Not the first Campgate, but close...

Great coin! Open doors are my favorite as well. A $20 bronze campgate was one of my first ancient coins and I was instantly enamored with the type. They're common and cheap but pack a lot of historical bang for the buck. Here's my current (and not $20, unfortunately) coin under Constantine the Great, ex. Mazzini:

 

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Wow! Great coin Z!

 

I saw the coin and saw $20 and almost swallowed my tongue...

 

Stunning Z, fab-u-lus

 

I probably should read more on the subject, but I can also gain the knowledge here. I have often wondered when looking at the campgate examples often posted on here and the one I have in my collection, if the open or closed doors have, or represent, a meaning, or place in time. In my mind, I theorize that open doors could indicate a period of peace where closed would indicate a time of war, maybe? Have often thought about researching the subject, but have a tremendous list of things I would like to find answers to, and never find the time.

 

Thanks for all the coinpliments, everyone!

https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=342526

Q, that Constantius floors me every time I see it, it's pretty much flawless!

Wow, AJ, now there's one you don't see everyday! Thanks for sharing it. It's good that you point out it's not $20, but just seeing that figure and a picture of the coin in the same post is a major incongruity .

 

Thanks for posting the link to that page, LC. Beast's page on campgates is one of my favorites and an excellent reference. Even as he presents the argument (of others) for the turrets being signal towers/beacons, it's interesting to note that he states right at the bottom of the page that he personally believes that they are turrets. I'm agnostic about the debate myself and will wait for the scholars and architects to sort it out .

 

I believe you're referencing the doors of the Temple of Janus?
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/imperialfora/nerva/geminus.html

It's an interesting idea but I'm not sure that it applies in the case of campgates, the vast majority of which are depicted with no doors at all. Those with open doors are comparatively uncommon and were not struck at all the mints, and those actually showing closed doors are downright rare and were only struck at Rome. And then, there's the one with the half-closed door... (coin below not mine).

 

A real beauty !

 

Gorgeous coin!

 

Have been interested in the Campgate coins too. Need to delve deeper into LRB and the variations of campgate coins. So far my only one

 

Wow. What a stunning coin! A most attractive piece indeed.

 

edited: Retracted an unresponsive post.

 

Beautiful campgates everyone. My fav. is the different patinas that can be found on the LRB campgates.

Doug
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=4654

 

Great gallery Doug

Q