Eagle on Altar

[David Atherton]

Recently, Ted Buttrey and I have been discussing the fact that the eagle on altar denarius type is often depicted without a thunderbolt in the eagle's talons, despite the RIC description that there is one. Buttrey speculates that the original design actually included a thunderbolt, but due to the engravers difficulty in competently rendering it or their sheer indolence, the thunderbolt quickly vanished.

Buttrey at first felt that the two different variants needed their own separate RIC numbers. However, in the end he decided just to update the description of the type to reflect the inconsistent inclusion of a thunderbolt.

My latest coin is a thunderbolt-less rare left facing Vespasian. https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-137710

[okidoki]

Dear David,

congrats on the rare type, i don't see the thunderbolt but you have the coin in hand.
why is there a _ above VII to emphasize its a number?

best

eric

[David Atherton]

Dear David,

congrats on the rare type, i don't see the thunderbolt but you have the coin in hand.
why is there a _ above VII to emphasize its a number?

best

eric

Actually, my coin is missing the thunderbolt.

The line above the numeral connecting the digits is fairly common during the Flavian era.

[shanxi]

Actually, my coin is missing the thunderbolt.

The line above the numeral connecting the digits is fairly common during the Flavian era.

In this case your gallery link is wrong or the the gallery description:

Gallery description "Eagle head l. standing on thunderbolt"

[okidoki]

Dear David,

congrats on the rare type, i don't see the thunderbolt but you have the coin in hand.
why is there a _ above VII to emphasize its a number?

best

eric

Actually, my coin is missing the thunderbolt.

The line above the numeral connecting the digits is fairly common during the Flavian era.

Aha now i understand  

[David Atherton]

In this case your gallery link is wrong or the the gallery description:

Gallery description "Eagle head l. standing on thunderbolt"

It is the correct link and attribution. The reverse description further reads: 'Very uncommon with thunderbolt showing'.

All the coins of this type have this same description in the RIC II.1 Addenda regardless whether the thunderbolt is present or not. It is T.V. Buttrey's improved description resulting from our correspondence about the type.

[Jay GT4]

Great coin as always David.

How does one get the Addenda?

[David Atherton]

Great coin as always David.

How does one get the Addenda?

Thanks Jay, your kind words are always appreciated!

The Addenda isn't completed and is constantly revised ( the latest revision 26 May 2017), and so has not been officially published.

[stevex6]

Hmmm? ... Hi David

Well, I'm fairly sure that you've already seen it, but here it is again ...

=> this is my amazingly rare "Eagle in Converse High-tops" ...



I could not find this on WildWinds (I'm just sayin')

[David Atherton]

Hmmm? ... Hi David

Well, I'm fairly sure that you've already seen it, but here it is again ...

=> this is my amazingly rare "Eagle in Converse High-tops" ...



I could not find this on WildWinds (I'm just sayin')

I always enjoy seeing a fine example such as that one!

And nice to see you here on Forvm!

[peterpil19]

Oh you are that Steve!

Now things are making more sense!

Nice coin!

Peter