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Ptolemy_tyre_tet~0.jpg
Greek, Ptolemy II Tetradrachm 236 viewsSilver tetradrachm, Svoronos 626 var (no monogram) or Svoronos 644 var (D behind ear), VF, Phoenicia, Tyre mint, weight 14.076g, maximum diameter 27.4mm, die axis 0o, obverse diademed head of Ptolemy I right wearing aegis; reverse PTOLEMAIOU BASILEWS, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, Tyre monogram and club left; rare;

Ex Forvm

Svoronos' description for tetradrachm 626 is the "same as the gold pentadrachm." In the notes for the pentadrachm he notes the type sometimes has a Tyre monogram, but the notes for the tetradrachm 626 discuss only countermarks and not a monogram. The monogram is absent on the plate coin.

Svoronos 644 is be marked with a tiny D behind Ptolemy's ear. On this coin the mark appears to be absent.

Philoromaos
00cloacina~0.jpg
L.MUSSIDIUS LONGUS 236 viewsAR denarius. 42 BC. 4,02 grs. Diademed and veiled bust of Concordia right. CONCORDIA behind. / Platform inscribed CLOACIN on which there are two statues of Venus Cloacina. L. MVSSIDIVS LONGVS above.
Crawford 494/42a. RSC Mussidia 6b.
9 commentsbenito
septsevervs~0.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Septimius Severus, AR Denarius236 viewsSEVERVS AVG PART MAX
Laureate head of Severus right

PM TR P VIII COS II P P
Victory hovering left holding open wreath with both hands over shield set on base

Rome 200 AD
Sear 6333
RSC 454
RIC 150

Fantastic old cabinet toning
3 commentsJay GT4
Constantinvs_II_a-horz.jpg
Costantinus II AE 3236 viewsCONSTANTINVS IVN NOB CAES, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.
ALAMANNI-A DEVICTA, Victory holding trophy and branch, stepping over captive.
RIC VII 050

Coin that celebrates victories over germanic Alamanni.
Misterium_Lead_plakett_Viminacium_Q-001_65mm_0,00g-s.jpg
Misterium Plakett, Lead, Romae, Upper Moesia, #01236 viewsMisterium Plakett, Lead, Romae, Upper Moesia, #01
diameter: 65mm
weight:
mint: Upper Moesia
Q-001
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gabala_julia_domna_neu.jpg
Syria, Seleukis and Pieria, Gabala, Julia Domna, unpublished?236 viewsJulias Domna, AD 193-211
AE 24, 8.38g, 23.66mm, 0°
obv. IOVLIA - DOMNA CEB
Bust, draped, on crescent, r.
rev. GABA - LEWN
Cult statue of the goddess of Gabala in long garment, stg. facing on low base, holding in l. arm shield and
in raised r. hand bipennis over her head; at both sides of the base the forepart of a sphinx l., and the
forpart of a lion r.
ref. not in SNG Copenhagen; not in BMC
very rare, F+, red sand patina which we know from Syria

Compare with the coin of Commodus. The attributes of this goddess seem to be interchangeable.
Jochen
DSS_Q-001_axis-7h_18-19,5mm_3,56g-s.jpg
112-111 B.C., Ti. Quinctius, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 297/1, Rome, Two horses left, #1236 views112-111 B.C., Ti. Quinctius, Republic AR-Denarius, Crawford 297/1, Rome, Two horses left, #1
avers: Bust of Hercules left, wearing lion's skin headdress, club over the shoulder.
reverse: Two horses left, the rider on the nearer horse, TI Q and rat below, D•S•S in incuse on the tablet in exergue.
exergue: -/-//D•S•S, diameter: 18-19,5mm, weight: 3,56g, axis: 7h,
mint: Rome, date:112-111 B.C., ref: Crawford 297-1, Sydenham 563, Quinctia 6,
Q-001
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Traianus_IMP-CAES-NER-TRAIANO-OPTIMO-AVG-GER-DAC_P-M-TR-P-COS-VI-P-P-SPQR_RIC-356_Q-001_axis-7h_18-19,5mm_2_85g-s.jpg
027 Traianus (98-117 A.D.), Rome, RIC II 0356, AR-Denarius, P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Trajan's column, #1236 views027 Traianus (98-117 A.D.), Rome, RIC II 0356, AR-Denarius, P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Trajan's column, #1
avers: IMP CAES NER TRAIANO OPTIMO AVG GER DAC, Laureate, draped bust right.
revers: P M TR P COS VI P P S P Q R, Trajan's column; eagle on either side.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 18-19,5mm, weight:2,85g, axis: 7h,
mint: Rome, date: 114-117 A.D.,
ref: RIC II 356, C 284,
Q-001
4 commentsquadrans
Constans_AE-2-Follis_DN-CONSTA-NS-PF-AVG-Cn8-G3L_FEL-TEMP-REPAR-ATIO_CONS-A_RIC-VIII-86-p454_348-351-AD_Q-001_axis-0h_22-23,5mm_3,38g-s.jpg
146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Constantinopolis, RIC VIII 086, -/-//CONSA, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1236 views146 Constans (333-337 A.D. Caesar, 337-350 A.D. Augustus), Constantinopolis, RIC VIII 086, -/-//CONSA, AE-2 Follis, FEL TEMP REPARATIO, Tree, #1
avers:- DN-CONSTA-NS-PF-AVG, Cn8, G3L, Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust left, holding globe.
revers:- FEL-TEMP-REPAR-ATIO, Constans advancing right, dragging barbarian from hut under tree.
exergo: -/-//CONSA, diameter: 22-23,5mm, weight: 3,38g, axis: 0h,
mint: Constantinopolis, date: 348-351 AD.,ref: RIC-VIII-086-p454,
Q-001
3 commentsquadrans
Gordian_III.jpg
Roman, Gordian III 236 viewsMarcus Antonius Gordianus Pius / SILVER ANTONINIANUS

OBVERSE : IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG - radiate, draped and cuirassed bust right.

REVERSE : VIRTVS AVG - Virtus in crested helmet standing left with branch & spear, sheild on ground before .
Max D : 23.8 MM AND 4.03 GRAMS. 
Ref., :RSC 383

Called Gordian III , ruled as a Roman Emperor FROM 238 – 244 AD. 
Gordian III is one of the most powerful men in the world.

