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Titus / CaptiveTitus. As Caesar, AD 69-79. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.53 g, 6h). Rome mint. Struck AD 79.
O: IMP T CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, Laureate head right
R: TR POT VIII COS VII, Bound captive kneeling right before trophy.
- RIC 1; RSC 334a; BMCRE 1. Ex Künker 318 lot 1118, Exemplar der Sammlung Dr. Klaus Berthold, erworben 2013.3 commentsNemonater01/27/24 at 21:44David Atherton: Utterly fantastic!

Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).4 commentsNemonater01/27/24 at 21:43David Atherton: The other bookend to 'Judaea Capta'. Sup...

Vitellius / Son and Daughter DenariusVITELLIUS, (A.D. 69), silver denarius, issued July-December 69, Rome mint, (2.94 g)
O: Laureate head to right of Vitellius, around A VITELLIVS GERMAN IMP TR P
R: Confronted draped busts of Vitellius' son and daughter, LIBER[I IMP GERMA]N around
- RIC 103, BMC 29, RSC 2, Ex Noble Numismatics Auction 121, Ex Dr C. Haymes Collection, Ex CNG Auction 258, lot 3662 commentsNemonater11/09/23 at 04:39ancientdave: Incredible portraits!

Domitian denarius - Pegasus walking rightDomitianus Caesar, 69-81. Denarius 76-77, Rome. 3.50 g.
O: Laureate head right
R: Pegasus walking right.
- Coh. 47; RIC II 921 (Vepasian). ex -Hess Divo AG 14th eLive auction lot 1073 20163 commentsNemonater05/02/23 at 13:27TheEmpireNeverEnded: Top of the line portrait! Wow!

Domitian denarius - Pegasus walking rightDomitianus Caesar, 69-81. Denarius 76-77, Rome. 3.50 g.
O: Laureate head right
R: Pegasus walking right.
- Coh. 47; RIC II 921 (Vepasian). ex -Hess Divo AG 14th eLive auction lot 1073 20163 commentsNemonater03/27/23 at 14:21Prieure de Sion: Great portrait, detailed reverse - a wonderful coi...

Shekel Tyre RY 172 46/47 ADPhoenicia. Tyre. Year 172 = 46/47 AD. Shekel, 14.42g. (h).
O: Laureate bust of Melqarth right.
R: ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship and palm branch over right shoulder. In left field, date POB and club. In right field, KP over monogram (Θ M). Phoenician letter beth between legs of eagle. Border of dots.
- DCA Tyre Release 2 Part 1, 644 this coin, RPC 4672. Prieur 1433. BMC 207.ex Gemini IX Lot 169 20122 commentsNemonater03/27/23 at 14:21Prieure de Sion: That was a fantastic coin - wonderful. Gratulation...

M. Junius Brutus Denarius Libertas/LictorsM. Junius Brutus, Denarius, Rome, 54 BC; AR (g 3,83; mm 20; h 6); O: Head of Libertas r., behind, LIBERTAS
R: L. Junius Brutus (Cos. 509), walking l., between two lictors and preceded by an accensus; in ex. BRVTVS.
- Crawford 433/1; Junia 31; Sydenham 906. ex Bertolami Fine Arts auction 37 lot 415 20171 commentsNemonater03/25/23 at 21:37Jay GT4: The accensus looks like he's running

Cuneiform Students Exercise Tablet112mm x 100mm 583 grams

"The tablet is certainly a student’s exercise text that was part of his school work to teach him to read and write Sumerian around the year 1800BC, long after Sumerian had died out as a spoken language. In particular, this exercise was to teach all the Sumerian vocabulary dealing with food items. When complete, the list probably had over 500 entries. As part of their training, students had to memorize long lexical lists containing everything from plants and animals to metal objects, textiles, types of professions, body parts etc. These lists of vocabulary words were fairly standardized throughout Southern Babylonia at this time, so that you find many tablets containing the same entries, not always in the same order, but usually pretty close. Of course, some students were better than others, so some tablets contain more mistakes and some are written in messier script. Your tablet seems to have been written by a fairly good student, although there are a number of deviants from the standard version of the food items list.

The obverse of your tablet is the side with 3 columns and wide rows. The obverse represents a new part of the word list that the student is learning. In this case, each column repeats the same section of the list, so the student had a chance to practice it over and over. Unfortunately, not much is preserved on the obverse - just several different types of barley including “white barley” and “black barley.”

The reverse contains a much larger section of the list that the student had already memorized, and is just practicing here. This side is divided into 4 columns, the first column is almost entirely broken. The second column contains a list of different types of beer including “beer mixed with water,” “market beer,” “beer that foams like soap”, and “sweet beer.” Column three contains types of soup, most of which are not known from other versions of this list and will take more work to decipher, and types of fragrant plants, most of which are plants that we cannot identify."

Published in NABU 2017 List Ura 6 13 commentsNemonater12/02/22 at 00:51Jay GT4: This is great!

