My father does sometimes collect ancients, although most are budget types. I had initially chosen the Divus Augustus as the coin present. While the coin doesn't have the magnificent shade of the picture (it's forest green), it's still nice. After he mentioned that he didn't want gift cards, I was left to scramble for a 'main' gift. The Divus Claudius fit the bill, and is more handsome in person than the picture shows. Mother is not a coin collector. However, she is into history and was expressing much interest in that period. I know zilch about these types of coins/medallions, but it's from a French dealer. I wanted to find an older restrike. I also really liked the reverse. This post won't ruin any surprises. Here's the numismatic portion of Christmas. For my father: (all are dealer descriptions). 9.91g, 26.5mm Radiate bust of Augustus left "DIVVS AVGVSTVS PATER" Altar, with closed, double panelled door, "PROVIDENT SC" RIC I 81 (Tiberius) Ex CNG eAuction 519, lot 389 with tag. SELEUCIS and PIERIA, Antioch Nero, with Divus Claudius. 54-68 AD AR tetradrachm, Dated year 3 of Nero and 105 of Caesarian era (56/7 AD) Head of Nero right, wearing oak wreath / Laureate head of Divus Claudius right; in right field, Γ above EP (dates) 14.51 g, 24-25 mm, silver, small scratch on obverse References: RPC I 4174; Prieur 73 For mother: Mauger medal, originally 1665, 18th c. restrike, 41mm., 27 g.
Of course all votes so far are for the Nero/Claudius since this is an ancient forum; however, I like the Mauger medal as well.
The Mauger medal is interesting. The rev. legend, DISCIP. MILIT. REST. probably means Discip(lina) milit(um) rest(ituta), "Military discipline has been restored". What does that mean? Does it mean that before 1665 the French army was undisciplined, that the soldiers were uncontrolled roughnecks? The reverse shows a platoon of musketeers (they are holding muskets, they may be the famous king's musketeers) performing an exercise under the command of some drill instructor. If we enlarge the medal view and look at the muskets, we can see they are of the 16th-17th c. model, like this one (a reconstruction) : All soldiers look perfectly synchronized. Today, it's a very familiar scene for everybody who has been in the military, it's just the uniforms which may look old-fashioned. One could not imagine medieval or Renaissance soldiers doing that. Even in Antiquity the soldiers were not coordinated that way, except maybe on the battlefield when forming the Macedonian phalanx or special formations of Roman legions. There was nothing like military step or ordre serré in the Roman army. On this aureus of Hadrian (not my mint-state gorgeous freaking aureus), we can see the standard bearers are not synchronized. Ordre serré was an innovation in the 17th c. under Louis XIV, a very modern way of training soldiers. It came with the uniform, for I don't think there were actual uniforms before the 17th c. Not even in the Roman army. The representations show Roman soldiers wearing uniforms, for ex. on Trajan's column, but archaeological finds tell a different story. Even the knights of William the Bastard (he wasn't the Conqueror yet) seem to wear uniforms on the Bayeux Tapestry, which was very unlikely in 1066. This medal is an interesting document, illustrating the birth of the French modern army in the 17th c. under Louis XIV and his minister Michel Le Tellier and his son, the future marquis de Louvois.
Very nice. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite there. At 41 mm, I'll bet that Louis XIV medal is impressive indeed.
The patina isn't as magnificent as the picture. It's more of a forest green, but still attractive. It was minted under Tiberius, 14-37 AD.
Just to add/ coins make the BEST Christmas gifts/ also Birthdays/ Saint Nicholas Day/ Easter/ Anniversary gifts
I got a c. 88 BC Rhodes Drachm (VF, toned, raw) and an NGC slab Lucius Verus Consecratio denarius, NGC grade 'Choice VF'. Choice VF, my butt, more like aVF/F, not that stated grades really matter with ancients. It's a handsome coin, and I like it. The family time was priceless and I was very grateful for it. We had A Christmas Story dinner, Chinese food. We've always done ours on Christmas Eve. We'd go to my late grandparents' (my house) for Christmas. My dad was delighted with the coins I got him.
