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RIC 1556 Vespasian denariusIMP CAES VESP AVG P M COS IIII
Laureate Head of Vespasian right
VESTA
Vesta standing. left, with simpulum and sceptre
Antioch 72-73 CE
2.96g; 20-21mm
RIC 1556 (R3)
Double struck. Centering line still visible on reverse
Ex-Olympus Auction 4 lot 551 (mistakenly attributed as the common RIC 360 from the Rome mint)
Very rare. RIC cites one example from CNG 61, 25 September 2002, lot 1689. Since then a second example has appeared in the Atherton collection. This is the 3rd known example of the type although not a die match to the other 2 specimens. Jay GT401/10/24 at 01:29Nemonater: Wow! 
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RIC 1557 Vespasian denariusIMP CAES VESP AVG PM COS IIII
Laureate head right
VICTORIA AVGVSTI
Victory standing right, crowning standard and holding palm
Antioch, 72-73 CE
3.43g
RIC 1557 (R2); RPC 1929
Ex-Harlen J. Berk Buy or Bid 224 lot 137 from the Curtis Clay Collection with his tag, Ex-Dionysos Feb 2012,
While this type is common for the mint in Rome it is very rare for Antioch, only 2 in Forum galleries (Atherton, Lucas). Nice centering line still visible Jay GT401/10/24 at 01:28Nemonater: I love it!
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RIC 1029 Titus DupondiusT CAESAR VESPASIANVS TR P COS VI
Laureate head left
PRINCIP IVVENT SC across lower field
Domitian Caesar on horse prancing left, raising right hand and holding scepter in left.
Rome; 77-78 CE
10.66g
RIC 1029 (R3)
HJB 225th Bid or Buy lot 63 from the Curtis L. Clay Collection; ex CNG E329, 25 June 2014, 409.
The reverse depicts Domitian participating in the Judaea Capta triumph of 71 A.D. He is, as Josephus described him, riding alongside in magnificent apparel and mounted on a horse that was itself a site worth seeing.
RIC notes that this is "presumably a mule, with the reverse of Domitian from the parallel issue." David Atherton believes the reverse die is intentional for both Titus and Domitian, making this an official pairing of dies for Titus. Regardless, the type is very rare. None in Forum galleries.Jay GT401/10/24 at 01:27Nemonater: Wonderful!
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RIC 0985(V) Titus denariusT CAESAR VESPASIANVS
Laureate head right
IMP XIII
Goatherd, seated left, milking goat left
Rome, July 77-December 79 CE
RIC 985V (R)
3.08g
Ex-Germania Inferior Numismatics
Part of the agrarian series under Vespasian, perhaps promoting a more simpler way of life or the bounty that is provided by the Emperor. This one being minted for Titus. While only listed as Rare in RIC, this type is exceedingly difficult to find in trade, even more so than the one for Vespasian, and is a favorite of collectors. Only 3 others in Forum galleries (orfew, 2 Atherton). Wonderful toning in hand. Jay GT404/13/23 at 21:18Nemonater: Great catch, i've wanted this type for some t...
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RPC 1965 Vespasian TetradrachmΑΥΤΟΚΡ ΚΑΙΣ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝ
Laureate bust of Vespasian right with aegis
ETOYΣ Γ IEPOY
Eagle standing left with wreath in beak on palm branch; club in left field
Caesarea Maritima mint, 70-71 CE
13.63g
RPC 1965 (1 spec.). Prieur 129.
Ex-Cgb
Rare. Only two others in Forum galleries (Atherton, Alberto)
Part of a small series of tetradrachms struck in Caesarea Maritima shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
After its fall, Titus spent three days outside the city handing out rewards and spoils to his troops.
"Then descending with his army to Caesarea Maritima, he there deposited the bulk of his spoils and directed that his prisoners should be kept in custody; for the winter season prevented his sailing for Italy" (Josephus)
It has been suggested this series of tetradrachms was struck during Titus' time in Caesaera. The style is fairly crude, although this specimen has a wonderful portrait, and is similar to other bronze coins attributed to Caesarea Maritima. Silver quality is not standardized, which gives evidence of a military issue. Being stuck just days or weeks after the fall of Jerusalem, surely these were part of the rewards Titus distributed to the troops.
Thanks to David Atherton for additional info.Jay GT408/13/22 at 13:49Nemonater: Oh, that's really nice!
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RIC 0131 Titus DenariusIMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M
Laureate head right
TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII P P
Tripod with fillets, above dolphin, two ravens left and right and wreath under dolphin
Rome
January 1- June 30, 80 CE
RIC131 (R)
3.17g
Ex-Incitatus
A rare type with the ravens flanking the dolphin.
Jay GT407/09/22 at 20:38Nemonater: Very nice, this type is one of my favorites
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RIC 0857 (V) Titus AureusT CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
Laureate head of Titus right
COS V
Cow (heifer)standing right
Rome, 76 CE
6.84g
RIC 857 (C)
EX-Stephen Album Auction 43 lot 69
It has been proposed that the cow depicted on this type is one of the famous statues by the fifth century BCE Greek sculptor Myron. Myron's statues were brought to Rome by Augustus and were placed in the temple of Apollo on the Palatine in 28 BCE. Vespasian moved them to the new Temple of Pax that he began constructing in 71 CE, to celebrate the end of the Jewish War.
Jay GT406/02/22 at 19:50Nemonater: Excellent!
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RPC 2405 Vespasian TetradrachmAYT TIT ΦΛAYI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ
Head of Vespasian, laureate, right, date LA before neck
ΦΛΑΥΙ ΟΥΕΣΠΑΣΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣ
Laureate and cuirassed bust of Titus right with gorgoneion on breast plate
Alexandria, Egypt
1 July - 28 Aug 69 CE
11.77g
RPC 2405 (6 spec.) Rare!
Ex-CNG e-auction 514, lot 335
The Roman legions in Alexandria proclaimed Vespasian emperor on 1 July 69 CE. This coin was struck within the two months before the Egyptian new year began on 29 August 69 CE. A fairly rare type that doesn't come to market often compared with year 2 coins.
Jay GT405/05/22 at 20:51Nemonater: Excellent
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Cilicia. Amazon/Grapes Stater of Soloi. Asia Minor. Cilicia. 410-375 B.C. AR stater. (10.67 gm, 19.9mm, 9h) of Soloi. Amazon (Antiope?), wearing pointed headdress, nude to the waist and kneeling l., stringing her bow, with drapery & gorytos (bow-case) at her waist. / Bunch of grapes on vine; ankh to lower right (partially off flan); ΣΟΛΕΩΝ - Θ. EF Davissons Auction 41 #56. "Uncommonly choice example, well centered and well struck." Casabonne Type 3; MFA Boston #2124 (same obv. die); SNG France 2 #135 var. (A-Θ). Jameson III #1608 = Baldwin's Auction 99 #152; SNG Levante - ; SNG von Aulock - .Anaximander04/07/22 at 19:43Nemonater: Gorgeous example
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RIC 0796 Domitian French MedallionIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XVII CENS PER PP
Laureate head right
SC
Triumphal arch, showing two archways surmounted by two elephant quadrigae
French medallion based on RIC 796 (R2)
1968; No 192/500
Massive 69mm! 226gJay GT402/26/22 at 22:57Nemonater: Cool
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RIC 0809 (V) Titus QuinariusT CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
Laureate head right
VICTORIA AVGVST
Victory seated left with wreath and palm
Rome, 75 CE?
1.47g
RIC 809 (R3) die matched to the Sneh coin
Legends begin from high left.
Ex-ANE
From RIC:
"Assigned to this year because there are no dated quinarii of 75, and the appearance of either AVGVST or AVGVSTI on the reverse suggests transition between the earlier series, up to 74 (with AVGVSTI) and later series, 76 onwards (with AVGVST).Jay GT402/26/22 at 20:21Nemonater: Nice portrait!
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Aegina Land Tortoise AR Stater (Testudo Graeca Ibera)Greek (Classical). Islands off Attica (Saronic Gulf), Aegina. AR Stater (11.97, 20mm), struck c. 456-431 BCE.
Obv: Land tortoise (prob. testudo graeca ibera), segmented shell of 13 plates. Rev: Large incuse square with five-compartment skew pattern with wide border.
Ref: Meadows Group IIIb; Millbank Period V (404-375 BC), pl. II, 10 (same obv. die); SNG Cop 516; Sear 2600. See also HGC 6, 437. Prov: Ex- Gitbud & Naumann Pecunem 20 (3 Aug 2014), Lot 186.
Coin-in-hand video: LINKCurtis JJ02/24/22 at 15:29Nemonater: Wonderful
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0002 Sextus Pompey -- Neptune and Naval TrophySextus Pompey, Imperator and Prefect of the Fleet
[Youngest Son of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great)]
Obv: [MAG or MA (ligatured) G]⦁PIVS⦁IMP⦁ITER; Portrait of Neptune facing r., diademed and bearded, trident over l. shoulder. Border of dots.
Rev: [PRAE (AE ligatured) F⦁CLAS⦁ET⦁ORAE (AE ligatured)]⦁MAR (ligatured) IT⦁EX⦁S⦁C⦁; Naval trophy with trident on top and anchor on bottom, prow stem on l. and aplustre on r., at base two representations of Charybdis and two dog heads of Scylla. Border of dots.
Denomination: silver denarius; Mint: Sicily, uncertain location1; Date: summer 42 - summer 39 BC2; Weight: 3.89g; Diameter: 17mm; Die axis: 30º; References, for example: Sear CRI 333; BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 variant3; Sydenham 1347 variant3; Crawford RRC 511/2a or 2b4.
Notes:
Obverse legend: MAG[NUS]⦁PIVS⦁IMP[ERATOR]⦁ITER[UM]
Reverse legend: PRAEF[ECTUS]⦁CLAS[SIS]⦁ET⦁ORAE⦁MARIT[IMAE]⦁EX⦁S[ENATUS]⦁C[ONSULTO]
1Sear CRI, Crawford RRC, Sydenham, and DeRose Evans (1987) all place the minting of this coin type in Sicily, but they do not reference a possible location. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily suggests Messana.
2This is the date range argued for in Estiot 2006 (p. 145). Estiot recommends returning to Crawford's proposal of 42 - 40 BC. Crawford RRC, p. 521 suggests the period in 42 BC after Sextus Pompey defeated Q. Salvidienus Rufus. Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily, p.562 proposes 38 - 36 BC and Sydenham, p. 210 adopts the same datation. DeRose Evans (1987), p. 129 offers a time between late summer 36 and September 36 BC.
3Grueber BMCRR v. II Sicily 15, 16, and 17 and Sydenham 1347 only list a reverse legend containing MAR (ligatured) I but the coin here is MAR (ligatured) IT.
4It is impossible to see the full obverse legend, so it cannot be determined if MA is ligatured or not. The reverse legend is clearly the first variety of 2a or 2b, a variety not found on 2c.
Provenance: Ex Shanna Schmidt Numismatics April 11, 2019; from the collection of W. F. Stoecklin, Amriswil, Switzerland; acquired from Hess AG in Luzern, from the Ernst Haeberlin collection, Cahn & Hess, Frankfurt, July 17, 1933 Lot 2889.
Photo credits: Shanna Schmidt Numismatics
CLICK FOR SOURCESTracy Aiello01/24/22 at 00:01Nemonater: Beautifu!
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RIC 0023 Titus DenariusIMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
Laureate head left
TR P VIIII IMP XIIII COS VII P P
Ceres seated left with corn ears, poppy and torch
Rome, after July 1, 79 CE
2.87g
RIC 23 (R3)
Ex-Biga Online auction 7, lot 768
This is the third known example of an extremely rare type. One from the Harry Sneh collection sold at the Gemini IX sale, 8 January, lot 333 (RIC reference coin, no image). The second example is found in the David Atherton collection. This being the 3rd, shares both obverse and reverse dies with the Atherton coin.Jay GT401/20/22 at 19:39Nemonater: Nice catch!
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RPC 1028 Vespasian the Younger [Domitian]Æ Hemiassarion, 3.15g
Smyrna (Ionia) mint, 94-95 AD
Obv: ΟΥƐϹΠΑϹΙΑΝΟϹ ΝΕΩΤΕΡΟϹ; Head of Vespasian the Younger, bare, r.
Rev: ΖΜΥΡΝΑΙΩΝ; Nike advancing r., holding wreath and palm
RPC 1028 (17 spec.).
Ex Leu Numismatik, Web Auction 18, 19-21 December 2021, lot 1953.
Toward the end of his reign in 94 or 95 Domitian adopted the sons of his cousin Titus Flavius Clemens with the intent of making them his heirs. He renamed them Vespasian the Younger and Domitian the Younger while making Clemens consul. However, not long afterwards Domitian became suspicious of Clemens and had him executed on the charges of 'atheism'. His wife Domitilla III was exiled as well on the same charges. We do not know the fate of the two boys, presumably they were punished in some way because they disappear from the historical record.
Smyrna was the only city in all of the empire to strike coins for the newly adopted heir Vespasian the Younger. No coins are known for Domitian the Younger. Perhaps Vespasian the Younger born in the late 80s was the eldest making him the senior crown prince. The coin portraits indeed show a child of around 7-10 years of age which would be about right. His coins could not have been struck for any length of time before news reached the city of the family's 'treachery', perhaps explaining the issue's rarity today.
As mentioned above Flavius Clemens was executed on the charges of 'atheism', this according to a much later account written by Cassius Dio. Dio goes on further to state that other Romans who drifted into Jewish ways were similarly executed. Many scholars have plausibility theorised that Clemens and Domitilla converted to Judaism and were punished by the religiously rigid Domitian. There is also a later Christian tradition that Clemens and his wife converted to Christianity, although there is no evidence to back up such a claim.David Atherton01/19/22 at 12:15Nemonater: Excellent!
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Julius Caesar. Late 48-47BCThe Caesarians. Julius Caesar. Late 48-47 BC. AR Denarius (17.5mm, 3.84 g, 6h). Military mint traveling with Caesar in North Africa. Diademed head of Venus right / Aeneas advancing left, holding palladium and bearing Anchises on his shoulder. Crawford 458/1; CRI 55; Sydenham 1013; RSC 12; RBW 1600. Deeply toned, obverse slightly off centersimmurray01/19/22 at 12:14Nemonater: Beautiful example
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RIC 0938 VespasianIMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
laureate head left
COS VIII
Mars standing left, holding spear and trophy
Rome, 77-8 CE
3.30g
RIC 938 (C)
Ex-NBS web auction 9 lot 1544Jay GT412/21/21 at 20:12Nemonater: Great portrait and reverse
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Price 3588 after eggThe Price 3588 I bought was incredibly shiny. I put it in a baggie with an egg for an hour and it actually turned a golden hue with some bright colors around the strike. I have done this with 4 dif coins and this is the first to not just darken the grey or silver.Chance Vandal12/21/21 at 01:21Nemonater: Huge improvement
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Judaea Yehud Gerah, Persian OccupationHelmeted head of Athena right decorated with olive wreath (crude style)
𐤉𐤄𐤃 (YHD) to right of owl standing right, head facing, small lily above left.
Jerusalem mint?
After restoration of Jerusalem to before 333 BCE
0.38g; 8mm
Hendin 6051 (6th); Hendin 1050 (5th); TJC 6a
Ex-Holyland (Shick) e-Auction 17 lot 40 with export permit, ex-Menashe Landman collection
Persian rule issue
Jay GT412/07/21 at 23:17Nemonater: Cool coin, nice clear YHD
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SPHINX COLLECTIONTop row: Chios, Ionia; Chios Ionia; Chios, Ionia
Middle row: Spain, Castulo; Caria, Canus; Troas, Gergis
Bottom row: Chios; Ionia; Egypt; Alexandria (A. Pius)
laney12/06/21 at 00:59Nemonater: Great presentation
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Persian Tarsos, Mazaios Satrap of Cilicia𐡁𐡏𐡋𐡕𐡓𐡆 ('B'LTRS' in Aramaic)
Baal of Tarsos seated left, holding holding eagle-tipped scepter; grain ear, grape-bunch, and Aramaic R in left field
MZDY ZY 'BRNHR' W ḤLK (Mazaios who is over Eber Nahara and Cilicia)
Lion bringing down bull above a pair of crenellated walls, each with four towers.
Tarsos, Cilicia 361/0-334 BC
10.74g
Casabonne Series 4, Group A; SNG BN 354-60 var. (control marks); SNG Levante 115
Ex-Dara Antiquities Auction 3, lot 1044
Hendin translates the Aramaic as "Mazaios who is over Eber Nahara and Cilicia." The similarity of this inscription and a descriptive phrase used in the Biblical texts of Ezra and Nehemiah has led to Hendin's suggestion that the walls on this coin represent the ones encompassing Jerusalem, which less than a century before had been rebuilt by Nehemiah, as related in the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Both Nehemiah and Mazaeus (Mazdai) were Persian court officials, so they used similar phraseology for administrative and geographical regions. Mazaeus was governor, or satrap, of the land of Beyond the River around 350 BCE. Governing from Tarsus, the administrative capital, Mazaeus is telling us that he is in charge of "Beyond the River."
(A fuller discussion of the subject is presented on pages 100-103 of the 4th edition of Hendin's Guide to Biblical Coins.)Jay GT411/24/21 at 00:02Nemonater: Beautiful coin, I love this type!
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Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 520aSeptimius Severus AR denarius
3.69g, 19.0mm, 0 degrees, Laodicea mint, 198-202 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 520a Cohen 798. BMCRE 289.
O: L SEP SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX, laureate head right.
R: VOTIS DECENNALIBVS, in oak wreath.
1 example in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.104.
Ex-CNG eAuction 493 (9 June 2021) Lot 602, ex-ROMA Numismatics, Auction XII (29 Sept 2016) Lot 835.Ron C206/23/21 at 01:21Nemonater: Fantastic!
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Cr 469/1a AR Denarius Cn. Pompey Minorissued in name of M. Poblicius, legate pro praetore. Corduba, summer 46 - spring 45 b.c.e.
Obv: Helmeted head of Roma to right; M•POBLICI•LEG PRO•PR around
Rev: Female figure -- Hispania -- standing facing, head to right, with round shield slung on back, holding two spears in left hand and with right hand giving palm-branch to soldier, standing facing, head to left on prow of ship; on right CN•MAGNVS•IMP upwards.
Sear CRI 48; RSC 1 (Pompey the Great)
3.49gm, 20mm, 6h.
This coin and its variations and related types with different obverses all reflect hope / support of Further Spain for the Pompeian cause, which had a few setbacks by the time Pompey Junior arrived in Spain. "A few" includes complete defeat at Pharsalus, the murder of Pompey the Great in Egypt, complete defeat along with Scipio and Cato at Thapsus/Utica. But the Pompey lads were nothing if not "optimistic" -- pun intended -- and they seemed to have access to silver in Spain. Things won't get better for Junior.
This specimen is a bit worn but otherwise very well-centered for the type, with all of the key details distinct. I note that the palm-branch held by Hispania is quite a bit longer than other specimens I have seen to date, perhaps a single-die elaboration. The Pompeian soldier appears to hold his helmet at ready in a formal pose, somewhat ironically given Pompey's own final disposition, but clearer specimens show this is the military cloak bunched at the shoulder.
Note unusually tall palm branch, almost double length compared to CoinArchives specimens.PMah06/15/21 at 06:46Nemonater: Very interesting palm!
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Crawford 457/1, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, Julius Caesar and Aulus AllienusRome. The Imperators.
Julius Caesar and Aulus Allienus, 48 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.64g; 20mm; 6h).
Sicilian mint, 47 BCE.
Obverse: C CAESAR IMP COS ITER; diademed and draped bust of Venus, facing right.
Reverse: A ALLIENVS PRO COS; Trinacrus facing left, placing foot on prow and holding a triskeles and cloak.
References: Crawford 457/1; HCRI 54; Sydenham 1022 (R7); BMCRR Sicily 5; Alliena 1.
Provenance: Ex NAC Spring Sale (10 May 2021) Lot 1098; M. Ratto FPL 1 (Feb 1966) Lot 363.
Aulus Allienus was a friend of Cicero's. Two of Cicero's extant letters are addressed to him. He was the legate of Cicero's brother in Asia in 60 BC, and praetor in 49 BCE. In 48 BCE, he held the province of Sicily. He continued in Sicily until 47 BCE when he received the title of proconsul. While proconsul in Sicily, he sent troops to support Julius Caesar in Africa against the Pompeians. These coins were issued as initial pay for those troops.
The coin depicts Venus on the obverse, alluding to the Julia gens’ mythical descent from the goddess and her first appearance on a coin of Caesar (many would follow). On the reverse, Trinacrus holds a trinacria (triskeles), the symbol of “three-cornered” Sicily - his right foot on the prow of a vessel. These devices make clear the Sicilian origin of the issue. Trinacrus is described by numismatic scholars as a son of Neptune, whose myth appears to have been created as an explanation for the early name for Sicily (Trinacria), which is more likely derived from the island’s triangular shape. Grueber agreed with the Trinacrus attribution because the god is depicted in the same position as Neptune is often shown, with his foot on a prow.
The coin is one of the rarer issues in the name of Caesar (R7 in Sydenham). Crawford estimated fewer than 30 obverse dies and fewer than 33 reverse dies. Schaefer’s Roman Republican Die Project includes just 13 obverse and 13 reverse dies.
Carausius06/09/21 at 18:01Nemonater: Wonderful
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Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 17Septimius Severus AR denarius
3.12g, 17.3mm, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 193-194 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 17. Cohen 278. BMCRE V 25.
O: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG, laureate head right.
R: LEG XXX VLP TR P COS, Legionary eagle between two standards.
LEG XXX is Ulpia Victrix.
No examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.101.
Ex-Marc Breitsprecher #45690.Ron C206/02/21 at 18:33Nemonater: Fantastic!
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Persian Tarsos, Mazaios Satrap of Cilicia𐡁𐡏𐡋𐡕𐡓𐡆 ('B'LTRS' in Aramaic)
Baal of Tarsos seated left, holding lotus-tipped scepter; grain ear and grape bunch to left.
MZDY (Maziaos)
Lion attacking stag left; O to lower left; all within incuse square.
Tarsos, Cilicia
361-334 BCE
9.95g
AR Stater
Sold as SNG France 2/319 (to be researched)
Ex-Colmar Collection FranceJay GT406/02/21 at 04:49Nemonater: Very cool!
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RIC 106 DomitianÆ Sestertius, 21.73g
Rome mint, 82 AD
Obv: IMP CAES DIVI VESP F DOMITIAN AVG P M; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: TR P COS VIII DES VIIII P P; S C in field; Minerva stg. l., with spear
RIC 106 (C). BMC 276. BNC 286.
Acquired from Ken Dorney, May 2021.
Minerva's prominence on Domitian's coinage first showed up on his early bronzes produced in 81-82 before she dominated his denarii. This fantastic sestertius struck in early 82 demonstrates that the finest engravers were not just reserved for Domitian's aurei. A superb portrait and fine reverse.David Atherton05/29/21 at 22:51Nemonater: Beautiful!
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Macedon: Alexander III Arados Tetradrachm Price 3309Head of beardless Heracles right wearing lion skin headdress
AΛEΞANΔPOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ
Zeus seated on stool-throne left, eagle on outstretched right hand, sceptre in left hand AP monogram below throne
Arados,
328-320 BCE
17.14g
Price 3309
Late lifetime or early posthumous issue.
Ex-Barakat Jay GT405/27/21 at 02:24Nemonater: Great portrait!
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RPC 0607 Domitian as Caesar [Vespasian]Æ Assarion, 5.41g
Koinon of Bithynia, Reign of Vespasian (69-79 AD), M. Maecius Rufus proconsul
Obv: ΔΟΜΙΤΙΑΝΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣ ΥΙΟΣ; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: ΕΠΙ Μ ΜΑΙΚΙΟΥ ΡΟΥΦΟΥ ΑΝΘΥΠΑΤΟΥ; Spear and round shield
RPC 607 (6 spec.).
Acquired from eBay, May 2021.
The Koinon of Bithynia produced several issues of bronze coinage during Vespasian's reign under four separate proconsuls, all of which are undated which makes assigning a chronology difficult. This assarion of Domitian Caesar struck under the proconsulship of Maecius Rufus possibly dates towards the middle of Vespasian's reign, but hard evidence is lacking to be certain. The reverse likely commemorates the silver shield and spear granted to Domitian Caesar as princeps iuventutis by the equestrian order. A most appropriate reverse type for the young prince.
As mentioned above, I purchased this coin because of the artistic portrait, which is one of the finest I've come across for this issue (normally they are a bit more unrefined). In other words it's not a 'Friday afternoon' die.David Atherton05/27/21 at 02:22Nemonater: Beautiful!
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Septimius Severus Denarius Hybrid, Caracalla RIC IVa 223 reverseSeptimius Severus AR Denarius
2.72g, 0 degrees, 18.5mm, unofficial mintage hybrid, ca. 210 CE obverse with ca. 212 CE Caracalla reverse.
O: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate bust right.
R: MARTI PROPVGNATORI, Mars advancing left with spear and trophy.Ron C205/11/21 at 23:46Nemonater: Cool!
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Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 411aSeptimius Severus AR denarius
2.70g, 16.7mm, 0 degrees, Emesa mint, 194-195 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 411a. Cohen 330.
O: IMP CAE L SEP SEV PERT AVG COS II, laureate head right.
R: MONET AVG, Moneta standing left, holding scales and cornucopiae.
63 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.98.
Ex-Ancientcoins.ca
Ron C205/11/21 at 23:36Nemonater: Beautiful Style!
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Septimius Severus Denarius RIC IVa 100Septimius Severus AR denarius
3.10g, 17.2mm, 180 degrees, Rome mint, 197-198CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 100, Cohen 349. BMCRE V 224-225.
O: L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII, laureate head right.
R: MVNIFICENTIA AVG, Elephant right (sometimes cuirassed).
While this coins has relatively little circulation wear, the details on the body of the elephant are worn, likely from a die nearing end of life. In hand, you can make out faint indentations on the body and the outline of the legs is ribbed, meaning this is likely the cuirassed version of the reverse, but the cuirassing is indistinct due to die wear.
30 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P. 99.
Ex-Lodge Antiquities Coin, UK. Ron C205/11/21 at 23:35Nemonater: I love this type!
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RPC 1610 TitusT CAES IM PONT
Laureate head right
COL ICO NIEN E Q
two standards; between them, star
Galatia, Iconium
19.3mm, 5.02g
RPC II 1610 (Rare 10 specimens) this coin #10 RPC online
Ex-Themis Numismatics Auction 9 lot 447
The reverse reads "Colony of Iconium, founded by the fifth Gallic legion"Jay GT405/08/21 at 22:29Nemonater: Very Cool!
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0262 - Denarius Augustus 27-20 BCObv/ Augustus head laureate r.
Rev/ Capricorn r., with cornucopia on the back and holding globe; behind, rudder; below, AVGVSTV(S).
Ag, 17.3 mm, 3.55 g
Mint: Eastern mint (?)
RIC I/541 [R2] - BMCRE I/664
ex-CNG, auction e471, lot 235dafnis05/04/21 at 10:33Nemonater: Beautiful!
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RIC 0037 TitusObverse: IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM - Laureate head right.
Reverse: TR P IX IMP XV COS VIII PP - Capricorn left; below globe.
AR/Denarius (18.60 mm 3.310 g 6h) Struck in Rome 79 a.D. (3rd issue)
RIC 37 (R), RSC 294, BMCRE 35, BNF 32
ex Thesaurus Auction 17 "Sabina" lot 98 FlaviusDomitianus04/28/21 at 19:21Nemonater: A great example!
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RPC 2097 Titus Gadara, DecapolisTITOΣ KAIΣAP
Laureate head right
ΓΑΔΑΡΑ L ΖΛΡ (year 137)
Turreted head of Tyche right
Gadara, Decapolis
73-74 CE
3.96g, 16mm
RPC II 2097
Ex-ZurqiehJay GT404/27/21 at 00:35Nemonater: Beautiful
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Macrinus Denarius, RIC IVb 73Macrinus AR denarius
2.903g, 19.9mm, 180 degrees, Rome mint, 217-218 CE
Attribution: RIC IV 73, RSC III 33a, Cohen 33.
O: IMP C M OPEL SEV MACRINVS AVG, Laureate and cuirassed bust right
R: IOVI CONSERVATORI (to Jupiter the protector), Jupiter standing facing, head left, nude, thunderbolt in right hand, long sceptre vertical in left hand.
19 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.121.
From the Errett Bishop Collection, ex-Forum Coin RS92492.Ron C204/24/21 at 23:43Nemonater: Great example!
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Diadumenian Denarius RIC IVb 102bDiadumenian AR Denarius
3.00g, 20.5mm, 195 degrees, Rome mint, 217 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVb 102b. Cohen 3.
O: M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES, Head bare right, bust draped and cuirassed.
R: PRINC IVVENTVTIS, Diadumenian standing front, head right, holding standard and sceptre. On right, two standards surmounted by eagle, wreath on hand.
48 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.122.Ron C204/24/21 at 23:42Nemonater: Great portrait
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RIC 1118 VespasianAR Denarius, 2.98g
Lyon Mint, 71 AD
Obv: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG TR P; Head of Vespasian, laureate, r.
Rev: IVDAEA; Palm tree; to r., Judaea std. r., hands bound behind
RIC 1118 (R2). BMC Spec. acquired 1980. RSC 231. BNC 298. Hendin 1487.
Acquired from eBay, April 2021.
Lugdunum produced a small issue of undated denarii in 71 which copied contemporary Rome mint types. Curiously, this is the only Judaea Capta denarius reverse the Lugdunum mint duplicated from Rome. The depiction of a bound personification of Judaea is similar to the unique IVDAEA DEVICTA denarius type from this same issue. Very rare at Rome, this Lugdunese variety is exceedingly so and scarcely shows up in trade.David Atherton04/24/21 at 10:57Nemonater: Glad you finally got one!
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Ric 333Domitian 81-96
AR denarius
Struck 85 AD (Fourth issue)
IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P IIII
Head of Domitian, laureate
IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT PP
Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, holding spear and shield, owl at foot right (M2)
3,19g/20mm
Ric 333(R2)
Ex Ibercoin, E-auction 48, Lot 134Parthicus Maximus04/23/21 at 19:56Nemonater: Wonderful portrait!
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RIC 0604Domitian AR Denarius Struck 88 CE (Third Issue)
(20 mm, 2.96 g)
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VIII, laureate head right
Rev: COS XIIII - LVD SAEC FEC, COS XIII across field Column inscribed LVD SAEC FEC, all within Laurel wreath.
RIC 604, RSC 70, BMC 137
Ex: Luc Corso collection
EX: CGB France Purchased February 17, 2020
This is a nice example of a relatively common but interesting coin. The denarii of Domitian which feature Secular Games reverses are very popular coins. One reason is that the reverse of Domitian denarii are dominated by Minerva and many consider these coins repetitive and dull. I am not one of these people. I find looking for the small differences in some of these denarii is very interesting. I have located a number of overlooked rarities this way. I think it is important to remember that the many titles of Domitian that one sees on the denarii are not just random dates. They do in fact represent actual historical events such as victories won in the many battles Domitian had with his adversaries. While it is true that we may have no other record of these encounters, the shifting titles on the coins tell us that some kind of event happened that resulted in the rewarding of titles to Domitian.
As for this coin, it was very difficult to get an accurate photo. I, but has quite dark toning. The photo is not perfect but it is a fairly accurate representation of how the coin actually looks. There are still a few Secular Games denarii I am looking for. A few of these I have seen available, but a couple of others I have not seen for sale on the last 5 years. I would also like to find the Secular Games quinarius.orfew04/23/21 at 19:55Nemonater: Beautiful
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RIC 0408 VespasianÆ Quadrans, 2.06g
Rome Mint, 72-73 AD
Obv: IMP VESPASIAN AVG; Palm tree
Rev: P M TR P P P · COS IIII; S C in field; Vexillum
RIC 408 (R). BMC 626. BNC -. Hendin 1571.
Acquired from Calgary Coin, March 2021.
During Vespasian's reign the Rome mint produced sporadic issues of quadrantes. Their rarity today is likely a result of them being of low value and typically not hoarded. Mimicking the larger bronzes, the Jewish War victory was celebrated on them as well. Because of the small flan size brevity is called for: a palm tree representing Judaea on the obverse, and a Vexillum symbolising military victory on the reverse - straight and to the point! Ironically, despite their rarity today, more of the plebeian population would have seen these quadrantes than their more famous 'Judaea Capta' silver or bronze cousins. This specimen is remarkably well preserved for the denomination, perhaps it was lost soon after striking.
Missing from the Paris collection.David Atherton04/19/21 at 19:33Nemonater: Amazing
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RIC 1542 Vespasian denariusIMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Laureate head right
VIRTVS AVGVST
Virtus standing right, left foot on prow, with spear and parazonium
Antioch, 70 AD
3.24g
RIC 1542 (R2);RPC 1916 (5 spec.)
Ex-Noble Roman Coins
Ragged flan typical for the Antioch series. A very rare type!
Jay GT404/18/21 at 22:38Nemonater: Great example!
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RIC 1477Vespasianus (69 - 79 CE).
Denar (Silber). 76 CE Uncertain ‘o’ mint, possibly Ephesus
(18mm. 2.92g)
Obv: Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz rechts; IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG. Kopf mit Lorbeerkranz rechts.
Rev: Geflügelter Cadeceus; PON MAX TR P COS VII.
RIC 1477; BMC 483; RSC 375a
Ex: Solidus Auction 76 April 6, 2021 Lot 1247
I am very happy to add this unusual denarius of Vespasian to my collection. It is obvious from the portrait that this is no ordinary denarius of Vespasian. What is also clear is that this coin was definitely not struck in Rome. In fact, there is still some mystery as to where it was actually struck. RIC places this coin as "Uncertain Mint(s) of Asia Minor Uncertain: Ephesus?" I agree with placing this coin in Asia Minor and I do not think it likely that it was struck at Ephesus. The portraits on the Ephesian denarii do not at all look like the portrait on this coin. The other mystery concerns the mint mark found on these coins. Though not visible on this coin a mint mark in the form of a ring or annulet ocurrs under the neck truncation. Many call these 'O' mint denarii because of the annulet. All of these coins are rare to extremely rare. 'O' mint denarii were also struck for Titus and Domitian. This is my third denarius from the series. I am always looking to add more but there are other Flavian collectors who feel exactly the same way, so there tends to be competition for them when they appear. orfew04/13/21 at 10:48Nemonater: Nice catch!
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RPC 2750 DomitianÆ Dichalkon, 1.58g
Alexandria mint, 91-92 AD
Obv: No legend; Head of Domitian, laureate, r.
Rev: LΙΑ; Crocodile, r., with sun disc
RPC 2750. Emmett 333.11. Dattari-Savio 6815-16.
Acquired from Athena, March 2021.
A series of small bronzes were struck at Alexandria without obverse inscriptions. Identifying which reign they belong to is down to identifying the obverse portrait and the regnal year date on the reverse. We are on firm ground with this dichalkon which unmistakably features a portrait of Domitian on the obverse and regnal year 11 on the reverse. This ethnic type featuring a Nile crocodile is fairly rare, being struck for just a handful of regnal years. It almost certainly depicts the ancient Egyptian crocodile god Sobek, god of the Nile and fertility. Sobek was particularly venerated during the Roman period in the Fayum, a swampy area west of the Nile Valley that was a natural home for crocodiles.
One of the finest known specimens of this rare type.David Atherton04/06/21 at 16:34Nemonater: Amazing!
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VESPASIANVSDenario Vespasiano
Mint:Roma 77-78 AC
RIC 938 Extremely Fine Busto derecha? C. Mas común busto izquierda
BMC 200. Cohen 129
Peso: 3,24 gr
diam: 19 mm
Anverso: IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Reverso : COS VIII
Ex- Leu Numismatik . auction 11 feb. 2020. lot 1661Jose Vicente A04/05/21 at 20:38Nemonater: Beautiful!
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AE Dagger #08Western Asia (possibly Luristan)
1200-800 BC
29.7cm (11.7")
Cf. Mahboubian (Art of Ancient Iran: Copper and Bronze), 379
Cf. Medvedskaya ("Iran: Iron Age I"), Fig. 9, #14 (Luristan Type III)
Cf. Overleat (The Early Iron Age in the Pusht-I Kuh, Luristan), Pl. 89 (Kutal-i Gulgul, tomb A9), Fig. A9-60
Description:
Flanged hilt with no wood or ivory remaining, hilt tapering down to splayed end, blade and hilt cast in one piece.Kamnaskires04/05/21 at 13:57Nemonater: I would love one of these!