Nero / Caius Cestius Gallus Legatus 65/66SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Antioch. Nero, 54-68. Assarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 8.03 g, 1 h), struck under the legatus, C. Cestius Gallus, year ΔΙΡ (114) = 65/6.
O: IM NER CLAV CAESAR Laureate head of Nero to right.
R: ΕΠΙ ΚΕΣΤΙ/ΟΥ ΑΝΤΙ/ΟΧΕΩΝ/ ΕΤ ΔΙΡ in five lines within wreath tied below.
- BMC 201. RPC 4296. RPC Online 4296.7. Very Rare3 commentsNemonater11/01/22 at 14:26Jay GT4: Let me know if you ever want to sell one Very Happy

Vespasian HemidrachmCAPPADOCIA, Caesarea-Eusebia. Vespasian. AD 69-79. AR Hemidrachm (15mm, 1.7 g, 12h). O: Laureate head right, AVTOKP KAICAP OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBA around.
R: Nike advancing right, holding wreath and palm frond.
-Metcalf, Caesarea 17; Sydenham, Caesarea 94; RPC II 1659.2 commentsNemonater10/29/22 at 02:54Jay GT4: Great piece

Domitian Caesar / Titus Judaea Capta Sestertius MuleDomitian Caesar / Titus Judaea Capta Æ Sestertius Mule, 25.38 g. Rome mint, struck 80/81

O: [CAES DIVI] AVG VESP F DOMITIAN[VS COS VII] - RIC II 288-306 (Titus)
R: IVD CAP across fields; SC in field below; mourning Jewess to left of palm on pile of arms; Jew on right with hands bound, arms on ground. - Titus RIC 153 (Perhaps a die match); Hendin 1593b; Upcoming addenda Titus 287A.

The only known sestertius mule under Titus.

From the patina it was likely found in eastern Europe, perhaps Bulgaria, a rich find spot for a lot of the judaea sestertii.

What evidence points to RIC II 288 / 306?

As noted by Curtis Clay, "Obverse legends beginning CAESAR are rare, and so far only known with portrait laur. left, according to RIC 275-7. Legends beginning CAES are very much more common.

With the N of DOMITIAN placed before Domitian's mouth, too much space seems to remain for just COS VII. We almost need that added VS to fill out the space.

Flavian mules in gold or silver occur with some regularity, though they are all rare individually.

It's not surprising, however, that very few sestertius mules occurred.

1. Vespasian struck c. 90% of the sestertii of his reign in the single year 71. Mules were impossible, because he hadn't yet begun striking sestertii for Titus and Domitian!

2. Later, when sestertii were being struck for Titus and Domitian too, the rev. types were not usually personalized, for example by carrying on the imperial titulature of each emperor, but were general and could be shared among the emperors, for example S C Spes advancing, or PAX AVGVSTI S C. Virtually all of the rev. types were appropriate for all three emperors, so there could be no mules!

Under Titus the possibilities for mules increased, since more types were introduced that were apparently meant for just one of the two imperial brothers, for example:

Titus: the Judaea Capta types, ANNONA AVG without S C, FELICIT PVBLIC, PIETAS AVGVST (Titus and Dom. shaking hands), PROVIDENT AVGVST (Vesp. hands globe to Titus), S C (Roma hands Palladium to Titus on horseback)

Domitian: S C (Minerva fighting right)."4 commentsNemonater07/23/22 at 22:50Jay GT4: This is fantastic

The Year of the Six Emperors Part IIIn order from top left to right: Maximinus Thrax, murdered; Maximus Caesar, murdered; Gordian I suicide; Gordian II killed in battle; Pupienus, murdered; Balbinus, murdered; Gordian III, probably murdered but possibly died in battle.

It's often better to be a peasant!2 commentsNemonater03/29/22 at 13:13TheEmpireNeverEnded: Astounding collection

Titus / QuadrigaTitus. Silver Denarius (3.41 g 19mm), as Caesar, AD 69-79. Judaea Capta type. Antioch, under Vesapasian, AD 72/3.
O: T CAES IMP VESP PON TR POT, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Titus right.
R: Titus, togate, holding palm branch and scepter, standing right in triumphal quadriga advancing right.
- RIC 1563; BMC 521; RSC 395; Hendin 1493.3 commentsNemonater03/29/22 at 13:05TheEmpireNeverEnded: Gorgeous

PHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Overstruck DrachmPHILISTIA (PALESTINE), Uncertain mint. Mid 5th century-333 BC. AR Drachm (15mm, 3.95 g, 12h). Imitating Athens. Rotated 145 degrees and overstruck with same dies.
O: Helmeted head of Athena right
R: Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig left and crescent behind; all within incuse square.
-Cf. Gitler & Tal X.1D; HGC 10, –; CNG 82, lot 737 (same obverse die)

The Philistian coins belong to a stratum of autonomous municipal coinages that enabled daily trade without interference by the Persian administration. The Persian Empire did not care about the fiscal policy of its subjects, so long as the taxes were paid. Obviously, the provincials were free to choose their own coin-types. Like their Northern neighbors in Samaria and Jerusalem, the Philistians adopted the Attic coin standard, and a great many of their coins are imitations of the Attic coins circulating in the Levant.2 commentsNemonater03/28/22 at 23:52Jay GT4: Lovely

