Coin Talk

The identity of the figure on the reverse of this little provincial is somewhat unclear. Varbanov describes the figure as a "winged Genius," Moushmov as "Thanatos or Eros," and the Corpus Nummorum as "Nude Eros in attitude of Thanatos." So, which figure is depicted here -- Genius, Eros, or Thanatos?

Dear Friends of ancient mythology!

We have seen interesting mythological depictions on Imperial coins too (but not in such wide range of variation as in Provincial coins!). Here I want to present an Imperial coin which holds mysteries until now. It is a denar of Septimius Severus though there is the same motive for Caracalla too.

The coin:
Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
AR - Denar, 2.97g, 18.13mm
Rome, AD 204
obv. SEPTIMIVS - PIVS AVG
Laureate bust r., beard plaited, braid across cheek (so-called Serapis type)
rev. INDVLGENTIA AVGG
Dea Celestis, turreted, head r., riding on lion r., holding sceptre and thunderbolt. Below water flowing r., arising from rock on l. side.
in ex. IN CARTH
Ref.: RIC IV/1, 266; C.222; BMC 335
about EF

Note:
This coin is known in three different variants:
a) Goddess holding sceptre and thunderbolt, head facing
b) Goddess holding sceptre and thunderbolt, head r.
c) Goddess holding sceptre and drum
Type a) and b)...

The first thing I'll admit is that this is not a topic for someone that is adversed to technology. I fully understand that I am solving problems that I face as a collector using tools in my toolshed and am aware this isn't for everyone. With that said, the technologies I'm experimenting with *can* solve some real problems and for anyone that isn't afraid of a little tech - I welcome your insight, ideas, and feedback!

This is a continuation of a previous post that I made about using the Reddit and PixelStix as a smarter way to attribute coins. You can read that here I wanted to make another post with updates and pictures.

I'm happy to report that I've been successfully using Reddit and PixelStix to acheive a much smarter attribution process for my personal collection and I'm very happy with the results so far.

A couple of highlights since...

In April of 1899, control of the Philippine Islands was transferred from Spain to the United States as a condition of the treaty ending the Spanish-American War. One of the first tasks at hand was to develop a territorial coinage which was compatible with the old Spanish issues, but legally exchangeable with US money. The rate of exchange decided upon was two 'Filipina' Pesos to the US Dollar.

The peso, along with other territorial coinage, was designed by Melecio Figueroa and entered circulation in 1903. Dies for the coins were prepared at the Philadelphia mint under the direction of chief engraver Charles E. Barber. The peso was struck at both the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. The mint mark (S) for the branch mint (San Francisco) was punched into the die on site.

The obverse of the peso exhibits Miss Liberty in an elegant gown, holding in one hand, a hammer which is striking an anvil. This is thought to symbolize the work of the Philippine people and the US in the...

Alaric Enters Rome: 19th century engraving, after a drawing by Hermann Knackfuss

** This is a pretty long post, but it’s divided into three sections: intro, history, then coins. If you get bored at any point, just skip ahead to the next section… plus there’s a tl;dr summary at the end.

Introduction

Any history-based collector will want to represent The Sack of Rome of 410 in their collection, but how to do it? This post is an attempt to answer that question, but first: the event itself.

I have been looking for a nice Titus for a while. I saw this denarius in a recent Catawiki auction. I was immediately interested mainly because of the combination of the depicted emperor and reverse. However, I had never participated in auctions before this purchase. I don't like it because you are constantly losing coins that you have been looking forward to. And the honesty area to say that my budget is also not sufficient for all auction fees. You also quickly pay more than you want (I experienced it).

My idea was to make a bid in the last two minutes, which I did. I expected that no one would go over it because my bid was fairly high (for the state of the coin). However, I was immediately outbid. I decided to make a final offer. And that turned out to be enough for my first auction acquisition.


T CAESAR IMP VESPASIAN
laureate head right
COS V
bull standing right

Titus Caesar 69-79
AR Denarius
Struck 76
2,77g/18mm
Ric 858...

The following is a counterfeit/replica of what some refer to as the "Hofmann" mule cent, which despite having the year 1959 it dons a "Wheat" instead of a "Memorial" reverse as it should have; below the two sides is the actual Hofmann cent, which itself has a questionable authenticity.

Reportedly, during the early-mid 1980s, a rare-documents treasure hunter and dealer in Salt Lake City, Utah named Mark Hofmann gained notoriety by "discovering" historically significant early Morman Church artifacts (including Mormon paper currency), some of which served to potentially change the course of Mormon recorded history. In addition, he seemed to somehow come up with very rare documents with signatures of America's Founders and signers of the Declaration of Independence, classical writers/poets, and other historical notables.

Hofmann easily found buyers and sold his treasures for multiple thousands of dollars to private collectors and Mormon Church officials. His documents were...

My newest Sestertius is only of mediocre quality, but the type is quite rare and interesting.

IVNO CONSERVATRIX was the very first reverse type of Julia Mamaea, introducing the mother of the new Augustus Severus Alexander to the public as the new Empress in the spring of AD 222.

The type of Juno "the Preserver" was also used for her mother Julia Maesa and promotes the continuity of the Severan regime after the murder of both Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias on March 11, AD 222. It presents the sister and companion of Jupiter as protector of Mamaea´s and Maesa´s lives during the pretorian guard´s revolt that had actually been their own plan.

Mamaea´s portrait at this point still very much resembles that of her elder sister Julia Soaemias with her long neck and slim face.



IVLIA MAMAEA AVGVSTA - Draped bust right, diademed, hair weaved in rows and tucked at base of head
IVNO CONSERVATRIX S C - Juno, diademed and veiled, standing left, patera...

My last acquisition of 2019 has finally arrived, so here it is:



L SEPT SEV PE-RT AVG IMP VIII – Laureate and cuirassed bust of Septimius Severus right, seen 3/4 from behind
ADVENTVI AVG FELICISSIMO S C - Septimius Severus, in military attire, on horse prancing right, raising right hand in salute; in front helmeted Roma advancing right, looking left, leading the emperor´s horse by holding it´s bridle in right hand and vexillum in left hand
Sestertius, Rome 196 aD.
32,9 mm / 19,06 gr
RIC 719c (R2); BMCRE 596; Cohen 8 var. (draped and cuirassed, 25 F), CSS 227; Sear 6403, Banti 4 (26 specimens)
ex Auctions Jean Elsen Nr. 142, 14.09.2019, lot 513 and Nr.143, 07.12.2019, lot 454



And here is a little historic and numismatic background:

While campaigning against the Parthians in retaliation for their support for Pescennius Niger in early 196 aD, Septimius Severus received the news of Clodius Albinus´ usurpation in...

Egypt, 290-298 AD
The Corrector
Throughout the third century, the power of Egypt declined: supplanted by Africa as Rome's breadbasket, it suffered as much from piracy in the Red Sea as from the agitation of the Blemmyes, a nomadic tribe from northern Nubia, who ruined its trade with the India . The province also suffers from the loss of value of Roman coins, in particular the silver tetradrachm, while the increase in prices leaves the rural populations in great difficulty . Neither the monetary reforms of the Emperor Diocletian, nor the stabilization of the domestic political situation, the premise of a resumption of economic activity, succeeded in reversing the phenomenon and relieving local populations of the burden of taxation. Also, between 290 and 292 AD, a revolt broke out in Upper Egypt. The insurgency spreads quickly since it reaches in particular the region of Fayoum, that of Thebaïde as well as the cities of Busiris and Coptos. This uprising is, if not triggered,...