Classical Numismatics Discussion - Members' Coin Gallery
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. Share Your Collection With Your Friends And With The World!!! A FREE Service Provided By Forum Ancient Coins No Limit To The Number Of Coins You Can Add - More Is Better!!! Is Your Coin The Best Of Type? Add It And Compete For The Title Have You Visited An Ancient Site - Please Share Your Photos!!! Use The Members' Coin Gallery As A Reference To Identify Your Coins Please Visit Our Shop And Find A Coin To Add To Your Gallery Today!!!

Member Collections | Members' Gallery Home | Login | Album list | Last uploads | Last comments | Most viewed | Top rated | My Favorites | Search
Image search results - "lead"
aalead01DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead02mm16DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead03mm15DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead04mm14DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead05mm16DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead06mm16DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead08mm14DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead09DaR.jpg
Rugser
aalead11mm12DaR.jpg
Rugser
aasleadmm12.JPG
Rugser
aasleadtessCF0081.JPG
Rugser
aasleadtessCF0084.JPG
Rugser
ACR-892A.jpg
GUPTA: Skandagupta, ca. 455-480, lead square unit (2.45g), cf. Pieper-892/893, facing Garuda standing on snake-like object / Brahmi legend, with extra Brahmi legend below, chakra and uncertain object aboveQuant.Geek
ACR-892.jpg
GUPTA: Skandagupta, ca. 455-480, lead square unit (2.32g), cf. Pieper-892/893, facing Garuda standing on snake-line object / Brahmi legend, with extra Brahmi legend aboveQuant.Geek
KING_EDWARD_IV.JPG
EDWARD IV
Edward IV was King of England from March 1461 to October 1470, and again from April 1471 until his sudden death in 1483. He was the first Yorkist King of England. The first half of his rule was marred by the violence associated with the Wars of the Roses, but he overcame the Lancastrian challenge to the throne at Tewkesbury in 1471 and there were no further rebellions in England during the rest of his reign.
In 1475, Edward declared war on France, landing at Calais in June. However, his ally Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, failed to provide any significant military assistance leading Edward to undertake negotiations with the French, with whom he came to terms under the Treaty of Picquigny. France provided him with an immediate payment of 75,000 crowns and a yearly pension of 50,000 crowns, thus allowing him to "recoup his finances". Edward also backed an attempt by Alexander Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany and brother of King James III of Scotland, to take the Scottish throne in 1482. Edward's younger brother, the Duke of Gloucester (and future King Richard III) led an invasion of Scotland that resulted in the capture of Edinburgh and the Scottish king himself. Alexander Stewart, however, reneged on his agreement with Edward. The Duke of Gloucester then withdrew from his position in Edinburgh, though he did retain Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Edward became subject to an increasing number of ailments when his health began to fail and he fell fatally ill at Easter in 1483. He survived long enough though to add some codicils to his will, the most important being to name his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester as Protector after his death. He died on 9th April 1483 and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. He was succeeded first by his twelve-year-old son Edward V of England, who was never crowned, and then by his brother who reigned as Richard III.
It is not known what actually caused Edward's death. Pneumonia, typhoid and poison have all been conjectured, but some have attributed his death to an unhealthy lifestyle because he had become stout and inactive in the years before his death.
*Alex
JAMES_IV.JPG
JAMES IV OF SCOTLAND
James IV was the King of Scotland from June 1488 until his death in battle at the age of 40 on the 9th September, 1513.
James IV's mother, Margaret of Denmark, was more popular than his father, James III, and though somewhat estranged from her husband she raised their sons at Stirling Castle until she died in 1486. Two years later, a rebellion broke out, where the rebels set up the 15-year-old Prince James as their nominal leader. The rebels fought James III at the Battle of Sauchieburn where, on 11th June 1488, the king was killed. Prince James assumed the throne as James IV and was crowned at Scone on 24th of June. However he continued to bear an intense guilt for the indirect role which he had played in the death of his father.
James maintained Scotland's traditional good relations with France, and this occasionally created diplomatic problems with England, but James recognised nonetheless that peace between Scotland and England was in the interest of both countries, and established good diplomatic relations with England as well. First he ratified the Treaty of Ayton in 1497, then, in 1502 James signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace with Henry VII which was sealed by his marriage to Henry's daughter Margaret Tudor the next year. Anglo-Scottish relations generally remained stable until the death of Henry VII in 1509.
James saw the importance of building a fleet that could provide Scotland with a strong maritime presence, he founded two new dockyards and acquired a total of 38 ships for the Royal Scots Navy. These including the "Great Michael" which, built at great expense, was launched in 1511 and was at that time the largest ship in the world.
When war broke out between England and France, James found himself in a difficult position as an ally by treaty to both countries. But relations with England had worsened since the accession of Henry VIII, and when Henry invaded France, James reacted by declaring war on England.
James sent the Scottish navy, including the "Great Michael", to join the ships of Louis XII of France and, hoping to take advantage of Henry's absence at the siege of Thérouanne, he himself led an invading army southward into Northumberland. However, on 9th September 1513 at the disastrous Battle of Flodden James IV was killed, he was the last monarch in Great Britain to be killed in battle. His death, along with many of his nobles including his son the archbishop of St Andrews, was one of the worst military defeats in Scotland's history and the loss of such a large portion of the political community was a major blow to the realm. James IV's corpse was identified after the battle and taken to Berwick, where it was embalmed and placed in a lead coffin before being transported to London. Catherine of Aragon, wife of Henry VIII, sent the dead king's slashed, blood-stained surcoat to Henry, who was fighting in France, with the recommendation that he use it as a war banner.
James IV's son, James V, was crowned three weeks after the disaster at Flodden, but he was not yet two years old, and his minority was to be fraught with political upheaval.
*Alex
HENRY_VI_from__National_portrait_gallery.JPG
HENRY VI
Henry VI was King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. The only child of Henry V, he succeeded to the English throne at the age of nine months when his father died.
This was during the period of the long-running Hundred Years' War (1337 - 1453) and Henry is the only English monarch to also have been crowned King of France (as Henri II), in 1431. During his early reign several people were ruling for him and by the time Henry was declared fit to rule in 1437 he found his realm in a difficult position, faced with setbacks in France and divisions among the nobility at home. Henry is described as timid, shy, passive, well intentioned, and averse to warfare and violence; he was also at times mentally unstable. Partially in the hope of achieving peace, Henry married the ambitious and strong-willed Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The peace policy failed and the war recommenced with France taking the upper hand such that by 1453 Calais was Henry's only remaining territory on the continent.
With Henry effectively unfit to rule, Queen Margaret took advantage of the situation to make herself an effective power behind the throne. Starting around 1453 Henry began suffering a series of mental breakdowns and tensions mounted between Margaret and Richard of York, not only over control of the incapacitated king's government, but over the question of succession to the throne. Civil war broke out in 1459, leading to a long period of dynastic conflict, now known as the Wars of the Roses. Henry was deposed on 29th March 1461 after a crushing defeat at the Battle of Towton by Richard of York's son, who took the throne as Edward IV. Margaret continuing to resist Edward, but Henry was captured by Edward's forces in 1465 and imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Queen Margaret, who was first exiled in Scotland and then in France, was still determined to win back the throne on behalf of her husband and son. So, when Edward IV fell out with two of his main supporters, Richard Neville the Earl of Warwick and George the Duke of Clarence, Margaret formed a secret alliance with them backed by Louis XI of France. Warwick returned with an army to England, forced Edward IV into exile, and restored Henry VI to the throne on 30th October 1470, though Henry's position was nominal as Warwick and Clarence effectively ruled in his name.
But Henry's return to the throne lasted less than six months. Warwick overreached himself by declaring war on Burgundy, whose ruler responded by giving Edward IV the assistance he needed to win back his throne by force. Edward retook power in 1471, killing Warwick at the Battle of Barnet and Henry's only son at the Battle of Tewkesbury. Henry was again imprisoned in the Tower where, during the night of 21st May he died, possibly killed on Edward's orders.
*Alex
01345q00.jpg
INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Deccan). Kuras of Kolhapur and Belgaum. Vasisthiputra Kura, circa 30 BC-AD 65/70. Unit (Lead, 30 mm, 16.53 g). RANO VASITHIPUTASA KURASA (in Brahmi) Bow with arrow. Rev. Tree in railing; to left, hill; to right, Indradhvaja. Pieper 615. Very rare. Good fine.
Quant.Geek
Pieper-2765.jpg
INDIA, Post-Mauryan (Deccan). Ishvakus. Mathariputra Sri Vira Purishadatta, circa 250-270. Unit (Lead, 15 mm, 3.31 g). SIRI VIRA (in Brahmi) Elephant with raised trunk standing to right. Rev. Four-orbed Ujjain Symbol. Pieper 723. Rare and unusually attractive. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.
Quant.Geek
01275q00.jpg
INDO-SKYTHIANS, Western Satraps. Nahapana, circa 53-99. Unit (Lead, 26 mm, 7.35 g, 6 h). RAJNO MAHAKHATAPASA NAHAPANASA (in Brahmi) Lion to left with upraised tail; to left, plough standard; below, three-arched hill. Rev. Large spear flanked by thunderbolt and small bow with arrow. Pieper 827. Minor deposits, otherwise, fine.
Quant.Geek
JUSTINIAN_I_Quarter_Siliqua_28120_Nummi29.JPG
JUSTINIAN I, AR 120 Nummi, struck 552 - 565 at Rome or RavennaObverse: D N IVSTINIANVS P P AVG Diademed bust of Justinian I facing right, wearing robe ornamented with a row of pellets.
Reverse: Large P•K enclosed within wreath.
Diameter: 11mm | Weight: 0.67gms | Die Axis: 6
SBCV: 317 (Rome) | DOC: 336.3 (Ravenna) | MIB: 76 (Rome) | Ranieri: 355 (Ravenna)
Very Rare