Shekel Tyre CY 157 (AD 31/2)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (22mm, 13.66 g.). Dated CY 157 (AD 31/2). O: Head of Melkart right, wearing laurel wreath, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, [P]NZ (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; uncertain Phoenician letter between legs; TVPOV IEPAΣ KAI AΣVΛOV around.
Dated and die matched to Civic Year 157, extremely rare date, 6th known.1 commentsNemonater01/19/22 at 19:37Jay GT4: Another great shekel

Herod IV Philip with Augustus / Tetrastyle templeHerod IV Philip, with Augustus. 4 BCE-34 CE. Æ (21.5mm, 8.94 g, 12h). Caesarea Panias (Caesarea Philippi) mint. Dated RY 12 of Herod IV (8/9 CE).
O: Laureate head of Augustus right
R: Tetrastyle temple façade (Augusteum of Paneas); L I B (date) between columns.
Meshorer 97; Hendin 1221; RPC I 4940.1 commentsNemonater01/18/22 at 14:37cmcdon0923: Very nice example!

Gordian I DenariusGordian I, 238. Denarius (Silver, 20 mm, 3.25 g, 7 h), Rome, March-April 238.
O: IMP M ANT GORDIANVS AFR AVG Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian I to right, seen from behind.
R: ROMAE AETERNAE Roma seated left on shield, holding Victory in her right hand and spear in her left.
- BMC 8. Cohen 8. RIC 4.
- From the collection of Regierungsrat Dr. iur. Hans Krähenbühl, privately acquired from Bank Leu on 29 June 1966

Gordian I and his son Gordian II share the dubious distinction of having the shortest reigns of any "legitimate" Roman emperors. Born in AD 159 during an era of peace and stability, Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus claimed a distant relation to the emperor Trajan on his mother's side and descent from those famous Republican reformers, the brothers Gracchi, on his father's.

Despite these illustrious genes, he had a rather uneventful career as a Senator and did not reach the Consulship until the advanced age of 64. He was approaching his 80s when, in AD 237/8, the Emperor Maximinus I appointed him governor of North Africa, where he was expected to enforce the regime's draconian program of taxation. In March of 238, a group of young African nobles rebelled and murdered the emperor's tax agent.

Realizing they'd passed the point of no return, the rich rebels sent a delegation to Gordian begging him to accept the purple as a rival to the unpopular Maximinus, who was preoccupied campaigning on the Rhine frontier. At first reluctant, Gordian accepted their acclamation on March 19 and appointed his son, Gordian II, as co-emperor.

The Gordians both assumed the title Africanus and dispatched a messenger to Rome proclaiming their program of reform. The Senate, which hated the brutish Maximinus, eagerly approved their elevation and began striking coins in their names. But Maximinus ordered his loyal governor in Numidia, Capellianus, to attack Carthage and crush the revolt. Capellianus duly set out with a veteran force, against which the Gordians could only pull together an ill-trained rabble. Gordian II died in battle on April 12, AD 238 and his father hanged himself upon hearing of its outcome. They had together reigned a mere 22 days.

An enduring mystery is the excellent quality of the Roman coinage of Gordian I and II, whose reign totaled 21 days, during which neither emperor left North Africa. Despite their brief production run, coins of Gordian I and II are notable for their fine portraiture and careful quality control.

Both portraits are distinctive, carefully engraved, and clearly modeled on the actual rulers. There seems to have been no "interim phase" during which the imperial portrait was simply a modified version of the predecessor (as with Trajan and Maximinus I, both of whom were absent from Rome when raised to the purple).

Two possibilities suggest themselves: (1) The "spontaneous" revolt of the Gordians in Africa had actually been carefully planned in advance, with coin dies prepared in secret from busts provided to the mint workers by their backers in the Senate; (2) the production of coins for Gordian I and II extended well beyond their brief reign, perhaps running concurrently with the coinage of Balbinus, Pupienus and Gordian III as Caesar, allowing time for proper effigies of the deceased rulers to be provided to the mint.
1 commentsNemonater11/27/21 at 23:34Jay GT4: Tough coin. Congrats

Yehud Persian King / FalconJUDAEA, Achaemenid Province, Yehud, Persian Period. Circa 375-332 BCE. AR Half Gerah or Hemiobol (7mm, 0.28 g)

O: Bearded Persian Great King, head right, wearing crown.
R: Falcon with wings spread and head right.
Hendin 1059; MCP YHD 15, O9/R10

The top of the 3 letters are visible. The most complete is the Yod, at bottom right of the right wing.

"The Yehud coinage is a series of small silver coins bearing the Aramaic inscription Yehud. They derive their name from the inscription YHD, "Yehud", the Aramaic name of the Achaemenid Persian province of Yehud; others are inscribed YHDH, the same name in Hebrew.