Sam Mansourati Collection.
Sam
Byzt-xxv-s.jpg
Byzantine, Anonymous Follis, SB 1880, AE-Follis, Class H, (Michael VII. ( First Crusade ?) (1081-1092 A.D.)), Constantinopolis, 236 viewsAnonymous Follis, SB 1880, AE-Follis, Class H, (Michael VII. ( First Crusade ?) (1081-1092 A.D.)), Constantinopolis,
averse: Bust of Christ facing, wearing nimbus cross with various ornaments in each limb.. pallium and colobium, and rising right hand in benediction, in left hand, to scroll, to left IC to right XC, border of dots.
reverse: Patriarchal cross, with globulae and two pelletsat each extremity, in lower field on either side, floral ornament.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 23-24,5mm, weight: 5,49g, axis: 5h,
mint: Constantinopolis, date: 1081-1092 A.D., ref:SB 1880, p-379,
Q-001
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Fibula-001_Enammelled_Bow_Q-001_40x22x13mm_7,88ga-s.jpg
Roman Bow, Enamelled Bow Fibula #142 hinge-headed turtle shaped, enamelled brooches236 viewsRoman Bow, Enamelled Bow Fibula #142 hinge-headed turtle shaped, enamelled brooches
type:These "hinge-headed enamel brooches" or "hinged enamelled bow brooches"
size: 40x22x13mm,
weight: 7,88g,
date: 2nd half of the 2nd century A.D.,
ref:
distribution: Rhine limes, northern Britain to the middle Danube.
Q-001
3 commentsquadrans
dog.jpg
DOG236 viewsAR denarius. 74 BC. 3.52 gr. Bust of Diana huntress right,bow and quiver on shoulder. / Hound running right,hunting spear below. C. POSTUMI/TA (in monogram) below. Toned. Craw 394/1a . RSC Postumia 91 commentsbenito
Septimius-Severus_AR-Den_L-SEPT-SEV-AVG-IMP-XI-PART-MAX_VICTORIAE-AVG-G-FEL_RIC-IV-I-144b_C-719_Rome-198-200-AD_Q-001_0h_18-19mm_2,91g-s.jpg
049 Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.), Rome, RIC IV-I 144b, AR-Denarius, VICTORIAE AVG G FEL, Victory flying left, #1236 views049 Septimius Severus (193-211 A.D.), Rome, RIC IV-I 144b, AR-Denarius, VICTORIAE AVG G FEL, Victory flying left, #1
avers: L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, Laureate bust right.
reverse: VICTORIAE AVG G FEL, Victory flying left holding an open wreath with both hands, before her shield set on a low base.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 18,0-19,0mm, weight: 2,91g, axis: 0h,
mint: Rome, date: 198-200 A.D.,
ref: RIC IV-I 144b, p-109, RSC 719,
Q-001
3 commentsquadrans
Probus_AE-Ant_IMP-C-M-AVR-PROBVS-AVG_VIRTVS-AVG_Q-XXT_RIC-435var-p-64_2ndem_Ticinum_276-AD_Q-001_11h_22,5-23,5mm_3,63g-s.jpg
112 Probus (276-282 A.D.), AE-Antoninianus, RIC V-II 435var, Ticinum, VIRTVS AVG, Bust-left with spear and shield, -/-//QXXT, Soldier standing left, 236 views112 Probus (276-282 A.D.), AE-Antoninianus, RIC V-II 435var, Ticinum, VIRTVS AVG, Bust-left with spear and shield, -/-//QXXT, Soldier standing left,
avers:- IMP-C-M-AVR-PROBVS-AVG, Radiate, cuirassed bust right. (C)
revers:- VIRTVS-AVG, Soldier standing left, holding Victory and spear and leaning on shield.
exerg: -/-//QXXT, diameter: 22,5-23,5mm, weight: 3,63g, axis: 11h,
mint: Ticinium, 2nd. emission, date: 276 A.D., ref: RIC-V-II-435var, p-64,
Q-001
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Thrache_Odessos_AE-17_ODHSITWN_Mushmov-1530_270-250-BC_Q-001_0h_16,5-17,5mm_3,81g-s.jpg
G., Thrace, Odessos, Autonomous coinage, (270-250 B.C.),AMNG I/2, 2192, Mushmov 1530, AE 17, "God of Odessos"(derzelas), OΔHΣI, 236 viewsThrace, Odessos, Autonomous coinage, (270-250 B.C.),AMNG I/2, 2192, Mushmov 1530, AE 17, "God of Odessos"(derzelas), OΔHΣI,
avers: Laureate head of Apollo right.
revers: AP (ΑΝΘΡ) monogram in left OΔHΣI below, "God of Odessos", radiate, reclining left, holding patera and cornucopiae, leaning arm on overturned urn.
" Bearded god with nude upper part of the body leaning l., looking frontal, r. hand (with vase?) on his knee, holding in his l. arm, which is resting on pillows, the cornucopiae; in field before him amphora with opening downwards, from which liquid in long stream is flowing; in central field monogram." from Pick, by Jochen.
exerg: AP/-//OΔHΣI, diameter: 16,5-17,5mm, weight: 3,81g, axes:0h,
mint: Odessos, Thrace, date: c.270-250 B.C., ref: AMNG I/2, 2192 (1 ex., London), Mushmov-1530 (???),
Q-001
"Derzelas (Darzalas) was a Dacian or Thracian chthonic god of abundance and the underworld, health and human spirit's vitality, probably related with gods such as Hades"
"Darzalas was the Great God of Hellenistic Odessos (modern Varna) and was frequently depicted on its coinage from the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE and portrayed in numerous terra cotta figurines, as well as in a rare 4th century BC lead one, found in the city. Darzalas was often depicted in himation, holding cornucopiae with altars by his side. There was a temple dedicated to him with a cult statue, and games (Darzaleia) were held in his honor every five years, possibly attended by Gordian III in 238 AD."
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Andras-II_U-191_C1-213_H-251_Q-001_8h_11,2mm_0,38g-s.jpg
21.81. András II., (Andreas II.), King of Hungary, (1205-1235 A.D.), CÁC III. 21.81.1.1., H-251, CNH I.-213, U-191, AR-Obulus, #01236 views21.81. András II., (Andreas II.), King of Hungary, (1205-1235 A.D.), CÁC III. 21.81.1.1., H-251, CNH I.-213, U-191, AR-Obulus, #01
avers: Patriarchal cross, leopard to right, star between them at down, the border of dots.
reverse: Winged griffin advancing left, star over the head, line border.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 11,2 mm, weight: 0,38 g, axis: 8h,
mint: Esztergom, date: A.D., ref: Huszár-251, CNH I.-213, Unger-191,
CÁC III. 21.81.1.1.,
Q-001
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Bela-II_(1131-1141_AD)_U-044_C1-057_H-049_Q-008_2h_11,2mm_0,40g-s.jpg
13.01. Béla II., (Béla II. the Blind), King of Hungary, (1131-1141 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 13.01./a1.04./05., H-049, CNH I.-057, U-044, #01236 views13.01. Béla II., (Béla II. the Blind), King of Hungary, (1131-1141 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 13.01./a1.04./05., H-049, CNH I.-057, U-044, #01
avers: HBRE, Crowned head facing between two lilies, border of dots.
reverse: LADISLAVS RE +/X, (sometimes Lines instead of a legend), cross in a circle with wedges in the angles, line border.
exergue:-/-//--, diameter: 11,1mm, weight: 0,41g, axis: 1h,
mint: Esztergom, date: A.D., ref: Huszár-049, CNH I.-057, Unger-044,
Tóth-Kiss-Fekete: CÁC I.(Catalog of Árpadian Coinage I./Opitz I.), Privy-Mark/Szigla: 13.01./a1.04./05.,
Q-001
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MAESA-2.jpg
Julia Maesa, sister of Julia Domna, grandmother of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander. Augusta, 218-224/5 CE.235 viewsAR Denarius (20 mm, 3.15 gm), Rome mint.
Obv: IVLIA MAESA AVG, draped bust right.
Rev: SAECVLI FELICITAS, Felicitas standing left with long caduceus, sacrificing out of patera over lighted altar, star right.
RIC 271; RSC 45; BMC 79; Sear 7757; Cohen 45.
cons_votxx.JPG
ROMAN EMPIRE, CONSTANTINE I as Augustus. AE3 of Aquileia. Struck A.D.322. 235 viewsObverse: CONSTAN-TINVS AVG. Laureate head of Constantine facing right.
Reverse: D N CONSTANTINI MAX AVG. Laurel wreath encircling palm branches either side of VOT • XX; in exergue, AQP.
RIC VII : 104

4 comments*Alex
101144.jpg
201b. Clodius Albinus235 viewsBy the time Severus made it back from the east in 196, the breach with Albinus was beyond repair. The emperor's son Caracalla had been displayed to the army as Caesar and heir. Albinus had been proclaimed emperor and gone into open revolt, crossed the English Channel and gained the support of many aristocrats from Gaul and Spain. Lyon became Albinus' headquarters, from which he minted coins that wishfully hinted at reconciliation. Albinus had taken the title of Augustus, but he still kept the name Septimius.

Albinus was unable to expand his control eastward despite achieving a victory against the governor of Lower Germany. By the middle of the year 196, his momentum had stalled. Gaul was drenched in the blood of Roman soldiers as the two sides repeatedly engaged in indecisive battles.[[8]] The ever increasing chaos in the region even allowed an opportunist to raise his own army to harass Albinus' troops.[[9]]

Time was running out for Albinus. His troops were defeated early in 197 at Tournus, on the river Saône 65 miles north of Lyon.[[10]] Severus could now sweep his armies into Gaul. Albinus retreated to Lyon, where he prepared for one final stand. The battle, one of the fiercest in Roman history, took place 19 February 197 and involved more than 100,000 men.[[11]] In the initial fighting, Albinus' troops forced the Severans into retreat, during which Severus fell off his horse. But Albinus' success was shortlived. The Severan cavalry appeared, and Albinus' army was routed. The battlefield was strewn with bodies, and Severus' victorious troops were allowed to vent their anger by sacking Lyon. Albinus, who was trapped in a house along the river Rhône, committed suicide. Heis wife and children were be ordered killed by Severus, who also had Albinus' head cut off and sent to Rome for display.

Clodius Albinus had the breeding and upbringing to have been a popular emperor among the senatorial aristocracy, but he lacked the cunning and daring of his erstwhile ally and eventual rival Severus. Albinus would never be included among the canonical list of emperors, and his defeat finally ended the period of instability and civil war that originated with the death of Commodus.

CLODIUS ALBINUS, as Caesar. 193-195 AD. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.14 gm). Rome mint. Bare head right / Roma seated left on shield, holding Victory and reversed spear. RIC IV 11b; RSC 61a. VF. Ex - CNG
2 commentsecoli
Heraclius.jpg
Heraclius Monogram235 viewsHeraclius, 5 Oct 610 - 11 Jan 641 A.D., and Heraclius Constantine, 23 Jan 613 - 20 Apr 641 A.D.
7784. Bronze follis, S 805, aF, 10.23g, 31.4mm, 180o, 3rd officina, Constantinople mint, 629 - 630 A.D.; obverse monogram left, Heraclius in chlamys holding long cross on left, Heraclius Constantine in chlamys holding globus cruciger on right, cross between heads; reverse large M (40 nummi), chi rho Christogram above, ANNO left, uncertain regnal year on right (regnal year 20), G? below (3nd officina), CON in exergue; corrosion on reverse; sold.
Features obscure due to undertype effects and corrosion on reverse. KYZ mintmark from undertype clear on obverse. CONS legend from undertype clear on reverse. Heraclius monogram countermark on reverse. Sear notes this countermark is often found on coins of Maurice Tiberius.
whitetd49
194.jpg
Bucranium235 viewsSYRIA: SELEUCIS & PIERIA. Antiochia ad Orontem. Trajan. Æ 24 (As). A.D. 115/116 (?). Obv: IMPCAESNERTRAIANOOPTIMOAVGGE(RM). Radiate and draped bust right; Countermark behind. Rev: DAC(PARTH)ICO(PMTRPOTXXCOSVIPP) or similar. SC in laurel-wreath. Ref: RIC 644 or 647 (?). Axis: 180°. Weight: 7.39 g. CM: Bucranium, in circular punch, 6 mm. Howgego 294 (23 pcs). Collection Automan.Automan
Bramsen unknown.JPG
Bramsen ????. Mariage a Paris avec Marie-Louise, 1810. 235 viewsObv. Confronting busts of Napoleon I and Marie Louise. NAPOLEON GALL IMP ITALIIAE REX M LVDOVICIA FRANC AUST IMP FIL AA. HARNISCH
Rev. Turreted goddess insribing on shield supported by cupid, torches either side. FELICIBVS NVPTIIS. VOTA PVBLICA. VINDOB X1 MARTII MDCCCX
Silvered white metal 48mm

A beautiful medal struck to commemorate the marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise of Austria in 1810. Struck at Vienna.
My very first Napoleonic medal. ex-HJB it was sold as a restrike but is in fact an original strike as the Vienna mint did not restrike these medals.
LordBest
vesp_horseback.jpg
RIC 0005 Vespasian235 viewsAR Denarius, 3.17g
Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian riding r., hands outstretched
RIC 5 (R). BMC p. 7, ||. RSC 539. BNC 28.
Ex Harry N. Sneh Collection.

A denarius of Vespasian from his first issue at Rome, dated from December 69 AD to early 70 AD by the new RIC. The reverse depicts Titus and Domitian galloping with their hands outstretched, an obvious dynastic type with the two princes 'as armed warriors on horseback' (BMCRE II p. xxxiii).