In 552 the Byzantine general Narses crossed the Apennines with an army of around 25,000 men and marched on Rome only to find himself blocked by a Gothic force, under their king Totila, near Taginae in central Italy. However, Narses deployed his army in the form of a crescent in a narrow mountain valley with his dismounted cavalry mercenaries placed as a phalanx in the centre and his flanks protected by a mixed force of archers he had sent to seize the dominant heights. The Goths opened the battle with a determined cavalry charge but were halted by the enfilading fire from both sides and fell back in disarray on to the Byzantine infantry which had curved round behind them. The Byzantine cataphracts then swept into the confused Gothic mass and more than 6,000 Goths, including their leader Totila, were killed. The remnants of the Gothic army fled and Narses proceeded to Rome, capturing the city after a brief siege. The following year Narses ambushed a combined Gothic force under King Teia and his brother Aligern. The Gothic force was crushed in a hopeless last stand south of Naples, Teia was killed in the fighting and, though Aligern escaped the battle, he surrendered a few months later, so ending the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy after 60 years of rule.
3 comments*Alex
boudicca_iceni_AR_unit.JPG
1st Century CE, IRON AGE BRITAIN, Tribe: Iceni, AR Unit, Struck c.60 - 61 under Boudica (Boadicea)Obverse: No legend. Abstract Celtic style head with slit for eye and no ear facing right. Three pellets below head, branch emblem behind neck.
Reverse: No legend. Celtic style horse facing right, lozenge-shaped box with pellets on outer corners below horse. Section of large elaborate wheel-like object above horse, pellet below horse's tail.
Class: Icenian O
Diameter: 14mm | Weight: 0.9gms | Axis: 10
Spink: 434

The first known recorded example of this coin was made by William Stukely, an English antiquarian whose ideas influenced various antiquaries throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Stukeley published over twenty books on archaeology and other subjects during his lifetime and he is regarded as an important forerunner of archaeology for his emphasis on methodically measuring and documenting ancient sites. He died of a stroke in early 1765.
The theory that this coinage was connected with Boudica was originally reported in 1987 and this was endorsed by R D Van Arsdell, an authority on the Celtic coinage of Britain, as Boudican in the 1990's. At the time though this was disputed by many in the numismatic community, some of whom continued to rely on older studies that lumped all "Face-Horse" coins together in a group dating before 20 CE.
However, John Talbot of the University of Oxford carried out research on these issues and, as his die-link and hoard work gradually progressed through the 1990's into the early twenty-first century, these coins were confirmed to be the final coinage of the Iceni. As Talbot's findings were only gradually revealed over a period of time, the accepted dating used in some dealer catalogues did not always keep up with the latest information. During his studies, Talbot discovered that coins from several die sets are only found in the Boudican Rebellion hoards. He also confirmed that these coins were struck in abnormally great numbers for any Icenian issue. But, because he was not certain that this was enough evidence to date the coins to 61 CE. he suggested only that they could have been struck any time after the Claudian Invasion of 43 CE.
Considering though that some die sets are known only from the Boudican Rebellion hoards, that it is still the case that these coins appear in uncirculated condition in the hoards, and that to date none of these coins have been found from secure contexts earlier than the time of the Boudican rebellion, it would appear that the 1987 report was essentially correct and these coins must have been struck nearer to the date of the Boudican Rebellion than earlier, possibly in connection with the financing of that rebellion. The conclusion now is that these coins can, with some confidence, be attributed to Boudica.


THE ICENI
The Iceni were a tribe located in eastern Britain during the Iron Age and the early Roman era. Their territory was bordered by the Corieltauvi to the west, and the Catuvellauni and Trinovantes to the south. In the Roman period, their capital was Venta Icenorum at modern-day Caistor St Edmund.
Julius Caesar did not mention the Iceni in his account of his invasions of Britain in 55 and 54 BC, though they may have been related to the Cenimagni, whom Caesar notes as living north of the River Thames at that time. The Iceni were a significant power in eastern Britain during Claudius I's conquest of Britain in AD 43, in which they allied with Rome. Increasing Roman influence on their affairs led to a revolt in AD 47, though they remained nominally independent under king Prasutagus up until his death around AD 60. Roman encroachment after Prasutagus' death led his wife Boudica to launch a major revolt from 60–61. Boudica's uprising seriously endangered Roman rule in Britain and resulted in the burning of Londinium and other cities. The Romans finally crushed the rebellion, and the Iceni were eventually incorporated into the Roman province.
Archaeological evidence of the Iceni includes torcs, which are heavy rings of gold, silver or electrum worn around the neck and shoulders. The Iceni began producing coins around 10 BC. Their coins were a distinctive adaptation of the Gallo-Belgic "face/horse" design, and in some early issues, most numerous near Norwich, the horse was replaced with a boar. Some coins are inscribed ECENI, making them the only coin-producing group to use their tribal name on coins. The earliest personal name to appear on coins is Antedios (about 10 BC), and other abbreviated names like AESU and SAEMU followed. The name of Prasutagus also appears on some coins as PRASTO.

QUEEN BOUDICA
Queen Boudica was married to Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni people of East Anglia. When the Romans conquered southern England in AD 43, they allowed Prasutagus to continue to rule. However, when Prasutagus died he left a will dividing his lands between the Roman emperor and his family. The Romans decided to rule the Iceni directly and confiscated all the king's property. When this was contested they are said to have stripped and flogged Boudica and raped her daughters. These actions exacerbated the widespread resentment at Roman rule.
In 60 or 61 AD, while the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paullinus was leading a campaign in North Wales, the Iceni rebelled, other tribes joined them, and Boudica led a major uprising against the occupying Roman forces.
Boudica's warriors defeated the Roman Ninth Legion and destroyed the then capital of Roman Britain, Camulodunum (Colchester). They then went on to destroy Londinium (London) and Verulamium (St Albans) killing thousands in the process. Finally, Boudica was defeated by a Roman army led by Paulinus. A great number of her army were killed and, though Boudica's fate is unknown, she is alleged to have either died in battle or poisoned herself to avoid capture. The site of the battle which brought an end to her uprising is also unknown.
The photograph below is of the Victorian statue of Boudica (Boadicea) situated on the Thames embankment in London.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE THEM
3 comments*Alex
DSC00228.JPG
Pompeii Temple of Jupiter StepsSteps leading up to the temple of JupiterJay GT4
leadweight10mm10mm9mm11_15g.jpg
Roman lead weight10mm/10mm/9mm
11.15g
plain all sides
wileyc
00017x00~1.jpg
SPAIN
PB Tessera (14mm, 2.62 g)
Fly, seen from above
Blank
Stannard, Evidence 26-7 = Stannard, Parallels 99-100; Minturnae 34-5

Found in Southern Spain

This type is found both in Baetica and in central Italy, at Minturnae, demonstrating the close economic ties between the two areas. Stannard notes numerous parallels in the lead tokens and unofficial bronze coinage in the two areas. He also sees a stylistic difference between issues of the two regions, but I have not personally seen enough specimens from both regions to say.
Ardatirion
00026x00~1.jpg
SPAIN
PB Tessera (12mm, 2.22 g)
ISI within beaded square cartouche
Blank
Unpublished

Found in Southern Spain

This is a part of a small group of leads of similar module that were found in Southern Spain. They appear to be distinct from the series described by Casariego et al and Stannard.
Ardatirion
00025x00~0.jpg
SPAIN
PB Tessera (13mm, 1.56 g)
Radiate [bearded?] head right
Blank
Unpublished

Found in Southern Spain

This is a part of a small group of small leads of similar module that were found in Southern Spain. They appear to be distinct from the series described by Casariego et al and Stannard.
Ardatirion
00034x00.jpg
ROME
PB (?) Tessera (24mm, 5.89 g, 2 h)
· FELICIA, counterclockwise around shield (perhaps a 3rd century oval scutum?)
Bundle of thunderbolts, S C flanking
Unpublished

The metal appears too light for lead and is perhaps pewter or some other alloy. Until the metal content is scientifically analyzed and found to be similar to other ancient objects, I remain unconvinced of it's authenticity.
Ardatirion
phallus1.JPG
ROME
PB Tessera (16mm, 2.92 g, 12 h)
Horse standing right; C above
Erect phallus; A V flanking
Rostovtsev -

Rostovtsev1 gathers into one group all tesserae depicting the phallus, various iterations of the word Amor, and the extremely rare pieces depicting sexual acts. He assumes that these pieces were entrance tickets to the Lupanaria, ancient brothels. This association has caused many scholars to refuse to accept tesserae as currency, as they feel that such crude themes would never have been depicted on currency. Thornton2, however, convincingly argues that, as Mercury is sometimes depicted as a herm, a statuary type consisting of a bust set on a square pedestal adorned with only genitalia, the phallus is in fact an emblem of the god in his guise as a fertility deity.


1. Rostovtzev, Mikhail. 1905. Römische Bleitesserae. Ed. C.F. Lehmann and E Kornemann. Beiträge z. Liepzig: Theodor Weicher.

2. Thornton, M. K. 1980. “The Roman Lead Tesserae : Observations on Two Historical Problems Author.” Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 29 3: 341-3
1 commentsArdatirion
tessera1.JPG
ROME
PB Tessera (18mm, 3.06 g, 12 h)
Isis standing left, holding sistrum and situla
IVE/NES
Rostovtsev -


The iuvenes were Roman educational organizations roughly analagous to modern American colleges. Mohler1 argues that, while their athletic program undoubtedly focused on parade and various other activities that relate to war, the group focused equally on education and athletics, rather than as a pseudo-military training program. Inscriptions survive in some theaters and arenas that note reserved seats for iuvenes, leading some to identify these pieces as entrance tickets. I feel they were more likely distributed at the various parades and processions for which the organizations were famous.

The iuvenes tokens are related to those of the sodales, composed of individuals not a part of the organization (younger or older men and women) who still actively supported it.

