At a local auction next week there are a whole series of lots containing Roman and Greek coins. Below are the descriptions - cut and pasted from the online listing complete with errors! I plan to be there and bid as I can. Anyone any comments or observations on any of these? I have not viewed yet, and can give you no more than what I have copied here, but are there any tell-tales in the descriptions that might indicate anything special? [TABLE="width: 100%"] [TD="width: 4%"] 301 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Pompeii The Great, silver Denarius, 48 B.C., reverse with Neptune standing between brothers. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 302 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Julia Donna, 193 - 211 A.D., silver coin together with three other silver coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 303 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Vespian, 69 - 79 A.D., bronze coin, S.C. under large alter together with four other bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 304 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman silver coin with Jugate head together with five bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 305 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Cipius 115 - 114 B.C,. Denarius Roma below another, similar M.F.N.C.F. below together with a bronze coin. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 306 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Claudius 41 - 54 A.D., two bronze coins together with a similar silver coin. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 307 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Augustus 27 B.C. - 14 A.D., bronze coin together with four other coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 308 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman silver Denarius bust of Victory winged, 108 B.C., reverse with Victory in Biga together with three bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 309 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Constantine II, 333 - 350 A.D., five bronze coins together with two other bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 310 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Two Roman Lucius Verus, 161 - 169 A.D., together with an Antoninus Pius, 138 - 193 A.D. bronze Charioteer medal. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 311 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A small Greek silver coin, reverse with owl standing on an amphora. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 312 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Greek silver coin with head facing left, reverse with E.Y. above bull's head. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 313 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A small Greek bronze coin, reverse with Eagle standing. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 314 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Greek Attica Athens, 5th Century B.C. Tetradrachm, the face counter stamped with an anchor. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 315 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Greek Alexander III, 336 - 323 B.C., silver Tetradrachm, the face counter stamped with an anchor. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 316 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Six Roman bronze coins including Nero, 54 - 68 A.D., Victory holding shield. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 317 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman coin, possibly Nero, reverse with female head together with three bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 318 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Two Roman silver coins, Gordian III together with three bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 319 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Five Roman bronze coins including Domitian Titus, 81 - 96 A.D. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 320 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Septimius Severus, 193 - 211 A.D., silver coin and three bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 321 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Five various Roman Constantine coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 322 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Diva Faustina, 141 A.D., silver coin, reverse with figure standing together with five other coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 323 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Augustus Octavianus 29 B.C. - 14 A.D., bronze coin together with four other bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 324 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] Two Roman Philippus silver coins together with four bronze coins. [/TD] [TD="width: 4%"] 325 [/TD] [TD="width: 2%"] [/TD] [TD="width: 94%"] A Roman Hadrian 117 - 138 A.D., bronze Sestertius, reverse with two figures standing over S.C., possibly a Sacrifice, (worn condition) together with one other Roman coin. [/TD] [/TABLE] Thanks for any advice you can give! And if not, I hope you find the list interesting.
I don't know what lot 301 is. Lot 302 sounds like it would include the denarii of Julia Domna, who lived from ca. 170 to 217. She was the wife of Septimius Severus. I don't know of any Julia Donna with the dates listed in the auction list. If they are silver coins of Julia Domna, they are denarii, and they are the most common denarii amongst the Augustas. The value would depend on their condition though, but I probably wouldn't pay more than $40 for a high-grade piece and $15 for a low. There may be type rarities I'm not aware of however.
Lot 303: the large bronzes of Vespasian are common, and you can pass on any that aren't in a good high grade. It's easy enough to afford high-grade examples of his sestertii and dupondii, so the worn coins generally collect dust. It's impossible to say what lot 304 is.
I know nothing of Roman Republic coins, so I'll let someone else address lot 305. Lot 306 has potential. Any of the issues of Claudius are desirable, and higher-quality bronzes can be worth hundreds of dollars. But what intrigues me about this listing is the possibility that the silver piece is also a Claudius issue. If it is indeed a denarius of Claudius, it would be worth a second and third look. I quote from ERIC...
just from the descriptions, I would be interested in the following lots: 301: Anything Pompeii, but it's probably not Pompeii the Great, rather one of the sons. 305: Republic's have my interest, especially one's with different reverses than the racing bigas 306: If there is a silver Claudius you can bet it's worth a pretty penny. 311: Sounds like it may be a New Style Tet 314/315: Greek Tets are always desirable 323: Octavian coins have become expensive, especially before he became Augustus Wish I could go with you. Anyway you can post the results?
Thanks for all that - very helpful! I will have a punt at a few, and let you all know afterwards. This auction house is not good at listing coins - so they could be anything from superb and rare examples right down to modern replicas, and they probably wouldn't know the difference!
I think lot 301 may be: Sextus Pompey Denarius. Sicily, 40 BC. MAG PIVS IMP ITER, bare head of Pompey the Great right between lituus and capis / Neptune left, foot on prow, between brothers Anapias and Amphinomus, parents on their shoulders, PR’F above, in ex CLAS ET OR’ / MARIT EX SC. Pompeia 27, Cr511/3a, Syd 1344 http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s1392.html#RSC_0017
Lot 305 may be: M. Cipius Denarius. 115-114BC. Helmeted head of Roma r.; before, M. CIPI. M. F.; behind, X . Reverse: Victory in biga right with palm-branch, rudder below, ROMA in ex. Syd 546. Cr289/1. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/sear5/s0166.html#cipia1
Lot 307: Just about anything from this emperor is in good demand, except for the most decrepit of coins. He was the first Augustus, and with his reign begins the period of Imperial Rome. Although millions of coins were minted under his authority, most were heavily circulated. Even problem-free coins in low grades command good premiums. 308: I have no clue. 309: These are some of the most common LRBs. I'd only be interested in the highest possible grades.
A Fifth Century BC Attica Athens Owl Tet would look something like this and be highly desirable: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/attica/athens/Dewing_1598.jpg
Thanks Bing and John Anthony for all the extra info. I will keep watching for more and will take copious notes with me, as well as what books I have. I hope to be able to tell you all about it when the auction is over! I hope I can spot any fakes.
There's a possibility for a huge score in lot 310. The Antoninus Pius medal may be this piece... If it is, get it in any grade. It is exceedingly rare and valuable.
If it is, get it in any grade. It is exceedingly rare and valuable. It would be nice, but I have my doubts. JA is correct, this would be a nice find.
Lots 311-315 are Greek, so I'll leave them to Bing and others. 316-317: Nero is always desirable if for no other reason than his reputation as the most infamous of the Caesars. The bronzes are harder to find in good condition than the denarii, and many of the silvers are of a lower fineness - from his failed attempt to water down the coins and stash the extra revenue in the treasury. Keep an eye out for anything in a high grade. 318: the denarii of Gordian III are extremely common, and only worth a larger premium in exceptionally high grades. A lot of dealers have a junk tray of the worn out coins for maybe $10 apiece.
Well, I'm just going on the info in the list. To my knowledge, that's the only medallion of AP with a charioteer.
I am very familiar with Gordian coins - one of the largest hordes of these was found less than five miles from me in Dorchester in 1934. Over 30,000 Gordian III silver coins made it to the museum, but many others ended up in local pockets. It is said that for several years you could buy a pint of beer in any Dorchester public bar for a Gordian silver coin! I have handled dozens over the years - and I concur with your valuation - although over here probably even cheaper. (I have sold VF+ coins for GBP 15 before now.)