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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Quality| ▸ |Masterpiece Portraits||View Options:   | | | We define a superb portrait as one that appears that it could come to life. Most coin portraits actually lack this trait. A masterpiece portrait not only appears that it could come to life, but also makes an impression of what the subject was like, what they were thinking or how they felt. Of course, an abstract Celticized portrait may also be a masterpiece of a different kind. For the most part, we define a portrait as depicting a real person, not a god, personification or mythical hero, but we will make an exception here when the depiction is especially amazing. In addition to portraits of the finest style, on this page we include rarer bust types and portraits that we just find attractive or interesting. |
| The ruins of Antioch on the Orontes lie near the modern city of Antakya, Turkey. Founded near the end of the 4th century B.C. by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, Antioch's geographic, military and economic location, particularly the spice trade, the Silk Road, the Persian Royal Road, benefited its occupants, and eventually it rivaled Alexandria as the chief city of the Near East and as the main center of Hellenistic Judaism at the end of the Second Temple period. Antioch is called "the cradle of Christianity," for the pivotal early role it played in the emergence of the faith. It was one of the four cities of the Syrian tetrapolis. Its residents are known as Antiochenes. Once a great metropolis of half a million people, it declined to insignificance during the Middle Ages because of warfare, repeated earthquakes and a change in trade routes following the Mongol conquests, which then no longer passed through Antioch from the far east. |  |
Elagabalus, 16 May 218 - 11 March 222 A.D., Neapolis, Samaria, Syria Palestina
Neapolis, Samaria, the biblical Shechemis, is now Nablus, Israel. It is the site of Joseph's Tomb and Jacob's well. Jesus spoke here to a Samaritan woman. Neapolis is home to about half the remaining worldwide Samaritan population of 600.RP98112. Bronze AE 24, SNG ANS 1007 (same dies); cf. Rosenberger II 53; BMC Palestine p. 61, 103; Sofaer 109 - 110; Baramki AUB 36, nice VF, excellent portrait, attractive green patina with highlighting earthen deposits, some legend not fully struck, edge splits, weight 6.701 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 180o, Neapolis (Nablus, Israel) mint, 16 May 218 - 11 Mar 222 A.D.; obverse AVT K M AVP - ANTWNIN, laureate head right, slight drapery on left shoulder; reverse ΦΛ NE - CVP Π (Flavia Neapolis Syria Palestina), Tyche standing slightly left, head left, kalathos on head, rudder held by tiller in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; ex Menashe Landman Collection; rare; $140.00 (€131.60)
Otacilia Severa, Augusta, February or March 244 - September or October 249 A.D.
In Roman religion, Concordia was the goddess of agreement, understanding, and marital harmony. The cult of Concordia Augusta ("Majestic Harmony") was of special importance to the imperial household. She is usually depicted wearing a long cloak and holding a patera (sacrificial bowl), a cornucopia (symbol of prosperity), or a caduceus (symbol of peace).RS113156. Silver antoninianus, RIC IV 125c, RSC IV 4, Hunter III 4, SRCV III 9147, aEF, some mint luster, superb portrait, well centered, flow lines, flan flaw rev. right side, weight 4.078 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, c. 245 - 247 A.D.; obverse M OTACIL SEVERA AVG, draped bust right, wearing stephane, crescent behind shoulders; reverse CONCORDIA AVGG (harmony between the two emperors), Concordia seated left, patera in right hand, double cornucopia in left hand; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 130 (2 Jul 2023), lot 1309 (part of); $90.00 (€84.60)
Faustina Sr., Augusta 25 February 138 - Early 141, Wife of Antoninus Pius
Gold aurei are about the same size as silver denarii but they were not struck with the same dies. The finest work of the mint's top master engravers was reserved for striking gold. The difference between the artistry of the gold and silver is not always so striking, but no denarius equals the beauty of this coin.SH33181. Gold aureus, SRCV II 4553 (same dies), Cayon 1765 (same), RIC III AP356d, Cohen II 98, BMCRE IV AP398, Choice EF, weight 6.923 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 147 - 161 A.D.; obverse DIVA FAVSTINA, diademed, draped and veiled bust left; reverse AVGVSTA, Ceres standing left, torch in right hand, scepter in left hand; very light hairline scratches; ex Numismatik Lanz auction 135, lot 745 (misattributed); ex Goldberg auction 44, lot 3704 (ICG AU 50); hints of red toning, bold and beautiful, struck with elegant dies!; scarce; SOLD
Carthage, Zeugitana, North Africa, Second Punic War, c. 213 - 211 B.C.
Examples in the Enna hoard and other Sicilian hoards indicate that this coin was struck in Carthage for use in the Sicilian campaign of 213 - 210 BC. Experts disagree on the identity of the portrait; many identifying it as the god Melqart, others as Hannibal or his father.
SH13769. Silver half shekel, SNG Cop 383, Choice EF, weight 3.329 g, maximum diameter 18.6 mm, die axis 0o, Carthage (near Tunis, Tunisia) mint, obverse laureate male head left (Hannibal or Melqart), dot border; reverse African elephant walking left on exergual line, Punic letter in exergue, linear border; toned; SOLD
Didius Julianus, 28 March - 2 June 193 A.D.