1. Mohler, S. L. (1937). The Iuvenes and Roman Education. Transactions and Proceedings of the American Philological Society, 68, 442–479.
Ardatirion
DSC_0192.jpg
ROME
PB Tessera (17mm, 3.92 g, 12 h)
C O within wreath
Palm frond; N I flanking
Rostowzew – (but cf. 544 for reverse); Gemini V, lot 843b = Blanton, "A Selection of Lead Tesserae with Games Related Types," in NI Bulletin vol. 45, no. 9/10, p. 146-147
Ardatirion
00008x00~2.jpg
THESSALY, Uncertain. Mid-late 4th century BC?
PB Tessera. By the Eurymenai/Atrax engraver?
Bearded head right
Schematic line (horse's leg right?)
Cf. BCD Thessaly 1024 and 1038 (for similar bearded heads)

From the BCD Collection

BCD suggests that these two matching specimens are the products of an itinerant engraver, who would have used similar lead strickings as a portfolio to present to the various polities of the region. They are not related to the comparatively more common lead pieces of Pherai (Rogers 287; BCD Thessaly I 1305).
Ardatirion
00007x00~2.jpg
THESSALY, Uncertain. Mid-late 4th century BC?
PB Tessera. By the Eurymenai/Atrax engraver?
Bearded head right
Schematic line (horse's leg right?)
Cf. BCD Thessaly 1024 and 1038 (for similar bearded heads)

From the BCD Collection

BCD suggests that these two matching specimens are the products of an itinerant engraver, who would have used similar lead strickings as a portfolio to present to the various polities of the region. They are not related to the comparatively more common lead pieces of Pherai (Rogers 287; BCD Thessaly I 1305).
Ardatirion
Lanz21.JPG
IONIA, Ephesos
PB Tessera (19mm, 4.90 g)
Togate figure standing left, sacrificing at altar before tholos containing cult statue
Blank
Gülbay & Kireç -; Hirsch 279, lot 4922

The engraver of this die betrays no small skill in his execution of the obverse type; the circular shrine is shown in perspective, with the columns arranged so as to suggest distance while still leaving room for the statue to be visible. I was surprised to find that another specimen of this type from different, though equally elegant dies had recently sold in a Hirsch auction, there misidentified as a “bleiplombe,” or lead seal.
1 commentsArdatirion
00005x00~7.jpg
EGYPT, Antinoöpolis
PB Tessera – Dichalkon
Draped bust of Antinous right, wearing hem-hem crown(?);[Δ]/I downward to left, X/A downward to right
Tyche standing right, holding rudder and cornucopia; [Λ/K] downwards to left, [O/N] downwards to right

This piece is extremely important for the study of lead tokens in Roman Egypt. The legend reads DIXALKON, normally a bronze denomination. Leads bearing denominational names are known from only a few specimens (see Köln 3502, for one such piece from Memphis), including one of this type in Dattari (Savio).
Ardatirion
anton.jpg
EGYPT, Uncertain
PB Seal (?) (21mm, 4.19g)
Dated year 3 of an uncertain era.
ANTWNINOV[KAITOVNY]
Hermes standing facing, nude, head left, disk or globe in right, caduceus in left; ibis at his feet; LΙΓ in left field
Traces of attached metal
Milne , “Egyptian Leaden Tokens” in NC 1930, p. 310 note 3; Milne -; Dattari (Savio) 6413; Köln -

With an old Galiere Antiker Kunst ticket.

Milne does not regard this piece as a token. The attached metal on the reverse is characteristic of certain types of lead seals.
Ardatirion
IMG_1361.JPG
UNITED STATES, Native proto-currency. Seneca tribe.
Ganounata village (Honeoye Falls, NY)
. Circa AD 1625-1687
White wampum beads (apx. 5mm, 0.10g each)
Carved white shell beads with lateral hole for suspension in belt
Cf. William Martin Beauchamp, Wampum and Shell Articles Used by the New York Indians, p. 369

Found at the Dann Farm site in Honeoye Falls, NY.


In 1687 combined French and Huron forces, lead by the Marquis de Denonville, set out to undermine the strength of the Iriquois Confederacy. The main strike was made against Seneca villages in Western New York. Ganounata was burned during the campaign. This episode was only one in a long line of conflicts fought over control of the North American fur trade.

Wampum was used by Native Americans in woven belts of white and black beads. The white beads were crafted from the columella of the Channeled Whelk, the black from the quahog. Traditionally, wampum belts were used as a ceremonial object to initiate a trade contract. It was only with the coming of the Europeans that wampum began to function as coinage. In 1673, New York state officially set the value of wampum at six white beads to the Dutch stuiver, or three black until they fell out of use.
Ardatirion
973330.jpg
BRITISH TOKENS, Tudor. temp. Mary–Edward VI.1553-1558.
PB Token (27mm, 5.29 g). St. Nicholas (‘Boy Bishop’) type. Cast in East Anglia (Bury St. Edmund’s?)
Mitre, croizer to right; all within border
Long cross pattée with trefoils in angles; scrollwork border
Rigold, Tokens class X.B, 1; Mitchiner & Skinner group Ra, 1

Ex Classical Numismatic Review XXXIX.1 (Spring 2014), no. 973330

Britain in the late middle ages played host to a popular regional variant of the ‘Feast of Fools’ festival. Every year on the feast of St. Nicholas, a boy was elected from among the local choristers to serve as ‘bishop.’ Dressed in mitre and bearing the croizer of his office, the young boy paraded through the city accompanied by his equally youthful ‘priest’ attendants. The ‘bishop’ performed all the ceremonies and offices of the real bishop, save for the actual conducting of mass. Though this practice was extinguished with the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, it was briefly revived under Queen Mary, who took particular interest in the festival, when the lucky boy was referred to as ‘Queen Mary’s Child.’ The celebration of the boy bishop died out completely early in the reign of Elizabeth.

Evidence of this custom is particularly prevalent in East Anglia, specifically at Bury St. Edmunds. Beginning in the late 15th century, the region produced numerous lead tokens bearing the likeness of a bishop, often bearing legends relating to the festival of St. Nicholas. Issued in sizes roughly corresponding to groats, half groats, and pennies, these pieces were undoubtedly distributed by the boy bishop himself, and were likely redeemable at the local abbey or guild for treats and sweetmeats. Considering the endemic paucity of small change in Britain at the time, it is likely that, at least in parts of East Anglia, these tokens entered circulation along with the other private lead issues that were becoming common.
Ardatirion
00016x00.jpg
UNCERTAIN
PB Tessera (14mm, 3.62 g, 12 h)
Pilei of the Dioscuri
Caduceus; LLL(?) to left

This piece is significantly thicker than expected for a small coin of the Roman era. There is a possibility this is an unpublished Hellenistic lead denomination.
Ardatirion
pepin-saint-denis.JPG
D.892 Pepin the Brief (denier, Saint-Denis?)Pepin the Brief, king of the Franks (751-768)
Denier, Saint-Denis ? (751-768)

Silver, 1.22 g, 16 mm diameter, die axis 11 h

O/ RP under a bar; pellets in the field
R/ ΛVT / TRΔ / NO

RP on the obverse means Rex Pippinus, or maybe PiPpinus Rex (the first R would then have to be read twice, the first time as a P).
The reverse is more intricate. First, the mint was identified as Antrain in Brittany. However, a lead slab has been found in Saint-Denis, on which similiar dies had been tested. As a consequence these deniers may have been minted in Saint-Denis monastery. However the legend on the reverse is still unclear (name of a moneyer, abbreviation of a latine phrase ?).
charles2-denier-rexfr-melle.JPG
D.606 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.35 g, 20.5 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CΛRLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +METVLLO; carolingian monogram

The KRLS monogram was first introduced by Charles' great father, Charles the Great (Charlemagne). Charlemagne's son (Louis the Pious) never used a monogram, contrary to most carolingian rulers as Charles the Bald in particular.

This is the second most common carolingian coin.

Charlemagne minted exactly similar coins (Class 3). The question of the attribution to Charles the Great or the Bald has of course been widely discussed on grounds of style, weight, composition (work of Guillaume Sarah), position of the legend... These studies didn't lead to any clear conclusion although these deniers may often be attributed to Charlemagne. New hoards have to be found to resolve this issue.
By then, these coins have to be attributed to Charles the Bald by reason of the relative number of minted coins.
lg004_quad_sm.jpg
"As de Nîmes" or "crocodile" Ӕ dupondius of Nemausus (9 - 3 BC), honoring Augustus and AgrippaIMP DIVI F , Heads of Agrippa (left) and Augustus (right) back to back, Agrippa wearing rostral crown and Augustus the oak-wreath / COL NEM, crocodile right chained to palm-shoot with short dense fronds and tip right; two short palm offshoots left and right below, above on left a wreath with two long ties streaming right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Agrippa had several children through his three marriages. Through some of his children, Agrippa would become ancestor to many subsequent members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He has numerous other legacies.
Yurii P
mt_gerizim.jpg
(0218) ELAGABALUS218-222 AD
AE 21.5 mm max; 9.99 g.
O: Laureate bust right.
R: Mount Gerizim with colonnade and steps leading to temple.
Samaria, Neapolis
laney
sev_alex_caesarea_ad_libanum.jpg
(0222) SEVERUS ALEXANDERIssued 221-222 AD (as Caesar, struck under Elagabalus)
AE 23 mm; 9.93 g
O: Radiate head right
R: Tetrastyle tripartite temple of Astarte; Astarte stands in middle section, facing, holding standard in right hand with left foot set on prow; Nike stands on cippus to Astarte's right, crowning her; river god beneath, swimming right; outside staircases lead to the side-wings; in the left wing goddess with kalathos stands facing between two animals; in the right wing female figure stands facing.
BMC 110, 9; Lindgren II, 1321, 2288 (Rare)
Phoenicia, Caesarea ad Libanum
laney
constantius_ii_hut_res.jpg
(0324) CONSTANTIUS II324 - 337 AD as Caesar
337 - 361 AD as Augustus
struck ca 348 - 361 AD
AE 20 X 21 mm 4.08 g
O: D N CONSTANTIVS P F AVG bust left holding globe
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO helmeted soldier walking right, with head left, leading young barbarian out of hut; tree behind.
laney
constans_hut_res.jpg
(0333) CONSTANS333 - 337 (as Caesar)
337 - 350 AD (as Augustus)
struck ca. 348-350 AD.
AE2 Centenionalis 22.mm 4.02 g
O: DN CONSTANS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO, soldier advancing right, head left, holding spear pointed downwards between legs, leading small bare-headed figure from hut beneath a tree
CONSB in exe., Constantinople
1 commentslaney
constans_ft_hut_res.jpg
(0333) CONSTANS333 - 337 (as Caesar)
337 - 350 AD (as Augustus)
AE 22 mm, 3.55 g
O: CONSTANS P F AVG Diademed draped cuirassed bust left, holding globe
R: FEL TEMP REPARATIO Soldlier holding spear and leading figure from hut beneath gree
Heraclea mint
laney
Janus119BCCrawford281_1.jpg
(500a) Roman Republic, 119 BC, M. Furius Philius - Furia 18Roman Republic, 119 BC, M. Furius Philius - Furia 18. Crawford 281/1, Sydenham 529; 19mm, 3.23 grams. aVF, Rome; Obverse: laureate head of Janus, M FORVRI L F around; Reverse: Roma standing left erecting trophy, Galic arms around, PHLI in exergue. Ex Ephesus Numismatics.

Gauis Marius
As a novus homo, or new man, Marius found the rise in the Roman cursus honorum ( "course of honours"-- the sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians in the Roman Republic) a daunting challenge. It is certain that he used his old family client contacts and his military relations as a source of support. Among these contacts were the powerful Metelli family, and their early support was to prove to be a disaster for them. Just a few short years after his service as Quaestor, Marius was elected Tribune of the Plebes in 119 BC. In this position so soon after the political turmoil and murder of the Gracchi brothers (Gaius murdered 123 BC), Marius chose to follow the populares path, making a name for himself under similar auspices. As Tribune, he would ensure the animosity of the conservative faction of the Senate, and the Metelli, by passing popular laws forbidding the inspection of ballot boxes. In do doing, he directly opposed the powerful elite, who used ballot inspection as a way to intimidate voters in the citizen assembly elections.

Marius would go on to be elected Consul seven times and figure prominantly in the civil unrest of the early eighties as Lucius Cornelius Sulla's opponent. In 88 BC, Sulla had been elected Consul. There was now a choice before the Senate about which general to send to Asia (a potentially lucrative command): either Marius or Sulla. The Senate chose Sulla, but soon the Assembly appointed Marius. In this unsavory episode of low politics, Marius had been helped by the unscrupulous actions of Publius Sulpicius Rufus, whose debts Marius had promised to erase. Sulla refused to acknowledge the validity of the Assembly's action.

Sulla left Rome and traveled to "his"army waiting in Nola, the army the Senate had asked him to lead to Asia. Sulla urged his legions to defy the Assembly's orders and accept him as their rightful leader. Sulla was successful, and the legions murdered the representatives from the Assembly. Sulla then commanded six legions to march with him opon Rome and institute a civil war.

This was a momentous event, and was unforeseen by Marius, as no Roman army had ever marched upon Rome—it was forbidden by law and ancient tradition.

Sulla was to eventually rule Rome as Dictator. In his book Rubicon, historian Tom Holland argues that Sulla's actions had no lasting negative effect upon the health of the Republic, that Sulla was at heart a Republican. However, once a Roman general has defied Republican tradition, once a Roman general has used his command to combat fellow Romans, once a Roman general has set-up himself as Dictator--it follows that the decision to replicate these decsions (think: Caesar and Rubicon) is that much more easiely taken.

J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.





Cleisthenes
Larissa_Drachm_Larissa_L_Horse_Prance_R.jpg
00098 Larissa Profile Left, Horse Prancing RightThessaly Greece, the City of Larissa

Obv: [ΛAPlΣA in small letters l. and up], head of Larissa facing l., hair bound at top of head, triple drop earring, pearl necklace. All within a border of dots.
Rev: Bridled horse with tail in an upright curl prancing r. on ground line, ΛAP above, I in front of horse’s head, ΣAI down and in front, ΩN up and behind.
Denomination: silver drachm; Mint: Larissa; Date: c. 370 - 360 BC1; Weight: 5.78g; Diameter: 19mm: Die axis: 330º; References, for example: Hermann Group V, pl. IV, 16; Liampi 1992, 25; Lorber 2008, pl. 45, 100; BCD Thessaly I 1133; BCD Thessaly II 183; HGC 4, 448.

Notes:
1This date range fits within BCD Thessaly I and II, Lorber 2008, and HGC 4.

Despite the absence of ΛAPlΣA in tiny letters in front of Larissa’s head (with 25x magnification I can detect what are perhaps very, very faint indications of parts of the legend), the shape of the mouth, the chin, and the stray lock of hair in front of Larissa’s forehead lead me to determine that this is an example of BCD Thessaly I 1133 and II 183 and not 1134 and 184 respectively. Thus, this is an example of, per BCD Thessaly I and Lorber 2008, Larissa’s profile in the style of Euainetos at Syracuse.

Provenance: Ex. CNG Electronic Auction 505 December 1, 2021 Lot 124, from the Sigmund collection.

Photo Credits: CNG

CLICK FOR SOURCES




4 commentsTracy Aiello
image~20.jpg
000a. L. Sulla and L. Manlius ToruatusL. Sulla and L. Manlius Torquatus. 82 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.89 g, 7h). Military mint moving with Sulla. Helmeted head of Roma right / Sulla driving triumphal quadriga right, holding branch and reins, being crowned by Victory flying left. Crawford 367/5; Sydenham 757 or 757a; Manlia 4 or 5. Near VF, toned, a few light scratches on the obverse.

From the Elwood Rafn Collection.

As consul for the year 88 BC, Sulla was awarded the coveted assignment of suppressing the revolt of Mithradates VI of Pontus, but political maneuvers resulted in this assignment being transferred to Marius. In response, Sulla turned his army on Rome, captured it, and reclaimed his command against Mithradates. His prosecution of the first Mithradatic War was successful, but he spared the Pontic king for personal gain. In 83 BC, Sulla returned to Italy as an outlaw, but he was able to win the support of many of the leading Romans. Within a year, he fought his way to Rome, where he was elected dictator. It was during this campaign to Rome that this denarius was struck. The obverse type represents Sulla's claim to be acting in Rome's best interest. The reverse shows Sulla enjoying the highest honor to which a Roman could aspire: the celebration of a triumph at Rome.
ecoli
coins2.JPG
000c. Sextus PompeySextus Pompeius Magnus Pius, in English Sextus Pompey, was a Roman general from the late Republic (1st century BC). He was the last focus of opposition to the second triumvirate.

Sextus Pompeius was the youngest son of Pompey the Great (Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus) by his third wife, Mucia Tertia. His older brother was Gnaeus Pompeius, from the same mother. Both boys grew up in the shadow of their father, one of Rome's best generals and originally non-conservative politician who drifted to the more traditional faction when Julius Caesar became a threat.

When Caesar crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC, thus starting a civil war, Sextus' older brother Gnaeus followed their father in his escape to the East, as did most of the conservative senators. Sextus stayed in Rome in the care of his stepmother, Cornelia Metella. Pompey's army lost the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC and Pompey himself had to run for his life. Cornelia and Sextus met him in the island of Mytilene and together they fled to Egypt. On the arrival, Sextus watched his father being killed by treachery on September 29 of the same year. After the murder, Cornelia returned to Rome, but in the following years Sextus joined the resistance against Caesar in the African provinces. Together with Metellus Scipio, Cato the younger, his brother Gnaeus and other senators, they prepared to oppose Caesar and his army to the end.

Caesar won the first battle at Thapsus in 46 BC against Metellus Scipio and Cato, who committed suicide. In 45 BC, Caesar managed to defeat the Pompeius brothers in the battle of Munda. Gnaeus Pompeius was executed, but young Sextus escaped once more, this time to Sicily.

Back in Rome, Julius Caesar was murdered on the Ides of March (March 15) 44 BC by a group of senators led by Cassius and Brutus. This incident did not lead to a return to normality, but provoked yet another civil war between Caesar's political heirs and his assassins. The second triumvirate was formed by Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus, with the intention of avenging Caesar and subduing all opposition. Sextus Pompeius in Sicily was certainly a rebellious man, but the Cassius and Brutus faction was the second triumvirate's first priority. Thus, with the whole island as his base, Sextus had the time and resources to develop an army and, even more importantly, a strong navy operated by Sicilian marines.

Brutus and Cassius lost the twin battles of Philippi and committed suicide in 42 BC. After this, the triumvirs turned their attentions to Sicily and Sextus.

But by this time, Sextus was prepared for strong resistance. In the following years, military confrontations failed to return a conclusive victory for either side and in 39 BC, Sextus and the triumvirs signed for peace in the Pact of Misenum. The reason for this peace treaty was the anticipated campaign against the Parthian Empire. Antony, the leader, needed all the legions he could get so it was useful to secure an armistice in the Sicilian front. The peace did not last for long. Octavian and Antony's frequent quarrels were a strong political motivation for resuming the war against Sextus. Octavian tried again to conquer Sicily, but he was defeated in the naval battle of Messina (37 BC) and again in August 36 BC. But by then, Octavian had Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a very talented general, on his side. Only a month afterwards, Agrippa destroyed Sextus' navy off Naulochus cape. Sextus escaped to the East and, by abandoning Sicily, lost all his base of support.

Sextus Pompeius was caught in Miletus in 35 BC and executed without trial (an illegal act since Sextus was a Roman citizen) by order of Marcus Titius, Antony's minion. His violent death would be one of the weapons used by Octavian against Antony several years later, when the situation between the two became unbearable.

Sicilian Mint
Magn above laureate Janiform head
PIVS above, IMP below, prow of galley right
Sear RCV 348, RPC 671, Sydenham 1044a, Cohen 16
43-36 BC

Check
ecoli
2pomp~0.jpg
001b. Pompey MagnusPompey was considered to be the premier general of his day. He initially was an ally with Julius Caesar, in part cemented by the marriage of Pompey to Caesar's daughter Julia. The two then broke, however, with Pompey siding with the optimates (the wealthy faction) against Caesar, with his populist leadership. During the civil war following Caesar’s invasion of Rome, Pompey was decisively defeated at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. He fled to Egypt, where he was murdered, much to Caesar’s displeasure.