It was very important for Vespasian to establish the fact that his son(s) would succeed him. Indeed Suetonius writes 'either his sons would succeed him or nobody would' (Suet. Vesp. 25). The numismatic evidence backs this up. No less than 3 different precious metal dynastic types were minted at Rome in the first months of the new regime: The present type with Titus and Domitian on horseback, another with them seated on curule chairs, and a third with their confronting busts. Arguably, the horseback type is the rarest of the three with the confronting busts by far the most common.
1 commentsDavid Atherton
14094882.jpg
Greece, Mycenae - tomb of Klytaimnéstra235 viewsJ. B.
HUNGARY_FERD_I_1526_DENAR.jpg
HUNGARY - Ferdinand I235 viewsHUNGARY - Ferdinand I (1526-1564) AR Denar, dated 1536. Obv: PATRONA VNGARIE Radiant Madonna with child in Inner circle with mintmark K - B on both sides. Rev: FERDINAND D G R VNG 1536 - Shield of arms , 0.51 g.
Huszar #935.
dpaul7
Algeria.jpg
Algeria235 viewsKm91 - 20 Francs - 1949 (1949-1956)
Km94 - 1 Centime - 1964 (1964)
Km95 - 2 Centime - 1964 (1964)
Km101 - 5 Centimes - 1970 (1970)
Km107.1 - 20 Centimes (1975 - 1975)
Km99 - 50 Centimes - 1964 (1964)
Km102 - 50 centimes - 1971 (1971,1973)
Km100 - 1 Dinar - 1964 (1964)
Km104.2 - 1 Dinar - 1972 (1972)
Daniel F
Z7705LGc.jpg
RIC 601 Domitian235 viewsAR Denarius, 3.27g
Rome mint, 88 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: COS XIIII LVD SAEC FEC inscribed on column; to r., incense burner, further r., Herald stg. l., with wand and shield
RIC 601 (C). BMC 135. RSC 73. BNC 124.
Acquired from Beast Coins, January 2010.

The type was minted in 88 AD in honour of the Secular Games Domitian held in that same year. Secular Games, or Ludi Saeculares, were theatrical games held at the end of a saeculum (the longest span of a human life, figured at 100 years). Domitian used the Augustan cycle, although he celebrated them six years early.

The reverse features a column with the inscription LVD SAEC FEC: "He Conducted the Secular Games", a herald who announced the games, and an incense burner for sacrifice. Quite a nice numismatic record of an event.

This is a type I've always wanted to add to the collection. Another reverse that pushes the limits of how much a die-cutter can fit onto such a small flan. Good metal and a decent portrait.
8 commentsDavid Atherton
bot15.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Antoninus Pius AE Sestertius 235 views142 AD. Rome mint.
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TRP COS III - Laureate head right.
Rev.: APOLLINI AVGVSTO - Apollo standing facing, head left, holding patera and lyre.
RIC III 598; BMCRE 1229; Cohen 62.
2 commentsMinos
HUNGARY_WLADISL_II_1512.jpg
HUNGARY - ULASZLO II (WLADISLAUS II)235 viewsHUNGARY - ULASZLO II (WLADISLAUS II) AR Denar, dated 1512. Obv.: Arms in circle; WLADISLAI * R * VNGARI *1512* Rev.: Crowned virgin holds child; PATRONA * * VNGARIE Virgin divedes mintmark K G Reference: Huszar #811.1 commentsdpaul7
On_Delos.jpg
Greece, Delos - On the Ascent to the Summit of Mt Kinthos235 viewsThis sort of material is to be found everywhere on the site of ancient Delos.
Ferd-I_AR-Den__1534_FERDINAND_D_G_R_VNG_PATRONA_-rozette-_VNGARIE_K-B_U-745a_C3-40_H-935_1534_Q-001_9h_16,3mm_0,54g-s.jpg
043 Ferdinand I., (Ferdinand I. of Habsburg), King of Hungary, (1526-1564 A.D.), AR-Denarius, U-745a, 1534, Madonna and child, #01235 views043 Ferdinand I., (Ferdinand I. of Habsburg), King of Hungary, (1526-1564 A.D.), AR-Denarius, U-745a, 1534, Madonna and child, #01
avers: •1534•FERDINAND•D•G•R•VNG, Hungarian shield, four-part shield with Hungarian arms (Árpádian stripes, patriarchal cross, Dalmatian leopard heads, Bohemian lion). Central shields are Austrian shields.
revers: PATRONA•-rosette-•VNGARIE, Crowned Madonna sits with a child on her right arm. K-B crossed the field.
diameter: 16,3 mm, weight: 0,54 g, axis: 9h,
mint mark: K-B,, mint: Körmöczbánya, date: 1534 A.D.,
ref: Unger-745a, CNH-3-40, Huszár-935,
Q-001
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Andras-I_(1047-1060)_U-004_C1-011_H-008_Q-001_2h_17,3mm_0,61g-s.jpg
04.1.?. András I., (Andreas I.), King of Hungary, (1047-1060 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 04.1.?., H-008, U-004, CNH I.-011,235 views04.1.?. András I., (Andreas I.), King of Hungary, (1047-1060 A.D.), AR-Denarius, CÁC I. 04.1.?., H-008, U-004, CNH I.-011,
avers: + REX•ANDREAS, Cross within a dotted circle, wedges between the arms of the cross.
reverse: + REGIA-CIVITAS, Cross within a circle, wedges between the arms of the cross.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 17,3mm, weight: 0,61 g, axis: 2h,
mint: Esztergom, date: A.D., ref: Huszár-008, Unger-004, CNH I.-011,
Tóth-Kiss-Fekete: CÁC I.(Catalog of Árpadian Coinage I./Opitz I.), Privy-Mark/Szigla: 04.1.?., New subtype/sigla variation!,
Q-001
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Bruttium,_Brettii,_Under_Hannibal_(215-205_BC),_AR-quarter_shekel,_Tanit-Demeter_l_,_Horse_r_,_SNG_Cop_369,_HN_Italy_2020,__Q-001,_0h,_13,5mm,_1,67g-s.jpg
Bruttium, Brettii, Under Hannibal, (215-205 B.C.), AR-Quarter Shekel, SNG Cop 369, -/-//--, Free horse standing right,235 viewsBruttium, Brettii, Under Hannibal, (215-205 B.C.), AR-Quarter Shekel, SNG Cop 369, -/-//--, Free horse standing right,
avers: Head of Tanit-Demeter left, wreathed with grain, in pendant earring and necklace.
reverse: Free horse standing right.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 13,5mm, weight: 1,67g, axes: 0h,
mint: Bruttium, Brettii, date: 215-205 B.C., ref: SNG Cop 369, Robinson, NC 1964, p. 53, 3., HN Italy 2020.,
Q-001
4 commentsquadrans
004n.jpg
Athena (helmeted bust)234 viewsCILICIA. Flaviopolis. Domitian. Æ 28 (2 Assaria). A.D. 89/90 (year 17 of era of Flaviopolis). Obv: ΔOMETIANOC-KAICAP. Laureate bust right; countermark in front of head. Rev: ΦΛAYI-OΠOΛEI-TWN-ETOYCZI. Laureate and draped bust of the Dioskuri face to face, each with star on forehead. Ref: BMC 1; Sear SGI 861; SNG Levante 1529. Axis: 360°. Weight: 14.03 g. CM: Helmeted bust of Athena right, in rectangular punch, 4 x 6 mm. Howgego 190 (21 pcs).Automan
068n.jpg
Capricorn234 viewsMACEDON. Philippi. Tiberius. Æ 17 (Semis). A.D. 14-37. Obv: TI.AVG. Bare head right; countermark on neck. Rev: Two colonists ploughing right with two oxen. Ref: BMC 89-91 (MYSIA. Parium). Axis: 360°. Weight: 4.91 g. CM: Capricorn right, in rectangular punch, 5 x 3-3.5 mm. Howgego 302 (2 pcs). Note: The application of the capricorn, a standard type of Parium (Mysia) to which the host coin was traditionally attributed, may have indicated a devaluation of the coin. Collection Automan.Automan
w1738.jpg
Caduceus234 viewsMacedonia, Philip III., AE-15 mm, 3.36 grs. AV: Head of Herakles with lions skin to right, within dotted border. RV: Rider to right, above FI, below the horse BA overstruck with CM. CM: Caduceus. See AMNG p. 178.2 with the same CM. Extremly rare coin. Collection: Mueller.Automan
AnastasiusS13.JPG
ROMAN EMPIRE, Anastasius, 491-518 Constantinople234 viewsObv: Bust right, ...AN...
Rev: Monogram
Sear 13
1 comments
Basil II the Bulgarslayer.jpg
BYZANTINE, Basil II the Bulgarslayer, AV Histamenon, Constantinopolis234 views548. Basile II le Bulgarochtone (976-1025), AV histamenon, 1001-1005 (?), Constantinople.
Obv : B. du Christ nimbé de face, bénissant et tenant les Evangiles. Trois groupes de sept globules dans les bras de la croix.
Rev : B. de Basile et de Constantin de face, tenant entre eux une croix patriarcale. Manus Dei au-dessus de la tête de Basile.
Ref.: S., 1798; R., 1941; B.N. 13; D.O. 4a.
4,23gm, Rare.

Under Basil, the empire expanded in all directions. He conquered Bulgaria, as his name suggests, and recovered Antioch from the Arabs.
Macrinus counter.jpg
Macrinus & Diadumenian Cilicia Aegeae234 views Ob. MAKPINOVP M EU P AIGEW [N] Wreathed head of Dionysos right; thrysos over shoulder, grapes before
Rev. Confronted busts of Macrinus, on left, and Diadumenian, on right; Macrinus radiate, draped and cuirassed, Diadumenian draped and cuirassed
Countermarks: 2, Bust right and Tyche

Ref. SNG Levante -; SNG France 2347
C/m Howgego -.
Size AE26
Weight: 11.86g
(Bacchus collection)

The oval countermark (between M & D) is Howgego 100, described as bust right. It probably depicts Elagabalus since his coins of Aegeae are plentiful (although never found countermarked). Howgego lists 11 specimens of this countermark, 1 of which on a Macrinus/Diadumenian coin. The countermark in the rectangular punch (behind D) is probably Howgego 200, of which only 3 specimens are noted. It is described as Tyche, turreted right. Two of these three listed by Howgego are of Diadumenian. Howgego lists only one coin that combins H100 and H200.