Didius Julianus was born in 133 A.D. and followed a military career. He rose to the rank of legion commander, then Consul and Proconsul of Africa. After Pertinax was murdered, the Praetorian Guard (the emperor's personal bodyguard force) advertised that they were offering the throne to the highest bidder. If not the richest, Didius Julianus was one the richest men in Rome and offered 25,000 sestertii for each man! The Roman people were incensed by the auction and several provincial governors rose up against him. As Septimius Severus approached Rome, only 66 days into his reign, Didius Julianus was betrayed and beheaded by the Praetorians. Coins of Didius Julianus are very rare due to his short reign.SH33682. Silver denarius, RIC IV 1 (R3), RSC III 2, BMCRE V 2, SRCV II 6072, Hunter III -, nice VF, weight 2.824 g, maximum diameter 18.6 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 28 Mar - late May 193 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES M DID IVLIAN AVG, laureate head right; reverse CONCORD MILIT (harmony with the soldiers), Concordia standing half-left, legionary aquila (eagle) standard in right hand, signum standard in left hand; very rare; SOLD
Galerius, 1 March 305 - 5 May 311 A.D.
The Sisak Hoard of more than 2000 silver argentei, most of them mint-state, plus silver vessels, was found in 1953 near Siscia (Croatia). Still today, nearly all the high grade early argentei of the early tetrarchy on the market came from this hoard. The deposition of the hoard can be placed in the year 295/296.SH53596. Silver argenteus, Sisak Hoard 31, RIC VI 17b, RSC V 208C, FDC, weight 3.007 g, maximum diameter 20.5 mm, die axis 0o, Ticinum (Pavia, Italy) mint, c. 295 A.D.; obverse MAXIMIAN-VS CAESAR, laureate head right; reverse VICTORIA SARMAT, the four tetrarchs sacrificing over tripod in front of turreted enclosure with gate; ex H. S. Perlin Co., 1988; magnificent rainbow iridescent toning on blazing lustrous fields, perfect centering on a large flan, sharp portrait of fine style, from the 1953 Sisak hoard; rare (RIC R3); SOLD
Didius Julianus, 28 March - 2 June 193 A.D.
193 A.D. - The Year of Five Emperors. On 1 January, the Senate selected Pertinax, against his will, to succeed the late Commodus as Emperor. The Praetorian Guard assassinated him on 28 March and auctioned the throne to the highest bidder, Didius Julianus, who offered 300 million sesterces. Outraged by the Praetorians, legions in Illyricum selected Septimius Severus as emperor; in Britannia the legions selected their governor Clodius Albinus, and in Syria the legions selected their governor Pescennius Niger. On 1 June Septimius Severus entered the capital, had Julianus put to death and replaced the Praetorian Guard with his own troops. Clodius Albinus allied with Severus and accepted the title of Caesar. Pescennius Niger was defeated, killed and his head displayed in RomeSH89752. Orichalcum sestertius, RIC IV 14a; Woodward, Didius, p. 79 (dies 11/E); Banti 1, Nice F, excellent portrait, attractive dark brown patina, typical tight flan, weight 18.230 g, maximum diameter 27.6 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 28 Mar - 2 Jun 193 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES M DID SEVER IVLIAN AVG, laureate head right; reverse CONCORD MILIT (harmony with the soldiers), Concordia Militum standing half left, head left, legionary aquila (eagle) standard in right hand, signum standard in left hand, S - C (senatus consulto) flanking across field below center; ex CNG e-auction 276 (21 Mar 2012), lot 420 (sold for $2520 including buyer's fees); rare; SOLD
Pertinax, 31 December 192 - 28 March 193 A.D.
In Roman mythology, Aequitas, also known as Aecetia, was the minor goddess of fair trade and honest merchants. Aequitas was also a personification of the virtues equity and fairness of the emperor (Aequitas Augusti). She is depicted with a cornucopia and a balance suggesting Aequitas Augusti is a source of prosperity.SH21377. Silver denarius, RIC IV 1a (R2); BMCRE V p. 3, 15; RSC III 2; Hunter III 5; SRCV II 6038, VF, weight 3.228 g, maximum diameter 17.9 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 1 Jan - 28 Mar 193 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right; reverse AEQVIT AVG TR P COS II, Aequitas standing slightly left, head left, scales in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; very rare; SOLD
Diocletian, 20 November 284 - 1 May 305 A.D.
The Sisak Hoard of more than 2000 silver argentei, most of them mint-state, plus silver vessels, was found in 1953 near Siscia (Croatia). Still today, nearly all the high grade early argentei of the early tetrarchy on the market came from this hoard. The deposition of the hoard can be placed in the year 295/296.SH53598. Silver argenteus, Sisak Hoard 41c, RIC VI Siscia 19a, RSC V 488e, Superb EF, weight 2.969 g, maximum diameter 18.2 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 295 A.D.; obverse DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG, laureate head right; reverse VICTORI-A SARMAT, the four princes sacrificing over tripod before archway of six-turreted enclosure; ex H. S. Perlin Co., 1988; sharp high-relief masterpiece portrait, exceptional strike, beautiful rainbow iridescent toning, from the 1953 Sisak hoard; SOLD
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