Coin: Cn Pompeius Magnus. Denarius, 48 BC. 17mm, 3.58 g. Terentius Varro, proquaestor. Uncertain Greek mint. Obv: VARRO PRO Q, bust of Jupiter Terminus right. Rev: MAGN PRO COS in two lines in exergue. Vertical scepter, with dolphin to left and eagle to right. Cr447/1a, Syd 1033, RSC 3, Pompeia 7. Triskeles Auction 28, Lot 261.
lawrence c
octavian~1.jpg
001j. Octavian001j. Octavian
Great-nephew of Julius Caesar, who named him as heir in his will. Octavian used this de facto legitimacy to maneuver for power. In 43 BC he, Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar. The Triumvirate began proscriptions in which over 2,000 (mostly wealthy) Romans were branded as traitors, deprived of their property, and either executed or driven into exile. This served both to eliminate enemies, and to fill the coffers of the three. Following their victory at the Battle of Philippi (42 BC), the Triumvirate divided the Roman Republic among themselves and ruled as de facto dictators. The Triumvirate collapsed, and Octavian and Antony eventually fell into all-out war. Primarily due to the military leadership of Agrippa, Octavian won the war, with the decisive victory at Actium in 31 BC. Although Octavian made displays of personal bravery on several occasions, he demonstrated little aptitude for generalship. Octavian then consolidated his power in Rome. A note on naming: he was born Gaius Octavius; after Julius Caesar's death, Octavian insisted on being called Caesar. It was primarily his opponents who continued to call him Octavian. It is now primarily a matter of convenience to use the name Octavian for him in the pre-Augustus period prior to 27 BC.

Coin: Summer 37 BC. AR Denarius (18.5mm, 3.68 g, 12h). Mint in southern or central Italy. Bare head right, wearing beard / Emblems of the augurate and pontificate: simpulum, aspergillum, guttus, and lituus. Crawford 538/1; CRI 312; Sydenham 1334; RSC 91; RBW 1826. From the Kalevala Collection. Ex Bacchus Collection (Heritage 61175, 25 October 2020), lot 97135. CNG Triton XXVII – Session 5, Lot 5665 (17 Jan 2024)
1 commentslawrence c
mark_antony.jpg
001k. Mark AntonyA partisan for Julius Caesar, who later formed the Second Triumvirate with Octavian and Lepidus. Antony probably was a better politician than soldier. His campaign against Parthia was a debacle. Frequent political conflicts with Octavian, ultimately leading to all-out war between the forces of the two. This culminated with the battle of Actium in 31 BC. After losing, Antony committed suicide. He is a particularly difficult historical figure to assess, given that most of the sources for his actions were written by supporters of Augustus. An interesting contrarian view of the relative virtues of Antony and Octavian is Syme, Ronald (1939). The Roman Revolution. Oxford: Clarendon. Although an older book, it remains available and worth reading for a different perspective.

Coin: AR Denarius. Ephesus mint, 41 BC. M. Barbatius Pollio, moneyer. Obv: M ANT. IMP AVG III VIR. R. PC. M. BARBAT Q P, bare head of Antony right
Rev: CAESAR. IMP. PONT. III. VIR. R. P. C., bare head of Octavian right, in slight beard. Cr517/2
lawrence c
eric-1-iii.jpg
003 Eric Haraldsson "Bloodaxe"Penny of Eric, king of Norway 932-934 and York 947-948 and 952-954
English issue as king of Jorvik
Moneyer: Ingelgar
Mint: probably York
Sword type
S.1030

A fragment of a penny of Eric Haraldsson, remembered to history by his nicknames "Bloodaxe" and "Brother-bane". Eric was probably the son of Harald, first king of Norway. His early life is described in the Norwegian sagas, written much later, and certainly with embellishment. He feuded with his half-brothers, and probably killed at least one or two of them. He succeeded his father in 932 as king of Norway, but was an unpopular ruler and ultimately deposed in favor of his brother Haakon. Eric left to live the good Viking life for a time, raiding in the North Sea. During this time, a Viking kingdom in York was slowly in decline due to the actions by the West Saxons, and with the defeat of Anlaf Guthfrithsson in 937, Viking York seemed likely to be integrated into the Saxon realm. However, Aethelstan's premature death in 939, his young successor was unable to consolidate the gains, and Viking York lived on, though in a diminished capacity. It should be remembered that Northumbria was something of a sideshow for its Viking leaders, who were kings in Ireland as well. Conflict between Vikings and English would continue, until a new player joined in- Malcolm, king of the Scots. The Scots started raiding Viking York, leading to even further weakening and the removal of Anlaf Sihtricsson, the new Viking king.

Eventually, Eric would find his way to Northumbria, where he would be made king in 947. This was not ok with the English Saxons, who believed they had overlordship of this region. King Eadred invaded and kicked out Eric and company. Eric's first reign would last only a year or so.

However, Eric was nothing if not tenacious. After his removal, the Saxons lost interest and things in York started to fall apart. Anlaf Sihtricsson, came back from Ireland to take charge again. Eric subsequently returned to the scene, defeated the Scots, kicked out Anlaf (again), and became king of York a second time.

It is thought that this sword coinage is from Eric's second reign, and hearkens back to old Northumbrian coinage in the name of Sihtric and St. Peter that also features the sword.

Eric's time was finally running out though. In 954 he was killed, likely in battle against England. Ultimately, he was the last of the Viking kings of York. Northumbria was finally absorbed into the English realm.

Eric's story is well recorded in the sagas, and there are a number of colorful details that are probably apocryphal. Eric might have been betrayed by a retainer, who had him assassinated. Eric's nickname "bloodaxe" is a colorful nickname that has survived, and presumably had to do with either his prowess in battle, or his murder of his family.

Ex- R.Hamer, EMC 2022.0390, PAS PUBLIC-BAFF76, found Driffield
1 commentsSt. George's Collection
vindex~0.jpg
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 this 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 [an example of this type of coin is in the Civil Wars gallery].

Coin: Vindex AR Denarius. Uncertain Gallic Mint, AD 68. SALVS GENERIS [HVM]ANI, Victory standing to left on globe, holding palm branch and wreath / S P Q R, within corona civica with circular jewel in bezel at apex. RIC I 72 (Civil War); BMCRE 34. 3.35g, 17mm, 6h. From a private German collection; Ex Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 341, 1 October 2020, lot 5810. Roma Numismatics Auction 85 Lot 1604.
lawrence c
vindex.jpg
007a3. Countermarked Nero by Vindex (?)Civil War Countermark on Nero As
As. 28.7mm, 10.45 g. Lyons mint. Obv: NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GERM P M TR P IMP PP, bare head right, globe at point of neck. Countermark across neck SPQR. Rev: PONTIF MAX TR POT IMP PP, Nero as Apollo Citharoedus standing right, with lyre.. SC across field, I (mark of value) in exergue. RIC I 454. A FORUM coin. Posted on Wildwinds.

NOTE: The SPQR countermark was applied to some coins of Nero by rebels against him, normally on the bust. Vindex is normally believed to have been the most likely leader to have issued these
lawrence c
0090.jpg
0090 - Denarius Plautia 47 BCObv/ Head of Medusa facing, below L PLAVTIVS.
Rev/ Aurora holding palm and leading four horses; below, PLANCVS.

Ag, 19.9 mm, 4.02 g
Moneyer: L.Plautius.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 453/1c [dies o/r: 195/217 (all var.)] - Syd. 959 - RSC Plautia 15
ex-inAsta, auction 38, lot 514
dafnis
Julius_Caesar_RSC_12.jpg
01 Julius Caesar, VenusJulius Caesar. AR Denarius. Military mint traveling with Caesar in North Africa c. 47-46B.C. (3.88, 19.2mm, 6h). Obv: Diademed head of Venus right. Rev: CAESAR, Aeneas walking left, carrying Anchises and the Palladium. Craw. 458/1. RSC 12, Sear RCV 1402.

Minted to pay his legends during their African campaign against the Pomeians, this coin harkens to Caesar’s mythical origin from Venus. Aeneas, a survivor of Troy, was the son of Aphrodite’s liaison with the mortal Anchises. Aeneas lead a group of survivors, the Aeneads, ultimately to the Italian peninsula.
1 commentsLucas H
Nabatea Incierta Plomo.jpg
01-01 - INCIERTOPlomo 13 x 12 mm 1.3 gr.

Anv: Cabeza de Zeus viendo a derecha.
Rev: Toro avanzando a izquierda. Con leyenda sobre él.

Referencias: Hoover, O.D., 2006. A Reassessment of Nabatean Lead Coinage in Light of New Discoveries, Numismatic Chronicle, Vol.166, 2006, pp.105-119, pl.27-30. (Thanks boazin)
mdelvalle
coin214.JPG
010. Vespasian 69 AD - 79 ADVespasian

The character of this emperor showed very little, if anything, of the pagan tyrant. Though himself a man of no literary culture, he became the protector of his prisoner of war, the Jewish historian Josephus, a worshipper of the One God, and even permitted him the use of his own family name (Flavius). While this generosity may have been in some degree prompted by Josephus's shrewd prophecy of Vespasian's elevation to the purple, there are other instances of his disposition to reward merit in those with whom he was by no means personally sympathetic. Vespasian has the distinction of being the first Roman Emperor to transmit the purple to his own son; he is also noteworthy in Roman imperial history as having very nearly completed his seventieth year and died a natural death: being in feeble health, he had withdrawn to benefit by the purer air of his native Reate, in the "dewy fields" (rosei campi) of the Sabine country. By his wife, Flavia Domitilla, he left two sons, Titus and Domitian, and a daughter, Domitilla, through whom the name of Vespasian's empress was passed on to a granddaughter who is revered as a confessor of the Faith.

A man of strict military discipline and simple tastes, Vespasian proved to be a conscientious and generally tolerant administrator. More importantly, following the upheavals of A.D. 68-69, his reign was welcome for its general tranquility and restoration of peace. In Vespasian Rome found a leader who made no great breaks with tradition, yet his ability ro rebuild the empire and especially his willingness to expand the composition of the governing class helped to establish a positive working model for the "good emperors" of the second century. In contrast to his immediate imperial predecessors, Vespasian died peacefully - at Aquae Cutiliae near his birthplace in Sabine country on 23 June, A.D. 79, after contracting a brief illness. The occasion is said to have inspired his deathbed quip: "Oh my, I must be turning into a god!"