Yehud Medinata (Aramaic for "the province of Judah"), Yahud Medin'ta/Yahud Medinsa, or simply Yehud, was an autonomous province of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, roughly equivalent to the older kingdom of Judah but covering a smaller area, within the satrapy of Eber-Nari. The area of Yehud Medinata corresponded to the previous Babylonian province with the same name, formed after the fall of the kingdom of Judah to the Neo-Babylonian Empire (c.597 after its conquest of the Mediterranean east coast, and again in 585/6 BCE after suppressing an unsuccessful Judean revolt). Yehud Medinata continued to exist for two centuries, until being incorporated into the Hellenistic empires, following the conquests of Alexander the Great. - From Wikipedia

Persian Period shekel standard - 11.4 g.
Average Gerah - 0.48 g.
Average Half Gerah - 0.26 g.1 commentsNemonater10/31/21 at 22:51Jay GT4: Great coin

Siglos Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III With KerykeionAchaemenid Empire. Time of Artaxerxes II to Artaxerxes III. Circa 375-340 BC. AR Siglos (15mm, 5.37 g).
O: Persian king or hero right, in kneeling-running stance, holding spear and bow; kerykeion (caduceus) in left field
R: Rectangular incuse punch.
- Cf. Carradice Type IV C var. Extremely rare with caduceus. 1 commentsNemonater06/20/21 at 00:06Jay GT4: Great coin Nemo

CommodusAD 177-192. AR Denarius (17mm, 1.94 g, 1h). Rome mint. Struck AD 192. Head right, wearing lion skin / HER-CVL/ RO-MAN/ AV-GV divided by club; all within wreath. RIC III 251; RSC 190

Numerous events suggest Commodus was becoming mentally ill. Apparently he thought of himself as the reincarnation of Hercules. It is said that in public spectacles he would dress in the manner of Hercules and bludgeon prisoners to death with a club.

I feel this serene portrait is unusually lifelike for the type.6 commentsNemonater06/17/21 at 00:07Limes: Exceptional specimen!

Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).4 commentsNemonater05/31/21 at 16:17Vincent: Never seen one in a collection or being sold at au...

Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).4 commentsNemonater05/26/21 at 09:40orfew: Wow that is very nice indeed

Nerva / Palm IVDAICINerva Æ Sestertius. 27.84g, 33mm, 6h. Rome, AD 96.
O: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P COS II P P, laureate head to right
R: FISCI IVDAICI CALVMNIA SVBLATA, palm-tree, with two clusters of dates; S-C across fields.
- RIC II 58; BMCRE 88. From the Antonio Carmona Collection.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius: "More than any other, the Fiscus Iudaicus was administered very severely; and to it were brought, or reported, those who either had lived the life of a Jew unprofessed, or concealing their origin, had not paid the tax imposed upon by the people. I remember that it was of interest to me during my youth when a ninety-year-old man was brought before the procurator and a very crowded court to see wheather he was circumcised."

Marius Heemstra challenged the earlier interpretation of the reverse inscription. "The embarrassment (CALVMNIA) of the Jewish Tax (FISCI IVDAICI) is removed," ie., that the Jewish tax, which had been introduced by Vespasian after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, was repealed by Nerva, in whole or in part. Heemstra also disagrees with the theory that the CALVMNIA, was "the circumcision test" described by Suetonius (Dom. 12.1-2).

Rather, Heemstra maintains that the tax was not repealed, but, rather, that the legend should be translated: "The removal of the wrongful accusation (CALVMNIA) of the Fiscus Judaicus (the imperial tax collection agency)."

What was the CALVMNIA? Meestra explains that before the "removal" of the "wrongful accusation," by Nerva, it is highly plausible that the charge of 'leading a Jewish life without publicly acknowledging that fact' could have been levied against high-ranking Romans who could then have been victims of the Fiscus Judaicus, which would confiscate their wealth.

Conviction could occur either on political grounds, instigated by the emperor himself (Domitian), or because any affiliation with Judaism, however, small could lead to an accusation of "atheism," which to Romans meant not recognizing their pagan gods.

Meestra points out that an important impact of the new law was that it necessitated a clarification in the definition of who was the taxpayer, and, thus who was considered to be a Jew. Instead of "each one of the Jew"s (Josephus), or, "those belonging to the Jewish gens" (Suetonius), the definition changed to "those Jews who continued to observe their ancestral customs" (Dio). In practice, these were the Jews that had been paying the tax in the first place.

By removing the CALVMNIA "the wrongful accusation," Nerva succeeded in transforming the definition of 'Jew' from an ethnic one into a religious one, which both the Romans and Jews adopted.

The coin represents Nerva's order not to abolish the tax itself but of the insulting method of collecting the Jewish tax. - See discussion in: Marius Heemstra, "The interprretation and Wider Context of Nerva's Fiscus Judaicus Sestertius, Judaea and Rome in Coins 65 BCE - 135 CE, London: Spink and Sons, 2010, 187-201.