Special thanks to Automan for assistiance
1 commentsBacchus
GAE062.jpg
Antiochus IV Epiphanes - Antioch on Orontes (as 'Daphne') - 175/164BC234 viewsAntiochus IV Epiphanes - Antioch on Orontes (as 'Daphne') - 175/164BC
AE 20.1-21.2mm : 9.016gm
OBV - Radiate diademed head facing right with diadem extending down to neck
REV - Zeus standing facing, head turned left, arm extended to left holding wreath, ANTIOXEON at right, TON PROS DAPHNEN at left with monogram at far left and far right. Quasi-municipal type struck in or after 169/8 BC. Actual location: Antioch on Orontes (For some reason Antiochus IV chose to identify it as Antioch near Daphne).
REF - SNGSpaer 1008 (8.73gm same monograms)
2 commentsPtolemAE
XX_Poltura_b.jpg
20 Poltura 1705234 viewscoin of Rakoczi's RevolutionTibsi
Miletos_2.JPG
Turkey, Miletos234 viewsEaster 20071 commentsPotator II
SepphorisMosaic.JPG
Israel, Sepphoris - 'Mona Lisa' Mosaic234 viewsPart of a Roman mosaic, usually dated to the early 3rd-century CE, from the dining room floor of a mansion in the upper town at Sepphoris. When it was first excavated, the Israeli press named it 'the Mona Lisa of the Galilee'. Over-hype, maybe, but it is certainly attractive.Abu Galyon
Aspendos_theatre_stage_building.jpg
Turkey, Aspendos, Roman theatre, Stage building234 viewsThe scaenae frons is similarly largely undamaged. The stage building had secondary use, first as a caravanserai and later as a residence for the Seljuk governor of the city! Abu Galyon
Baktria,_Sophytes_Hemidrachm~0.jpg
GREEK, Baktria, Sophytes, 305-295 BC, AR Hemidrachm - Nicolet-Pierre and Amandry, RN (1994), 62 (this coin)234 viewsHelmeted head of Athena right.
Eagle standing left, head right, grape bunch and leaf on vine above.
Nicolet-Pierre and Amandry, RN (1994), 62 (this coin); SNG ANS 17-18.
(11 mm, 1.60 g, 6h)
Jean Elsen et Ses Fils (January 2010); ex Gorny 148 (1990) Lot 614; ex-1990 Afghanistan Commerce Hoard

This coin was one of a group of sixty five pseudo-Athenian Baktrian coins that came to market in Paris in 1990, documented by Nicolet-Pierre and Amandry in Un Nouveau Tresor de Monnaies D’argent Pseudo-Atheniennes Venu D’Afghanistan (1990). The 1990 Afghanistan Commerce Hoard increased by at least three fold the number of known examples of this coinage. Together with the associated discoveries of attic weight Sophytes issues, this proved decisive in linking the anepigraphic pseudo-Athenian issues to the later epigraphic issues of Sophytes. This coin is number 62 of the catalogue of Nicolet-Pierre and Amandry. It is amongst the finest hemidrachms of the eagle series known.
1 comments
Faustina-sen_AR-Den_DIVA-FAV_STINA__AVG_V_STA_RIC-000_C-000_Q-001_18mm_3,06g-s~0.jpg
Faustina (I) Senior (100-141) AR denarius, AVGVSTA,234 viewsFaustina (I) Senior AR denarius
Wife of Antoninus Pius.
avers:- DIVA-FAV_STINA, Draped bust right.
revers:- AVG_V_STA, Juno standing left, holding torch and scepter. 141 (Rome).
date: 141 AD.
mint: Rome
diameter: 16-17mm
weight: 3,11g
ref: RIC-356 (Antoninus Pius) , C-96
Q-001
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KINGS_of_MACEDON__Perseus___Greek-AE-20_KINGS_of_MACEDON__Perseus__179-168_BC__SNG_Copenhagen_1275_179-168_BC__Q-001_axis-11h_19mm_5,38g-s.jpg
GREEK, Macedonian kingdom, Perseus, (187-168 B.C.), SNG Cop 1275var., AE-19.234 viewsMacedonia, Kings, Perseus, (179-168 B.C.), AE-19, SNG Cop 1275 var, Eagle, #1
avers:- Head of hero Perseus right, wearing petasos surmounted by griffin's head; harpę over shoulder.
revers:- B-A above eagle standing facing on thunderbolt, head right, Π-E across fields, star in exergue.
exerg: Π/E//*, diameter: 19mm, weight: 5,38g, axes: 11h,
mint: Macedonia, Kings, "Perseus/eagle", date: 179-168 B.C., ref: SNG Copenhagen 1275 var.,
Q-001
2 commentsquadrans
GalbaDenarius.jpg
Galba234 viewsDenarius. Rome, A.D. 68. Bare head of Galba right. Rv. S P Q R/OB/C S in three lines within wreath. 3.46 grams. RIC 167. BMC 34 corr. (obv. incorrectly described). RSC 287.4 commentsNemonater
Titus_RIC_II_108~0.jpg
Roman Empire, Titus RIC II 108234 viewsTitus. 79-81 A.D. Rome Mint. 80 A.D. 1 Jan.-30 June. (3.24g, 18.6mm, 5h). Obv: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head r. Rev: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P, curule chair, above wreath. RIC II 108, BMC 66, RSC 318.

2 commentsLucas H
Fibula-007_Q_31,5x22mm_3,11g-s.jpg
Roman Plate, Openwork Plate Fibula, Hollow Rhomboid Fibula #019, Roman Plate Fibula, Hollow Rhomboid Openwork Plate, Silvered,234 viewsFibula #019, Roman Plate Fibula, Hollow Rhomboid Openwork Plate, Silvered,
type: Openwork Plate Fibulae, Symmetrical Hollow . Hollow rhomboid (or diamond) is te most common design though others exist as well including star .
A rhomboid hollow openwork plate fibula. Its overall shape is similar to the solid version, the rhomboid geometric plate fibula.
size: 31,5x22mm,
weight: 3,11g,
date: c. AD 100-150 A.D.,
ref: ,
distribution: Balkans,
Q-001
quadrans
Fibula-009_Q-001_50x21mm_6,96g-s.jpg
Germanic Two-Plate Bow Fibulae / Blechfibeln, with Semi-Circular Head Plate, Germanic fibula, #2, Fibula #009, 234 viewsFibula #009, Germanic fibula, #2
type: Germanic fibula. The basic type is called "bow with two plates" or "plate-bow" or, in German Blechfibeln.
This is the round head with three knobs type. Small blech fibula with three knobs on semi-circular head plate. Very similar to the Krefeld type below but lacks the lateral "caterpillar" and animal head motifs on the foot.
Serbia more likely Gepid, Bulgaria Gepid or more likely Ostrogoth.
The reverse shows rust traces from the iron spring.
size: 50x21mm,
weight: 6,96g,
date: c. A.D. 475-525, some into 7th century,
ref: ,
distribution: Gepid; Chernyakhov culture / Goths.
Q-002
quadrans
roman_lead_seal.jpg
BCC RS1234 viewsLead seal
Roman 2nd-3rd cent CE
Obv: Radiate bust right (Sol).
Rev: Bust to right with crescent below (Luna).
possible letters in field to left and right.
13x10mm. 2.9 gm. Axis:0
Surface find from Caesarea Maritima ca. 1960.
v-drome
Masada_-_Catapult_Balls_.jpg
Israel, Masada - pile of ancient catapult projectiles - Ouch!234 views1 comments
Ant_Pius-AE-As_ANTONINVS-AVG-PIVS-P-P-TR-P-XII_MVNIFICENTIA-AVG_COS-IIII_S-C_RIC-862a_C-565_Rome_149-50-AD_Q-001_0h_24,5-25,5mm_9,85g-s.jpg
035 Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.), RIC III 0862a, Rome, AE-As, MVNIFICENTIA AVG, Elephant walking right, -/-//COS IIII/ S C,234 views035 Antoninus Pius (138-161 A.D.), RIC III 0862a, Rome, AE-As, MVNIFICENTIA AVG, Elephant walking right, -/-//COS IIII/ S C,
avers: ANTONINVS-AVG-PIVS-P-P-TR-P-XII, Bust laureate right, sligt drapery or aegis on far shoulder.
revers: MVNIFICENTIA-AVG, Elephant walking right.
exe: -/-//COS IIII/ S C, diameter: 24,5-25,5mm, weight: 9,85g, axis: 0h,
mint: Rome, date: 149-150 A.D., ref: RIC-III-862a-p-, C-565,
Q-001
3 commentsquadrans
SEVERINA-1.jpg
Severina, wife of Aurelian. Augusta, 274-275 CE.233 viewsSilvered Billon Antoninianius (22 mm, 4.14 gm). Rome mint, 274-275 CE.
Obv: SEVERINA AVG, draped bust r., on crescent.
Rev: CONCORDIA AVGG. Aurelian and Severina standing with clasped hands. GXXIR in ex.
RIC 3; Cohen 2; Sear 3283.
1 comments
Lysimachia.jpg
Dolphin233 views1 commentswhitetd49
160.jpg
Athena (helmeted bust right)233 viewsCILICIA. Flaviopolis. Domitian. Æ 26 (2 Assaria). A.D. 89/90 (year 17 of era of Flaviopolis). Obv: (ΔOMET)IANOC-KAICAP. Laureate bust right; Countermark before neck. Rev: (Φ)ΛAYI-OΠOΛEI-TWN-ETOYCZ(I). Laureate and draped bust of the Dioskuri face to face, each with star on forehead. Ref: BMC 1; Sear SGI 861; SNG Levante 1529; RPC 1756. Axis: 360°. Weight: 10.51 g. CM: Helmeted bust of Athena right, in rectangular punch, 4 x 6 mm. Howgego 190 (21 pcs). Collection Automan.Automan
GALBA-1-ROMAN~0.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Galba, RIC I-289 Rome233 viewsBrass Dupondius
Rome mint, 68 A.D.
29mm, 13.89g
RIC I-289

Obverse:
SER GALBA IMP CAES AVG
Laureate head left

Revere:
S P Q R
OB
CIV SER
Legend in three lines in
oak-wreath.

