| Most viewed - Jochen's Denarii |
Caracalla RIC IV, 253 var.433 viewsCaracalla AD 198-217
AR - Denar, 3.30g, 20.3mm
Rome AD 215
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
bust laureate r.
rev. PM TRP XVIII COS IIII PP
Aesculapius, naked to waist, standing front, head front, holding serpent-wreathed
wand, resting on ground, in r. hand, l. hand across body, wrapped in fold of drapery; at
feet, r., globe, at feet l. small hooded figure (Telesphorus), standing front, hands on
breast
RIC IV/1, 253 var.; C.307; BMC 105
MS, lustrous
from Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
RIC has listed this type only with Aesculapius head l.Jochen
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Caracalla RIC IV, 284365 viewsCaracalla AD 198 - 217
AR - Denar, 3.13g, 19mm
Rome AD 217
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM
laureate head r.
rev. PM TRP XX COS IIII PP
Diana (or Luna?) with crescent on head and scarf flying
behind her, standing in bull-biga, driving l.
RIC IV, 284; C.396
Scarce; good EF
added to www.wildwinds.comJochen
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Antoninus Pius RIC III, 202b252 viewsAntoninus Pius 138-161
AR - Denar, 3.27g, 18.0mm
Rome AD 148-149
obv. IMP CAES T AEL HADR ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP
head laureate r.
rev. TR POT XIIII COS IIII
Tranquillitas, draped, standing frontal, head r., holding rudder and corn-ears
in exergue: TRANQ
RIC III, 202b; C.825 (without PIVS, a slip); BMC 736
scarce; EF
TRANQUILLITAS, tranquillity, an abstraction personified for the first time on coins of Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. She is shown with the attributes which seem to hint at an association with the grain supply, a rudder and ears of grain, sometimes a modius or a prow, therefore related to ANNONA and SECURITAS, meaning the peaceful security of the Roman Empire.
Jochen
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Vespasian RIC II, (Titus) 60208 viewsVespasian 69 - 75
AR - Denar, 3.26g, 18mm
Rome AD 80, struck under Titus
obv. DIVVS AVGVSTVS VESPASIANVS
laureate head r.
rev. Slow quadriga l., with car in form of small temple, showing front, with
pediment and one side: in front, standing figure; on roof, quadriga in centre,
wreath-bearing Victories r. and l.; on side two standing figures (Mars and
Minerva?)
exergue: EX SC
RIC II, Titus 60; C.146; BMCR. Tius 119
Scarce; good F
added to www.wildwinds.com
CARPENTUM, a two-wheeled carriage with a hood, sometimes used in religous rites. Coins showing carpenta were issued following the death or consecration of some women of the imperial family in later years, here of Vespasian.Jochen
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Vitellius RIC I, 109208 viewsVitellius AD 69
AR - Denar, 3.01g, 18mm
Rome Apr.- Dec. 96
obv. A VITELLIVS GERM IMP AVG TR P
laureate head r.
rev. XV VIR SACR FAC
Tripod-lebes with dolphin lying right on top and raven standing right below
RIC I, 109; C.111; BMCR.39
Scarce; good Fine
Vitellius was member of the XVviri sacris faciundis. This collegium of priests was responsible for the interpretation of the Sibyllinic Books. They were bought by Tarquinius Priscus and contained instructions for religious procedures. Augustus brought them into the temple of Apollo 12 BC for there were connections to Apollo. AD 408 they were destroyed by Stilicho.
Tripod and dolphin were the symbols of the XVviri. The raven is a symbol of the prodigies.
Jochen
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Vespasian RIC II, 337198 viewsVespasian AD 69-79
AR - denar, 18mm, 3.4g
Ephesos mint, AD 74
obv. IMP CAESAR VESPAS AVG COS V TRP PP
bust, laureate, r.
rev. PACI - AVGVSTAE (beginning upper r.)
Victory in short chiton over long chiton, advancing r., holding long palm-branch over l.
shoulder and wreath in raised r. hand
star in lower r. field (mint-mark)
RIC II, 337; C.277; BMCR 475
scarce, good VF
Victory here is wearing the reed-crown of the kalathiskos-dancers. These dancers are known from Artemis cults in Laconia, but in Ionia too.Jochen
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Augustus RIC I, 86a190 viewsAugustus, 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.74g, 19mm
Colonia Patricia(?), ca. 19 BC - 18 BC
obv. CAESAR AVGVSTVS
bare head r.
rev. SIGNIS above, RECEPTIS under round shield inscribed with CL.V between
eagle l. and standard r. S.P.Q.R. at the corners of the shield
RIC I, 86a; BMCR 417; RSC 265
good VF, toned
The eagle standards were introduced by Marius similar to the Ptolemaic eagle to each of his legions. This issue celebrates the recovery of the 3 eagle-standards 20 BC by Augustus, which were lost by Crassus 53 BC at the battle of Carrhae against the Parthians. The 3 eagles thereafter were erected in the new temple of Mars Ultor on the Forum of Augustus. The day of recovery was determined public holiday.Jochen
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Julia Titi RIC II, 55a167 viewsJulia Titi, died 88(?), daughter of Titus
AR - Denar, 3.63g, 18mm
Rome AD 91(?), struck under Domitian
obv. IVLIA AVGVSTA T AVG F
bust draped, head diademed r.
rev. VENVS - AVG
Venus standing r., leaning on cippus, holding helmet and spear
RIC II, Titus 55a; C.12; BMCR. 141
Rare; about VF(?)
CIPPUS, a squared stone pillar or block, set up as a boundary marker or as a funerary monument (as here!). Sometimes bearing an inscription (Greek stele)Jochen
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Titus RIC II, 25(a)165 viewsTitus 79 - 81
AR - Denar, 3.51g, 17mm
Rome 80
obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
laureate head r.
rev. TRP IX I[MP] XV COS VIII PP
Two curule chairs, above wich is a wreath ('pulvinar' of Mars and Venus and
the 'Divi' (?))
RIC II, 25(a); C.318; BMCR 66(?)
good VF
Curule chair (SELLA CURULIS), in the form of two Us, used by the highest magistrates of the Roman state.Jochen
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Aquilia Severa RIC V, 226164 viewsAquilia Severa, reg. AD 220, 2. and 4. wife of Elagabal
AR - Denar, 3.23g, 19.4mm
Rome AD 220 -221
obv. IVLIA AQVILIA SEVERA AVG
draped bust, bare head r., hair waved, fixed in plait;
later coiffure without 'visor' (C.Clay)
rev. CONCORDIA
Concordia standing l., holding patera r.and double cornucopiae l.; lightened
altar l. before her
star in r. field
RIC V/2, 226; C.2; BMCR.184
Rare; EF, virtually mintstate
VESTAL VIRGINS. Aquilia Severa was one of the six Vestal Virgins who carried out the maintenance of the sacred fire and other cult ceremonies connected to the goddess Vesta. Therefore her marriage with Elagabal leads to disturbances in the priestership and the people of Rome.Jochen
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Domitian RIC II, 65 var.159 viewsDomitian AD 81-96
AR - denar, 3.45g, 19.78mm
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM PM TRP IIII (with line above)
head laureate r.
Medusa head with wings, snakes, aegis on shoulder of portrait
rev. IMP VIIII COS XI CENS POT P P
Minerva, draped, standing l. with spear
(Minerva type 4)
RIC II, 65 var; BMC 80; Paris 83; RSC 180a
Scarce; EF, exquisite obverse and very elegant reverse
added to www.wildwinds.com
RIC and Cohen have POTES in rev. legend!
One of my nicest coins.Jochen
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Titus RIC II, 16152 viewsTitus 79 - 81
AR - Denar, 3.49g, 18mm
Rome, July - Dec 79
obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
laureate head r.
rev. TRP VIIII IMP XV COS VII PP
naked radiated figur (Titus/Sol?) standing l. on columna rostrata,
holding r. spear and l. parazonium; anchor below
RIC II, 16(b); C.289
nearly EF
COLUMNA ROSTRATA, a column decorated with prows
PARAZONIUM, a large dagger worn at the waistJochen
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Augustus RIC I, 169151 viewsAugustus 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.82g, 18mm
Lugdunum 15 - 13 BC
obv. AVGVSTVS - DIVI F
bare head r.
rev. bull butting l.
exergue: IMP X
RIC I, 169; C.141
scarce; EF portrait!
1. The bull resembles the coins of Thurioi. Octavian has had the nickname Thurinus, because his ancestors came from Thurioi.
2. Then it is a general allusion to Gaul, inspired by coins of Massala. Augustus was 16-13 in Gaul to reorganize it.
Jochen
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Orbiana RIC IV, 319147 viewsOrbiana, died 240, wife of Severus Alexander
AR - Denar, 2.45g, 19.2mm
Rome 225 - 227
obv. SALL BARBIA ORBIANA AVG
draped, diademed bust r.
rev. CONCORDI - A AVGG
Concordia sitting on throne l., holding patera
in r. hand and double-cornucopiae in l. hand
RIC IV, 319; C.1
Scarce; nice EF, quite rare for this conditionJochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 131145 viewsElagabal 218 - 222
AR - Denar, 3.04g, 19mm
Rome AD 221
obv. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
draped bust, laureate head r., with 'horn' on forehead
rev. SACERD DEI SOLIS ELAGAB
Elagabal, laureate, in Syrian priestly robe, standing r. at lighted altar, holding club l. and
patera r.
star in r. field
RIC IV, 131; C.246
EF, uncirculated
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
STAR in field here always means mint of Rome!Jochen
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Caracalla RIC IV, 39(a) corr.139 viewsCaracalla, AD 198 - 217
AR - Denar, 3.67g, 19mm
Rome AD 199 - 201
obv. ANTONINVS - AVGVSTVS
bust draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate head r., youthful portrait
rev. RECTOR - ORBIS
Caracalla as Alexander the Great, naked, standing frontal, laureate head l.,
Chlamys over l. shoulder, wears sword in scabbard suspended from
belt over shoulder, holding globe r. and reversed spear l.
RIC IV, 39(a) corr.; C.542; BMC 165 corr.
EF, mint luster
The rev. is usually called Caracalla as Sol. But there are some oddities: The figure is not radiate but laureate, and a sword in a scubbard is hanging over the r. shoulder. That doesn't match the attributes of Sol. Curtis Clay: It is Caracalla as Alexander the Great! Probably it resembles the statue of Lysipp 'Alexander with spear'.
CHLAMYS, cloak, if the context suggest civilian rather than military use
PALUDAMENTUM, used to describe the cloak worn with a cuirass by emperors on late Roman coins. So the garment on the obv. is a paludament, that on the rev. a chlamys!Jochen
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Domitian RIC II, 573136 viewsDomitian, AD 81-96
AR - denarius, 3.56g, 19mm
Rome, AD 88
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERMAN PM TRP VII
Head, laureate, r.
rev. IMP XIIII COS XIIII CENS P PP
Minerva, in double chiton, aegis on breast, with crested Attic helmet, advancing
r., holding shield in l. hand and spear in raised r. hand.
RIC II, 573 (this coin listed); BMC 115 var. (has only GERM); C.235 var. (has only GERM)
R2!, about EF, lightly toned
Pedigree:
ex coll. Jyrki Muona
The rev. shows the so-called Minerva type 1! Now I have them all.Jochen
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Titus RIC II, 256134 viewsTitus AD 79-81
AR - Denar, 3.22g, 18.1mm
Rome Januar - June 79 (as Caesar)
obv. T CAESAR IMP VESPASIANVS (counterclockwise)
bust, laureate, r.
rev. TR POT VIII COS VII
Slow quadriga l., with round, basket-like car, decorated with garlands, in
which are three ears of corn(?)
RIC II, (Vespasian) 256; C.336; BMC 256
Scarce, good VF
from Forum Ancient Coins, thank you!
"The quadriga with the basket of corn-ears shows the procession of the calathus of Ceres, sung of Callimachus in his hymn: it had already appeared on coins of the moneyers of Augustus in 17 BC. It is unmistakably derived from Alexandria, and suggests the importance of Egypt as the granary of Rome, even beside any endeavours of the Emperor to revive Italian agriculture." (Mattingly, BMCR II, p.xlii)
Jochen
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Titus RIC II, 23133 viewsTitus 79 - 81
AR - Denar, 3.51g, 17mm
Rome 80
obv. IMP TITVS CAES VESPASIAN AVG PM
laureate head r.
rev. TRP IV IMP XV COS VIII PP
winged thunderbolt on nice draped table ('pulvinar' of Jupiter and Juno?)
RIC II, 23(b); C.314; BMCR.51
EF nice portrait
PULVINAR, seat, on which goods were offered to the gods at a lectisternium, a banquet.
These coins shows pulvinaria (pl.) prepared for the solemn lectisternium followed the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 which destroyed Pompeji.
LECTISTERNIUM, a 'laying out of couches', the name for a sacrifice conducted by the Romans at times of great public distress. Couches were set out and tables placed before them, and then images of the gods were laid upon the couches and a banquet set before them, including a wreath (= struppus)
Thunderbolt, one of the regular attributes of Jupiter as god of the sky
Jochen
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Domitian RIC II, 177130 viewsDomitian 81 - 96
AR - Denar, 3.62g, 18mm
Rome AD 92/93
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG - GERM PM TRP XIII
laureate head r.
rev. IMP XXII COS XVI CENS P PP
Minerva, helmeted, draped, standing l., holding thunderbolt in r. and
long vertical spear in l.; round shield behind her
(Minerva type 3)
RIC II, 177; C.283; BMCR. 218
EF
Note: The obv. of this coin is re-engraved from TRP XII to TRP XIII. So it is not RIC 173, but RIC 177! (from Alex, Forum's staff)
Jochen
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Maximinus I RIC IV, 23129 viewsMaximinus I Thrax 235 - 238
AR - Denar, 2.83g, 19mm
Rome AD 235/236
obv. MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG GERM
draped bust, laureate head r.
rev. VICTORIA GERM
Victory standing l., holding laurel-branch in r. hand
and palmbranch in l. arm; to her feet sitting captured German
RIC IV, 23; C.105
EF mint-state
VICTORIA GERM, due to his ruthless revenge campaigns against the Germans on the northern frontiers of the empire AD 235.Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 188124 viewsElagabal AD 218-222
AR - Denarius, 3.26gm, 19mm
struck 218-219 AD at Antioch mint
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG
bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, laureate, r.
rev. FELICIT - AS / TEMP (in ex.)
Galley, mast and sail in the midth, with eight oarsmen, going r.(!). Seven oars
to see, and rudder at stern; waves below. On stern boatswain beside the ship's
cabin. Stern decorated with standard and acrostolium. On prow oblique mast.
RIC IV/2, 188; C. 27; BMC 277 var.
Scarce, EF, well struck on an ample flan, attractive portrait for this type.
The reverse type portrays the galley bearing Elagabalus and the sacred Stone of Emesa on the emperor's slow journey from Elagabalus' home in Emesa to Rome, undertaken 218-219 AD after the Syrian legions and Macrinus' deserting forces won the military victory that assured Elagabalus' place as Augustus.
On the ship the Holy Stone is not to see !(Curtis Clay)Jochen
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Caracalla RIC IV, 235119 viewsCaracalla 198-217
AR - Denar, 3.00g, 19.1mm
Rome 213
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG
laureate head r.
rev. MARTI PROPVGNATORI
Mars advancing l., holding spear and trophy
RIC IV/1, 235; C.151; BMCR 60
Scarce; mint state
Scarcer obv. legend with FEL: 14 spec. in Rekna Devnia hoard
Jochen
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Faustina Filia RIC III, 677118 viewsFaustina Filia, died 175, wife of Marcus Aurelius
AR - Denar, 3.67g, 18mm
obv. FAVSTINA - AVGVSTA
draped, diademed bust r.
rev. FECVN - DITAS
Fecunditas standing frontal, head r., holding sceptre in r.
and little child in l. hand
RIC III, 677; C.99
nice EF
From Curtis Clay: The child could be Annius Verus or
another male child that died early.Jochen
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Sabina RIC III, (Hadrian) 390117 viewsSabina died AD 137, wife of Hadrian, grand-niece of Trajan
AR - Denar, 3.63g
Rome AD 130
obv. SABINA - AVGVSTA
diademed and draped bust r., hair in queue down neck
rev. CONCOR - DIA AVG
Concordia, draped, standing frontal, head l., holding patera in r. hand and
double-cornucopiae in l. hand
RIC III, (Hadrian) 390; C.3; BMC 929
about EF
Her marriage was very unhappy, Hadrian only having eyes for his favourite Antinous (from Forum).Jochen
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Trajan RIC II, 219106 viewsTrajan AD 88 - 117
AR - Denar, 3.15g, 19.9mm
Rome AD 103 - 111
obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS V PP
bust laureate, r.
rev. SPQ.R. OPTIMO PRINCIPI
Dacian, wearing peaked cap and long garment, with sleeves, ending in
breeches, seated r. on oval shield, l. leg raised, knee bent and crossed over r.,
r. arm at side, head propped on l. hand, l. ellbow resting on l. knee: below,
curved sword
RIC II, 219; BMCR cf.175
EF, uncirculatedJochen
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Julia Paula RIC IV, 211 #1106 viewsJulia Paula, Augusta AD 219, 1. wife of Elagabal
AR - Denar, 2.95g, 19mm
Rome AD 219
Av.: IVLIA PAVLA AVG
draped bust, diademed head r.
Rv.: CONCORDIA
Concordia draped sitting l. on throne, holding patera r. and resting l. arm on
back of throne.
star in l. field
RIC IV/2, 211; C.6; BMCR.172
Scarce; good VF
Curtis Clay: The hair-do is of the older style, the revers is from an unexperienced celator (head too small!)Jochen
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Faustina Mater RIC III, 35399 viewsFaustina Mater, died 141, wife of Antoninus Pius
AR - Denar, 3.63g, 18.8mm
Rome 141 - 161 (struck after her death under Antoninus Pius)
obv. DIVA FAV - STINA
draped bust r., typical pearled hair-do
rev. AETER - NITAS
draped throne with sceptre leaning on it, peacock before
RIC III, 353; C.61
nice EF
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
Peacock, the bird of Juno, here as symbol of divinationJochen
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Augustus RIC I, 32299 viewsAugustus 27 BC - AD 14
AR - Denar, 3.83g, 20mm, Rome 19 BC, by moneyer Q Rustius
obv. Q RVSTIVS - FORTVNAE (AE ligate)
in ex. ANTIAT (hardly to see!)
Busts, draped, jugate, r., of Fortuna Victrix, helmeted, holding patera in l.
hand, and Fortuna Felix, wearing stephane;
both busts rest on bar terminating at each end in a ram' s head
rev. CAESARI . AVGVSTO
A highly ornamented rectangular altar with a bowl on it, inscribed in front
FOR.RE
ex.: EX.S.C.
RIC I, 322; BMCR 2
R2; about VF, toned
FORTVNA ANTIATIS, Fortuna of Antium, one of the most important places of Fortuna worshipping, as two goddesses, sisters, FORTVNA VICTRIX, more male, and FORTVNA FELIX, more female. Or as two aspects of only one goddess?
On the rev. the altar of FORTVNA REDVX, erected by the Senatus for the lucky return of Augustus 19BC with the 53 standards from the Parthians in Rome near the Porta Capuana.
Q Rustius celebrates Augustus and his own hometown Antium.
Jochen
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Diadumenian RIC IV, 11695 viewsDiadumenian AD 217-218, son of Macrinus
AR - Denar, 2.96g, 19.77mm
Rome AD 218
obv. M OPEL ANT DIADVMENIAN CAES
bare head, bust, draped, seen from behind, r.
rev. SPES - PVBLICA
Spes advancing l., holding flower and raising skirt
RIC IV/2, 116; C.21; BMC 94
Scarce; toned EF
SPES PVBLICA, the hope for the empire was illusory. In AD 218 after the defeat of his father Macrinus Diadumenian was executed. Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, 26695 viewsSeptimius Severus AD 193-211
AR - Denarius, 2.97g, 18.13mm
Rome, AD 204
obv. SEPTIMIVS - PIVS AVG
bust, laureate, r.
rev. INDVLGENTIA AVGG
Dea Caelestis, looking r., riding a lion leaping to the right, holding a thunderbolt and
sceptre; water gushing from a rock on the left
IN CARTH in ex.