David Hendin quotes David Vagi for another theory for the Fiscus Judaicus in his Guide to Biblical Coins, Fifth Edition.
"In all likelihood (this reverse type) celebrates Vespasian's requirement of 71/2 CE that the annual didrachm Temple Tax, the Fiscus Iudaicus, be paid to Rome rather than to the Jewish Temple.
This tax was extended to every Jew, male and female, from the age of three, and even to slaves of Jewish households. The proceeds were earmarked for the rebuilding of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Captiolinus in Rome, which had been destroyed in the last days of the Roman Civil War of 68-69."
"Thus, FISCI IVDIACI CALVMNIA SVBLATA ('the insult of the Jewish Tax has been removed') would refer to Vespasian's removal of the insult that prior to 71/2 the Jewish Temple Tax had been collected by Jews for their own use. After all, Romans considered themselves the only legitimate taxing authority within the empire, and the only rightful beneficiary of tax revenues."

"In summary, the idea that this coin represents a Roman apology, or a Roman acknowledgment of its own callous behavior, must be abandoned" (p. 458).4 commentsNemonater05/25/21 at 07:32Jay GT4: Fantastic coin and excellent references

Alexander III Tetradrachm Price 2993KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.25 g, 4 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, circa 333-327.
O:Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
R: AÎ›EÎžANÎ”POY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; below throne, A.
- Price 2993. 2 commentsNemonater05/07/21 at 05:40Jay GT4: Great coin

Titus / VictoryTitus as Caesar (AD 69-79). AR denarius, 16mm, 3.22g, Ephesus, ca. AD 71.
O: IMPERATOR T CAESAR AVGVSTI F, bare head of Titus right
R: PACI-AVGVSTAE, Victory advancing right holding wreath and palm, ligate EPHE in lower right field.
RIC 1441 (R2) (Vespasian). RPC 838 (Paris only). BM 468 note. Paris 360. Cohen 124 (15 Fr.).

Rare Eastern issue with Titus depicted bareheaded rather than laureate.4 commentsNemonater04/28/21 at 21:23David Atherton: superb!

Vespasian / VirtusVespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius, Antioch (or Tyre?) mint. Struck 70 AD.
O:IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right.
R: VIRTVS AVGVST, Virtus standing right, foot on prow, holding spear set on round shield and parazonium.
RIC 1542 (R2). BMC 499. RSC 640. RPC 1916 (5 spec.). BNC 315. Metal detector find from Shkodra city , village of Koplik, Albania

McAlee considers this group of denarii to have been issued at Tyre, not Antioch. (McAlee p.159)3 commentsNemonater04/18/21 at 10:27Parthicus Maximus: Nice addition!

Balakros StaterCILICIA, Tarsos. Balakros. Satrap of Cilicia, 333-323 BC. AR Stater. (22mm., 10,26g.)
O: Baaltars seated left, his torso facing, holding lotus-tipped scepter in extended right hand, left hand holding chlamys at his waist; grain ear to left, B’LTRZ (in Aramaic) to right, Î£ (retrograde). There is the possibility that instead of this being a retrograde Î£ below the throne it is a sideways M, making the mint Mallos for this issue.
R: Lion left, attacking bull right above two lines of turreted wall (Tarsos); club above.
- Casabonne series 1; cf. SNG France 363

Tarsus, the principal city of Cilicia, was used as a mint by a succession of Persian satraps during the fourth century BC. When Alexander the Great took the city in 333, he appointed a satrap of his own. The new satrap, Balacrus, continued to strike coinage at Tarsus very much in the manner of earlier satraps. The obverse of this stater depicts the local god of Tarsus, who is usually associated with symbols of fertility (in this case, the grain ear). The reverse type is a borrowing from the coinage the previous satrap, Mazaeus (361-334 BC). It shows a lion-bull combat—a typical theme of both Persian and Greek art—above the city walls of Tarsus. Author David Hendin has suggested that the impressive circuit of walls shown on the reverse may be those of Jerusalem, which fell within the jurisdiction of the Satrap of Cilicia.2 commentsNemonater04/14/21 at 23:27Jay GT4: Love this type

TiberiusSilver drachm, RPC I 3620; Sydenham 42; BMC Cappadocia p. 46, 11, Caesarea mint, weight 3.498g, maximum diameter 18.0mm, die axis 0o, obverse TIBERIOS KAISAR SEBASTOS, laureate head right; reverse QEOU SEBASTOU UIOS, Mount Argaeus, surmounted by radiate and nude statue holding globe in right and scepter in left.
The imperial mint at Caesarea was founded by Tiberius c. 30 AD. This is the only coin of Tiberius issued solely in his name at Caesarea.7 commentsNemonater03/30/21 at 02:38Jay GT4: Liked it so much I bought one!

Alexander III Athena / Nike AV StaterKINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. AV Stater (17.5mm, 8.65 g, 11h). Sidon mint. Struck under Menes. Dated RY 7 of Abdalonymos (327/6 BC).
O: Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with coiled serpent, and necklace
R: AÎ›EÎžANÎ”POY, Nike standing left, holding wreath in extended right hand and cradling stylis in left arm; palm frond and date (in Phoenician) to left, Î£I below left wing.

