Post your Architecture in Rome coins.

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Ancient Aussie, Jul 19, 2016.

  1. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    As my main collecting theme is ancient architecture on coins I would be very interested to see some examples you guys have, and of course I will show you mine if you show me yours. db_file_img_30096_478x230 (2).jpg
     
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  3. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    My favorite Roman temple coin... Marcus Aurelius sestertius showing facade of the Temple of Mercury.
    upload_2016-7-19_16-7-13.png
    MARCUS AURELIUS
    AE Sestertius. 29.44g, 31mm. RIC 1075; Cohen 535. O: M ANTONINVS AVG TR P XXVII, laureate head right. R: IMP VI - COS III, within a tetrastyle temple with telamons as columns and a semicircular pediment containing, from left to right, tortoise, cockerel, ram, winged helmet, caduceus, and purse, a statue of Mercury standing left on pedestal, holding caduceus and purse; S - C in field, RELIG AVG in exergue.

    This one may possibly not be an architectural type as you mean it, but I thought it'd be interesting to post because it actually shows some construction going on, specifically, Dido overseeing the building of Carthage.
    upload_2016-7-19_16-12-16.png
    ELAGABALUS
    AE28. 12.6g, 28mm. TYRE, Phoenicia, circa AD 218-222. Rouvier 2375; BMC 409; Price & Trell 748 (for rev. type). O: [IMP CAES] M AV ANTONIN[VS AVG], laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. R: [TVRIORVM], Dido overseeing the building of Carthage; she stands on the right, holding a rule and a transverse sceptre, facing left towards an arched city gate flanked by two towers, palm tree to her right; above the gate a mason works; below, a worker digs with a pick, legend [∆ƐI-∆Ω] to his left and right; murex shell in upper field.
    Ex TIF Collection
     
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  4. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Mate it is architecture they tended to render them in abstract form and I am envious as I have not got one of the temple of Mercury great coin thanks for your post.
     
  5. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I stalk Zumbly and he stalks me :D

    I bought this Marcus Aurelius because of his, although I'd temporarily forgotten about his at the time of my purchase.

    [​IMG]
    Marcus Aurelius
    Sestertius; 31 mm, 24 gm; struck AD 173, Rome mint
    Obv: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
    Rev: Mercury standing left on pedestal, holding caduceus and purse (it looks more like a patera to me); within temple with figural columns (telamones); on semicircular pediment, tortoise (unfortunately worn on this coin), cockerel, ram, caduceus, winged helmet, and purse; S-C across fields; RELIG AVG in exergue
    Ref: RIC III 1074; MIR 18, 258-6/37; Banti 260
    Zumbly's nice writeup of the type is here.

    I have an obsession with these "Dido overseeing the building of Carthage" bronzes and am actively seeking one example from each issuing emperor/empress:

    [​IMG]
    PHOENICIA, Tyre. Elagabalus
    CE 218-222
    AE29, 13.4 gm
    Obv: Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right
    Rev: Dido building Carthage; she stands to front before the arched gate of the city, looking left, holding a rule and transverse sceptre; above the gate, a mason at work, [below, a man digging with pick]; murex shell in upper field, palm tree to right
    Ref: Rouvier 2375; BMC 409; AUB 245; Price & Trell 748
    Writeup is here.

    [​IMG]
    PHOENICIA, Tyre. Gordian III
    CE 238-244
    Æ trichalkon; 29mm, 18.10 g, 12h
    Obv: laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
    Rev: Dido standing left, holding transverse rule; to left, arched gate of Carthage on which mason sits and constructs; murex shell above; in exergue, man digging right with pick
    Ref: Rouvier 2430; AUB –; BMC –.

    [​IMG]
    PHOENICIA, Tyre. Valerian I (CE 253-260)
    Æ28.5 mm, 12.2 gm
    Obv: IMP CP LIC VALERIANVS AVG; radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right
    Rev: COL TVRO METRO; the building of Carthage: Dido standing left, holding cubit ruler and scepter, surveying construction; mason above gate, worker with pick-axe digging before gate, murex shell to lower right
    Ref: Rouvier 2501; BMC 470; cf Price & Trell 748

    Does this Sewer Goddess shrine count as architecture?
    [​IMG]
    L. Mussidius Longus, 42 BCE
    AR denarius, Rome mint.
    Obv: Diademed and veiled head of Concordia right; CONCORDIA upwards behind; star in right field under chin
    Rev: Shrine of Venus Cloacina: Circular platform surmounted by two statues of the goddess, each resting right hand on cippus, the platform inscribed CLOACIN and ornamented with trellis-pattern balustrade, flight of steps and portico on left; L • MVSSIDIVS • LONGVS around above.
    Ref: Crawford 494/42b; Bab. 6; BMC 4244; Crawf. 494/42 b; Syd. 1093a

    I'd like to add more architectural coins, in particular one with a 3/4 semi-aerial view of a temple, plus one or more of an ancient port.
     