Denarius. IMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII, laureate head right / VES-TA to either side of Vesta standing left, holding simpulum & scepter. RSC 574
ecoli
Brutus-Syd-907.jpg
013. M. Junius Brutus.Denarius, 54 BC, Rome mint.
Obverse: BRVTVS / Bust of L. Junius Brutus.
Reverse: AHALA / Bust of C. Servilius Ahala.
4.09 gm., 19 mm.
Syd. #907; RSC #Junia 30; Sear #398.

The moneyer of this coin is the same Brutus who killed Julius Caesar. However, this coin was minted about a decade earlier. It portrays two ancestors of Brutus:

1. L. Junius Brutus lead the Romans to expel their king L. Tarquinius Superbus. He was one of the founding fathers of the Roman Republic, and was elected one of the first consuls in 509 BC.

2. C. Cervilius Ahala. In 439 BC, during a food shortage in Rome, Spurius Maelius, the richest patrician, bought as much food as he could and sold it cheaply to the people. The Romans, always fearful of kings, thought he wanted to be king. So an emergency was declared and L. Cincinnatus was proclaimed Dictator. Maelius was ordered to appear before Cincinnatus, but refused. So Ahala, as Magister Equitam, killed him in the Forum. Ahala was tried for this act, but escaped condemnation by voluntary exile.
4 commentsCallimachus
nerva_0.jpg
014a. NervaEmperor 18 September 96 – 27 January 98

Marcus Cocceius Nerva. Nerva was a long-serving court official and served as consul. He was 66 when Domitian was assassinated; it is unclear if he was involved in the conspiracy, although Cassius Dio claims that he was aware of it. The Senate quickly proclaimed Nerva as the new emperor. His support among the legions and the Praetorians was very weak, leading him to name Trajan (who was very popular with both) as Caesar. He died of natural causes in 98 AD. He was viewed as the first of the five "Excellent Emperors."

Coin: Denarius. 97 AD. Obv: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head right. Rev: CONCORDIA EXERCITVVM, clasped hands holding legionary eagle resting on prow. RIC 3, RSC 25. Triskeles Auction 25, Lot 336.
lawrence c
Picture1.jpg
016c. AntinousLead tessera, Antinoopolis(?) mint, weight 4.994g, maximum diameter 23.8mm, die axis 180o, c. 130 - 153 A.D.; obverse draped bust of Antinous right, wearing hem-hem crown of Harpocrates, large crescent before with horns left; reverse Nilus reclining right on sphinx, reed in his left hand curling up behind his shoulder and head, cornucopia before him in left hand; Euthenia on right, standing left, crowning Nilus with a wreath; ex Classical Numismatic Group e-auction 476 (9 Sep 2020), lot 287; ex BLS Collection. A Forum coin.

This token type is illustrated and discussed in "Tokens of Antinous from the Roman province of Egypt" by DENISE WILDING in CLARE ROWAN, editor, Tokens: Culture, Connections, Communities, Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication No. 57. ISBN 0 901405 35 3

NOTE: Antinous, a Greek youth, was a favorite of Hadrian who apparently was deeply in love with him. Antinous died in 130 AD. There are two main stories as to his death. The first is that he accidentally drowned. The second is that he voluntarily sacrificed himself to try to cure Hadrian of disease. After his death, he was deified, and Hadrian struck a series of provincial coins.

lawrence c
ant.jpg
016c. AntinousAntinous, a Greek youth, was a lover of Hadrian who apparently was deeply in love with him. Antinous died in 130 AD. There are two main stories as to his death. The first is that he accidentally drowned. The second is that he voluntarily sacrificed himself to try to cure Hadrian of disease. After his death, he was deified, and Hadrian struck a series of provincial coins.

Coin: Lead tessera, Antinoopolis(?) mint, weight 4.994g, maximum diameter 23.8mm, die axis 180o, c. 130 - 153 A.D.; obverse draped bust of Antinous right, wearing hem-hem crown of Harpocrates, large crescent before with horns left; reverse Nilus reclining right on sphinx, reed in his left hand curling up behind his shoulder and head, cornucopia before him in left hand; Euthenia on right, standing left, crowning Nilus with a wreath; ex Classical Numismatic Group e-auction 476 (9 Sep 2020), lot 287; ex BLS Collection. This token type is illustrated and discussed in "Tokens of Antinous from the Roman province of Egypt" by DENISE WILDING in CLARE ROWAN, editor, Tokens: Culture, Connections, Communities, Royal Numismatic Society Special Publication No. 57. ISBN 0 901405 35 3. A FORUM coin.

lawrence c
0199.jpg
0199 - Denarius Licinia 55 BCObv/ Laureate bust of Venus r., togate and with stephane; behind, SC.
Rev/ Female figure standing front, leading horse and holding spear; at feet, cuirass and shield; around, P CRASSVS M F.

Ag, 4.09 g
Moneyer: P. Licinius Crassus M.f.
Mint: Rome.
RRC 430/1 - BMCRR Rome 3901 - Syd. 929 - RSC Licinia 18
ex-Bremens-Belleville, november 2014, lot 363 (ex-St.Florian monastery, Dorotheum, june 1956, lot 2764 / ex. Apostolo Zeno colln., 18th c.)
1 commentsdafnis
lucius_verus_28129.jpg
020a. Lucius VerusCo-emperor with Marcus 161-169.

Originally named Lucius Ceionius Commodus. Son of Aelius. Overshadowed by Marcus. Lucius had the reputation of being more interested in leading a good life than in ruling. Died of stroke at age 38.

Coin: Denarius. 18mm, 3.12 g. Obv: L VERVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX. Laureate head right. Rev: TR P VI IMP IIII COS II. Victory standing right, holding palm frond and resting hand upon shield inscribed VIC / PAR and set upon palm tree. RIC 566 (Aurelius).
lawrence c
didius~0.png
023a. Didius JulianusEmperor 28 March to 2 June 193

In what most Roman historians viewed as the nadir of the Empire, after the murder of Pertinax, two rich politicians, Sulpicianus and Didius Julianus, went to the Praetorian camp, where the Praetorians auctioned the throne to whoever would provide them the largest donatives. Didius won and became the Emperor. His means of achieving the throne led to thorough disgust by the leaders of the legions, and three commanders rose against him. He was deposed by the senate and was murdered.

Coin: AE Sestertius. Obv: IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG, laureate head right. Rev: P M TR P COS S-C, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopiae. RIC 15, Cohen 12.
lawrence c
didius.png
023a01. Didius JulianusAE Sestertius. Obv: IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG, laureate head right. Rev: P M TR P COS S-C, Fortuna standing left, holding rudder on globe and cornucopia. RIC 15, Cohen 12.

NOTE: In what most Roman historians viewed as the nadir of the Empire, after the murder of Pertinax, two rich politicians, Sulpicianus and Didius Julianus, went to the Praetorian camp, where the Praetorians auctioned the throne to whoever would provide them the largest donatives. Didius won and became the Emperor. He held the role from 28 March to 2 June 193. His means of achieving the throne led to thorough disgust by the leaders of the legions, and three rose against him. He was deposed by the senate and was murdered. Didius also struck coins for his wife and daughter.
lawrence c
caracalla2~0.jpg
027a20. CaracallaAE 25 of Berytus (Beirut, Lebanon) mint. 9.971g, 24.6mm. Obv: IMP M AVR SEV ANTON AVG (or similar), laureate head right. Rev: FEL / AVG - BER, COL - IVL (or similar), within tetrastyle temple, Astarte standing facing, on right Nike stands on a short column crowning her, ladder below at an angle leading up to temple; from the Butte College Foundation, ex Lindgren. cf. Rouvier 564; BMC Phoenicia p. 74, 148 ff.; Baramki AUB 95; SNG Cop 11. A FORUM coin.lawrence c
normal_macrinus5_0.jpg
029a. MacrinusAugustus 11 April 217 -- 8 June 218

Mauretanian origin. Became Praetorian Prefect under Caracalla. While he was with Caracalla on operations against the Parthians, he learned of a prophecy that he would become emperor. Before Caracalla could act on this, Macrinus arranged for Caracalla's assassination and took the office of emperor. He then made a quick peace with the Parthians, which did not sit well with the army. Female members of the Severan family then took a major role in plotting for Macrinus's overthrow. A revolt broke out in Emesa, Syria, with Elegabalus as the putative leader. Macrinus fought a battle with them, lost, and was executed while fleeing.

Coin: AR Denarius. 217 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate, long bearded, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, holding two standards. RIC 67, RSC 23.
lawrence c
normal_macrinus5~0.jpg
029a01. MacrinusMacrinus. AR Denarius. 217 AD. Obv: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, laureate, long bearded, and cuirassed bust right. Rev: FIDES MILITVM, Fides standing left, holding two standards. RIC 67, RSC 23.

NOTE: Emperor 11 April 217 -- 8 June 218. Mauretanian origin. Became Praetorian Prefect under Caracalla. While he was with Caracalla on operations against the Parthians, he learned of a prophecy that he would become emperor. Before Caracalla could learn of this, Macrinus arranged for Caracalla's assassination and took the office of emperor. He then made a quick peace with the Parthians, which did not sit well with the army. Female members of the Severan family then took a major role in plotting for Macrinus's overthrow. A revolt broke out in Emesa, Syria, with Elegabalus as the putative leader. Macrinus fought a battle with them, lost, and was executed while fleeing.
lawrence c
normal_sev_alex2~0.jpg
031a. Severus AlexanderCaesar (under Elagabalus) 221-222.
Augustus 11 March 222 – 19 March 235.