- Price 3482; Newell, Dated 21 (dies –/Î± [unlisted obv. die]); Rouvier 1171; DCA 867. From the rare, earliest issue of dated Sidon staters.

Abdalonymos was a gardener, but of royal descent, who was made king of Sidon by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. After Alexander the Great had Sidon under siege, he gave permission to Hephaestion to bestow its crown on whom he pleased. Hephaestion offered it to two brothers with whom he lodged, but they thankfully declined it, alleging that according to their local laws, it could only be worn by one of royal blood. Being desired to point out such a person, they named Abdalonymos - the gardener, who, notwithstanding his birth, had fallen into such poverty, that he supported himself by the cultivation of a kitchen garden.
Hephaestion directed the brothers to carry the royal crown and robes to Abdalonymos. They obeyed, and found him weeding in his garden. After causing him to wash, they invested him with the ensigns of royalty, and conducted him to Alexander. This prince, who discerned in him an aspect not unworthy of his origin, turning to those around him and said 'I wish to know how he bore his poverty.'-'Would to heaven,' replied Abdalonymos, 'I may as well bear my prosperity! These hands have ministered to all my necessities; and as I possessed nothing, I wanted nothing'. Alexander was so well pleased with this reply, that he confirmed the nomination of Hephaestion, and gave the new king the palace and private estate of Strato his predecessor, and even augmented his dominions from the neighbouring country.5 commentsNemonater03/24/21 at 00:39Virgil H: Beautiful, just amazing

The Adoptive Emperors***Click To Expand***5 commentsNemonater02/25/21 at 17:16Roger B: Stunning collection!

A Parliament of Athens OwlsOld-style; Old-style with numerous bankers marks;
Pi-style, folded flan; Mesopotamia, Levant, Arabia, or Egypt Imitative;
Contemporary forgery with bankers mark and copper core showing.2 commentsNemonater02/23/21 at 03:23Roger B: Wonderful Owl collection!

Siglos Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II Engraved Reverse DiePersian Empire, Xerxes II to Artaxerxes II. Ca. 420-375 B.C. AR siglos.
O: Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance right, holding dagger and bow; bankers marks.
R: Helmet facing within reverse incuse punch.
- Carradice plate XIII, 34; BMC Arabia p. 165, 124, pl. XXVI, 21.1 commentsNemonater02/20/21 at 17:10quadrans: Interesting piece..

Shekel Tyre CY 38 (89/88 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-65 AD. AR Shekel Dated CY 38 (89/88 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right
R: TΥΡIOΥ IEΡAΣ KAI AΣΥΛOΥ, eagle standing left on prow; HΛ and club to left, Phoenician letter between legs, monogram to right.

- Well struck in high relief3 commentsNemonater02/18/21 at 18:21quadrans: Great coin 👍

Shekel Tyre CY 12 (115/114 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (28.5mm, 14.30 g, 12h). Dated CY 12 (115/4 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, [wearing lion skin around neck]
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, BI (date) above club; monogram to right, B (in Phoenician) between legs.
- DCA-Tyre 24; HGC 10, 357; DCA 919. Die clash, rare date, ex Aegean Numismatics3 commentsNemonater02/10/21 at 12:08quadrans: Interesting piece..

Kassander As RegentKassander. As Regent, 317-305 BC, or King, 305-297 BC. AR Fifth Tetradrachm (16mm, 2.32 g, 5h). Uncertain Macedonian mint (Amphipolis?).
O: Head of Apollo right
R: Horseman riding right; club below.
- Le Rider pl. 48, 10-2; SNG ANS 822-6. From the Demetrios Armounta Collection.2 commentsNemonater02/10/21 at 12:00quadrans: Nice piece...

Alexander III Posthumous LampsacusAlexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AR drachm (18mm, 4.5 gm, 9h). Posthumous issue of Lampsacus, ca. 310-301 BC.
O: Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied before neck
R: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, Zeus seated left on backless throne, right leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle in right hand, scepter in left; forepart of Pegasus left in left field, NO monogram below throne.
- Price 1382. Light golden and blue highlights.2 commentsNemonater02/10/21 at 11:59quadrans: Nice piece.. Smile

Shekel Tyre CY 118 Date Recut to Year 119 (9/8 and 8/7 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (23mm, 13.86 g, 12h). Original date CY 118 (9/8 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PIH (date) above club, recut as PIΘ (Theta engraved over the H); to right, KP above Gamma K monogram; Phoenician A between legs.
- Unique, PIΘ is an unrecorded date in every standard reference. No recorded sales that I could find. Ex RG&S Provo, Utah1 commentsNemonater02/07/21 at 04:02Jay GT4: Great eye to catch that