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  6. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Nice coins TIF I thought I recognized a few of them from your site, I really love those 3/4 view ones and ancient ports can you post them please.
     
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  7. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    I would if I had any :D.

    Here are some CNG archive examples of types I'd like to acquire:


    [​IMG]
    SYRIA, Coele-Syria. Heliopolis. Divus Septimius Severus. Died AD 211. Æ (26mm, 11.56 g, 6h). Commemorative issue. Struck under Caracalla, AD 211-212. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Temple of Jupiter Heliopolitanus right, viewed from aerial perspective. Sawaya 416 (D85/R164). Near VF, earthen green patina.

    [​IMG]
    BITHYNIA, Nicaea. Gallienus. AD 253-268. Æ 22mm (7.57 g, 1h). Radiate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Aerial view of Nicaea surrounded by a octagonal wall with two gates. RG 848; SNG Copenhagen -. VF, dark green-brown patina.

    Of course, a colosseum sestertius would be nice but it is totally unrealistic for my budget. A Nero Port of Ostia might be do-able but it would have to be extremely low grade, so instead I'll probably just continue to admire AncientJoe's.
     
  8. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Those two coins you just posted are two of my favorites I have an example of the temple but are yet to get a city wall...there has been a couple go up for auction lately but not as good as yours. Do you think we can get AncientJoe to post his Colosseum and blow everyone away? 2015-01-07 01.08.10-2.jpg
     
  9. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Gordian III
    Region, City: Moesia, Markianopolis
    Coin: Bronze Pentassarion
    AYT K M ANT ΓOΡΔIANOC AYΓ - Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian right, facing draped bust of Serapis wearing kalathos.
    UP MNOFILOU MARKIANOPOLITW - Triumphal arch or city gate with three portals, surmounted by three statues. E in doorway.
    Mint: (AD 238-240)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 12.21g / 28mm / -
    References:
    • Varbanov 1945
     
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  10. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Nice one Pishpash i love those coins with people standing on the top if only we knew who they are probably a good bet would be one of them Godian 111.
     
  11. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    Thanks Ancient Aussie, I got this uber cheap, less than £10 shipped. They appear to be die matches for Varbanov.
     
  12. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Brilliant let me know if you see any others like that.
     
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  13. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    I was going through my collection and the only example of architecture I have is the rare Uranius Antoninus provincial I've posted 100 times before (Baetyl of El–Gabal, decorated with eagle flanked by parasols, within hexastyle temple).

    uranius.jpg

    I collect coins for the portrait series, so the most important thing to me is a fine style portrait. Occasionally, that comes with very interesting reverses!

    @Ancient Aussie, it's good to meet another Aussie here! Where are you from? I am in South Yarra, Melbourne (when I'm not globetrotting!)
     
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  14. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    I am always jealous and in awe of Hermione's exceptional taste in coins. I'd never thought to collect Dido/Carthage, but it's definitely an intriguing theme.
     
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  15. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Mulgrave many other Aussies on CT nice to meet you Greg.
     
  16. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    Wicked. You're in Melbourne. I don't know any other Aussies who collect ancients. Although I'm sure there's plenty who collect the Australian series.
     
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  17. TIF

    TIF Always learning.

    @Topcat7 is an Aussie :)
     
  18. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    Oh gosh, i had no idea. I'm not the only aussie in the village then.
     
  19. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Yes I find not many ancient coin collectors or dealers for that matter, probably IS Wright in city or Nobles for auctions what do you think?
     
  20. GregH

    GregH Well-Known Member

    I occasionally browse IS Wright, and also the Monetarium when I'm in Adelaide, but there's rarely anything available that i want. Cameron from Cerberus in Adelaide (on Vcoins) is good. But I buy 99% of my coins from overseas (vcoins, ebay or the big name auctions).
     
  21. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    Wonderful thread and posts!!!

    Considering how much 'architecture' appeals to me as a device theme, I seem to have surprisingly few examples......but here's a denarius of Trajan with the 'column' reverse and a sestertius of Caligula....

    trajan denarius and column.JPG trajan column denarius reverse.JPG Caligula sestertius.jpg
     
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