Don't know if this is BoT worthy, but this is one of my favorites
1 commentsWill J
RI 138a img~0.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Magnia Urbica - RIC 337 var - (A | _)233 viewsAE Antoninianus.
Obv:– MAGNIA VRBICA AVG, Draped bust right on crescent, hair brushed in straight lines, plait carried up the back to top of head and running under stephane
Rev:– VENVS GENETRIX, Venus standing facing, head left, apple upward in right hand, vertical scepter in left
Minted in Lugdunum (A in left field).
RIC V pt. 2, 337 var (not listed from this officina). Bastien -, Bastien Supplement -, Bastien Supplement II 613α (2 examples cited)
23mm, 3.16g
5 commentsmaridvnvm
antoninus_pius_694.jpg
Antoninus Pius, RIC III, 694233 viewsAntoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AE - As, 26.71mm, 11.65g
Rome, AD 140/144
obv. ANTONINVS - AVG PIVS PP
Head, laureate, r.
rev. T - R - POT - COS III
Mars, nude, chlamys over l. arm, helmeted, spear in r. hand and shield in l. hand, coming down from heaven to Rhea Silvia, sleeping at his feet, nude except a garment slid down to her hips, laying l. on rocks, r. arm over head, head resting on l. hand
in lower field SC
RIC III, 694; C.885; BMC 1370
Very rare, VF, dark, nearly black patina
Pedigree:
ex Küncker auction 133, Osnabrück 11./12. Oct. 2007, lot 8870

The rev. depicts an important scene of Rome's early history. For more informations please look at the thread 'Coins of mythlogical interest'!
7 commentsJochen
leopold i hungary.jpg
HUNGARY - Leopold I233 viewsHUNGARY - Leopold I (1655-1705) "The Hogmouth" AR 15 Kraczar, 1691, Kremnitz mint (K-B). Husz. #1204. KM #209.dpaul7
s168_var1_publish.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Septimius Severus denarius233 viewsRIC 146a (3,3 gm, 18 mm).
Mint of Rome, 198-200 AD.

Rare "Septimius' VIRTVS" type!
Denarius has a relief much higher
than it seems at photo!

SEVERVS VIRTVS AVG
2 comments
TrebonianusGallus01.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Trebonianus Gallus, Rome mint, struck 251 AD, AE Sestertius233 viewsIMP CAES C VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVG laureate-headed and draped bust dright
SALVS AVGG, S-C Salus standing right
RIC 221a, Cohen 115
3 comments
Tanit.jpg
Tanit233 viewsTanit was a Phoenician lunar goddess worshiped as the patron goddess of Carthage.

Background to the coin type http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-60562
1 comments
L__Procilius_L_f_.jpg
L. Procilius L.f. - Procilia-2233 viewsROMAN REPUBLIC L. Procilius L.f. Silver denarius serratus, VF, Italian mint, (4.109gm, maximum diameter 19.4mm, die axis 180o) 80 B.C.; obverse head of Juno Sospita clad in goat skin right, S C (senatus consulto - authorized by special decree of the Senate) behind; reverse Juno Sospita in a biga right, brandishing spear and holding shield, snake below, L.PROCILI.F in exergue. SRCV 307, Sydenham 772, Crawford 379/2, RSC I Procilia 25 commentsBud Stewart
TIROL_SIGISMUND_THE_RICH.jpg
TYROL - Sigismund the Rich233 viewsTYROL - GRAND DUKE SIGISMUND THE RICH - 1446-1496 AR Kreuzer. Obv.: Crowned Eagle faces left; +COMES (rosette) TIROL (diamond). Reverse: Long cross, over short cross at angles; 4-pointed star in 1st quadrant of short cross; + SIGISMUNDUS (4-pointed star). Hall mint.1 commentsdpaul7
Theatre_-_Delos.jpg
Greece, Delos - the ancient theatre233 views
105Y.jpg
Jovinus AR Siliqua233 viewsRIC X 1716 (Rare) Lugdunum (Lyons), RSC4†c
c 411-13 A.D.
14mm, 1.5g.
D N IOVIN – VS P F AVG, pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
VICTOR – IA AVGG, Roma seated left on throne, holding Victory on globe and reversed spear.
SMLDV in exergue
Notes: Rated Rare but no other examples found on either WW or acsearch. One example on coinarchives.
4 commentsMark Z
Fibula-027_Q-001_46x28mm_5,31g-s.jpg
Celtic, Fibula #027 AE Celtic Fibula,233 viewsFibula #027 AE Celtic Fibula,
type: Celtic Fibula,
size: 46x28mm,
weight: 5,31g,
date: A.D.,
ref: .,
distribution: ,
Q-001
quadrans
Probus_AE-Ant_IMP-C-M-AVR-PROBVS-P-F-AVG-(H)_VIRTVS-PROBI-AVG_KAA_RIC-877var-p-113_Serdica_4th-em_281-AD_Q-001_0h_22,5-23,5mm_4,05g-s.jpg
112 Probus (276-282 A.D.), AE-Antoninianus, RIC V-II 877var. Serdica, VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Bust-H, (Tis officina "KAA" and Bust-H Not in RIC), -/-//KAA, Emperor riding right, Rare, #1233 views112 Probus (276-282 A.D.), AE-Antoninianus, RIC V-II 877var. Serdica, VIRTVS PROBI AVG, Bust-H, (Tis officina "KAA" and Bust-H Not in RIC), -/-//KAA, Emperor riding right, Rare, #1
avers:- IMP-C-M-AVR-PROBVS-P-F-AVG, Radiate bust left in imperial mantle, holding sceptre surmounted by eagle. (H)
revers:- VIRTVS-PROBI-AVG, Emperor riding right, spearing enemy, shield beneth the horse.
exergo:-/-//KAA, diameter: 22,5-23,5mm, weight: 4,05g, axes:0h
mint: Serdica, date: 277 A.D., ref: RIC-V-II-877var. (Tis officina "KAA" and Bust-H Not in RIC), p-113,
Q-001
quadrans
B_038_Constantine-VII__Porphyrogenitus_(913-959_A_D_),_SB_1761,_AE-Follis,_Constantinopolis,-Q-002_6h_24-25mm_6,15g-s.jpg
Byzantine, Constantine VII. Porphyrogenitus (913-959 A.D.), SB 1761, AE-Follis, Constantinopolis, #2, double or over struck!233 viewsB 038 Constantine VII. Porphyrogenitus (913-959 A.D.), SB 1761, AE-Follis, Constantinopolis, #2, double or over struck!
avers: CONST bASIL ROM, crowned bust of Constantine facing, with short beard and wearing vertical loros, holding akakia and cross on globe.
reverse: + / CONST / EN QEO BA / SILEVS R / OMEON, legend in four lines.
exergue: , diameter: 24-25mm, weight: 6,15g, axis: 6h,
mint: Constantinopolis, date: A.D., ref: SB 1761,
Q-002
quadrans
s-1998bb.jpg
BYZANTINE, ISAAC COMNENUS OF CYPRUS AG TETARTERON SBCV-1998 233 viewsDOC 610 CLBC 6.3.6A GR 1125

OBV Christ Emmanuel, beardless and nimbate, wearing tunic and kolobion, seated upon throne with back; r hand raised in benediction holds scroll in l. Pellet in each limb of nimbus cross.

REV Full length figure of emperor on l. crowned by virgin nimbate. Emperor wears stemma, divitision, collar piece, and jeweled loros of simplified type; holds in r hand scepter cruciger and in l. anexikakia. Virgin wears tunic and maphorion.

Size 18.5/20mm

Weight 4.2

These issues in Cyprus have a small amount of silver in them 1.5% make them more related to the Metropolitan issue of the empire. This issue is heavier than most listed types. Variations of Isaac Comnenus coinage seem more common than the Byzantine Emperors, in this case the sash on the Emperors waist.

I have decided not clean this coin any further,I think it is attractive as it stands.

DOC list 4 examples with a weight of 2.81 to 2.84 and sized at 19mm to 21mm
1 commentsSimon
B_060_Alexius-I__Comnenus_(1081-1118_A_D_),_-Tetarteron_AE-20_pos-reform_ALZI-DECP_IC-XC_1081-1118-AD_SB-1929_Grierson-1055_Thessalonica_Q-002_h_17,5-19,5mm_g-s.jpg
Byzantine, Alexius I. Comnenus (1081-1118 A.D.), SB 1929, AE-Tetarteron, IC/XC//--, Thessalonica, #1233 viewsB 060 Alexius I. Comnenus (1081-1118 A.D.), SB 1929, AE-Tetarteron, IC/XC//--, Thessalonica, #1
avers: +AΛZI ΔECΠ, crowned bust of Alexius facing, wearing jewelled chlamys, holding cross-tipped sceptre and cross on globe (left picture).
reverse: IC-XC to left and right of nimbate bust of Christ facing, holding book of gospels and raising right hand ( right picture).
exergue: IC/XC//--, diameter: 17,5-19,5mm,weight: g, axis: h,
mint: Thessalonica, date: 1092-1118 A.D., postreform, ref: SB-1929, Grierson-1055,
Q-001
2 commentsquadrans
TITI-1.jpg
Julia Titi, daughter of Titus, lived for a time with her uncle Domitian as his wife. Augusta, c. 79-90/91 CE.232 viewsAR denarius, (20 mm, 3.2g). c. 79 CE.
Obv: IVLIA AVGVSTA TITI AVGVSTI F, Draped bust right, hair in plaits behind.
Rev: VENVS AVGVST, Venus standing right, against column, holding helmet and scepter.
Sear 2612; RIC 56 (Titus); RSC 14; BMC 141; Vagi 1052.