Shekel Tyre CY 40 (87/86 BC)PHOENICIA. Tyre. Ca. 126 BC-AD 65. AR shekel (29.97mm, 14.29 gm) Dated CY 40 (87/6 BC).
O: Laureate bust of Melqart right
R: ΤΥPΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ, eagle standing left on prow, palm over its wing; LM (date) and club to left, monogram to right, Phoenician B between legs. 1 commentsNemonater01/26/21 at 02:58Jay GT4: Shekels for days! Great coin

Shekel Tyre CY 124 (3/2 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (24mm, 1h). Dated CY 124 (3/2 BC).
O: Laureate bust of Melqart right
R: Eagle standing left on prow, with palm branch over shoulder; to left, PKΔ (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician letter between legs.
- Extremely rare date1 commentsNemonater01/25/21 at 12:55Jay GT4: These latest additions are great

Shekel Tyre CY 135 (AD 9/10)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (24mm, 14.31 g, 12h). Dated CY 135 (AD 9/10).
O: Head of Melkart right, wearing laurel wreath, lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, PÎ›E (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician B between legs; TVPOV IEPAÎ£ KAI AÎ£VÎ›OV around.
- DCA-Tyre 484; Rouvier –; RPC I 4654; HGC 10, 357; DCA 920; Rare date1 commentsNemonater01/25/21 at 12:55Jay GT4: Very good obverse for a KP "Jerusalem" shekel

Vespasian / Neptune DenariusVespasian. 69-79 AD. Denarius, 3.10g. 18mm. Lyon Mint, 70 AD.
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P; Laureate head of Vespasian right.
R: COS ITER TR POT; Neptune standing left, foot on prow, holding dolphin.
- RIC 1109 (R), BMC 375 note, RSC 93.3 commentsNemonater01/24/21 at 03:58orfew: Very nice rarity

Tiberius / QuadrigaTiberius, 14-37 Denarius Lugdunum struck circa 15-16, 18mm., 3.71g.
O: TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS. Laureate head r.
R: IMP VII TR POT XVII, Tiberius in triumphal quadriga right., holding laurel branch and eagle-tipped sceptre.
- RIC 4.4 commentsNemonater01/24/21 at 01:57Jay GT4: Tough to find. Nice example

Vespasian o Mint Winged CaduceusVespasian AR Denarius. Uncertain Eastern Mint, Ephesus?, AD 76. 2.77g, 17mm.
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right, annulet below tip of neck.
R: PON MAX TR P COS VII, winged caduceus.
RIC 1477; RPC 1453.4 commentsNemonater01/24/21 at 01:56Jay GT4: Great O mint

Vespasian / Victory Vespasian. AD 69-79. AR Denarius (17mm, 3.48 g, 1h). Ephesus mint. Struck AD 69-70.
O: IMP CAES - VESPAS AVG Laureate head right
R: PACI - AVGVSTAE Victory advancing left, holding wreath and palm frond; Φ to lower left.
- RIC II 14066 commentsNemonater01/22/21 at 11:41David Atherton: Incredible portrait!

Barbaric Alexander TetradrachmSilver tetradrachm, uncertain (tribal?) mint, c. 3rd - 2nd Century B.C.
O: head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin headdress;
R: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on throne without back, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, AÎ›EÎžANâˆ†POY downward on right, wreath to left; X below throne
-cf. Price B36 ff. (barbarous, uncertain prototypes); Obverse die match to CNG E- Auction 190 lot 42

Price (p. 506) notes that the ‘barbarous’ copies of Alexander III tetradrachms differ from contemporary imitations in that they were meant not to defraud but rather to provide coinages for the local economies in areas on the fringes of the classical world.

Many Greek cities across what was once Alexander's empire struck Alexander tetradrachms as civic coinage, even centuries after the death of the great conqueror. Similarly, peoples on the fringes of the Greek world also struck Alexander tetradrachms; sometimes with unusual or bizarre style, and often with illiterate blundered inscriptions. These coins are often described as "barbaric." We can attribute some of these imitative types to specific places or tribes. Other coins, such as this one, are a mystery. - FAC2 commentsNemonater01/19/21 at 19:53quadrans: Interesting piece..

Augustus / Livia as PaxOctavian as Augustus, 27 BC – 14 AD. Denarius, Lugdunum mint
O: CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE Laureate head r.
R: PONTIF MAXIM Draped female figure seated r., holding sceptre and branch.
- C 223. BMC 545. RIC 220. CBN 1693.2 commentsNemonater01/19/21 at 10:31Canaan: Very nice

C. Fonteius Dioscuri GalleyC. Fonteius AR Denarius. Rome, 114-113 BC.
O: Laureate, janiform heads of the Dioscuri, G to left and mark of value to right
R: Galley left with three rowers, gubernator at stern; C•FONT above, ROMA below.
- Crawford 290/1

In his oration, Pro Fonteio, Cicero mentions that the Fonteii came originally from Tusculum, of which municipium it was one of the most distinguished families. The Fonteii claimed descent from Fontus, the son of Janus. Vaillant and others suppose the obverse of this coin is the head of Janus, in reference to this tradition. But as Janus is always represented in later times with a beard, Eckhel maintains that the two heads refer to the Dioscuri, who were worshipped at Tusculum with especial honours. The galley on the reverse is a reference to Telegonus, son of Ulysses and according to myth the founder of Tusculum.1 commentsNemonater01/06/21 at 02:42Jay GT4: That's a great one

Shekel Tyre CY 31 (96/5 BC)PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel. Dated CY 31 (96/5 BC).
O: Laureate head of Melkart right, wearing lion skin around neck
R: Eagle standing left on prow; palm frond in background; to left, AΛ (date) above club; delta to right, B (in Phoenician) between legs.
- DCA-Tyre 114; HGC 10, 357; DCA 9192 commentsNemonater01/06/21 at 02:41Jay GT4: Wow!

