It is amazing how we find falling horsemen, wolves and twins and racing bigas boring not because they are bad but because we have seen a lot of them and want things more different. US collectors seem to love their Liberty heads and eagles not to mention Lincoln busts to the point that they want a hundred differing only by a date number and a little letter stuck somewhere in a mechanically reproduced die. If they were common, how many of us would collect EID MAR denarii by die variety? What is the smallest difference in design that makes the biggest difference in price/demand for an ancient coin? I'm sure that it will be hard to beat adding a VDB to a 1909S or an S to a 1909 VDB. The Banti rarity ratings of the rape scene variations range from R8 to R2. Few care; fewer pay a premium for one or the other.
It is amazing as you say. I will pay somewhat extra for a reverse that is "different" whether it is in pristine condition or not. As for coins like Constantinoplis "wolves and twins", I now look for coins better struck and/or preserved before I will shell out any more money.
Nice => more great coins, Doug (and those babies don't look low-budget to these "young eyes"!!) ..... I especially like the middle coin on the top row (what is that, a boar?) ... the Galley coin is also very interesting/cool (they are all very nice ... I have two of them)
Lovely coin, Bing. Of course, you're aware, Livy is no Thucydides. Factually, he's inaccurate as heck. He's leaned on, nonetheless, when the appearance of authority is needed to support a point. Machiavelli's use of him is the perfect example of that. I'm not saying this didn't happen. If it did, probably not the way Livy relates in his Histories.
I seriously doubt Levy's account is accurate, but it is probably based on myth known or believed at the time of the writing. On the other hand, we have to rely to some degree on the resources available. I like Suetonius because he was commissioned to write the histories of 12 dead men. The theory is there was no influence exerted as the men were dead; however, it's hard to believe there were no influences at all. But still, a good attempt at being impartial and honest. With Levy and others, whose to say what influences were brought to bear? Still, your point is well taken.
Wow, Steve, if you think that coin is a boar, I can hardly imagine what one you might find interesting. The scene as I understand it shows one man swearing an oath while striking a pig. He says something to the effect: "May the gods strike me down as I am striking this pig if I fail to keep my oath." It probably made more sense to Romans that it does today.
geessh, none of those chicks look like they're under-fed ... the dude in the top-right seems to have settled for his horse, rather than rassle one of dem cows!!?
Thats why on the reverse of some coins, venus has a healthy rump. Yum! Still need that type but I havent been into ancients much lately.
Ive skipped decent ones at about $40s lately. I have just been focusing on another hobby of mine lately.
You guys do know we're treading borderline with this thread.......LOL! I think the only saving grace is the fact that the mods know the fellows in the ancient section always behave themselves. :devil: