Bearded Geta Caesar

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by dougsmit, Oct 29, 2016.

  1. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I found this Geta appealing in spite of and partly because of its faults. Some letters are weakly struck including part of the name. The coin has dark deposits in the recesses which highlights the beard on young Geta. This is the last issue of Geta before he became Augustus and the only chance for the combination of bare head and beard. Geta became Consul for the second time (COS II) in 208 and Augustus in 209 so the growth of the beard during this period helps date the coins.
    rs7065fd3378.jpg

    The reverse shows Genius sacrificing from a patera over a flaming altar while holding three grain ears. Please understand that my experience holding grain ears is very limited but I might have held them by the stalks which dangle down while the heads are in his hand. I like the coin because it is clear on this minor detail.

    Earlier in the COS II period, Geta issued a similar coin showing himself sacrificing over an altar (or tripod with flaming dish at the top) but he holds a short wand/staff instead of grain. Geta also appears in a toga as opposed to Genius who lacked attire of any sort. As a general rule, proper Roman rulers and politicians did not appear on coins undressed but gods often did. Perhaps there is a lesson here to certain modern politicians' self portraits but we won't go there. The coin below is obviously earlier than my new coin (no beard). The other difference to be noted is the beardless portrait is a draped bust while my new coin is a head. In this period it is most usual for junior rulers to be shown with a bust while the full Augustus uses a head (there are a few fancy busts just to make exceptions for us to learn). A Caesar portrait with head alone is unusual.
    rs7060bb0105.jpg
     
  2. Avatar

    Guest User Guest



    to hide this ad.
  3. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

    Gosh, that's a nice coin. Considering what you've managed to say about it, the faults are practically negligible.
     
    Mikey Zee likes this.
  4. Pishpash

    Pishpash Well-Known Member

    No bearded Getas here, but this is my favourite
    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    Geta
    Region, City: Nikopolis ad Istrum
    Coin: Billon
    L AVP KAI GETAC - Bare-headed, draped bust right
    NIKOPOLITWN PROC I - Crescent within, star
    Mint: (198-209 AD)
    Wt./Size/Axis: 2.52g / 16mm / -
    References:
    • AMNG 1648
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, Ajax and 11 others like this.
  5. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Has a look I tend to be attracted too. Nice one, Doug.

    [​IMG]
    Geta (209 - 211 A.D.)
    AR Denarius
    O: IMP CAES P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG, Laureate head right.
    R: PONTIF TR P COS II, Geta on horseback riding left, spearing enemy beneath.
    Rome. A.D. 209
    3.12g
    19mm
    BMC p. 359 17. RIC 68 (Rated Rare), RSC 13
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, Ajax and 13 others like this.
  6. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    I always enjoy reading your educational posts @dougsmit . Good stuff and fun to see so much interesting history behind nuances of coins. This is why I am here...

    I have a Bearded Geta! I like it for the reverse:

    RI Geta AR Denarius 209-211 CE On horse spearing enemy Obv-Rev.jpg
    RI Geta AR Denarius 209-211 CE On horse spearing enemy Obv-Rev.jpg

    And it ties back to my Roman Republic Geta...

    RR C Hosidius C F Geta 68 BCE Diana bow quiver Boar Hound spear Sear 346 Craw 407-2 Obv-Rev.jpg
    RR C Hosidius C F Geta 68 BCE Diana bow quiver Boar Hound spearing Boar Sear 346 Craw 407-2 Obv-Rev.jpg

    LOL, in MY mind, throughout history those Getas loved to SPEAR things! :D :D :D
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, Ajax and 13 others like this.
  7. maridvnvm

    maridvnvm Well-Known Member

    Even within an issue you can see development of the beard.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    then the same reverse type but slightly later
    [​IMG]

    There seem to be a few of us who like these spearing types.

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Can't forget the full beard.

    [​IMG]
    Geta (209 - 211 A.D.)
    AR Denarius
    O: P SEPT GETA PIVS AVG BRIT ,laureate head right .
    R: LIBERALITAS AVG V , LIberalitas standing left with counting board and cornucopiae .
    Rome Mint, 211 A.D.
    3.7g
    18mm
    RIC 88, RSC 68

    The reverse ends legend with "AUG V". The 'V' stands for the number of times donatives had been given at the time of the minting. "Liberalitas" signifies generosity
     
  9. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    Notice the difference in how the grain is held. I need to research the head as opposed to bust question.
     
  10. Deacon Ray

    Deacon Ray Well-Known Member

    The boar coin is magnificent!
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  11. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    I picked up this beardless Geta from JA's past auction. It's not yet in hand & they usually look better in hand (from any body ie forvm, & me).
    I didn't have a Geta & at the price, why not?
    geta 7.jpg
    I'm impatiently waiting on some other finds to be delivered.
     
  12. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    Thank you! I love it.
     
  13. Mikey Zee

    Mikey Zee Delenda Est Carthago

    As always I love the posts and the terrific insights along with them!!

    To just jump in, I'll post a provincial bronze (maybe some 'peach fuzz?:p):
    Geta provincial Bronze.jpg
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, zumbly and 8 others like this.
  14. Julius Germanicus

    Julius Germanicus Well-Known Member

    I only have a Geta Sestertius. It is one of his last, as Augustus Britannicus, celebrating his happy return from Britain with his co-ruling brother...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    P SEPTIMIVS GETA PIVS AVG / FORT RED TR P III COS II P P S C
    Sestertius, Rome 211
    31 mm, 20 gr
    RIC 168b, BMCRE 427, 43
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, zumbly and 13 others like this.
  15. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

     
  16. Smojo

    Smojo dreamliner

    Wow I screwed that up:arghh:
     
    Pishpash and Mikey Zee like this.
  17. stevex6

    stevex6 Random Mayhem

    Holy Moly, Mentor => I'm lovin' your recent coin-scores ... that's another amazing OP-winner (congrats)

    :rolleyes:

    Ummm, this is my only Geta offering (I hope that it's accepted into this thread's amazing Geta-herd) ... no chin-fuzz

    Geta. As Caesar, AR Denarius
    AD 198-209
    Struck under Septimius Severus, AD 199-204
    Rome mint
    Diameter: 18 mm
    Weight: 3.36 grams
    Obverse: Bareheaded and draped bust right
    Reverse: Castor standing slightly left before horse, holding bridle and scepter
    Reference: RIC IV 6; RSC 12


    Geta.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2016
    randygeki, dlhill132, zumbly and 7 others like this.
  18. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    I have no bearded Geta coins. Not even a hint of fuzz.
    Geta 1.jpg Geta 4.jpg Geta 2.jpg
     
    randygeki, dlhill132, zumbly and 8 others like this.
  19. TJC

    TJC Well-Known Member

    Geta Young
    GetaTeenO.jpg GetaTeenR.jpg

    Geta Older
    GetaOldO.jpg GetaOldR.jpg
     
    stevex6, randygeki, dlhill132 and 8 others like this.
  20. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    I can not help think that Geta's resemblance to Septimius made worse his relationship with Caracalla.
     
    Bing, Ajax, Pishpash and 1 other person like this.
  21. zumbly

    zumbly Ha'ina 'ia mai ana ka puana

Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page