RIC IV/1, 266; C.222; BMC 335
good VF
The exact significance of the type is not known for certain, but it obviously commemorates an important event as attested by the fact that the type was used on Aurei, Sestertii and Asses as well as denarii. The general thought is that the type commemorates the building of or repair to an aquaduct, or perhaps to a possible remission of the taxes levied on the city of Carthage for its water supply. (Barry Murphy)
Jochen
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Commodus RIC III, 64994 viewsCommodus 177 - 192, son of Marcus Aurelius
AR - Denar, 3.65g, 16mm
Rome (?) AD 178
obv. L AVREL COM - MODVS AVG
draped, cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
rev. TRP III IMP II COS PP
Salus seated l. on throne, holding r. poppy to snake coming
out of altar, resting l. arm on chair
RIC III, Marcus Aurelius 649; C. 762 var.; BMCR 777
VF
added to www.wildwinds.com
There is an oddity in the description of this coin between RIC and Cohen:
RIC: holding branch, snake to her feet
Cohen: holding poppy to snake coming out of altar
POPPY, because of the freedom with which it flowers (or the thousands of
semen it produces?) the poppy is sometimes used as a symbol of fertility or prosperityJochen
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Domitian RIC II, 19194 viewsMinerva-5 views
Domitian 81 - 96
AR - Denar, 3.62g, 18mm
AD 95/96
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP XV
laureate head r.
rev. IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P PP
Minerva standing r. on columna rostrata(!), brandishing
javelin and and holding shield; owl at her feet; below two
figures (Jupiter and worshipping figure, ref. to Curtis Clay)
(Minerva type 2)
RIC II, 191; C.293
EF
Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 8892 viewsElagabal 218 - 228
AR - Denar, 3.51g, 18mm
Rome 220 - 222
obv. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
draped bust, laureate head r., with 'horn' on forehead
rev. INVICTVS SACERDOS AVG
Elagabal in Syrian priestly robe standing l., holding with r. hand
patera over lightened altar and club in l. hand; behind altar
resting bull
star in l. field
RIC IV, 88; C.61
about EF
Syrian priestly robe with long sleeves and a big decorative buckle before his stomach (pointed out by Curtis Clay).
BTW The interpretation of the 'horn' as a bull-penis is very doubtful!Jochen
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Lucius Verus RIC III, 46389 viewsLucius Verus, Co-Emperor AD 161 - 169
AR - Denar, 3.59g, 18mm
obv. IMP L AVREL VERVS AVG
bare head r.
rev. PROV DEOR TRP COS II
Providentia standing l., holding globe and cornucopiae
RIC II, 463; C.144
nice EF
PROVIDENTIA, foreseeing, especially of the emperor, one of the important emperor's virtues. 'Monarchy, in fact, is Providence' Charlesworth.Jochen
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Trajan RIC II, 6688 viewsTrajan AD 98-117
AR - denarius, 3.27g, 18.0mm
Rome AD 101-102
obv. IMP CAES NERVA TRAIAN AVG GERM
head, laureate, r.
rev. PM TRP COS IIII PP
Victory inscribing shield set on cippus, foot on helmet
RIC II, 66; C. 247; BMC 112
aUNC, superb mint luster, sharp, light toning
from Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
Strack, Trajan, p.107: "A depiction which points to the end of a war or a campaign after a gained victory here as well as similar on the Trajan's column after the termination of the first Dacian war."(Curtis Clay)
Jochen
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Severus Alexander RIC IV, 19284 viewsSeverus Alexander AD 222-235
AR - Denar, 3.18g, 20mm
Rome issue 9, AD 228
obv. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
head laureate r.
rev. FELICI - TAS AVG
Felicitas draped, standing front, head l., sacrificing out of patera in r. hand over
garlanded altar l., and holding long caduceus vertically in l. hand.
RIC IV/3, 192; C.45 (Paris); BMC 498
EF, mint state with luster, wonderful reverse
added to www.wildwinds.com
Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, 23083 viewsSeptimius Severus 193 - 211
AR - Denar, 3.21g, 18mm
Rome AD 209
obv. SEVERVS - PIVS AVG
laureate head r.
rev. PM TRP XVII COS III PP
Salus seated l. on throne, feeding snake held in her arms
RIC IV, 230; C.531
EF, mint lusterJochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 8183 viewsHadrian AD 117-138
AR- Denar, 3.33g, 17mm
Rome AD 119-122
obv. IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
heroic bust, laureate, drapery on l. shoulder, r.
rev. PM TRP - COS III
Aeternitas, draped, standing facing, head l., holding head of Sol in raised r.
and head of Luna in raised l. hand
RIC II, 81; C.1114; BMCR 162
abourt EF
AETERNITAS, personification of eternity, holds Sol and Luna as symbols of eternity too.Jochen
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Maximus RIC IV, 381 viewsMaximus, Caesar 236 - 238, son of Maximinus I
AR - Denar, 3.12g, 19mm
Rome, spring 236 - March/April 238
obv. MAXIMVS CAES GERM
draped bust, bare head r.
rev. PRINC IVVENTVTIS
Maximus standing l., holding rod in r. hand and
reversed spear in l. hand; behind him 2 standards.
RIC IV, 3; C.10
Scarce; good EF
added to www.wildwinds.com
Maximus, made Caesar by his father AD 236 and killed together with him at Aquileia AD 238.Jochen
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Faustina Filia RIC III, 71281 viewsFaustina Filia 147-175
AR - Denar, 3.34g, 17.3mm
Rome ca. AD 161-162
obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA
draped bust, diademed head r.
rev. SAECVLI FELICIT
nice draped Pulvinar on which the twins Commodus and Antoninus are playing
RIC III, 712; C.191
nearly EF, mint luster
This issue celebrates the birth of the twins Commodus and Antoninus at 31 Aug. 161.
The knob in the midth of the rev. is not a globe, but serves for the correct adjustment of the die.Jochen
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Faustina Filia RIC III, 495a80 viewsFaustina Filia, died 175, wife of Marcus Aurelius, daughter of Antoninus Pius
AR - Denar, 3.28g, 16.6mm
Rome 157 - 161
obv. FAVST[I]NA - AVGUSTA
draped bust, bare head r.
rev. AVGVS - TI - [P]II FIL
Venus standing l., holding r. Victoriola, resting l. on shield set on helmet
RIC III, Antoninus Pius 495(a); C.15; BMCR. 1099
EF, uncirculated
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
Venus with the attributes of Venus Victrix.Jochen
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Trajan RIC II, 24580 viewsTrajan, AD 98-117 n.Chr.
AR - Denarius, 3.05g, 18.4mm
Rome, AD 112-117
obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS VI PP
Bust, laureate, r., slightly draped on l. shoulder
rev. SPQR OPTIMI PRINCIPI
in ex. ARAB ADQ
Arabia stg. facing, head l., holding branch in r. r. hand and balsam cane in l. arm; behind her feet camel walking l.
RIC II, 245; C.26; BMC 474
about EF, attractive toned
From Forum Ancient Coins, thank you!
(1) ARAB ADQ = Arabia adquisita, Arabia acquired (not conquered!)
(2) The object in the l. arm is often called 'bundle of cinnamon sticks', but the extensions which are clearly seen on this specimen could better be explained by the rhizome (rootstock) of the balsam cane (as is stated in RIC too!)
Jochen
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Clodius Albinus RIC IV, 1579 viewsClodius Albinus AD 195/6-197
AR - denar, 2.26g, 17.19mm
Lyon AD 196
obv. IMP CAES D CLO ALBIN AVG
head, laureate, r.
rev. FEL AVG COS II
Felicitas stg. l., holding sceptre and caduceus
RIC IV/1, 15; C.13
rare (Augustus!), about VF, lightly toned, struck on small flan as usual
Jochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 15778 viewsHadrian 117 - 138
AR - Denar, 3.20g, 18mm
AD 125 - 128
obv. HADRIANVS [AV]GVSTVS
bust with drapery on l. shoulder, laureate head r.
rev. COS III
Neptun standing l., cloak over r. thigh, r. foot on prora, holding
trident in l. hand, leaning with r. ellbow on r. knee and
holding dolphin in r. hand
RIC II, 157 var; C.710
VF
added to www.wildwinds.com
var. because normally Neptun is holding sceptre in l. hand!Jochen
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Domitian RIC II, 167a78 viewsDomitian AD 81 - 96
AR - Denar, 3.34g,
Rome AD 92
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP XI
laureate head r.
rev. IMP XXI COS XVI CENS P PP
Minerva, helmeted, wearing Aedis, standing r. on columna rostrata(!), brandishing
javelin and and holding shield; owl at her feet; below two
figures (Jupiter and worshipping figure, ref. to Curtis Clay)
(Minerva type 2)
RIC II, 167a; C.274; BMC 189
EF
Jochen
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Commodus RIC III, 25178 viewsCommodus, AD 177-192
AR - denarius, 16.34mm, 2.49g
Rome, AD 192
obv. L AEL AVREL COMM AVG P FEL
Bearded head of Commodus, wearing lion-skin headdress
rev. HER - CVL / ROM - AN / AV - GV on both sides of
Hercules' club in oak-wreath
RIC III, 251; C.190; BMC 339
scarce, VF/VF, toned, on a small flan as usual, but nice portrait
This is one of the types showing Commodus as Hercules, sign of his madness.Jochen
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Marcus Aurelius RIC III, 16377 viewsMarcus Aurelius 161 - 180
AR - Denar, 3.53g, 18.1mm
Rome summer - Dec 168
obv. M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
laureate head r.
rev. TRP XX IMP IIII COS III
Victory standing frontal, head r., holding palmbranch
in r. hand and hangig with l. hand shield described with
VIC PAR on palmtree
RIC III, 163; C.878
EF, rare in this condition
This issue celebrates the victory AD 162 of Lucius Verus and his general Avitus Cassius in the Parthian war. So Rome was able to put his man on the Armenian throne.Jochen
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Julia Domna RIC IV, 37374 viewsJulia Domna, died 217(?), wife of Septimius Severus
AR - denar, 2.67g, 19mm
struck in Rome AD 211-217
obv. IVLIA PIA - FELIX AVG
Bust of Julia, head bare, draped, r. Hair elaborately waved in 5 vertical waves,
varying numbers of horizontal ridges, fastened in bun at back and queue
below it.
rev. DIANA - LVCIFERA
Diana, draped, standing front, holding long lighted torch, pointing slightly
upward to l., in both hands
RIC IV/1, (Caracalla) 373; C.32; BMC 2; RCV 6578
about EFJochen
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Lucilla RIC III, 78872 viewsLucilla, killed 182, wife of Lucius Verus, daughter of Marcus Aurelius, sister of Commodus
AR - Denar, 3.29g, 17mm
obv. LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F
draped, diademed bust r.
rev. VES - TA
Vesta, veiled, standing l., before draped and lightened
altar, holding patera in r. and palladium in l. hand
RIC III, 788; C.92
about EF
PALLADIUM, from Pallas, meaning 'maiden', a title of Athena, was a statue, stolen from
Troy, later brought to Italy by Aeneas, with great protective power. In art it stands for a statuette of Athena, often a attribute of Vesta and other goddesses.
Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 4071 viewsElagabal, AD 218-222
AR - denarius, 3.52g, 17mm
Rome, AD 221
obv. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
bust, unbearded, draped, laureate, r.
rev. PM TRP IIII COS III PP
Sol, nude except chlamys flowing behind him, advancing l., holdingg whip in l. hand and raising r. hand in greeting pose.
RIC IV/2, 40; C.184; BMC 242
VF, slightly toned
The star is here the symbol of the sun-god.Jochen
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Marcus Aurelius RIC III, 33869 viewsMarcus Aurelius AD 161 - 180
AR - Denar, 3.25g, 18.8mm
Rome, Dec. 175 - Dec. 176
obv. M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM
head laureate, r.
rev. TRP XXX IMP VIII COS III PP
Pile of arms
in ex: DE GERM
RIC III, 338; RSC 154a
Scarce; VF(?)
added to www.wildwinds.com
This issue celebrates the success of Marcus Aurelius against the Marcomanni and Quadi which had invaded northern Italy AD 169. In time-consuming and expensive campaigns he succeeded in driving them out of Italy. Then he started to counter-attack them in their own territory. After his return to Rome he hold his triumph over the Germans and Sarmati on 23 Nov. 176. Raetia and Noricum became Roman provinces.
Jochen
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Nerva RIC II, 2467 viewsNerva 96 - 98
AR - Denar, 3.08g, 17mm
Rome Jan. - Sep. 97
obv. IMP NERVA CAES - AVG PM TR POT
laureate head r.
rev. COS III PATER PATRIAE
priestly implement
RIC II, 24; C.48
about EF, mint luster
Priestly implement (from l.):
1 SIMPULUM, a small ladle made of earthenware for sprinkling holy water,
symbol of the Pontifices
2 ASPERGILLUM, word of the Christian church to describe a whisk
3 GUTTUS, a narrow-necked jug, container for liquids used in religious
ceremonies, Etruscian origin
4 LITUUS, a short curved staff, hooked at the end, used by the Augures
to mark out holy areas, Etruscian origin(?)
Jochen
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Severus Alexander RIC IV, 16067 viewsSeverus Alexander 222-235
AR - Denar, 3.12g, 20.5mm
Rome AD 222
obv. IMP CM AVR SEV ALEXAND AVG
draped, cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
rev. MARTI PACIFERO
Mars standing , head l., holding olive-branch and reversed spear
RIC IV/ 2, 160; BMCR 68; C.173
good VFJochen
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Domitian RIC II, 10967 viewsDomitian, AD 81-96
AR - denarius, 3.45g
Rome, AD 88
obv. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM PM TRP VII
Head, laureate, r.
rev. IMP XIIII COS XIIII CENS P PP
Minerva, in long garment and with Corinthian helmet, stg.l., holding thunderbolt in r. hand and spear in l. hand; shiel left behind her legs (type 3)
RIC II, 109; C.234
about VF, fine toned
Pedigree:
ex Spink, November 1892(!)
ex coll. William C.Boyd (1840-1906)
ex. Baldwin's auction 42, 6. Sept. 2005
The pedigree was the reason to buy this coin!Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 20266 viewsElagabal, AD 218-222
AR - denarius, 19mm, 3.04g
Antiochia, AD 218/9
obv. ANTONINVS PIVS FEL AVG
Youthful portrait, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
rev. VOTA PV - BLICA
Emperor, togate and veiled, in high boots with heels, stg. l. and sacrificing from
open r. hand over burning tripod; holding roll in l. hand.
RIC IV/2, 202; C.306; BMC 291 (attributes it to Rome)
Scarce, EF/VF
One of the early issues from Antiochia.Jochen
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Plautilla RIC IV, 36962 viewsPlautilla, killed 212, wife of Caracalla
AR - Denar, 3.6g, 18mm
Rome AD 204(?), struck under Septimius Severus
obv. PLAVTILLA - AVGVSTA
draped bust, bare head r.
rev. VENVS VICTRIX
Venus bare to waist, standing l., holding apple and palmbranch, and
resting left elbow on shield; at her feet l., Cupido, holding helmet
RIC IV/1, 369; C.25; BMCR. 429
Scarce; about VF
Plautilla came from Africa, was very proud and immeasurable rich. When her father was killed she was exiled to the Lipari islands and killed AD 212 by Caracalla. Her face on this coin is horrible!
BTW Due to Patricia Lawrence it is the only known issue where Cupido holds a helmet!Jochen
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Julia Paula RIC IV, 211 #262 viewsJulia Paula, Augusta AD 219, 1. wife of Elagabal
AR - Denar, 3.13g, 18mm
Rome AD 219
Av.: IVLIA PAVLA AVG
draped bust, diademed head r.
Rv.: CONCORDIA
Concordia draped sitting l. on throne, holding patera r. and resting l. arm on
back of throne.
star in l. field
RIC IV/2, 211; C.6; BMCR.172
Scarce; VF
Curtis Clay: This hair-do is of the newer styleJochen
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Julia Domna RIC IV, 57762 viewsJulia Domna AD 193-217, wife of Septimius Severus
AR - Denar, 3.5g, 18mm
Rome AD 196-211
obv. IVLIA - AVGVSTA
Bust, draped, r., hair waved in five waves and coiled at back
rev. SAECVLI - FELICITAS
Isis, draped, with polos on head, stg. r, foot on prow, holding the infant Horus
at her breast, and sistrum (or rattle) in r. hand, altar at left behind her with rudder
leaning against it.
RIC IV/1, 577; C.174; BMC 76
about EF
The half-circled lock of hair at her cheek should be typically for Rome after AD 196 (?). The sistrum is not mentioned in RIC!
The first ISIS temple in Rome was built by Caracalla some years later in AD 217. The prow may be an allusion to the NAVIGIUM ISIDIS, a big ceremony on March 5. to celebrate the opening of the safe sailing season after the winter.
Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, (Laodicea) 51462 viewsSeptimius Severus AD 193-211
AE - Denar, 19mm 3.10g
Laodicea ad Mare AD 198-202
obv. L SEPT SEV AVG IM - P XI PART MAX
Bust, laureate, r.
rev. VICT P - AR - T - HICAE
Victory advancing l., holding wreath in r. hand and trophy over l. shoulder; at
feet captive is seeting, wearing Phrygian bonnet, looking up to her.
RIC IV/1, 514 (wrongly described as holding palm instead of trophy!); BMCR 672-5
EF
Victory here is tip-toeing, a kind of flying I think.Jochen
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Severus Alexander RIC IV, 25461 viewsSeverus Alexander AD 222 - 235
AR - Denar, 3.35g, 18mm
Rome AD 232
Av.: IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
draped and cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
Rv.: SPES PV - BLICA
Spes draped advancing l., holding flower r.,raising robe with l.
RIC IV/2, 254; C.546; BMCR.897
VF
Spes is pictured as a standard archaic maiden-figure or Kore (with the flower perhaps referencing Persephone not Aphrodite); Rome's first temple of Spes was archaic-era (477 BC according to Tameanko), so the figure of Spes on Imperial coins may be keyed to much earlier artistic and cultic tradition (Archivum)Jochen
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Severus Alexander RIC IV, 24659 viewsSeverus Alexander 222-235
AR - Denar, 3.12g, 20.5mm
Rome 232
obv. IMP ALEXANDER PIVS AVG
draped, cuirassed bust, laureate head r.
rev. MARS - VLTOR
Mars walking r., holding spear and shield
RIC IV/2, 246; BMCR 831; C.161
near EF, tonedJochen
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Severus Alexander RIC IV, 184(c)58 viewsSeverus Alexander AD 222-235
AR - Denar, 3.22g, 19.6mm
Rome AD 228-231
obv. IMP SEV ALEXAND AVG
bust draped, head laureate r.
rev. ABVNDAN - TIA AVG
Abundantia standing r., emptying cornucopiae with both hands
RIC IV/2, 184(c)
nice EF, superb details on rev.!
Jochen
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Geta RIC IV, 13(a)57 viewsGeta 198 - 207 Caesar
AR - Denar, 3.46g, 18mm
Rome AD 199
obv. P SEPT GETA - CAES PONT
bust draped, cuirassed (?), bare head r., youthful portrait
rev. NOBI - LITAS
Nobilitas standing frontal, head r., holding sceptre r. and palladium l.
RIC IV, 13(a); C.90; BMCR. 199
Scarce; about EF
PALLADIUM, from Pallas, a cognomen of Athena. The original P. was stolen from Troy and brought to Italy by Aeneas. It was said to have been preserved with great reverence by the Romans as the protector of their own city.Jochen
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Julia Domna RIC IV, 56456 viewsJulia Domna, died AD 217?), wife of Septimius Severus
AR - Denar, 3.6g, 17.79mm
Rome AD 198 (struck under Septimius Severus)
obv. IVLIA - AVGVSTA
Bust, draped, bare head r., five hair-waves
rev. MA - TER - DEVM
Cybele, turreted, std. l., holding branch in extended r.hand and scepter in l. hand; resting l. ellbow on drum set on throne; on both sides of throne a lion std. l.
RIC IV/1, (Septimius Severus) 564; C.123; BMC 54
Scarce, nice VF, toned
Cybele, the great Phrygian mountain goddess, was introduced to Rome as Magna Mater 204 BC when a temple was built on the Capitole hill. Here the black stone, a meteorite from Pessinos was deposed.
Jochen
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Caracalla RIC IV, 2955 viewsCaracalla, AD 198-217
AR - denarius, 3.35g, 20mm
Rome, 199
obv. ANTONINVS - AVGVSTVS
Youthfull bust, draped and cuirassed, laureate, r.
re. PONT - TRP II
securitas, richly draped, std. on throne r., propping head in r. hand, resting l.
arm on back of throne, ellbow bend, holding longitudanal sceptre in l. hand; r.
foot stretched and on footstool, before her an enlightened altar with 2 offering
cakes.
RIC IV/1, 29; C.498; BMC 156
Scarce, good VF/about VF
Jochen
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Geta RIC IV, (Laodicea) 10155 viewsGeta, Caesar AD 198-209, brother of Caracalla
AR - denarius, 19.6mm, 3.11g
struck in Laodicea ad Mare
obv. P SEPT GETA CAES PONT
Bust draped, seen from behind, r.
rev. VICT AETERN
Victory flying left, holding in both hands wreath over shield set on low base
RIC IV/1, (Laodicea) 101, C. 206; BMC 723
Scarce, EF
This type obviously celebrates the dedication of a shield of honour to the emperors; Victory is decorating the shield with a garland. (Curtis Clay)Jochen
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Julia Domna RIC IV, 55754 viewsJulia Domna, died AD 217(?), wife of Septimius Severus
AV - denarius, 3.38g, 21.3mm
Rome AD 196-211
obv. IVLIA AVGVSTA
draped bust right, hair in five waves with big knot at back
rev. HILARITAS
Hilaritas standing l. between two children (Caracalla and Geta?), holding
palm frond and cornucopiae
RIC IV/1, (Septimius Severus) 557; C.79
choice EF
from Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
HILARITAS, Rejoicing. The word hilarity, with its associations of mirth, should be avoided as a translation (J. Melville Jones)Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 14654 viewsElagabal, AD 218-222
AR - denarius, 3.34g, 18.5mm
Rome, AD 220-222
obv. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Bust, draped, laureate, wearing 'horn', r.
rev. SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG
Emperor, in Syrian priest garment, wearing 'horn', stg. l., sacrificing from
patera in r. hand over flaming tripod stg. l., holding branch in l. hand; star in l.
field.
RIC IV/2, 146; C.276; BMC 232
VF, toned
Wether it is a 'horn' on Elagabal's head on the rev. or only a long laurel leaf is discussed.
Jochen
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Julia Maesa RIC IV,26853 viewsJulia Maesa, died 223, grandmother of Elagabal and Severus Alexander
AR - Denar, 2.92g, 17mm
Rome 218 - 220
obv. IVLIA MAESA AVG
draped bust, bare head r.
rev. PVDICITIA
Pudicitia seated l. on throne, holding sceptre l., lifting veil with r.
RIC IV, Elagabal 268; C.36; BMCR. 76
about EF
Julia Maesa was the power behind Elagabal, and was the real - and not bad - ruler during his terror years. Realizing the popularity of her second grandson Alexianus (Alexander Severus) he adopted him and groomed him to Elagabal's successor.Jochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 30653 viewsHadrian AD 117-138
AR - Denarius, 3.48g
Rome c. AD 132
obv. HADRIANVS - AVG COS III PP
Bare head r.
rev. HISPANIA
Hispania, draped, reclining l., holding olive-branch in outstretched r. hand and leaning
with l. arm on rock; rabbit behind her
RIC II, 306; C. 834; BMCR 849 note
EF
The rev. was probably the model of the provincial coin AMNG 755 from Markianopolis.
Jochen
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Caracalla, RIC IV, 22(a)53 viewsCaracalla, AD 198-217
AR - denarius, 3.04g, 19.27mm
Rome, AD 198
obv. IMP CAES M AVR - ANTON AVG
Bust of the young emperor, draped and laureate, r.
rev. SECV - RIT ORBIS
Securitas, in long clothes, std. r., leaning with r. arm on restback and cropping
head in r. hand, holding scepter in l. hand; before her a flaming altar,
decorated with garlands.
RIC IV/1, 22(a); C.571; BMC 118
EF
Pedigree:
ex Künker
Jochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 70352 viewsHadrian AD 117138
AR - Denar, 3.6g, 18.5mm
Rome AD 134-138
obv. HADRIANVS - AVG COS III PP
head laureate, r.
rev. ITA - LIA
Italia, draped, standing frontal. head l., holding vertical sceptre and
cornucopiae
RIC II, 703; C.867; BMC 850
good EF, about mint state
Belongs to Hadrian's famous 'Travel series'Jochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 26651 viewsHadrian, AD 117-138
AR - denarius, 20mm, 3.33g
Rome, AD 134-138
obv. HADRIANVS - AVG COS III PP
Head, laureate, r.
rev. ROMVLO - CONDITORI
Romulus, bare-headed, in military cloak, walking r., holding transverse spear in
r. hand and with l. hand trophy over l. shoulder
RIC II, 266; C.1316; BMC 711
nice VF
The depiction shows Romulus with the spolia opima, he has won from the Sabine king Acro whom he has killed when he conquered the city of Caenina.
For more informations please look at the thread 'Coins of mythological interest'!Jochen
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Antoninus Pius RIC III, 43950 viewsAntoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AR - denarius, 3.41g, 17mm
Rome, AD 162 (under Marcus Aurelius)
obv. DIVVS ANTONINVS
Head, laureate, r.
rev. DIVO - PIO
Statue of the emperor on top of of columna rostrata with base with lattice-work, holding sceptre and globe
RIC III, (Marcus Aurelius) 439; C.435(a); BMC (Marcus Aurelius) 67
about VF/good F, toned
Jochen
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Tiberius RIC I, 3050 viewsTiberius AD 14 - 37
AR - Denar, 3.64g, 17mm
Lugdunum, undated
obv. TI CAESAR DIVI - AVG F AVGVSTVS (counterclockwise)
bare head r.
rev. PONTIF - MAXIM (couterclockwise)
Livia(?) as Ceres/Pax seated r. on throne with ornamented legs, r. foot on
footstool, holding olive-branch in left and sceptre in right hand, line under
throne
Ref.: Giard Lyon, Group 4, 150; RIC I, 30; C.16; BMCR 49; SRCV 1763
about VF(?), small flan, toned, portrait!
For the problem with the 'TRIBUTE PENNY' see the article 'No tribute penny!' on Forum's Resources!Jochen
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Hadrian RIC II, 27649 viewsHadrian, AD 117-138
AR - denarius, 18mm, 3.83g
Rome, AD 134-138
obv. HADRIANVS - AVG COS III P P
Bare head right
rev. T - ELLVS - STABIL
Tellus, wearing tunica, stg. facing, head left, right breast exposed, plow handle
in right hand, rake in left, two grain ears growing behind
RIC II, 276; C.1425; BMC 738; Hill 528
VF
Struck to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hadrian's reign. Praises the stabile world under his rule. For more informations please look at the thread 'Coins of mythological interest'!
Jochen
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Julia Soaemias RIC IV, 24348 viewsJulia Soaemias, killed 222, mother of Elagabal
AR - Denar, 3.50g, 18mm
Rome 218 - 222
obv. IVLIA SOAEMIAS AVG
draped bust r.
rev. VENVS CAELESTIS
Venus sitting l., holding l. sceptre and r. apple; at her feet
Cupido stretching his arms
RIC IV, 243; C.14
about VF, slighty tonedJochen
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Sabina RIC II, (Hadrian) 39847 viewsSabina, died AD 137, wife of Hadrian
AR - denarius, 18mm, 3.75g
Rome, AD 128-134
obv. SABINA AVGVSTA - HADRIANI AVG PP
Bust, draped and diademed, hair waved and raised as chrest top of diadem,
knotted in queue and falling down to neck (RIC type a)
rev. CON - COR- DIA AVG
Concordia std. l., holding patera in r. hand and leaning with l. ellbow on
statuette of Spes; beneath throne cornucopiae
RIC II, (Hadrian) 398; C.12, BMC 895
VF
Nice Spes! 'The statuette of Spes next to the throne of Concordia may have been a removable attribute, for it is omitted on many Roman imperial coins and is occasionaly replaced by the cornucopiae' (Cornelius Vermeule, from the recent thread ).
Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, 10045 viewsSeptimius Severus, AD 193-211
AR - denarius, 3.6g, 18mm
Rome, AD 197
obv. L SEPT SEV PERT AVG IMP VIIII
Head, laureate, r.
rev. MVNIFICENTIA AVG
Elephant, cuirassed, walking r.
ref. RIC IV/1, 100; C.349; BMCR 225, pl. 10.18
S!, about VF
The cross-hatched structure we see usually on elephant I too hold for the depiction of its wrinkled skin. But here I think it is a cuirass! For further discussions about the problem of the cuirassed elephant please look at the related threads in FORVM!