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Taras, Calabria380-334 BC
AR Diobol (13mm, 1.11g)
O: Head of Athena left, wearing unadorned crested Attic helmet.
R: Herakles kneeling right, wrestling the Nemean lion.
Scarce
Vlasto 1344; Cote 259
ex LAC
Enodia04/04/21 at 20:28Nemonater: Really nice!
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RIC 1078A Titus as Caesar [Vespasian]AR Denarius, 3.42g
Rome Mint, 79 AD
Obv: T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, l.
Rev: TR POT VIII COS VII; Venus stg. r., leaning on column, with helmet and spear
RIC 1078A (R3). BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex Numismatik Naumann Auction 100, 7 March 2021, lot 462.
Second known specimen of this Venus Victrix type with obverse bust left. Harry Sneh reported an example to the RIC authors who then assigned it as RIC 1078A in the RIC II.1 Addenda. Oddly, these two specimens are from different dies. It is part of Vespasian's last denarius issue struck before his death on 24 June 79. Venus is depicted here with a helmet and spear as the goddess of both love and war. The type would later be struck as a carry-over reverse for Titus as Augustus until the mint designed new reverse dies specifically for him.David Atherton04/02/21 at 23:36Nemonater: Awesome!
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04 Attica, Athenian TriobolAthenian Pi-Style Triobol
Obv: head of Athena facing r., crested Attic helmet ornamented with olive leaves and a pi-style palmette, eye in profile.
Rev: owl standing facing; an olive branch coming down from above to the l. and r. with five or more leaves, [A☉Ǝ, with A above and ☉ lower l. and Ǝ lower r.].
Denomination: silver triobol (or hemidrachm); Mint: Athens; Date: c. 353 - 294 BC1; Weight: 2.015g; Diameter: 12.5mm; Die axis: 270º; References, for example: BMC vol. 11, 169; SNG Cop vol. 14, 68; Svoronos Athens pl. 21, 48; Kroll 19d; HGC 4, 1642.
Notes:
1This is the date range given in HGC 4.
Provenance: Ex. Forum Ancient Coins March 26, 2021, from the Errett Bishop collection (assembled from about 1960 - 1982).
Photo Credits: Forum Ancient Coins
CLICK FOR SOURCESTracy Aiello03/30/21 at 01:10Nemonater: Great little coin!
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SOLD! Tiberius DrachmΤΙΒΕΡΙΟΣ ΚΑΙΣΑΡ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΣ
Laureate head of Tiberius to right.
ΘΕΟΥ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ ΥΙΟΣ
Mount Argaios surmounted by statue of Sol-Helios, radiate, holding globe in his right hand and long scepter with his left.
Cappadocia; Caesaraea-Eusebi
circa 17-32 CE
3.53g
RPC I 3620. BMC 11
Ex-Time Machine Mark E. Reid Ed. D.
A scarcer type. Heavy dark find patina, particularly on the reverse and rim, almost black in hand.Jay GT403/29/21 at 21:24Nemonater: Awesome portrait and patina!
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RPC II 2704 Domitian Æ drachmΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΘƐΟΥ ΥΙΟϹ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ
Laureate head right
LΙΔ? (year 14) in exergue
Domitian, raising hand and holding scepter and reins, driving biga of centaurs right; each of the centaurs holds a Nike and scepter
Alexandria Egypt; 94-95 CE
35mm; 25.72g
RPC II 2704; Dattari (Savio) 6726 (R2)
Ex-ANE; Ex-Munz Zentrum: Heinz W. Muller (Koln)
A rare type
Some encrustations remain while I consider further cleaningJay GT403/27/21 at 20:51Nemonater: Really nice. I would probably leave it alone if i...
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RIC 0454 (V) Titus Æ AsT CAES VESPASIAN IMP P TR P COS II
Laureate head right
VICTORIA NAVALIS SC
Victory standing right on prow, with wreath and palm
Second issue
Rome, 72 CE
9.54g
RIC 454 Vespasian (R)
Ex-Heiler AE-Collections
Nice green patina and not as rough in hand.
Perhaps struck to commemorate the naval "battle" on the Sea of Galilee during the Jewish revolt.
Jay GT403/26/21 at 02:04Nemonater: Beautiful!
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RIC 0690 [Vespasian]Titus as Caesar AR denarius 74 CE
Obv: Head laureate right; T CAESAR IMP VESP
Rev: COS III across field; 2 laurel trees upright
RIC 690 [VESP]; BMC * p. 28 Note, RSC 47
Ex: Salon Numizmatyczny Mateusz Wójcicki (27/02/2021
orfew03/24/21 at 13:04Nemonater: Awesome piece!
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RIC 0592 DomitianusObv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VII, laureate head right
Rev: IMP XV COS XIIII CENS P P P, Minerva standing right on capital of rostral column, with spear and shield; to right, owl
AR/Denarius (19.549 mm 3.31419 g 6h) Struck in 88 A.D. (2nd issue)
RIC 592 (R2), RSC-BMCRE-BNF unlisted
Purchased from Kornblum on MA ShopsFlaviusDomitianus03/24/21 at 13:03Nemonater: Congratulations on a wonderful find!
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Judaea, Bar Kochba Revolt. Æ Small Bronze ShM`WN
Simon in Paleo-Hebrew, seven-branched palm tree with two bunches of dates.
L-HRWT YRWShLM
For the freedom of Jerusalem (Paleo-Hebrew), bunch of grapes with branch and small leaf.
Undated, attributed to year 3 (134/5 CE).
19mm; 4.46g
Hendin 6467 (6th); Hendin 1440 (5th)
All Bar Kokhba coins are over struck on contemporary coins circulating in Judaea at the time. A mint has not been found, but Herodium has been suggested (by Barag) as the location for the "regular" mint and Jerusalem for the "irregular" issues.
From David Hendin's "Guide to Biblical Coins 5th Edition":
"From the Roman point of view, both were irregular rebel mints. For the Bar Kokhba administration the "irregular" mint was a second, subsidiary, mint operating not at the central mint but at a different location, and there is no reason to assume that it was considered to be irregular. The occasional reference to these coins as "irregular" does not carry much weight. In the eyes of the Greeks and Romans all Jewish coinage was no doubt considered "irregular coinage"
Ex-Pavlos S. PavlouJay GT403/19/21 at 21:01Nemonater: Very cool
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Athens, Attica454-431 BC
AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 16.95g)
O: Head of Athena with archaic eye right, wearing Attic helmet decorated with palmette and olive leaves.
R: Owl standing right, head facing; olive sprig and cresent moon above, AΘE to right, all within incuse square.
SNG Cop 31; Kroll 8; Sear 2526
ex Steven Battelle
With her almond eye and Mona Lisa-like grin, along with her companion owl (Athene Noctua), these classic 5th century tetradrachms from Athens are truly THE iconic ancient coin.Enodia03/18/21 at 03:12Nemonater: Nice!
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RIC 0985A Titus as Caesar [Vespasian] UniqueAR Denarius, 3.22g
Rome Mint, 77-78 AD
Obv: T CAESAR VESPASIANVS; Head of Titus, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIII across field; Modius, standing on three legs, containing five ears of corn upright and two hanging over the sides
RIC 985A. BMC -. RSC -. BNC -.
Ex CNG eAuction 487, 10 March 2021, lot 515.
A unique and unpublished new type for Titus Caesar. In RIC II.1, page 129, note 186 reads as follows: 'A plated example of this coin with rev IMP XIII (Budapest) suggests the possibility that the parallel issue for Titus might have used this modius reverse type (if such a coin was the prototype for the ancient imitation), though no examples have yet been attested.' Dr. Lucia Carbone, Assistant Curator for Roman Coins, at the American Numismatic Society has confirmed this coin as 'the prototype for the silver-plated fourrée in the Budapest museum.... The T preceding CAESAR on the obverse is absolutely clear and there is no doubt about the identification of the obverse.' The small denarius issue from which this coin was struck consists of three reverse types: goatherd, modius, and sow with piglets. Previously, all three were known for Vespasian, but only the goatherd and sow types had been attested for Titus Caesar. In hand there is the faintest trace of the reading IMP XIII on the reverse. We can now confidently add the modius for Titus to complete our picture of the series - a tremendous discovery!David Atherton03/17/21 at 23:52Nemonater: Awesome!
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RIC 1161 VespasianIMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG COS III
Laureate head right
AEQVITAS AVGVSTI SC
Aequitas standing left with scales and rod
Lugdunum (Lyons), 71 CE
10.16g
RIC 1161 (R)
Ex-ForumJay GT403/14/21 at 23:12Nemonater: 👍🏽
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Amyntas III, 393 - 370/369 BC. AE17 Dichalkon. Struck at an uncertain mint in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Head of Herakles, wearing lion's skin, facing right.
Reverse: AMYNTA above Eagle standing facing right, grasping snake in it's talons and attacking it with it's beak.
Diameter: 16.92mm | Weight: 3.17gms | Die Axis: 6
SNG ANS 100 - 109 | SNG Munchen 49-52 | AMNG 160, 7
Amyntas III was king of Macedonia from about 393 to 370/369 BC, he was the father of Philip II and the grandfather of Alexander the Great. His skillful diplomacy in Greek affairs prepared the way for Macedonia's emergence as a great power under his son Philip II.