Sextus Pompey Naval TrophySextus Pompeius Magnus Pius AR Denarius. (3.52g) Uncertain mint in Sicily (Catania?), 42-40 BC.
O: Diademed and bearded head of Neptune right; trident over left shoulder; MAG•PIVS upwards behind, IMP•ITER downwards before
R: Naval trophy set on anchor, top of trident visible above helmet, the arms composed of the stem of a prow in right and aplustre in left, with two heads of Scylla at base; PRAEF•CLAS•ET ORAE•MARIT•EX•S•C around.
- Crawford 511/2a; RSC 1a; Sydenham 1347;

Struck by Sextus Pompey after his victory over Salvidienus and relates to his acclamation as the Son of Neptune. The inscription PRAEF CLAS ET ORAE MARIT abbreviates Praefectus Classis et Orae Maritimae, which translates Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet and the Sea Coasts.

Salvidienus and Agrippa were with Octavian at Apollonia in March 44 BC when Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome. Salvidienus became one of the most trusted of Octavian’s generals during the civil wars following Caesar’s death. In 42 BC he commanded the fleet of Octavian against Sextus Pompeius, who had taken control of Sicily and was harassing the coasts of Italy. However, Salvidienus was defeated in a naval battle fought off Rhegium, largely because of the inexperience of his crews.

This title was held by both Pompey the Great and his son Sextus Pompey. Although Sextus Pompey was the supreme naval commander, Octavian had the Senate declare him a public enemy. He turned to piracy and came close to defeating Octavian. He was defeated by Marcus Agrippa at the naval battle of Naulochus (3 September 36 B.C.) and was executed by order of Mark Antony in 35 B.C.

In Greek mythology, Scylla was a monster that lived on one side of Strait of Messina between Italy and Sicily, opposite her counterpart Charybdis. The two sides of the strait were within an arrow's range of each other - so close that sailors attempting to avoid Charybdis would pass dangerously close to Scylla and vice versa. Scylla made her first appearance in Homer's Odyssey, where Odysseus and his crew encounter her and Charybdis on their travels. Later myth gave her an origin story as a beautiful nymph who gets turned into a monster. The idiom "between Scylla and Charybdis" has come to mean being forced to choose between two similarly dangerous situations. - FAC2 commentsNemonater01/04/21 at 15:48okidoki: great bust

Vespasian / Titus and Domitian on HorsebackVespasian AR Denarius, Rome Mint, 69-70 AD
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
R: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian riding r., hands outstretched
- RIC 5 (R). BMC p. 7, RSC 539.

One of the rarest of the dynastic types.6 commentsNemonater01/03/21 at 18:48orfew: Lovely example

Vespasian / Titus and DomitianAR Denarius
Vespasian Rome mint, 3,26g 69-70 AD
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG; Laureate head right.
R: TITVS ET DOMITIAN CAES PRIN IV; Titus and Domitian, togate, seated on curule chairs, each holding branch extended in right hand, left hands at sides.
- RIC 6, BMC 46, RSC 5414 commentsNemonater01/03/21 at 18:47orfew: Very nice!

Vespasian Pegasus DenariusVespasian AR Denarius. Uncertain mint possibly Ephesus. AD 76.
O: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG, laureate head right, small O below neck truncation
R: COS VII, Pegasus standing to right with left foreleg raised.
- RIC 1473; BMCRE 482; RPC II 14517 commentsNemonater01/03/21 at 17:28quadrans: Wow great😉👍

Titus Ceres DenariusSilver denarius, Rome mint, weight 3.1g, c. 24 Jun - mid July 79 A.D.
O: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M, laureate head right; reverse TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII
R: Ceres seated left, grain stalks and poppy head in extended right hand, flaming torch in left hand.
- RIC II 6 (R2, same reverse die), BnF III 1 (same rev. die), RSC II 270a, BMCRE II -, Hunter I -, SRCV I -, Only three sales of this type recorded on Coin Archives in the last two decades.

This type is from a very rare early issue of Titus as Augustus, not yet naming him P P (Pater Patriae - Father of the Country). Titus apparently accepted this title quite soon after the beginning of his ninth tribunician year on 1 July 79 and P P was quickly added to the end of the reverse legend.5 commentsNemonater01/02/21 at 16:03FlaviusDomitianus: Great coin, lovely toning.

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