This is the more common type which portrays Venus topless. There are reverse variants which depict her with a bra: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/board/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=6719;start=msg49161#msg49161
GEPAEPYRIS.jpg
Gepaepyris, wife of Aspurgus, with stepson, Mithradates.232 viewsBosphorus Kingdom. Æ 12 nummia (24 mm).
Obv: BACILEWC MIQRADATOU, Diad. hd. of Mithradates, r.
Rev: BACILLICCHC GHPAPUREWC, Diad., dr. bust of Queen Gepaepyris, r.; before IB. SNG XI 968. Similar to
Anokhin Bosphorus 331; SGI 5433; BMC 13.51, 5.
082n.jpg
B in oval punch232 viewsUncertain mint, likely of Balkan origin. Uncertain emperor. Æ 21. Late 2nd - early 3rd century A.D. Obv: Inscription obliterated. Laureate bust right; countermark behind bust. Rev: Inscription obliterated. Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopia (?). Axis: 30°. Weight: 4.63 g. CM: B in oval punch, 5.5 x 7 mm. Possibly Howgego 765i (125 pcs). Note: It is difficult to say which of the “B” countermark groups identified by Howgego that this coin belongs to, if any. Collection Automan.1 commentsAutoman
w0655.jpg
River God reclining232 viewsThrace, Kings of, Lysimachos, 323-281 B.C. AE-20 mm, 3.81 grs. AV: Young God (maybe Athena?) with attic helmet to right, dotted border
Round CM: River God reclining to left, above: Grape, In ex: Delta in a
circle. RV: BASILEWS / LYSIMAXOY, Lion advancing to right. A very interesting and rare CM! Collection: Mueller.
Automan
II_C_V_Countermark.jpg
II.C.V - Possible Barbaric232 viewsEmperor: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Condition: Mediocre
Denomination: Unknown

Countermark on Obverse: ||●C●V (Maybe an imitation of TI●C●A)
Unknown Reverse
5.23g; 24.5mm

Collection Pep
Pep
TrajSepphorisGalilee.jpg
[18H907] Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Sepphoris, Galilee232 viewsBronze AE 23, Hendin 907, BMC 5, Fair, 7.41g, 23.1mm, 0o, Sepphoris mint, 98 - 117 A.D.; obverse TPAIANOS AYTO]-KPA[TWP EDWKEN, laureate head right; reverse SEPFW/RHNWN, eight-branched palm bearing two bunches of dates.

At the crossroads of the Via Maris and the Acre-Tiberias roads, Sepphoris was the capital of Galilee and Herod Antipas' first capital. Damaged by a riot, Antipas ordered Sepphoris be rebuilt. Flavius Josephus described the rebuilt Sepphoris as the "ornament of all Galilee." Since Sepphoris was only five miles north of Nazareth, Jesus and Joseph may have found work in Antipas' rebuilding projects. Sepphoris was built on a hill and visible for miles. This may be the city that Jesus spoke of when He said, "A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."

Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a brilliant general and administrator was adopted and proclaimed emperor by the aging Nerva in 98 A.D. Regarded as one of Rome's greatest emperors, Trajan was responsible for the annexation of Dacia, the invasion of Arabia and an extensive and lavish building program across the empire. Under Trajan, Rome reached its greatest extent. Shortly after the annexation of Mesopotamia and Armenia, Trajan was forced to withdraw from most of the new Arabian provinces. While returning to Rome to direct operations against the new threats, Trajan died at Selinus in Cilicia.
See: http://www.forumancientcoins.com/catalog/indexfrm.asp?vpar=55&pos=0.


De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families

Trajan (A.D. 98-117)


Herbert W. Benario
Emory University

Introduction and Sources
"During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this and of the two succeeding chapters to describe the prosperous condition of their empire, and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall, a revolution which will ever be remembered and is still felt by the nations of the earth."

This is perhaps the most important and best known of all Edward Gibbon's famous dicta about his vast subject, and particularly that period which he admired the most. It was a concatenation of chance and events which brought to the first position of the principate five men, each very different from the others, who each, in his own way, brought integrity and a sense of public duty to his tasks. Nerva's tenure was brief, as many no doubt had expected and hoped it would be, and perhaps his greatest achievement was to choose Trajan as his adoptive son and intended successor. It was a splendid choice. Trajan was one of Rome's most admirable figures, a man who merited the renown which he enjoyed in his lifetime and in subsequent generations.

The sources for the man and his principate are disappointingly skimpy. There is no contemporaneous historian who can illuminate the period. Tacitus speaks only occasionally of Trajan, there is no biography by Suetonius, nor even one by the author of the late and largely fraudulent Historia Augusta. (However, a modern version of what such a life might have been like has been composed by A. Birley, entirely based upon ancient evidence. It is very useful.) Pliny the Younger tells us the most, in his Panegyricus, his long address of thanks to the emperor upon assuming the consulship in late 100, and in his letters. Pliny was a wordy and congenial man, who reveals a great deal about his senatorial peers and their relations with the emperor, above all, of course, his own. The most important part is the tenth book of his Epistulae, which contains the correspondence between him, while serving in Bithynia, and the emperor, to whom he referred all manner of problems, important as well as trivial. Best known are the pair (96,97) dealing with the Christians and what was to be done with them. These would be extraordinarily valuable if we could be sure that the imperial replies stemmed directly from Trajan, but that is more than one can claim. The imperial chancellery had developed greatly in previous decades and might pen these communications after only the most general directions from the emperor. The letters are nonetheless unique in the insight they offer into the emperor's mind.

Cassius Dio, who wrote in the decade of the 230s, wrote a long imperial history which has survived only in abbreviated form in book LXVIII for the Trajanic period. The rhetorician Dio of Prusa, a contemporary of the emperor, offers little of value. Fourth-century epitomators, Aurelius Victor and Eutropius, offer some useful material. Inscriptions, coins, papyri, and legal texts are of major importance. Since Trajan was a builder of many significant projects, archaeology contributes mightily to our understanding of the man.

Early Life and Career
The patria of the Ulpii was Italica, in Spanish Baetica , where their ancestors had settled late in the third century B.C. This indicates that the Italian origin was paramount, yet it has recently been cogently argued that the family's ancestry was local, with Trajan senior actually a Traius who was adopted into the family of the Ulpii. Trajan's father was the first member of the family to pursue a senatorial career; it proved to be a very successful one. Born probably about the year 30, he perhaps commanded a legion under Corbulo in the early sixties and then was legate of legio X Fretensis under Vespasian, governor of Judaea. Success in the Jewish War was rewarded by the governorship of an unknown province and then a consulate in 70. He was thereafter adlected by the emperor in patricios and sent to govern Baetica. Then followed the governorship of one of the major military provinces, Syria, where he prevented a Parthian threat of invasion, and in 79/80 he was proconsul of Asia, one of the two provinces (the other was Africa) which capped a senatorial career. His public service now effectively over, he lived on in honor and distinction, in all likelihood seeing his son emperor. He probably died before 100. He was deified in 113 and his titulature read divus Traianus pater. Since his son was also the adoptive son of Nerva, the emperor had officially two fathers, a unique circumstance.

The son was born in Italica on September 18, 53; his mother was Marcia, who had given birth to a daughter, Ulpia Marciana, five years before the birth of the son. In the mid seventies, he was a legionary legate under his father in Syria. He then married a lady from Nemausus (Nimes) in Gallia Narbonensis, Pompeia Plotina, was quaestor about 78 and praetor about 84. In 86, he became one of the child Hadrian's guardians. He was then appointed legate of legio VII Gemina in Hispania Tarraconensis, from which he marched at Domitian's orders in 89 to crush the uprising of Antonius Saturninus along the Rhine. He next fought in Domitian's war against the Germans along Rhine and Danube and was rewarded with an ordinary consulship in 91. Soon followed the governorship of Moesia inferior and then that of Germania superior, with his headquarters at Moguntiacum (Mainz), whither Hadrian brought him the news in autumn 97 that he had been adopted by the emperor Nerva, as co-ruler and intended successor. Already recipient of the title imperator and possessor of the tribunician power, when Nerva died on January 27, 98, Trajan became emperor in a smooth transition of power which marked the next three quarters of a century.

Early Years through the Dacian Wars
Trajan did not return immediately to Rome. He chose to stay in his German province and settle affairs on that frontier. He showed that he approved Domitian's arrangements, with the establishment of two provinces, their large military garrisons, and the beginnings of the limes. Those who might have wished for a renewed war of conquest against the Germans were disappointed. The historian Tacitus may well have been one of these.

Trajan then visited the crucial Danube provinces of Pannonia and Moesia, where the Dacian king Decebalus had caused much difficulty for the Romans and had inflicted a heavy defeat upon a Roman army about a decade before. Domitian had established a modus vivendi with Decebalus, essentially buying his good behavior, but the latter had then continued his activities hostile to Rome. Trajan clearly thought that this corner of empire would require his personal attention and a lasting and satisfactory solution.

Trajan spent the year 100 in Rome, seeing to the honors and deification of his predecessor, establishing good and sensitive relations with the senate, in sharp contrast with Domitian's "war against the senate." Yet his policies essentially continued Domitian's; he was no less master of the state and the ultimate authority over individuals, but his good nature and respect for those who had until recently been his peers if not his superiors won him great favor. He was called optimus by the people and that word began to appear among his titulature, although it had not been decreed by the senate. Yet his thoughts were ever on the Danube. Preparations for a great campaign were under way, particularly with transfers of legions and their attendant auxiliaries from Germany and Britain and other provinces and the establishment of two new ones, II Traiana and XXX Ulpia, which brought the total muster to 30, the highest number yet reached in the empire's history.