Amyntas came to the throne during a period of some confusion after the sudden death of king Archelaus who was killed while out hunting in 399 BC. Archelaus was succeeded by his young son Orestes, who ruled with his guardian Aeropus for four years until his death, possibly at the hands of Aeropus. Aeropus then ruled alone as Aeropus II, until he died of an illness two years later and was succeeded by his son Pausanius.
Diodorus gives two versions of the start of Amyntas' reign but both versions agree that Amyntas came to the throne after assassinating Pausanias but was then driven out by the Illyrians. Amyntas recovered his kingdom in the following year however, with the aid of the Spartans and the Thessalians. He continued to maintain his position by the expedient of siding with the powers ascendant in Greece, securing his alliance with Athens by supporting their claim to Amphipolis, and by adopting the Athenian general Iphicrates as his son. Iphicrates later helped Amyntas' son, Perdikkas III, to secure his claim to the throne.
Several significant figures worked in Macedonia during Amyntas' reign, including Nicomachus, the father of Aristotle, who served as court physician to Amyntas, and Aristotle himself who served as the tutor to Amyntas' grandson, Alexander the Great.
Amyntas died at an advanced age in 370-369 BC, leaving his throne to the eldest of his three sons, Alexander II, who ruled from 369 to 366 BC. Amyntas' other two sons also ended up ruling Macedon, Perdikkas III from 365 to 359 BC and Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, from 359 to 336 BC.*Alex03/13/21 at 02:27Nemonater: Awesome coin, great write up!
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Philip II, 359 - 336 BC. AE18. Struck after 356 BC at an uncertain mint in MacedoniaObverse: No legend. Young male head, usually identified as Apollo, with hair bound in a taenia, facing left.
Reverse: ΦIΛIΠΠOY, Naked rider on horse prancing left, uncertain control mark, often described as the head of a lion, beneath the horse. The control mark looks a bit like the ram on the prow of a galley to me, but that is just my personal opinion.
Diameter: 17.4mm | Weight: 6.9gms | Die Axis: 12
SNG ANS 872 - 874
The bronze series of this type is extensive and differentiated principally by the different control marks. These control marks are symbols and letters which generally appear on the reverse, very occasionally the obverse, of the coin, and they were used to identify the officials responsible for a particular issue of coinage.
Philip II won the horseback race at the 106th Olympics in 356 BC, and it is thought that the horseman on the reverse of this coin commemorates that event.
Philip II of Macedon was King of Macedon from 359 until his death in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III Arrhidaeus. In 357 BC, Philip married Olympias, who was the daughter of the king of the Molossians. Alexander was born in 356 BC, the same year as Philip's horse won at the Olympic Games.
Only Greeks were allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, and Philip was determined to convince his Athenian opposition that he was indeed worthy to be considered Greek. And, after successfully uniting Macedonia and Thessaly, Philip could legitimately participate in the Olympics. In 365 BC Philip entered his horse into the keles, a horseback race in the 106th Olympics, and won. He proceeded to win two more times, winning the four horse chariot race in the 352 BC 107th Olympics and the two horse chariot race in the 348 BC 108th Olympics. These were great victories for Philip because not only had he been admitted officially into the Olympic Games but he had also won, solidifying his standing as a true Greek.
The conquest and political consolidation of most of Greece during Philip's reign was achieved in part by the creation of the Macedonian phalanx which gave him an enormous advantage on the battlefield. After defeating Athens and Thebes at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC Philip II established the League of Corinth, a federation of Greek states, with him at it's head, with the intention of invading the Persian empire. In 336 BC he sent an army of 10,000 men into Asia Minor to make preparations for the invasion by freeing the Greeks living on the western coast and islands from Persian rule. All went well until the news arrived that Philip had been assassinated. The Macedonians were demoralized by Philip's death and were subsequently defeated by Persian forces near Magnesia.
Philip II was murdered in October 336 BC, at Aegae, the ancient capital of the Macedonian kingdom, while he was entering into the town's theatre. He was assassinated by Pausanius, one of his own bodyguards, who was himself slain by three of Philip's other bodyguards. The reasons for Philip's assassination are not now fully known, with many modern historians saying that, on the face of it, none of the ancient accounts which have come down to us appear to be credible.*Alex03/03/21 at 16:18Nemonater: Nice!
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Clodius Albinus Denarius RIC IVa 7Clodius Albinus AR Denarius
18.4mm, 3.21g, 0 degrees, Rome mint, 194-195 CE.
Attribution: RIC IVa 7 with (a) obverse, identical to Pl. 2,11. Cohen 48.
O: D CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES, Head bare, right.
R: MINER PACIF COS II, Minerva, helmeted, standing left, holding olive branch and shield on ground, right. Spear against left arm.
77 examples in Reka Devnia, Mouchmov P.93.Ron C202/28/21 at 01:56Nemonater: Great portrait!
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Persian Tarsos, Balakros. Satrap of CiliciaBaal of Tarsos seated left, holding lotus-tipped scepter, grain ear and grape bunch to left, ivy leaf to right B (Balakros) above, T below seat
Draped bust of Athena facing slihtly left, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet, single-pendant earring, and necklace
Tarsos, Cilicia
333-329 BCE
25.5mm; 10.72g
AR Stater
Casabornne Series 2; SNG Lenante supp. 21
EX- CNG e-Auction 485 lot 166Jay GT402/25/21 at 19:10Nemonater: A perfectly placed cut! Great coin!
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RIC 1065 Vespasian denariusIMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Laureate head right
TR POT X COS VIIII
Statue of radiate male figure with spear and parazonium, on rostral column
Rome, 79 CE to June 24
3.47g
RIC 1065 (R)
From the Tareq Hani collection, Ex-Savoca 95th Silver auction lot 504Jay GT402/22/21 at 19:06Nemonater: Nice! I need to photograph mine.
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M. Aemilius Lepidus (114-113 B.C.)AR Denarius
O: ROMA, diademed and laureate head of Roma right, star behind.
R: M•AE-MILI•, equestrian statue atop triple arch; L-E-P within arches.
3.8g
19mm
Rome Mint
Crawford 291/1; Aemilia 7; Sydenham 554 Mat02/17/21 at 20:43Nemonater: Honest wear on a nice coin!
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Julius Caesar, Imperator and Dictator, October 49 - 15 March 44 B.C.Silver denarius, Crawford 452/2, Sydenham 1009, BMCRR 3955, RSC I 18, Sear CRI 11, SRCV I 1400, NGC F, strike 4/5, surface 2/5, brushed, bankers marks, edge chip (5772013-001), weight 3.74g, maximum diameter 18.1mm, die axis 180o, 48 B.C.; obverse female (Clementia?) head right, wearing oak wreath, necklace, jewel before ear, and cruciform earring, hair in jeweled knot behind with falling locks, LII (52) behind; reverse CAE-SAR flanking the base of a draped trophy of Gallic arms (shield decorated with fulmen, horned helmet, and carnyx), axe topped by wolf head on right; struck by a military mint moving with Caesar.
The numeral on the obverse indicates Caesar's age when this coin was minted, a unique occurrence in Roman numismatics.
FORVM Ancient Coins / The Sam Mansourati Collection.
Sam02/17/21 at 18:49Nemonater: Great coin!
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RIC 0706 Domitian DupondiusIMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XV CENS PER PP
Radiate head right
VIRTVTI AVGVSTI SC
Virtus standing right, foot on helmet with spear and parazonium
Rome, 90-91 CE
13.46g
RIC 706 (C2)
Ex-iNumis
Holed in antiquityJay GT402/10/21 at 22:12Nemonater: Beautiful!
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Augustus and Aretas IV, 1 BC / 1 ADObv. bare head of Augustus left , AVGVS TR • POT.
Rev. laureate head of Aretas VI left , Nabataean date ( Shnt ///~) year 8 .
21mm, 6.9 grams
This coin shows in one side Augustus and the other side a Nabataean king with Nabatean script in front of his head ( Shnt ///~) dated to the eighth year of the reign of King Aretas IV, about 1 BC-1 AD , which is four years after the death of the Herodian King Herod the Great in 4 BC. Augustus relied on his friend Herod for the affairs of the East, and after the death of Herod , his kingdom was divided among his three sons, which led to the weakness of the strongest ally of Emperor Augustus.
This coin was wrongly described by RPC I 5419; SNG Hunterian 4983 as unknown mint from Syria or Zenodorus at Chalcis for unknown king.
Canaan02/04/21 at 17:00Nemonater: Nice!
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RPC 2677 DomitianÆ Hemidrachm, 12.15g
Alexandria mint, 92-93 AD
Obv: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΘƐΟ(Υ) ΥΙΟϹ ΔΟΜΙΤ ϹƐΒ ΓƐΡΜ; Head of Domitian, laureate, l.
Rev: LΙΒ; Pharos
RPC 2677 (0 spec.). Emmett 273f.12. Dattari-Savio 6784.
Ex CNG eAuction 484, 27 January 2021, lot 559.
The great lighthouse of Alexandria (or Pharos) was first depicted on the city's coinage during Domitian's reign. The structure was built on Pharos Island circa 300-283 BC under the Ptolemaic dynasty and was roughly 375 years old when these coins were struck. It was one of the most famous buildings in the ancient world and would later be considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World by early Medieval chroniclers. Standing at an estimated 300-450 ft. high it inspired awe and admiration from many Roman era writers including Strabo, Pliny, Josephus, and Lucian. Strabo records the Pharos was built of white stone and Pliny relates it cost nearly 800 talents to construct and that its light could sometimes be mistaken for a distant star on the horizon by mariners approaching the city. Josephus says the tower's shining light could be seen 34 miles away, a day's sale from Alexandria. Lucian took detailed measurements and described a building of three storeys - the bottom being square, the middle octagonal and the top circular with a total height of 436 feet (!). It was crowned by a 30 ft. statue of Zeus Soter or Neptune which can clearly be seen on the coins. Sculptures of Tritons blowing conch shells adorned the octagonal section were used to represent each of the eight winds and can clearly be seen on the coins as well. In 1117 AD Al-Andalusi travelled to Alexandria and wrote 'the entrance to the Lighthouse is very high. It is accessed by a long 600 ft. ramp. This is based on a series of arches [...]'. This high doorway is also accurately depicted on the coins. Early in the second century Achilles Tatius of Alexandria poetically described the Pharos in his novel The Adventures of Leucippe and Clitophon as 'the most remarkable and extraordinary structure upon which it rested; it was like a mountain, almost reaching the clouds, in the middle of the sea. Below the building flowed the waters; it seemed to be as it were suspended above their surface, while at the top of this mountain rose a second sun to be a guide for ships'. The great Pharos was rendered inoperable and slowly destroyed by a series of earthquakes between 796 and 1323 AD. The coins, however, remain as a powerful testament to this most remarkable structure's enduring legacy.
The hemidrachms struck under Domitian with their wonderful numismatic depiction of the Pharos are extremely rare. This superb example from regnal year 12 is the third known and finest specimen of the even rarer left facing portrait variant. Struck in very fine style.David Atherton02/04/21 at 10:52Nemonater: Awesome!
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Roman Military Diploma or Constitutio Fragment mentioning FleetLatin text on both sides
Four lines on obverse
1. CVM ET
2. II CLASSIC
3. VITVM S
4. IACA
Reverse lettering rotated 90 degrees
ENT
20mm x 20mm at widest points
lettering 4mm high
1.5g
Ex-Time machine
Possible reading thanks to stultus:
... COHORS ... THR] ACVM ET [...
... COHORS] II CLASSIC [A ...
... COHORS II VLPIA EQ] VITVM S [AGGITARIA CIVIVM ROMANORVM ...
... COHORS ... THRACVM SYR] IACA [... or ... COHORS IIII SYR]IACA [...Jay GT401/30/21 at 21:40Nemonater: Super cool!
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Denar, RIC 3, p.271, 721 - Faustina II, Venus seated, VENERI AVGVSTAEFaustina II
AR-Denarius
Obv.: FAVSTINA AVGVSTA, draped bust right, circlet of pearls
Rev.: VENERI AVGVSTAE, Venus seated left, holding Victory and sceptre.
Ag, 3.11g, 19mm
Ref.: RIC III (Marcus Aurelius) p.271, 721 [R], CRE 237 [R2]
shanxi01/29/21 at 10:47Nemonater: Beautiful toning!
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Denar, RIC 3, p.094, 507a (Cf. to ) - Faustina II, Pudicitia standingFaustina II
AR-Denarius
Obv.: FAVSTINAE AVG PII AVG FIL, Draped bust right.
Rev.: PVDICITIA, Pudicitia (Concordia) standing facing, head right, holding cornucopia and raising skirt.
Ag, 3.44g, 18mm
Ref.: RIC – (Cf. RIC 507a ), CRE 165 [R4]
shanxi01/29/21 at 10:47Nemonater: Great find!
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RIC 0985Titus, as Caesar (AD 79-81). AR denarius. Rome. 77-78 CE
(19mm, 3.09 gm, 7h).
Obv: laureate head of Titus right; T CAESAR VESPASIANVS
Rev: Goatherder seated left on rocks, milking goat over vessel; IMP XIII,
RIC 985 (Vespasian).
Ex: Heritage Auctions 2021 January 20-21 Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Weekly Online Auction #232103 / Lot #63167
orfew01/28/21 at 15:27Nemonater: Awesome addition!
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Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.)AR Tetradrachm
MESOPOTAMIA, Rhesaena
O: AVT KAI ANTΩNЄINOC CЄB, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
R: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOC TO Δ, eagle standing facing, head right, with wings spread, holding wreath in beak; rectangle between legs. Struck 215/17AD
13.93g
27mm
Prieur 876 Bellinger 172
Pending Wildwinds PublishingMat01/23/21 at 23:05Nemonater: Cool!
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Caracalla (198 - 217 A.D.)AR Tetradrachm
PHOENICIA. Tyre
O: AVT KAI ANTωNINOC CЄ, Laureate bust right.
R: ΔHMAPX ЄΞ VΠATOC TO Δ, Eagle, with head left, wreath in beak and wings spread, standing facing on club right; murex shell between legs. Struck 213/17AD
15.47g
26mm
Prieur 1547Mat01/23/21 at 23:04Nemonater: Great portrait
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RIC 0167v VespasianusObv: IMP CAES VESPASIAN AVG P M TR P P P COS III - Laureate head of Vespasian right.
Rev: IVDAEA CAPTA / S C - To left Vespasian standing right, left foot on helmet, holding spear and parazonium; to right, Jewess, in attitude of mourning, seated right on cuirass and surrounded by arms; palm tree between.
AE/Sestertius (mm 33,35 g 25,51 6 h) Struck in Rome 71 a.D. (2nd issue)
RIC 167 (cfr. Note 49 page 71), BNF 497 (same reverse die)
purchased on eBay from mm1243, ex Busso Peus Auction 400 lot 360FlaviusDomitianus01/20/21 at 17:37Nemonater: I never knew this existed!
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Judaea Antonius Felix PrutahTI KΛAYΔIOC KAICAP ΓEPM L IΔ (Tiberius Claudius Caesar Germanicus, year 14).
Two crossed palm branches surrounded by Greek inscription
IOY/ ΛIA AΓ/ PIΠΠI/ NA
Inscription in wreath (Julia Agrippina).
Jerusalem 54 C.E
2.35g
Hendin 651; Meshorer 342
Ex-Barakat
Jay GT401/19/21 at 19:48Nemonater: Much nicer than average!
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Macedon, Antigonos I Monophthalmos Tetradrachm of Carrhae or Tarsos.Kings of Macedon. Antigonos I Monophthalmos. 320-306/5 BC. AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 17.04 g, 10h) of Tarsos. Struck c. 316-301 BC. As Strategos of Asia i/n/o Alexander III. Head of Herakles r., wearing lionskin headdress. / Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned l., holding eagle and sceptre. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ r., I above strut of throne, ΣΡ monogram below. VF. CNG EA 482 # 78. For the reattribution of this series from Carrhae to Tarsos, see CNG 85 #301. Price 3796 (Carrhae); SNG Cop 2 (Macedonia) #861; Berlin Münzkabinett #18253676 (same dies); BM 2002.0101.929 (same); BnF Gallica Vogüé #405; Müller (Joppe, note #86) #1469.Anaximander01/19/21 at 01:56Nemonater: Awesome Portrait!
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153b Julianus II. (360-363 A.D.), Barbarous, RIC VIII 106-107 ???, AE-26, SECVRITAS REIPVB (?) retrograde, Bull standing left, Barbarous Imitation, #01153b Julianus II. (360-363 A.D.), Barbarous, RIC VIII 106-107 ???, AE-26, SECVRITAS REIPVB (?) retrograde, Bull standing left, Barbarous Imitation, #01
avers: Confusing text, DN AU IL VLIAͶVS PF HVG, Diademed (pearls), draped and cuirassed bust right.
reverse: Confusing text, SECVRITAS REIPVB right to left, completely retrograde, Bull standing left, two stars above, -IISV IIII•-(?) in exergue.
exergue:-/-//-IISV IIII•-, diameter:30mm, weight: 0,0g, axis: h,
mint: Barbarous), date: ??, ref: RIC VIII 106-107 ???,
Q-001quadrans01/18/21 at 20:58Nemonater: Nice Bull!
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Judaea First revolt Prutah𐤔𐤍𐤕 𐤔𐤕𐤉𐤌
(Year Two) in ancient Hebrew script, amphora with broad rim and two handles.
𐤇𐤓𐤕 𐤔 𐤉𐤅𐤍
Freedom of Zion in ancient Hebrew, vine leaf on a small branch.
Jerusalem, April 67-March 68 CE
2.42g
Hendin 6389 (6th); Hendin 1360 (5th)
Ex-Barakat
Jay GT401/18/21 at 20:57Nemonater: Great Condition!
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RIC 0589A VespasianusObv: IMP CAES VESP AVG P M T P COS IIII CENS, Laureate head right
Rev : PAX AVGVSTI / S C (in field), Pax standing left, leaning on column, holding branch and caduceus
AE/As (26.53 mm 10.676 g 6h) Struck in Rome 73 A.D.
RIC unlisted, provisionally assigned 589A, BMCRE unlisted, BNF unlisted
Purchased on eBay from havanna-coinsFlaviusDomitianus01/16/21 at 17:55Nemonater: Cool!
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Roman Imperial Coins TRAJAN (98-117). Denarius. Rome 2.35g. Obverse brockage.Obv: Laureate head right.
