A.D.
Emesa(?)
Av.: IMP CAE L SEP SE - V PERT AVG COS - II / laureate head right
Rev.: LEG XIIII GE - M (M V), TR P COS in exergue / legionary eagle between two standards
2,57 Gr., 12 h die axis
RIC 397, Coh. 274
An interesting and rare overstrike on a denarius of Pescennius Niger.
You can see parts of the 'old' legend "CTOR" on the reverse.
Roger A. Bickford-Smith - The imperial mints in the east for Septimius Severus:
"[...] It appears that through the mint initially experimented with overstriking Pescennius Niger denarii, this was rapidly abandoned, presumably because oft the unacceptability of the possibility of a visible undertype. Known overstrikes are very rare, however, so there may have been a more practical reason such as weight or alloy control. [...]"nummis durensis
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Severus Alexander, cf. RIC 127 (limes denarius)Severus Alexander, AD 222-235
AE - Limes denarius, 2.9g, 19.5mm
obv. IMP CM AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG
Bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. AEQVI - TAS AVG
Aequitas, stg. l., holding scales and cornucopiae
cf. RIC IV/2, 127; cf. C.9
VF, gorgeous frosty green patina
Limes denarii resemble silver denarii, but they are AEs. They occur at the border of the Roman Empire most often in Severan times. Their function is not known for sure.
A new scientific opinon (Vienna) suggests that only bronzes are limes falsa never denarii! If this is true this coin is only an ancient forgery!Jochen
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Titus as Caesar RIC II V1562Titus as Caesar. 69-79 A.D. AR Denarius. Antioch Mint 72-73 A.D. (3.45g, 17.0mm, 6h ). Obv: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT, laureate bust right, draped. Rev: Palm tree; to left, Titus standing right with spear and parazonium, foot on helmet; to r., Judaea std. r. RIC II V1562, BMC V518, RSC 392, RPC 1934.
A Judea Capta reverse commemorating the Flavians’ greatest victory. While listed as common, this type from Antioch is difficult to find in trade. This example has a tight flan, but a heavy weight. Like the other Eastern mints issuing Flavian denarii, Antioch operated early and for a short time. Lucas H
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Two Captives-and-Trophy: Julius Caesar Denarius & the Beginning of a MotifRoman Republican/Imperatorial. Julius Caesar (Dictator, 49-44 BC). AR Denarius (3.70g, 20mm, 12h). Spain, 46/45 BC.
Obv: Head of Venus to right, wearing stephane; Cupid behind shoulder. Rev: Trophy of Gallic arms, composed of helmet & cuirass, oval shield & two carnyxes. Two Gallic captives seated at base, to left, a female (Gallia) in posture of mourning, head resting in r. hand; to right, a bearded male (Vercingetorix), hands bound behind him, looking to l. CAESAR in exergue. Ref: Craw 468/1; CRI 58; RSC 13; Syd 1014. Prov: Ex-Tauler y Fau 70 (Madrid, 24 Nov 2020) Lot 79.
Notes: The rev. figures are traditionally identified as those portrayed on the pair of Hostilius Saserna AR Denarii, c. 48 BC, depicting Gallia and Vercingetorix.
This coin became the archetype for Roman numismatic depictions of captives for the next 400 years.Curtis JJ
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Vandals: Gelimer (530-534) AR 50 Denarii, Carthage (MEC-26; MIB-12)Obv: D•N REX GELIMIR; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: DN over L within wreath
Quant.Geek
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Vandals: Gunthamund (484-496) AR 50 Denarii, Carthage (MEC 8-10; MIB-3)Obv: DN RX GVNTHA; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: D•N within wreath. Quant.Geek
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Vandals: Gunthamund (484-496) AR 50 Denarii, Carthage (MEC 8-10; MIB-3)Obv: DN RX GVNTHA; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: D•N within wreath. Quant.Geek
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Vandals: Thrasamund (496-523) AR 50 Denarii, Carthage (MEC-16; MIB-7)Obv: DN RG TRASAMVS; diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
Rev: DN within wreath
Quant.Geek
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Vespasian RIC II 0546Vespasian. 69-79 A.D. Rome Mint. 73 A.D. ( 2.92g, 18.8m, 12h). Obv: IMP CAES VESP AVG CENS, laureate head right. Rev: PONTIF MAXIM (anit-clockwise), Vespasian seated right on curule chair, with sceptre and branch. RIC II 546, BMC 98, RSC 387. Ex. CNG.
This type is very common, but new in 73 A.D. Mid-way through 73 A.D, the legend direction switched on Flavian denarii, and this was one of the first issued with the right to left outward direction. Carradice and Buttrey note this type closely copies Tiberius’ seated figure type, the so called “Tribute Penny.” This issue also has the unusual 12 o’clock die axis.Lucas H
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[318apo] Apollonia, Illyria, Greece, c. 200 - 80 B.C.Silver drachm, BMC 39, VF, Apollonia mint, 3.052g, 17.4mm, 180o, c. 200 - 80 B.C.; Obverse: XENOKLHS, cow left, head turned, suckling calf right; Reverse: APOL / CAI-RH-NOS, double stellate pattern, within a slightly curved double linear square. Ex FORVM.
"This type circulated alongside, and presumably at parity with, Roman Republican denarii," Joe Sermarini, FORVM.
Apollonia in Illyria (modern Albania), known as Apollonia (Aπολλωνία κατ' Επίδαμνον or Απολλωνία προς Επιδάμνω), was located on the right bank of the Aous, the ruins of which are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojan (Pojani). It was founded in 588 BC by Greek colonists from Kerkyra (Corfu) and Corinth, and was perhaps the most important of the several classical towns known as Apollonia (Απολλωνία). The site was already used by Corinthian traders and the Taulantii, an Illyrian tribe, who remained closely involved with the settlement for centuries and lived alongside the Greek colonists. The city was said to have originally been named Gylaceia after Glyax, its founder, but the name was later changed to honour the god Apollo.
Apollonia flourished under Roman rule and was noted by Cicero in his Philippics as magna urbs et gravis, a great and important city.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollonia,_Illyria
Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.Cleisthenes
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