What artistic style of roman coinage do you prefer?

Alternatively I am really into late Roman (after Constantine and sons) and post-Roman coinage. Its really fascinating to explore and read about the all the troubles the Roman Empire was going through in this period, especially with regards to the barbarian tribes, and how its decline and dissolution in the west came about and their impact, both short- and long-term. So my interest in these coins are mostly historical. I also love scarce and rare rulers and types; its a great sense of achievement for me to get a rare late emperor/usurper or barbarian king I really wanted. And while everyone and their brother seems to dislike late Roman coin styles, I find them interesting in that I can see the decline of the empire in them; like they were made for those tougher times.

I used to not care about Greeks, but in the past year they've definitely grown on me. Since there is so much variety with them, this translates to many unique and interesting designs. And since I am not knowledgeable about the histories for much of the Greek world, each new acquisition of a city or peoples I didn't have before gives me an opportunity to research and appreciate even more what I have in hand.

Regarding Roman Republic coins, I just am not interested in them. I may pick up, like, one a year, but the history doesn't really appeal to me, besides Spartacus and probably the Punic Wars, and neither do most of the designs (many seem to be just Roma heads and prows or bigas). This all probably won't sit well with the Roman Republic enthusiasts on here . Only Republican I really do desire is a Caesar portrait denarius, though (and Eid Mar, but I doubt I'll be coming across an example, probably ever).

 

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LOL, like many of us have said before, it is great that each of us have specific areas that truly light our FIRES! I do not have the great interest in the Late Empire, yet I DO have several coins there. And yes, I even purchased a rare one (Marcian) from you. As you are passionate about the Late Empire / struggles / barbarians, I have the passion for the other end of the time span, mainly in the Republic. It IS amazing the TIME-SPANS we are talking... from the Founding of Rome in 753 BCE to the Final Fall of Constantinople in 1453 CE... 2,206 years. Amazing.

Let me rub it in...

RR Anon AR Didrachm 280-275 Mars-Horse FIRST Roman Silver coin...
- cool horse-head, cool bust of Mars

 

It's hard to argue against Domitian's 'Flavian Baroque' period.


Domitian
AR Denarius, 3.35g
Rome mint, 87 AD
RIC 511 (C), BMC 107, RSC 213
Obv: IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P VI; Head of Domitian, laureate, bearded, r.
Rev: IMP XIIII COS XIII CENS P P P; Minerva stg. l., with spear (M4)

 

Roman Republican coinage is where my heart is as far as favorite Roman artistic styles. The reverses on some pre-300 AD coins are very nice and intriguing, but after that they get a bit boring style wise.

 

One my all time favorite Roman coins!

That could almost be a Greek coin based on the style.

 

Tack on another 22 years if you include the Principality of Theodoro (southwest Crimea), which fell as the final Roman rump-state in 1475 to the Ottomans:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Theodoro

Within that 22-year timespan you also have the fall of both the Empire of Trebizond (Byzantine offshoot) and the Despotate of the Morea (province that remained in Greek hands after 1453).

Very nice and I'm glad you posted it. Forgot this is another Republican type I want, for the sole reason of it being the first Roman silver type.

 

Stylewise, early roman pre denarius have my preference too, maybe because they have such a greek look to them...



But, I can actually manage with 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries any day









Q