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Greek Cities of the Roman Empire: Permaneder's Midlife Crisis
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As a general rule of thumb, I'll be buying, and subsequently displaying in this gallery, Roman provincial coins that (1) I believe to be genuine, (2) I can afford (dramatically restricting the scope), and (3 1/2 but not least) have a story to tell that I am familiar with. Whenever I have the time, I'll share these stories in the description of each coin.
Viewers' discretion is advised: I am no numismatist or 'coin expert'; I am not, and never have been, a collector of coins, antiquities or anything else, although studying collecting (and forging) patterns has been part of my day job; I am a historian and an epigraphist, and I value coins as historical sources. To me, a fancy coin is one that fits into a narrative and can serve an educational purpose. I am well aware that some users might find my coins cheap (which they have to be, otherwise I couldn't afford buying them, could I?), common, and generally unattractive, so in case you do, please don't feel compelled to let me know. You are most welcome to discuss the historical narrative.
5 files, last one added on May 09, 2021
Album viewed 9 times
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| Last additions - Unknown coward's Gallery |
RPC II, 1389. Apamea (Kelaine) and the koinon of Phrygia, VespasianMy latest purchase – I'm taking a break lest I go broke. I'll fill in the descriptions as soon as the coins get delivered (still waiting on stuff I've bought last month). Points of interest that will be discussed here: M. Plancius Varus from Perge, one amongst the first senators from the Eastern provinces and an overly interesting character, whose name is presumably recorded here in his capacity as legate of the proconsul of Asia (a rare, perhaps unique case, on coin legends at least – there are a few parallels in inscriptions on public buildings, though, especially in Phrygia, possibly because proconsuls would often task one of their legates with administering justice in this remote part of the province); his oddball wife, a Jewish princess, which no doubt contributed to his career (many of these early Eastern senators share connections with royalty); the koinon of Phrygia, probably the least known of all koina, whose existence is only known from coin legends. Oh, and the chubby portrait. I'm not much into coin artistry, but I find this one interesting as it's one of the least realistic portraits of Vespasian I have stumbled into. Even palaeography has a story to tell here. One might even wonder if Varus brought the die-cutter along in his next appointment as proconsul of Bithynia and Pontus.May 09, 2021
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RPC VII.1, 325. Smyrna (province of Asia), pseudo-autonomous issue (Gordian III)AE. Ø: 23 mm. Weight: 6,26 g.
Description incoming, as is the coin itself (both might take a couple weeks). May 05, 2021
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RPC II, 636. Nicaea (province of Bithynia and Pontus), DomitianAE. Ø: 27 mm. Weight: 11,67 g.
Description incoming, as is the coin itself (both might take a couple weeks). I am grateful to a bunch of Forum Ancient Coins users for clearing up my suspicions about this specimen.May 05, 2021
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An inscribed lead weight from Nicomedia, province of Bithynia (AD 200-201)This had to be the first entry in my gallery because I bought my first coin (entry #2) with the money I thought I had 'saved' by catching this one at a way lower price than I was expecting to pay (adrenaline highs play weird tricks on your mind). To me, this ugly piece of lead is worth more than a thousand of your finest silver coins. Sadly, I'm unlikely to be able to purchase any more of these, so I'll content myself with coins.
Description incoming, and a lenghty one shall it be. [Update: hold on, the courier went AWOL.][Update 2: never mind update 1, they eventually made contact – better late than never. ETA: 3 more days.]May 04, 2021
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| Random files - Unknown coward's Gallery |
An inscribed lead weight from Nicomedia, province of Bithynia (AD 200-201)This had to be the first entry in my gallery because I bought my first coin (entry #2) with the money I thought I had 'saved' by catching this one at a way lower price than I was expecting to pay (adrenaline highs play weird tricks on your mind). To me, this ugly piece of lead is worth more than a thousand of your finest silver coins. Sadly, I'm unlikely to be able to purchase any more of these, so I'll content myself with coins.
Description incoming, and a lenghty one shall it be. [Update: hold on, the courier went AWOL.][Update 2: never mind update 1, they eventually made contact – better late than never. ETA: 3 more days.]
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RPC VII.1, 325. Smyrna (province of Asia), pseudo-autonomous issue (Gordian III)AE. Ø: 23 mm. Weight: 6,26 g.
Description incoming, as is the coin itself (both might take a couple weeks).
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