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

Coin: AR Denarius. Rome, AD 226. IMP C M AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG, laureate and draped bearded bust to right / PAX AVG, Pax running to left, holding olive branch and sceptre. RIC IV 168; BMCRE 363; RSC 187. 2.92g, 20mm, 6h. Roma Numismatics Auc 102, Lot 1014 (Nov 2022)
lawrence c
032_Hadrianus_(117-138_A_D_),_RIC_II_0673,_AE-As,_HADRIANVS_AVGVSTVS,_COS_III,_Galley,_125-128_AD_Q-001_6h,_26,5-27,8mm,_12,37g-s.jpg
032 Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), RIC II 0673, Rome, AE-As, COS III, -/-//SC-, Galley right, #1032 Hadrianus (117-138 A.D.), RIC II 0673, Rome, AE-As, COS III, -/-//SC-, Galley right, #1
avers: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, Laureate bust right, drapery over far shoulder.
revers: COS III, Galley with five oarsmen traveling and one team leader right, S-C below.
exergue: -/-//SC, diameter: 26,5-27,8mm, weight: 12,37g, axes: 6h,
mint: Rome, date: 125-128 A.D., ref: RIC II 673, Cohen 446, BMC 1342, Sear 3682,
Q-001
quadrans
sverre-1-v.jpg
036 Sverre SigurdssonBracteate quarter-penny of Sverre, king of Norway 1184-1202
Mint: Oslo?
Schive VII:21
NM 9
Skaare 129

Sverre, called Sigurdsson, might have been the son of Sigurd Munn, one of the many kings of Norway during the chaotic 12th century. Sverre became leader of the Birkebeiners, a rebel group in Norway that ultimately gained power in the 1170s. However, king Sverre had the opposition of the church, and a group of disaffected nobles called the Baglers, who supported the prior regime and doubted Sverre's paternity. The conflict would continue after Sverre's death.

Sverre is an interesting character from a numismatic perspective, because of the large amount of coins of his that survived. In 1840, a large group of coins was found in Dæli, Norway. A few pennies in Sverre's name were found, but the majority of coins were bracteates. These extremely thin small coins were the main currency of the Birkenbeiner party during these troubled years. Because of the presence of the pennies with Sverre's name, it is possible to attribute these otherwise minimally marked coins.

The bracteates are found with letters, and many letters are represented. These are thought to represent mints, but it is not certain whether that is truly the case. This coin, with the 'A', may be for Asloia (Oslo)

Ex- M.Ringsrud, FinnCoin
2 commentsSt. George's Collection
blank~15.jpg
044a. Uranius AntoninusUsurper 253 254

Lucius Julius Aurelius Sulpicius Severus Uranius Antoninus. Usurper in Emesa, Syria. After the Sasanids invaded Syria, Emesa was successfully defended under the leadership of its high priest, Sampsiceramus. One theory is that he and Uranius are the same person. After Valerian retook Syria, Uranius disappeared from the history books.
lawrence c
049_Septimius_Severus,_Rome,_RIC_IV-I_719_,_AE-Sest_,_L_SEPT_SEV_PERT_AVG_IMP_VIII,_ADVENTI_AVG_FELICISSIMO,_SC,_C-8,_BMC-586,_196_AD,_Q-001,_6h,_26,5-28,5mm,_17,23g-s.jpg
049 Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.), Rome, RIC IV-I 719, AE-Sestertius, -/-//SC, ADVENTI AVG FELICISSIMO, Septimius Severus on horseback, #1049 Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.), Rome, RIC IV-I 719, AE-Sestertius, -/-//SC, ADVENTI AVG FELICISSIMO, Septimius Severus on horseback, #1
avers: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIII, Laureate and cuirassed bust right.
reverse: ADVENTI AVG FELICISSIMO, Septimius Severus on horseback pacing right, raising right hand, preceded by soldier leading the horse by the reins.
exergue: -/-//SC, diameter: 26,5-28,5mm, weight: 17,23g, axis:6h,
mint: Rome, date:196 A.D.,
ref: RIC IV-I 719, Cohen 8, BMC 596, Sear 6403,
Q-001
quadrans
ciibh1.jpg
05 Constantius IIBGN353 - Constantius II (A.D. 337-361), Pre-Magnentian Revolt, AE Centenionalis, 21mm, 5.14g., Arles mint, first officina, A.D. 348-350, pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust of the Emperor right, A behind head, rev., FEL TEMP REPARATIO, PARL in exergue, helmeted soldier spearing fallen horseman, A in field, (RIC 119/121-22; Bridgnorth Report #79), very fine. RIC Arles 118

Ex Bridgnorth Hoard, Shropshire, England, buried circa A.D. 355, discovered 2007.

"On October 10th, 2007 a metal detectorist discovered a large scattered hoard of late Roman coins that had been disturbed by deep plowing in a potato field near Bridgnorth, Shropshire. His subsequent actions are praised in the UK government 2007 Portable Antiquities and Treasure Annual Report, where local finds officer Peter Reavill states: “The finder is to be congratulated on the careful plotting and speedy reporting of this hoard as it enabled the excavation to take place and vital depositional information recorded. In turn, this minimised the impact to the landowner and his farming activity.” The majority of hoards that come to light are found outside of planned archaeological excavations, the original owner having selected a secluded spot to conceal his or her wealth away from human habitation, leading to loss of information on the archaeological context of the hoard. In this instance, swift action and close cooperation by the finder and the local Finds Liaison Officer led to an excavation of the findspot. The results of which showed that the hoard had been contained in a large pottery vessel (broken by the plow), most probably previously used as a cooking pot as evidenced by burns marks on the outer edges. The pot had been buried in a U-shaped gulley or ditch that formed part of an otherwise unknown late Roman site.

The hoard consisted of 2892 coins, ranging in date from a Reform Antoninianus of Probus to post Magnentian issues of Constantius II up to A.D. 355. The majority of the hoard was issues of Magnentius and Decentius (75%), followed by pre-Magnentian issues of Constantius II and Constans (18%) and closing with post Magnentian issues of Constantius II and Gallus (7%)."
Better Photo
1 commentsRandygeki(h2)
blank~50.jpg
075a. AmandusAmandus (Gnaeus Silvius Amandus) 285 A.D. - 286 A.D. Amandus, along with Quintus Valens Aelianus, were leaders of a revolt by the Bagaudae, oppressed peasants in Gaul. It took two years for Maximianus and his general, Carausius, to defeat them. They were defeated and slain c. 286, on the Marne.lawrence c
normal_1constans~0.jpg
090a. ConstansYoungest son of Constantine. Caesar 333-337. Emperor 337-350. Held Balkans, Italy, and North Africa. Very unpopular with the public and the army. He was viewed as corrupt and was intolerant of pagans and Jews. He faced an uprising by Magnentius. Constans fled and then was found and killed.

Coin: AE3. 21mm, 4.69 g. Arles mint. Obv: DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, holding globe.
Rev: FEL dot TEMP dot REPAR-ATIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, pointing upwards and to the right, walking right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. Mintmark PARL. RIC VIII Arles 106.
lawrence c
1constans.jpg
090a03. ConstansAE3. 21mm, 4.69 g. Arles mint. Obv: DN CONSTA-NS PF AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, holding globe. Rev: FEL dot TEMP dot REPAR-ATIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, pointing upwards and to the right, walking right, head left; with his right hand he leads a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. Mintmark PARL.
RIC VIII Arles 106.

lawrence c
constansa.jpg
090a09. ConstansAE3. 19mm, 4.05 g. Nicomedia, 348-350 AD. Obv: D N CONSTA-NS P F AVG, Pearl-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust left, globe in right hand. Rev: FEL TEMP REPA-RATIO, Helmeted soldier, spear in left hand, walking right, head left; leading a small bare-headed figure from a hut beneath a tree. Star in upper left field. Mintmark SMNA. RIC 172.lawrence c
Tituria1DenSabines.jpg
0a Abduction of the SabinesL Titurius Sabinus, moneyer
90-85 BC

Head of Tativs, right, SABIN behind
Two Roman soldiers bearing women

Seaby, Tituria 1

When the hour for the games had come, and their eyes and minds were alike riveted on the spectacle before them, the preconcerted signal was given and the Roman youth dashed in all directions to carry off the [Sabine] maidens who were present. The larger part were carried off indiscriminately, but some particularly beautiful girls who had been marked out for the leading patricians were carried to their houses by plebeians told off for the task. One, conspicuous amongst them all for grace and beauty, is reported to have been carried off by a group led by a certain Talassius, and to the many inquiries as to whom she was intended for, the invariable answer was given, "For Talassius." Hence the use of this word in the marriage rites. Alarm and consternation broke up the games, and the parents of the maidens fled, distracted with grief, uttering bitter reproaches on the violators of the laws of hospitality and appealing to the god to whose solemn games they had come, only to be the victims of impious perfidy. The abducted maidens were quite as despondent and indignant. Romulus, however, went round in person, and pointed out to them that it was all owing to the pride of their parents in denying right of intermarriage to their neighbours. They would live in honourable wedlock, and share all their property and civil rights, and - dearest of all to human nature - would be the mothers of freemen. He begged them to lay aside their feelings of resentment and give their affections to those whom fortune had made masters of their persons. An injury had often led to reconciliation and love; they would find their husbands all the more affectionate, because each would do his utmost, so far as in him lay, to make up for the loss of parents and country. These arguments were reinforced by the endearments of their husbands, who excused their conduct by pleading the irresistible force of their passion - a plea effective beyond all others in appealing to a woman's nature.

The feelings of the abducted maidens were now pretty completely appeased, but not so those of their parents.

Livy, History of Rome 1.9-1.10
1 commentsBlindado
Cornelia51QuinVict.jpg
0aa Defeat of Hannibal on Sicily, 222 BCCn. Lentulus, moneyer
90-85 BC

Quinarius

Laureled head of Jupiter, right
Victory crowning trophy, CN LENT in ex

Seaby, Cornelia 51

Possibly a reference to this event: [Q. Fabius Maximus, afterwards called Cunctator] broke up his camp at Suessula and decided to begin by an attack on Arpi. . . . Now at last the enemy was roused; there was a lull in the storm and daylight was approaching. Hannibal's garrison in the city amounted to about 5000 men, and the citizens themselves had raised a force of 3000. These the Carthaginians put in front to meet the enemy, that there might be no attempt at treachery in their rear. The fighting began in the dark in the narrow streets, the Romans having occupied not only the streets near the gate but the houses also, that they might not be assailed from the roofs. Gradually as it grew light some of the citizen troops and some of the Romans recognised one another, and entered into conversation. The Roman soldiers asked what it was that the Arpinians wanted, what wrong had Rome done them, what good service had Carthage rendered them that they, Italians-bred and born, should fight against their old friends the Romans on behalf of foreigners and barbarians, and wish to make Italy a tributary province of Africa. The people of Arpi urged in their excuse that they knew nothing of what was going on, they had in fact been sold by their leaders to the Carthaginians, they had been victimised and enslaved by a small oligarchy. When a beginning had been once made the conversations became more and more general; at last the praetor of Arpi was conducted by his friends to the consul, and after they had given each other mutual assurances, surrounded by the troops under their standards, the citizens suddenly turned against the Carthaginians and fought for the Romans. A body of Spaniards also, numbering something less than a thousand, transferred their services to the consul upon the sole condition that the Carthaginian garrison should be allowed to depart uninjured. The gates were opened for them and they were dismissed, according to the stipulation, in perfect safety, and went to Hannibal at Salapia. Thus Arpi was restored to the Romans without the loss of a single life, except in the case of one man who had long ago been a traitor and had recently deserted. The Spaniards were ordered to receive double rations, and the republic availed itself on very many occasions of their courage and fidelity.