Rev: Incuse and reverse of obverse.
Canaan01/15/21 at 19:32Nemonater: Very Cool!
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Crawford 494/39, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, L. Mussidius Longus, AR Denarius Rome, The Imperators.
L. Mussidius Longus. 42 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.72g; 16mm).
Rome mint, 42 BCE.
Obverse: Wreathed head of Julius Caesar facing right.
Reverse: L·MVSSIDIVS·LONGVS; caduceus on globe, flanked by rudder, cornucopia and apex.
References: Crawford 494/39a; HCRI 116; Sydenham 1096a; BMCRR Rome 4238-9; Mussidia 8; Julia 58.
Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction 3087 (17 Dec 2020) Lot 30041; Dr. Walter F. Stöcklin (d. 1975) Collection [Nomos Obolos 9 (25 Mar 2018) Lot 108]; acquired before 1975.
The moneyer is not otherwise known to history. Struck during the lead-up to Phillipi, the coin certainly reflects favor on the Caesarian side of the conflict, with the portrait of the late dictator on the obverse and devices referring to Caesar’s accomplishments on the reverse. The rudder and globe refer to Caesar’s military success and imperium over land and sea. The apex refers to his position as Pontifex Maximus. The cornucopia and caduceus allude to the blessings and happiness that Caesar bestowed on Rome. Multiple legend arrangements appear on this type, with curved and straight-line arrangements sometimes above, beside and below the devices.
The obverse fields show some raised striations, possibly caused from die cleaning or otherwise preparing the die for use. Other examples from the same obverse die show similar field striations.
This coin comes from the Stöcklin Collection, sold by Nomos over a series of auctions beginning with Nomos 14 in 17 May 2017. The collection consisted of ancient coins assembled over three generations in the family by Sebastian Roš (1839-1917), his son-in-law Dr. Walter F. Stöcklin (1888-1975) and grandson Dr. Walter M. Stöcklin (d. 1981).
Carausius01/09/21 at 03:25Nemonater:
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Cilicia, Tarsus; Satrap Mazaios, (361-334 B.C.)AR Stater
O: Baal of Tarsos seated left, holding eagle, grain ear, grapes, and scepter; TR (in Aramaic) to lower left, M (in Aramaic) below throne.
R: Lion attacking bull, monogram below.
10.35g
25.1mm
Casabonne Series 2, Group C; SNG BN –; SNG Levante 106
Ex.Philip Ashton Collection
Ex Harlan J Berk Buy or Bid, #214, Lot #89Mat01/07/21 at 00:57Nemonater: I like it, but you already know that!
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Vabalathus AntoninianusVabalathus Antoninianus (Sole Reign)
Obverse:
IM C VHABALATHVS AVG
Radiate, draped bust right.
Reverse:
AETERNITAS AVG
Sol, standing half-right, looking left,
holding globe, right hand raised.
Star in field, A in exergue
Antioch or Emesa
4.42g, 20mm
RIC 2
Sear 11724.Harry G01/05/21 at 16:53Nemonater: Amazing catch!
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Crawford 464/2, ROMAN IMPERATORIAL, T. Carisius, AR DenariusRome, Moneyer Issues of the Imperatorial Period.
T. Carisius, 46 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.91g; 18mm).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Head of Juno Moneta facing right; MONETA behind.
Reverse: Anvil with garlanded Vulcan cap (die?) above; tongs to left; hammer to right; T. CARISIVS above; surrounded by wreath.
References: Crawford 464/2; Sydenham 982; BMCRR 4056; Carisia 1.
Provenance: Ex Heritage Auction #231946 (14 Nov 2019) Lot 62150; Nomisma 59 (14 May 2019), Lot 92.
Little is known about T. Carisius beyond his coins and some ambiguous prosopographical evidence. He may be the Carisius that commanded the left wing of Octavian’s fleet during a naval battle with Sextus Pompey at Tauromenium, as reported in Appian. He may be the T. Carisius identified as praetor of the Volcae in Narbonese Gaul on inscriptions found in Avignon, France in 1841 and in Beaueaire, France in 2001. He may also be the father or brother of P. Carisius, who served as legatus pro praetor in Spain, ca. 25-23 BCE, and issued a large coinage for Augustus.
Caesar celebrated multiple triumphs in 46 BCE, and the massive output by the moneyers T. Carisius and M. Cordius Rufus may have been to pay the largesse owed to Caesar's legionaries. Carisius issued a large series of silver coins, including various designs of denarii, quinarii and sestertii. His fractional silver are notoriously scarce.
This reverse design of this coin is often debated, with scholars falling into two camps: those who think that coin-striking implements, including a garlanded reverse punch die, are depicted; and those who think general metal smithing implements and a garlanded cap of Vulcan (pileus) are depicted. Crawford (1974) called the disputed device a punch die. Sydenham (1952) called the device "cap of Vulcan, laureate" (See Syd. #982). In BMCRR (1910), Grueber called the device "cap of Vulcan (pileus), laureate" (See BMCRR vol 1, 4056). Barfeldt (1896), correcting Babelon, believed it was a cap of Vulcan. Babelon (1883) identifies it as a die. I believe the upper device is a garlanded cap of Vulcan, not a punch die. It matches similar depictions of garlanded caps of Vulcan on other Roman Republican coins (see, e.g. my Crawford 266/2 here: https://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-166897 ). Some have noted a pellet, resembling a coin, on some dies between the anvil and “punch die”. I believe these pellets are merely central compass points used by the die engravers which are exposed on some dies.
Carausius01/01/21 at 13:22Nemonater: Very nice! I’ve wanted one of these for a long tim...
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Crawford 405/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Plaetorius Cestianus, AR DenariusRome, The Republic.
M. Plaetorius M.F. Cestianus, 57 BCE.
AR Denarius (4.00g; 20mm; 7h).
Rome Mint.
Obverse: Female (Fortuna?) bust, facing right.; Φ behind.
Reverse: M PLAETORI· CEST·S·C; Boy facing front, holding a tablet or wooden lot inscribed SORS.
References: Crawford 405/2; Sydenham 801(R5); BMCRR 3525; Plaetoria 10.
Provenance: Ex Naville 60 (27 Sep 2020) Lot 398; from a European Collection, purchased in 1986.
A difficult type, often off-center and with a high-relief reverse design that is prone to heavy wear of the face and tablet. On this example, while not apparent from the photo, the boy’s head is practically three-dimensional in its relief. The unusual, full-frontal reverse design and generally pleasing style make this a very-popular type among Roman Republican collectors.
The moneyer is Marcus Plaetorius Cestianus, who was Curule Aedile in 67 BCE and Praetor in 64 BCE.
Cestianus issued coins in two different years – once as Curule Aedile (those coins with AED CVR also in their inscriptions) and a second time in a non-aedile capacity, but in both cases by order of the Senate. The presence of S·C in the reverse inscription of this coin identifies it as special coinage produced by Senatorial decree. Crawford arranged Cestianus’ non-aedile coins in 69 BCE, ahead of his Curule Aedile issue in 67 BCE; however, hoard evidence strongly supports flipping this order around. In their analysis of the Messagne hoard, Hersh and Walker redated the non-aedile coins to 57 BCE. They note that Cestianus’ non-aedile issues do not appear in hoards until long after his Curule Aedile issues of 67 BCE, and they postulate that he issued the non-aedile coins in 57 BCE as pro-praetor (having been praetor in 64 BCE). In Roman Republican Moneyers and Their Coins, Michael Harlan disagreed with this late date, suggesting instead a date within a year of the AED CVR coins, and explaining their different workmanship and absence from hoards on Cestianus striking the coins overseas for Pompey during his pirate war.
The imagery refers to the worship/oracle of Fortuna at Praeneste, where lots were used for divination. There is some disagreement on the identity of the obverse bust but it seems very likely to be Fortuna, even if inconsistent with other depictions of that deity. Sors were lots, and it is a tablet or wooden lot that the boy holds on the reverse. The moneyer was descended from a Cestia gens member who had been adopted into the Plaetoria gens. The Cestia had ties to Praeneste.
Carausius01/01/21 at 13:21Nemonater: Wonderful!
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RPC 2402 Vespasian TetradrachmVT TIT ΦΛAVI OYEΣΠAΣIAN KAIΣ
Laureate head right, LA (year 1) lower right
Nike (Victory) flying left, raising wreath in extended right hand,
palm frond in left hand;
Alexandria, Egypt
1 July - 28 Aug 69 CE
11.44g
RPC 2402; Emmett 205/1 (R1)
Ex-Forum from the Errett Bishop Collection
The Roman legions in Alexandria proclaimed Vespasian emperor on 1 July 69 A.D. This coin was struck within the two months before the Egyptian new year began on 29 August 69 A.D. A fairly rare type that doesn't come to market often compared with year 2 coins.Jay GT412/01/20 at 00:42Nemonater: Nice one Jay. I need to photograph mine now!
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RIC 0777 Vespasian denariusIMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
Laureate head right
PON MAX TR P COS VI
Victory standing left on prow, with wreath and palm
Rome 75 CE
2.97g
RIC 777 (C2)
Ex-Coin Cabinet
Listed as common but they have been difficult to find lately.Jay GT411/18/20 at 22:52Nemonater: Another great type, definitely not one you see eve...
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