Jochen
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Trajan RIC II, 59844 viewsTrajan, AD 98-117
AE - denarius, 2.93g, 18mm
Rome, AD 114
obv. IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TRP COS VI PP
bust, with drapery on l. shoulder, laureate, r.
rev. SPQR OPTIMI PRINCIPI
Emperor on horseback l., holding scepter and small Victoria
RIC II, 598; C.499; not in BMC
Scarce, VF/about VF
Jochen
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Geta RIC IV, 7944 viewsGeta, AD 209-211
AR - denar, 19.8mm, 3.02g, 0°
Rome, AD 211
obv. P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT
laureate head, bearded, r.
rev. TR P III COS II PP
Janus(?), in himation, nude to waist, draping over l. arm, stg. frontal, his two faces looking r. and l., holding in l. arm thunderbolt
and resting with raised r. hand on reversed spear
ref. RIC IV/1, 79; C. 197; BMCR 13
VF, slightly toned
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
With the thunderbolt Janus strongly resembles Jupiter. Cohen writes 'Janus or Jupiter'. Mattingly (BMCR): The 'Janus' with thunderbolt and sceptre is certainly a fanciful expression of the duality of the Empire. The imperial Jupiter is now 'biceps'. It was assuredly a fancy that pleased Geta more than his brother. Caracalla hated the idea of full equality of rule and was always insisting on his own seniority. In the long run he was unwilling to brook a colleague on any terms.
For more information please take a look at the referring article in the Mythology Thread (coming soon!)
Jochen
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Plautilla RIC IV, 36242 viewsPlautilla, died AD 212, wife of Caracalla
AR - Denar, 2.94g, 18.45mm
Rome AD 202(?)
obv. PLAVTILLAE AVGVSTAE
Bust, draped, r., hair in seven waves and bun behind
rev. PROPAGO IMPERI
Plautilla stg. l. and Caracalla stg. r., facing each another and clasping hands
RIC IV/1, 362; C.22
Scarce, EF, lightly toned
The depicted scene is canting. Actually the Imperial pair was hating one another!Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, (Laodicea) 50942 viewsSeptimius Severus, AD 193-211
AR - denarius, 3.06g, 20mm
Laodicea ad Mare, AD 198-202
obv. L SEPT SEV AVG IMP XI PART MAX
laureate head, r.
rev. MARTI VI - CTORI
Mars, nude to hips, helmeted, stg. frontal, head r., holding reversed spear in raised l. hand and resting r. hand on oval shield set on captive, std. l. on ground with arms bound on back
ref. RIC IV/1, 509; C.321; BMCR 666
VF+
Severus got the title PART MAX in Jan. AD 208 after the 2nd Parthian war. The Victoria Parthica was celebrated in Rome on 28 Jan. 198
Mars is depicted archaizing reminiscent of the Republic.
Jochen
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Commodus RIC III, 261 corr.42 viewsCommodus, AD 177-192
AR - denarius, 20g, 19mm
Rome AD 191/92
obv. L AEL AVREL CO - MM AVG P FEL
Laureate head r.
rev. SERAPI - DI CONSERV AVG
Serapis in long robe, modius on head, stg. frontal, head l., holding long vertical sceptre in
l. hand and raising r. hand in greeting attitude
ref. RIC III, 261 corr., pl. XV, 312 (writes "Serapis, radiate" and "holding branch"); C. 703;
BMCR IV, 59-361 var. (different legend breaks, writes "holding branch")
scarce, about SS
I think it is not a branch but only the typical long fingers of his r. hand. And RIC has misinterpreted flow lines as "radiated head".
This is the first Roman imperial coin showing Serapis in his standard position (There is a coin from Domitian with Serapis in a temple too).Jochen
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Septimius Severus RIC IV, 16041 viewsSeptimius Severus, AD 193-211
AR - denarius, 3.34g, 18.99mm
Rome AD 200/201
obv. SEVERVS PIVS AVG - PART MAX
Head, laureate, r.
rev. FVNDAT - OR - PACIS
Septimius, veiled, togate, standing front, head l., holding olive-branch up in r. hand and
roll in l. hand aside.
RIC IV/1, 160; C.203; BMC 191
about EF
A proud title after the war against the Parthians! The pose of Septimius reminds on Claudius f.e. on RIC I, 104. Then here he is depicted as priest of the Imperial Cult.
Jochen
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Elagabal RIC IV, 146 var.40 viewsElagabal, AD 218-222
AR - denarius, 19mm, 2.84g
Rome, AD 222
obv. IMP ANTONINVS PIVS AVG
Bust, draped and laureate, r., without horn!
rev. SVMMVS SACERDOS AVG
Emperor, wearing garment of a Syrian priest, stg. l., sacrificing from patera over burning tripod l., holding in lowered l. hand cypress twig(?)
in upper l. field star
RIC IV/2, 146 var.; C.276 var.; BMCR 230
Cohen and RIC have listed only the type with horn.
This is one of the last issues for Elagabal. The horn has been removed shortly after TRP V 10. Dec. 221. But even this could not avert his terrible fate.
Jochen
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Julia Domna RIC IV, 54637 viewsJulia Domna, AD 193-217
AR - denarius, 3.50g, 19.31mm
Rome, AD 196-211, struck under Severus
obv. IVLIA - AVGVSTA
Bust, draped, r.
rev. CERERI - FRVGIF
Ceres, in long garment, std. l. on chair with low back, l. foot set on footstool, holding in extended
r. hand two grain-ears and in raised l. hand long torch.
RIC IV/1, Severus 546; C.14; BMC 10
S!, VF
A beautiful portrait of Julia Domna.
Jochen
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Faustina Filia RIC III, 73035 viewsFaustina Filia, AD 146-175/6, wife of Marcus Aurelius
AR - denarius, 3.29g, 18.8mm
Rome
obv. FAVSTINA AVGVSTA
Bust, draped, r.; hair in three broqad waves, in neck bound with three pearl-
strips as knot
rev. VE - NVS
Venus, in long garment, stg. l., holding long sceptre in l. hand and dove in
outstretched r. hand.
RIC III, (Marcus Aurelius) 730; C.255
Sacrce, good VF
From Forum Ancient Coins, thanks!
The dove was in ancient times a symbol of conubial truth.Jochen
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Commodus RIC III, 15235 viewsCommodus, AD 177-192
AR - denar, 18.03mm, 2.76g, 0°
Rome, AD 186/187
obv. M COMM ANT P - FEL AVG BRIT
Laureate head r.
rev. IOV EXSVP PM TRP - XIII IMP VIII
in ex. COS V PP
Jupiter Exsuperator in himation std. l., resting with raised l. hand on sceptre and holding in outstretched
r. hand branch
ref. RIC III, 152; C. 242; BMCR 213
scarce, about VF
RIC III, p. 359: "In this year falls the reform of the calendar of Commodus, who renamed some of the months. Hence come the type of Janus in a shrine and of Jupiter Exsuperator with the branch of peace: 'Exsuperator' was the name for the month December."
Jupiter Exsuperator was the highest god in Commodus' scala of gods. The beginning of a kind of henotheism (Chantraine,1975)
Jochen
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