Thanks, @zumbly - it's a lot like that and I see there are a couple more similar ones on CNG - that has just led me to check asiaminorcoins.com which has some too (of "Uncertain" mint). So - nearly there, I think! I bought this in 2005 from a guy who used to sell a lot of Asia Minor coins, but I think he was unsure of where it came from too. I added it to Tantaluscoins in Jan 2009 with a note - "Jan 29, 09 - Anyone have a reference for this? - I'm guessing it's a Maroneia hemidrachm from the horse - the nearest I've seen in my inadequate library is Sear 1343, which is a diobol, so probably smaller."
Here's my warty Vitellius, a really ugly coin, how fitting. It's an As possibly minted in Tarraco (Tarragona), rev. with Libertas, 27 mm, 9.79 gr. Not my favorite, so there.
The Justinian coins I particularly like since they are Italian issues, more scarce in general than the usual mints (like Constantinople and Antioch, for example). Byzantine coins from the reconquered former Western Roman provinces are one focus of mine.
Beautiful Elymais and Nabataean coins, @icerain ! Both are among my favorites. I'm going to have to stock up on Elymais drachma once again. I gave away my last one a few weeks ago.
Probably you will like this one of my coins more than Vitellius, who was an odious character. It's a bronze of the Carnutes, a Gallic tribe living south of Paris, from the decades before Caesar. Obverse shows a head to the right with decorative hair. Reverse: a large and a small bird (eagles) with outspread wings are attacking a serpent. Pentagram left, cross or sun (or Atomium) in the middle. La Tour 6088. 17 mm, 2.56 gr.
As long as Byzantine types are getting some attention in this thread I'll throw in one of my favorites: Decanummium of Justinian from Carthage with a reversed Chi-Rho on his breast.
I don't think I ever posted this one before. Who doesn't love a griffon? Thrace, Abdera AR Stater, 336-311 BC, 23mm, 10.02g, 1h Dionysados as Magistrate Obverse: Griffon recumbent left, ABΔH / PITEΩN. Reverse: Laureate head of Apollo right, EΠIΔIO / NYΣAΔOΣ References: C-N 159-65; May, Abdera 535; SNG Copenhagen 353 John
Great thread! Here are two coins I have not yet had the opportunity to show. They are the two rarest Roman "rulers" that I have, considering RIC and RPC. The coin of Zenonis is only a shard, but you can see the monogram well. Aegae. Britannicus. AD 41-55. Æ (18mm, 3.18 g, 12h). Chaleos, magistrate. Struck circa AD 43-48. Bare head right / Jupiter standing left, holding eagle and scepter. RPC I 2431. Aelia Zenonis. Augusta, AD 475-476. Æ (11mm, 0.75 g, 6h). Constantinople mint. Struck under Basiliscus, AD 476. Pearl-diademed and draped bust right / Zenonis monogram within wreath. RIC X 1018; LRBC 2287 corr. (monogram).
A few more specialty area coins that rarely gets discussed here: This is a rare denomination from the Roman Republic - Five-Twelfths of an As RR Anon AE 23 Quincunx 211-200 BCE 6.96g Apollo P behind Dioscuri Luceria 5 pellets Craw 99-4 Syd 309 Sear 910 Rare Just a basic Republic Denarius with a Quadriga reverse! Their tradition goes on... RR Saturninus 104 BC Roma Saturn hldng Sickle Quad 2 dots-V S 193 Cr 317-3a var I have several varieties of the Roman Litrae pre-denarius AE coinage, here are a few: RR Anon AE Litra 241-235 BC Mars Beardless Horse Head BRN Cr 25-3 S 594 RR Anon AE Litra 241-235 BC Mars Beardless Horse Head GREEN Craw 25-3 Sear 594 RR Anon AE Litra 230-226 BC Mars Club Galloping Horse Craw 27-2 Sear 596 RR Anon AE Litra 230-226 BC Mars Club Galloping Horse Craw 27-2 Sear 596 A Pre-Denarius denomination 1/4 of an Uncia or 1/48 of an As... RR Anon AE Quartuncia 217-215 BC Roma Prow Craw 38-8 Sear 624
Have yet to post. Eventually will do a write up on it. C. Licinius L.f. Macer Rome, 84 BCE. AR Denarius (19mm, 3.58g, 6h). Diademed bust of Vejovis l., seen from behind, hurling thunderbolt. R/ Minerva in quadriga r., brandishing javelin and holding shield. Crawford 354/1; RBW 1355; RSC Licinia 16. Bankers' marks on obv.
Charles the Bald, Carolingian Empire AR obol Obv: Monogram of Charles Rev: + METVLLO around cross in circle Mint: Metallum Date: 840-877 AD Ref: MG 1060 Shown so rarely I still don't have my own photos of it: Claudius Gothicus, Roman Empire AE antoninianus Obv: IMP CLAVDIVS P F AVG, radiate, draped, cuirassed bust right Rev: VICTORIAE GOTHIC, two bound captives seated at base of trophy Mint: Cyzicus Date: 268-270 AD Ref: RIC 252