Livy, History of Rome, 24.46-47
Blindado
Sulla_L_Manlius_den.jpg
0ab Lucius Cornelius Sulla FelixL Manlivs, moneyer
82-72 BC

Denarius

Head of Roma, right, MANLI before, PRO Q behind
Sulla in walking quadriga, crowned by Victory, L SVLLA IM in ex.

Seaby, Manlia 4

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix (c. 138 BC – 78 BC) was a Roman general and conservative statesman. He had the distinction of holding the office of consul twice, as well as reviving the dictatorship. Sulla was awarded a grass crown, the most prestigious and rarest Roman military honor, during the Social War. He was the first man to lead an army to Rome to settle a political dispute, in this case with Marius. In late 81 BC, he stunned the world by resigning his near-absolute powers, restoring constitutional government. After seeing election to and holding a second consulship, he retired to private life and died shortly after.

As to the person, Plutarch wrote: LUCIUS Cornelius Sylla was descended of a patrician or noble family. . . . His general personal appearance may be known by his statues; only his blue, eyes, of themselves extremely keen and glaring, were rendered all the more forbidding and terrible by the complexion of his face, in which white was mixed with rough blotches of fiery red. . . . And when supreme master of all, he was often wont to muster together the most impudent players and stage-followers of the town, and to drink and bandy jests with them without regard to his age or the dignity of his place, and to the prejudice of important affairs that required his attention. When he was once at table, it was not in Sylla's nature to admit of anything that was serious, and whereas at other times he was a man of business and austere of countenance, he underwent all of a sudden, at his first entrance upon wine and good-fellowship, a total revolution, and was gentle and tractable with common singers and dancers, and ready to oblige any one that spoke with him. It seems to have been a sort of diseased result of this laxity that he was so prone to amorous pleasures, and yielded without resistance to any temptation of voluptuousness, from which even in his old age he could not refrain. He had a long attachment for Metrobius, a player. In his first amours, it happened that he made court to a common but rich lady, Nicopolis by name, and what by the air of his youth, and what by long intimacy, won so far on her affections, that she rather than he was the lover, and at her death she bequeathed him her whole property. He likewise inherited the estate of a step-mother who loved him as her own son. By these means he had pretty well advanced his fortunes. . . . In general he would seem to have been of a very irregular character, full of inconsistencies with himself much given to rapine, to prodigality yet more; in promoting or disgracing whom he pleased, alike unaccountable; cringing to those he stood in need of, and domineering over others who stood in need of him, so that it was hard to tell whether his nature had more in it of pride or of servility. As to his unequal distribution of punishments, as, for example, that upon slight grounds he would put to the torture, and again would bear patiently with the greatest wrongs; would readily forgive and he reconciled after the most heinous acts of enmity, and yet would visit small and inconsiderable offences with death and confiscation of goods; one might judge that in himself he was really of a violent and revengeful nature, which, however, he could qualify, upon reflection, for his interest.
Blindado
0001JUL.jpg
1_2unica_14_8g20_19_3_.jpg
1/2 Unica trade weightInverse S
lead weight beveled edges
14 by 19 by 3 mm
14.8g
wileyc
coin219.JPG
105. Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius

The joint succession may have been motivated by military exigency. During his reign Marcus Aurelius was almost constantly at war with various peoples outside the Empire. Germanic tribes and other peoples launched many raids along the long European border, particularly into Gaul — Germans, in turn, may have been under attack from more warlike tribes farther east. In Asia, a revitalized Parthian Empire renewed its assault. A highly authoritative figure was needed to command the troops, yet the emperor himself could not defend both fronts at the same time. Neither could he simply appoint a general to lead one assault; earlier popular military leaders like Julius Caesar and Vespasian had used the military to overthrow the existing government and install themselves as supreme leaders.

Marcus Aurelius solved the problem by sending Verus to command the legions in the East. He was authoritative enough to command the full loyalty of the troops, but already powerful enough that he had little incentive to overthrow Marcus. The plan succeeded — Verus remained loyal until his death on campaign in 169. This joint emperorship was faintly reminiscent of the political system of the Roman Republic, which functioned according to the principle of collegiality and did not allow a single person to hold supreme power. Joint rule was revived by Diocletian's establishment of the Tetrarchy in the late 3rd century.

Virtus

In Roman mythology, Virtus was the god of bravery and military strength. His Greek equivalent was Arete. The word, "Virtus" is commonly used in mottos of universities and other entities.

Marcus Aurelius, as Caesar, Denarius. 155-156 AD. AVRELIVS CAES ANTON AVG PII F, bare head right / TR POT X COS II, Virtus, helmeted, standing left, holding parazonium & spear. RSC 703. RIC 468
ecoli
1000-16-149.jpg
107. PertinaxPertinax

Only a mediocre public speaker, Pertinax was first and foremost a gritty old soldier. He was heavily built, had a pot belly, although it was said, even by his critics, that he possessed the proud air of an emperor.
He possessed some charm, but was generally understood to be a rather sly character. He also acquired a reputation for being mean and greedy. He apparently even went as far as serving half portions of lettuce and artichoke before he became emperor. It was a characteristic which would not serve him well as an emperor.

When he took office, Pertinax quickly realized that the imperial treasury was in trouble. Commodus had wasted vast sums on games and luxuries. If the new emperor thought that changes would need to be made to bring the finances back in order he was no doubt right. But he sought to do too much too quickly. In the process he made himself enemies.

The gravest error, made at the very beginning of his reign, was to decide to cut some of the praetorian's privileges and that he was going to pay them only half the bonus he had promised.
Already on 3 January AD 193 the praetorians tried to set up another emperor who would pay up. But that senator, wise enough to stay out of trouble, merely reported the incident to Pertinax and then left Rome.

The ordinary citizens of Rome however also quickly had enough of their new emperor. Had Commodus spoilt them with lavish games and festivals, then now Pertinax gave them very little.
And a truly powerful enemy should be the praetorian prefect Laetus. The man who had after all put Pertinax on the throne, was to play an important role in the emperor's fate. It isn't absolutely clear if he sought to be an honest advisor of the emperor, but saw his advise ignored, or if he sought to manipulate Pertinax as his puppet emperor. In either case, he was disappointed.

And so as Pertinax grew ever more unpopular, the praetorians once more began to look for a new emperor. In early March, When Pertinax was away in Ostia overseeing the arrangements for the grain shipments to Rome, they struck again. This time they tried to set up one of the consuls, Quintus Sosius Falco.

When Pertinax returned to Rome he pardoned Falco who'd been condemned by the senate, but several praetorians were executed. A slave had given them away as being part of the conspiracy.
These executions were the final straw. On 28 March AD 193 the praetorians revolts.
300 hundred of them forced the gates to the palace. None of the guards sought to help their emperor.
Everyone, so it seemed, wanted rid of this emperor. So, too, Laetus would not listen as Pertinax ordered him to do something. The praetorian prefect simply went home, leaving the emperor to his fate.

Pertinax did not seek to flee. He stood his ground and waited, together with his chamberlain Eclectus. As the praetorians found him, they did not discover an emperor quivering with fear, but a man determined on convincing them to put down their weapons. Clearly the soldiers were over-awed by this brave man, for he spoke to them for some time. But eventually their leader found enough courage to step forwards and hurl his spear at the emperor. Pertinax fell with the spear in his chest. Eclectus fought bravely for his life, stabbing two, before he two was slain by the soldiers.
The soldiers then cut off Pertinax' head, stuck it on a spear and paraded through the streets of Rome.

Pertinax had ruled for only 87 days. He was later deified by Septimius Severus.

RI1. Pertinax. A.D. 193. AR denarius (18.0 mm, 2.74 g, 7 h). Rome mint. Rare. IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right / OPI DIVIN TR P COS II, Ops seated left, holding two stalks of grain, resting hand on seat of throne. RIC 8a; RSC 33; BMCRE 19. aVF, flan crack.
ecoli
trajse23-2.jpg
109 AD: Improvement of the water supply of Rome under TrajanOricalchum sestertius (24.4g, 33mm, 6h) Rome mint. Struck AD 110.
IMP CAES NERVAE TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TR P COS V P P laureate head of Trajan right
AQVA / TRAIANA [in ex.] SPQR OPTIMO PRINCIPI [around edge] S C [left and right in ex.] River god reclining l. in arched grotto supported by two columns; left arm resting on urn; reed in right hand.
RIC 463 [S]; Cohen 20; Foss (Roman Historical Coins) 103:53

This type celebrates the construction of the Aqua Traiana which was dedicated on 20 June 109 constructed to improve the water supply of Rome. A branch of the Anio Novus was carried over the valley between the Caelian and the Aventine.
A lofty arcade was built upon the 'agger' of Servilius Tullius and passing over the Via Appia and the Porta Capena to the Piscina Publica. Terra-cotta water pipes with the name of Trajan and a leaden pipe inscribed AQVA TRAIANA have been found in excavations.
Charles S
1397 files on 16 page(s) 1

All coins are guaranteed for eternity
Forum Ancient Coins
PO BOX 1316
MOREHEAD CITY NC 28557


252-497-2724
customerservice@forumancientcoins.com
Facebook   Instagram   Pintrest   Twitter