...with some bonus Probus! I was able to finally afford a nice VENVS GENETRIX of Julia Domna recently. I found that for whatever reason, either mimicking her looks in life as she aged (being mother to Caracalla could not have helped), or just some interesting work on the engraver's part, the portraiture of these coins looks...severe. Like she had aged a lot with a permanent scowl on her face. This example is pleasant enough with good silver and nice execution of Venus on the reverse. A bit of weakness in the reverse legend is the only distraction. Julia Domna, Denarius, VENVS GENETRIX AR Denarius Julia Domna Born ca.: 170AD - Died: 217AD Augusta: 193 - 217AD Issued: 215 - 217AD 20.0 x 19.0mm 3.36gr 1h O: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG; Draped bust, right. R: VENVS GENETRIX; Venus seated left on throne, holding scepter and apple, at feet to left, Cupid, standing right, with hands raised. Rome Mint RIC Caracalla 389; RSC 205; Sear (2000) 7099. Aorta: 212: B6, O6, R100, T113, M4. gVF Naville Numismatics Auction 37, Lot 627. 1/28/18 2/9/18 Since I have been working hard on Septimius Severus and Julia Domna, I had let my Probus collection languish for a few months. Then, as per the usual, I found few coins of SS and JD that I wanted recently. And lo and behold! Probus makes an appearance with some nice additions at cheap prices. Probus, Antoninianus, PAX AVG AE Antoninianus Probus Augustus: 276 - 282AD Issued: 282AD 22.0mm 4.40gr 6h O: IMP C PROBVS (top dot) P (top dot) F (top dot) AVG; Radiate, draped bust, right. R: PAX AVG; Pax, standing left, holding branch and scepter. Exergue: D, right field. Lugdunum Mint RIC V-2, Lugdunum 119, radiate, draped; C 401. JAZ Numismatics/John Zielinski Auction 121, Lot 16. 2/1/18 2/9/18 Submitted to Wildwinds, 2/9/18. Probus, Antoninianus, PAX AVG AE Antoninianus Probus Augustus: 276 - 282AD Issued: 280AD 22.5 x 21.5mm 3.10gr 0h O: IMP C PROBVS PF AVG; Radiate, cuirassed bust, right. R: PAX AVG; Pax, standing left, holding branch and scepter. Exergue: Q, right field; XXI, below line. Siscia Mint RIC V-2 Siscia 706, Q; Cohen 401-403. Aorta: 1691: B72, O63, R87, T52, M6. sjbcoins/Stoian Belkin Inv. # 2353 162873292585 2/4/18 2/9/18 Submitted to Wildwinds, 2/9/18. I would say that currently, my three collecting priorities are Septimius, Domna and Probus. I did collect a lot of Gallienus, but found the poor craftsmanship of the Crisis to be a real distraction. Either I found garbage coins for $1 or decent coins that were overpriced. Constantine I and his family are still fun, but again it is really hit or miss with what you can come up with while not having to search through hundreds of culls. What are your favorite collecting areas currently? Pics are of course welcome!
CONGRATS on the finds @nicholasz219 ! Great looking coins... Your V-Gen is GREAT! I have only one Venus Genetrix: Julia Paula Augusta AD 219-220 AR Denarius 18 mm 3.10g Antioch mint AD 219-220 - Venus Genetrix seated left holding apple scepter RIC IV 222 RSC 21 And, this is one of my Probus: RI Probus 276-282 CE Ant 21mm Riding Horse
Thanks @Alegandron and @Mat! I still need a Julia Paula. Same problem, like the coin, it’s out of reach. Terrible coin, super cheap.
Roughly 1/4th of my coins are Septimius or Domna but I have not been adding new things to that group as fast as I did once. I say that is because of a few other people who have started chasing the same things. There was a time that Septimius was not at all popular and it was easier to grab the better ones. My current favorite concentration is what I call technically unusual or educational coins but that is a specialty harder to explain to sellers at a coin show who asked 'What do you collect?' It is so much easier just to say 'Eastern mint Septimius'.
@dougsmit Boy, I can’t imagine who would be buying up all of those Severans. That is what happened to me with Russian coins. Suddenly it seems like overnight you couldn’t buy a decent piece of copper for under $20 when they would sell for $3 before.
Nice coins! I think that's the result of the individual celator; she doesn't usually look that stern. There are a couple of VENVS GENETRIX issues of Julia Domna under Caracalla. Yours is the denarius from the issue where Venus holds an apple and there is a cupid at her feet. Here's the corresponding Antoninianus: Julia Domna AD 193-217, issued under Caracalla Roman AR Antoninianus, 5.11 g; 23.3 mm Rome, AD 217 Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed and draped bust right on crescent Rev: VENVS GENETRIX, Venus enthroned left, holding apple; Cupid at feet Refs: RIC 389a; BMCRE 27; RCV 7099; Cohen 206; Hill 1582; CRE 393. There is also an issue from the previous year where Venus holds an outstretched hand (no apple) and there is no cupid at her feet. Here's the denarius of that issue: Julia Domna AD 193-217, issued under Caracalla Roman AR denarius, 3.42 g; 19.7 mm Rome, AD 216 Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, bare-headed and draped bust, right Rev: VENVS GENETRIX, Venus enthroned left, right hand extended, holding scepter in left Refs: RIC 388c; BMCRE 23B, Cohen 212; RCV 7106; Hill 1536; CRE 390. And the corresponding Antoninianus: Julia Domna AD 193-217, issued under Caracalla Roman AR Antoninianus, 5.13 g; 23.1 mm Rome, AD 216 Obv: IVLIA PIA FELIX AVG, diademed and draped bust, right, on crescent Rev: VENVS GENETRIX, Venus enthroned left, right hand extended, holding scepter in left Refs: RIC 388a; BMCRE 22, Cohen 211; RCV 7098; Hill 1528; CRE 391. There is also a Venus Genetrix standing issue, with the reverse inscription VENERI GENETRICI, but it's more difficult to come by. I do not have an example in my collection, but here's one from a recent auction.
Nice, I dig that sweetly silver Probus ant! This one is nicely silvered, but I assume weakly struck? Details are pretty weak, especially on the reverse.
I dunno Chris. For the volume of coins needed, I thought they were “DAILY struck” . . . . ... sorry, I just could not resist...
Great coins! Heres a few of what I collect mostly. @dougsmit , you need to keep quiet about what coins you like to collect.
I like that style of her hair on those types of coins... and i've still yet to get a Probus example of any kind, i'm working on it
..hahaha!..actually i was just thinking that it was really a form of flattery when peeps start collecting what you do, albeit an increase in competition