In 101 the emperor took the field. The war was one which required all his military abilities and all the engineering and discipline for which the Roman army was renowned. Trajan was fortunate to have Apollodorus of Damascus in his service, who built a roadway through the Iron Gates by cantilevering it from the sheer face of the rock so that the army seemingly marched on water. He was also to build a great bridge across the Danube, with 60 stone piers (traces of this bridge still survive). When Trajan was ready to move he moved with great speed, probably driving into the heart of Dacian territory with two columns, until, in 102, Decebalus chose to capitulate. He prostrated himself before Trajan and swore obedience; he was to become a client king. Trajan returned to Rome and added the title Dacicus to his titulature.

Decebalus, however, once left to his own devices, undertook to challenge Rome again, by raids across the Danube into Roman territory and by attempting to stir up some of the tribes north of the river against her. Trajan took the field again in 106, intending this time to finish the job of Decebalus' subjugation. It was a brutal struggle, with some of the characteristics of a war of extirpation, until the Dacian king, driven from his capital of Sarmizegethusa and hunted like an animal, chose to commit suicide rather than to be paraded in a Roman triumph and then be put to death.

The war was over. It had taxed Roman resources, with 11 legions involved, but the rewards were great. Trajan celebrated a great triumph, which lasted 123 days and entertained the populace with a vast display of gladiators and animals. The land was established as a province, the first on the north side of the Danube. Much of the native population which had survived warfare was killed or enslaved, their place taken by immigrants from other parts of the empire. The vast wealth of Dacian mines came to Rome as war booty, enabling Trajan to support an extensive building program almost everywhere, but above all in Italy and in Rome. In the capital, Apollodorus designed and built in the huge forum already under construction a sculpted column, precisely 100 Roman feet high, with 23 spiral bands filled with 2500 figures, which depicted, like a scroll being unwound, the history of both Dacian wars. It was, and still is, one of the great achievements of imperial "propaganda." In southern Dacia, at Adamklissi, a large tropaeum was built on a hill, visible from a great distance, as a tangible statement of Rome's domination. Its effect was similar to that of Augustus' monument at La Turbie above Monaco; both were constant reminders for the inhabitants who gazed at it that they had once been free and were now subjects of a greater power.

Administration and Social Policy
The chief feature of Trajan's administration was his good relations with the senate, which allowed him to accomplish whatever he wished without general opposition. His auctoritas was more important than his imperium. At the very beginning of Trajan's reign, the historian Tacitus, in the biography of his father-in-law Agricola, spoke of the newly won compatibility of one-man rule and individual liberty established by Nerva and expanded by Trajan (Agr. 3.1, primo statim beatissimi saeculi ortu Nerva Caesar res olim dissociabiles miscuerit, principatum ac libertatem, augeatque cotidie felicitatem temporum Nerva Traianus,….) [13] At the end of the work, Tacitus comments, when speaking of Agricola's death, that he had forecast the principate of Trajan but had died too soon to see it (Agr. 44.5, ei non licuit durare in hanc beatissimi saeculi lucem ac principem Traianum videre, quod augurio votisque apud nostras aures ominabatur,….) Whether one believes that principate and liberty had truly been made compatible or not, this evidently was the belief of the aristocracy of Rome. Trajan, by character and actions, contributed to this belief, and he undertook to reward his associates with high office and significant promotions. During his principate, he himself held only 6 consulates, while arranging for third consulates for several of his friends. Vespasian had been consul 9 times, Titus 8, Domitian 17! In the history of the empire there were only 12 or 13 private who reached the eminence of third consulates. Agrippa had been the first, L. Vitellius the second. Under Trajan there were 3: Sex. Iulius Frontinus (100), T. Vestricius Spurinna (100), and L. Licinius Sura (107). There were also 10 who held second consulships: L. Iulius Ursus Servianus (102), M.' Laberius Maximus (103), Q. Glitius Atilius Agricola (103), P. Metilius Sabinus Nepos (103?), Sex. Attius Suburanus Aemilianus (104), Ti. Iulius Candidus Marius Celsus (105), C. Antius A. Iulius Quadratus (105), Q. Sosius Senecio (107), A. Cornelius Palma Frontonianus (109), and L. Publilius Celsus (113). These men were essentially his close associates from pre-imperial days and his prime military commanders in the Dacian wars.

One major administrative innovation can be credited to Trajan. This was the introduction of curators who, as representatives of the central government, assumed financial control of local communities, both in Italy and the provinces. Pliny in Bithynia is the best known of these imperial officials. The inexorable shift from freedmen to equestrians in the imperial ministries continued, to culminate under Hadrian, and he devoted much attention and considerable state resources to the expansion of the alimentary system, which purposed to support orphans throughout Italy. The splendid arch at Beneventum represents Trajan as a civilian emperor, with scenes of ordinary life and numerous children depicted, which underscored the prosperity of Italy.

The satirist Juvenal, a contemporary of the emperor, in one of his best known judgments, laments that the citizen of Rome, once master of the world, is now content only with "bread and circuses."

Nam qui dabat olim / imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se / continet, atque duas tantum res anxius optat, / panem et circenses. (X 78-81)

Trajan certainly took advantage of that mood, indeed exacerbated it, by improving the reliabilty of the grain supply (the harbor at Ostia and the distribution system as exemplified in the Mercati in Rome). Fronto did not entirely approve, if indeed he approved at all. The plebs esteemed the emperor for the glory he had brought Rome, for the great wealth he had won which he turned to public uses, and for his personality and manner. Though emperor, he prided himself upon being civilis, a term which indicated comportment suitable for a Roman citizen.

There was only one major addition to the Rome's empire other than Dacia in the first decade and a half of Trajan's reign. This was the province of Arabia, which followed upon the absorption of the Nabataean kingdom (105-106).

Building Projects
Trajan had significant effect upon the infrastructure of both Rome and Italy. His greatest monument in the city, if the single word "monument" can effectively describe the complex, was the forum which bore his name, much the largest, and the last, of the series known as the "imperial fora." Excavation for a new forum had already begun under Domitian, but it was Apollodorus who designed and built the whole. Enormous in its extent, the Basilica Ulpia was the centerpiece, the largest wood roofed building in the Roman world. In the open courtyard before it was an equestrian statue of Trajan, behind it was the column; there were libraries, one for Latin scrolls, the other for Greek, on each side. A significant omission was a temple; this circumstance was later rectified by Hadrian, who built a large temple to the deified Trajan and Plotina.

The column was both a history in stone and the intended mausoleum for the emperor, whose ashes were indeed placed in the column base. An inscription over the doorway, somewhat cryptic because part of the text has disappeared, reads as follows:

Senatus populusque Romanus imp. Caesari divi Nervae f. Nervae Traiano Aug. Germ. Dacico pontif. Maximo trib. pot. XVII imp. VI p.p. ad declarandum quantae altitudinis mons et locus tant[is oper]ibus sit egestus (Smallwood 378)

On the north side of the forum, built into the slopes of the Quirinal hill, were the Markets of Trajan, which served as a shopping mall and the headquarters of the annona, the agency responsible for the receipt and distribution of grain.

On the Esquiline hill was constructed the first of the huge imperial baths, using a large part of Nero's Domus Aurea as its foundations. On the other side of the river a new aqueduct was constructed, which drew its water from Lake Bracciano and ran some 60 kilometers to the heights of the Janiculum Hill. It was dedicated in 109. A section of its channel survives in the basement of the American Academy in Rome.

The arch in Beneventum is the most significant monument elsewhere in Italy. It was dedicated in 114, to mark the beginning of the new Via Traiana, which offered an easier route to Brundisium than that of the ancient Via Appia.

Trajan devoted much attention to the construction and improvement of harbors. His new hexagonal harbor at Ostia at last made that port the most significant in Italy, supplanting Puteoli, so that henceforth the grain ships docked there and their cargo was shipped by barge up the Tiber to Rome. Terracina benefited as well from harbor improvements, and the Via Appia now ran directly through the city along a new route, with some 130 Roman feet of sheer cliff being cut away so that the highway could bend along the coast. Ancona on the Adriatic Sea became the major harbor on that coast for central Italy in 114-115, and Trajan's activity was commemorated by an arch. The inscription reports that the senate and people dedicated it to the []iprovidentissimo principi quod accessum Italiae hoc etiam addito ex pecunia sua portu tutiorem navigantibus reddiderit (Smallwood 387). Centumcellae, the modern Civitavecchia, also profited from a new harbor. The emperor enjoyed staying there, and on at least one occasion summoned his consilium there.

Elsewhere in the empire the great bridge at Alcantara in Spain, spanning the Tagus River, still in use, testifies to the significant attention the emperor gave to the improvement of communication throughout his entire domain.

Family Relations; the Women
After the death of his father, Trajan had no close male relatives. His life was as closely linked with his wife and female relations as that of any of his predecessors; these women played enormously important roles in the empire's public life, and received honors perhaps unparalleled. His wife, Pompeia Plotina, is reported to have said, when she entered the imperial palace in Rome for the first time, that she hoped she would leave it the same person she was when she entered. She received the title Augusta no later than 105. She survived Trajan, dying probably in 121, and was honored by Hadrian with a temple, which she shared with her husband, in the great forum which the latter had built.

His sister Marciana, five years his elder, and he shared a close affection. She received the title Augusta, along with Plotina, in 105 and was deified in 112 upon her death. Her daughter Matidia became Augusta upon her mother's death, and in her turn was deified in 119. Both women received substantial monuments in the Campus Martius, there being basilicas of each and a temple of divae Matidiae. Hadrian was responsible for these buildings, which were located near the later temple of the deified Hadrian, not far from the column of Marcus Aurelius.

Matidia's daughter, Sabina, was married to Hadrian in the year 100. The union survived almost to the end of Hadrian's subsequent principate, in spite of the mutual loathing that they had for each other. Sabina was Trajan's great niece, and thereby furnished Hadrian a crucial link to Trajan.

The women played public roles as significant as any of their predecessors. They traveled with the emperor on public business and were involved in major decisions. They were honored throughout the empire, on monuments as well as in inscriptions. Plotina, Marciana, and Matidia, for example, were all honored on the arch at Ancona along with Trajan.

The Parthian War
In 113, Trajan began preparations for a decisive war against Parthia. He had been a "civilian" emperor for seven years, since his victory over the Dacians, and may well have yearned for a last, great military achievement, which would rival that of Alexander the Great. Yet there was a significant cause for war in the Realpolitik of Roman-Parthian relations, since the Parthians had placed a candidate of their choice upon the throne of Armenia without consultation and approval of Rome. When Trajan departed Rome for Antioch, in a leisurely tour of the eastern empire while his army was being mustered, he probably intended to destroy at last Parthia's capabilities to rival Rome's power and to reduce her to the status of a province (or provinces). It was a great enterprise, marked by initial success but ultimate disappointment and failure.

In 114 he attacked the enemy through Armenia and then, over three more years, turned east and south, passing through Mesopotamia and taking Babylon and the capital of Ctesiphon. He then is said to have reached the Persian Gulf and to have lamented that he was too old to go further in Alexander's footsteps. In early 116 he received the title Parthicus.

The territories, however, which had been handily won, were much more difficult to hold. Uprisings among the conquered peoples, and particularly among the Jews in Palestine and the Diaspora, caused him to gradually resign Roman rule over these newly-established provinces as he returned westward. The revolts were brutally suppressed. In mid 117, Trajan, now a sick man, was slowly returning to Italy, having left Hadrian in command in the east, when he died in Selinus of Cilicia on August 9, having designated Hadrian as his successor while on his death bed. Rumor had it that Plotina and Matidia were responsible for the choice, made when the emperor was already dead. Be that as it may, there was no realistic rival to Hadrian, linked by blood and marriage to Trajan and now in command of the empire's largest military forces. Hadrian received notification of his designation on August 11, and that day marked his dies imperii. Among Hadrian's first acts was to give up all of Trajan's eastern conquests.

Trajan's honors and reputation
Hadrian saw to it that Trajan received all customary honors: the late emperor was declared a divus, his victories were commemorated in a great triumph, and his ashes were placed in the base of his column. Trajan's reputation remained unimpaired, in spite of the ultimate failure of his last campaigns. Early in his principate, he had unofficially been honored with the title optimus, "the best," which long described him even before it became, in 114, part of his official titulature. His correspondence with Pliny enables posterity to gain an intimate sense of the emperor in action. His concern for justice and the well-being of his subjects is underscored by his comment to Pliny, when faced with the question of the Christians, that they were not to be sought out, "nor is it appropriate to our age." At the onset of his principate, Tacitus called Trajan's accession the beginning of a beatissimum saeculum, and so it remained in the public mind. Admired by the people, respected by the senatorial aristocracy, he faced no internal difficulties, with no rival nor opposition. His powers were as extensive as Domitian's had been, but his use and display of these powers were very different from those of his predecessor, who had claimed to be deus et dominus. Not claiming to be a god, he was recognized in the official iconography of sculpture as Jupiter's viceregent on earth, so depicted on the attic reliefs of the Beneventan arch. The passage of time increased Trajan's aura rather than diminished it. In the late fourth century, when the Roman Empire had dramatically changed in character from what it had been in Trajan's time, each new emperor was hailed with the prayer, felicior Augusto, melior Traiano, "may he be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan." That reputation has essentially survived into the present day.

Copyright (C) 2000, Herbert W. Benario.
Published: De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families http://www.roman-emperors.org/startup.htm. Used by permission.

Edited by J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.

Cleisthenes
john hunyadi.jpg
HUNGARY - Janos Hunyadi, Regent232 viewsHungary - Johann Hunyadi, Regent (1446-1453) AR Denarius. Hus. 620. Toned Fine.
Obverse: Lion, "TEMPORE { }. Reverse: Patriarchal cross, "+MONETA REGIS VNGARIE"
dpaul7
Gallienus_Cunetio_hoard_1104~0.jpg
Roman Empire, Gallienus - AE antoninianus232 viewsRome
260-268 AD
radiate head right
GALLIENVS AVG
Venus standing left, holding helmet and spear, shield to left
VENVS VICTRIX
Cunetio hoard 1104, Normanby hoard 151 (S)
R !
2,23 g 18-16 mm

this revers is unlisted in RIC for Gallienus - only for Salonina
1 commentsJ. B.
JuliusCaesar.jpg
701a, Julius Caesar, Imperator and Dictator, assassinated 15 March 44 B.C.232 viewsJulius Caesar

Of the great man, Joseph Sermarini states,"Gaius Julius Caesar is one of the most famous men in history. At the end of his brilliant military and political career he had gained control of the Roman state. His puppet senate heaped more and more honors upon him. In February 44 B.C. the senate named him dictator for life. Many senators, however, feared that he wished to become king, ending the Republic. On the 15th of March 44 B.C., 63 senators attacked him with knives they had hidden in the folds of their togas. This most famous of assassinations plunged the Roman Republic into 17 years of civil war, after which it would re-emerge as the Roman Empire."

It is not possible to adequately discuss Gaius Julius Caesar within the constraints of this gallery. He was born on either the 12th or the 13th of July in 100 B.C. [most scholars agree upon this date, but it is debated], and he was assassinated on 15 March 44 B.C.

Caesar is arguably the most important figure in Roman history; only Augustus and, perhaps, Constantine the Great made contributions of equivalent magnitude. Caesar was a truly gifted writer, orator, politician and soldier .

Library and book store shelves are crowded with a variety of biographies on this historical giant. Christian Meier, professor of Ancient History at the University of Munich, has written a scholarly as well as intriguing biography of Caesar. It is simply titled Caesar. It was first published in Germany in 1982, and a recently published paper back translation by David McLintock is now available from Fontana Press (a subsidiary of HarperCollins Publishers).

Caesar is fascinating.

J. P. Fitzgerald, Jr.
Cleisthenes
045A.jpg
Volusian Sestertius232 viewsRIC 253a, Cohen 46, Sear '88 2800
19.35 g, 29 mm
IMP CAE C VIB VOLVSIANO AVG, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind
IVNONI MARTIALI SC, Juno seated facing in domed distyle temple.
Rare
6 commentsMark Z
Aegina.jpg
Turtle, Islands off Attica, Aegina. Stater.232 viewsIslands off Attica, Aegina. Circa 480-457 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 11.82 g, 7h). Sea turtle / Square incuse with large skew pattern. Milbank pl. I, 15; SNG Copenhagen 507.2 comments
Vespasian.jpg
ROMAN EMPIRE, Vespasian, Rome mint, struck 74 AD, Æ Dupondius232 viewsCAESAR VESPASIAN AVG laureate-headed bust left
PON MAX TR POT PP COS V CENS winged caduceus between crossed cornucopiae
RIC 798b, Cohen 377
10 comments
D511.jpg
RIC 511 Domitian232 viewsAR Denarius, 3.35g
Rome mint, 87 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VI; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4)
RIC 511 (C). BMC 107. RSC 213. BNC 107.

The first denarius issue of 87 continued in the same style and format as those of 86 (an unadorned, idealised portrait with the four basic Minervas on the reverse), setting a tone the rest of the reign for the denarii. These issues were quite small compared with what was to come over the next nine years. This coin from the first issue has a very idealised portrait in the Flavian baroque style. Icy cool with an expression of "critical disdain" as C. H. V. Sutherland put it in his book "Roman Coins".

Struck on a large flan with a stunning portrait in extraordinary condition - part of Domitian's mutton-chops beard is visible, a very rare thing indeed. One of the finest portraits of him in my collection.
9 commentsDavid Atherton
Athen_owl_Tetradrachm_.jpg
Athena and her owl 232 viewsIn Greek mythology, a Little Owl baby (Athene noctua) traditionally represents or accompanies Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom, or Minerva, her syncretic incarnation in Roman mythology. Because of such association, the bird often referred to as the "owl of Athena" or the "owl of Minerva" has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world.
The reasons behind the association of Athena and the owl are lost in time. Some mythographers, such as David Kinsley and Martin P. Nilsson suggest that she may descend from a Minoan palace goddess associated with birds and Marija Gimbutas claim to trace Athena's origins as an Old European bird and snake goddess.
On the other hand, Cynthia Berger theorizes about the appeal of some characteristics of owls such as their ability to see in the dark to be used as symbol of wisdom while others, such as William Geoffrey Arnott, propose a simple association between founding myths of Athens and the significant number of Little Owls in the region (a fact noted since antiquity by Aristophanes in The Birds and Lysistrata).
In any case, the city of Athens seems to have adopted the owl as proof of allegiance to its patron virgin goddess, which according to a popular etiological myth reproduced on the West pediment of the Parthenon, secured the favor of its citizens by providing them with a more enticing gift than Poséidon.
Owls were commonly reproduced by Athenians in vases, weights and prize amphoras for the Panathenaic Games. The owl of Athena even became the common obverse of the Athenian tetradrachms after 510 BC and according to Philochorus, the Athenian tetradrachm was known as glaux throughout the ancient world and "owl" in present day numismatics. They were not, however, used exclusively by them to represent Athena and were even used for motivation during battles by other Greek cities, such as in the victory of Agathocles of Syracuse over the Carthaginians in 310 B.C. in which owls flying through the ranks were interpreted as Athena’s blessing or in the Battle of Salamis, chronicled in Plutarch's biography of Themistocles.
(Source: Wikipédia)
1 comments
HELENA-1.jpg
Helena, 1st (?) wife of Constantius I, mother of Constantine the Great. Augusta, 324-328/30 CE.231 viewsÆ 3 (18 mm, 2.94 gm). Nicomedia mint, 325-326 CE.
Obv: F L HELENA AVGVSTA, diademed bust right.
Rev: SECVRITAS REIPVLICE, Securitas standing left, lowering branch, raising robe with r. hand; MNGamma in exergue.
RIC 129; Cohen 11; Sear4 3908 var.
126182 files on 1403 page(s) 28

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