A Fancy Venus

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by nicholasz219, Feb 9, 2018.

  1. nicholasz219

    nicholasz219 Well-Known Member

    ...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.

    6035 6036.jpg

    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.

    6031 6032.jpg

    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.

    6033 6034.jpg

    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!
     
    Marsyas Mike, TIF, ominus1 and 16 others like this.
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  3. Alegandron

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

    CONGRATS on the finds @nicholasz219 ! Great looking coins... Your V-Gen is GREAT!

    I have only one Venus Genetrix:
    upload_2018-2-9_13-6-0.png
    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.jpg
    RI Probus 276-282 CE Ant 21mm Riding Horse
     
    Marsyas Mike, TIF, ominus1 and 10 others like this.
  4. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    Some nice additions, Nic. I like the Domna.
     
    nicholasz219 likes this.
  5. nicholasz219

    nicholasz219 Well-Known Member

    Thanks @Alegandron and @Mat! I still need a Julia Paula. Same problem, like the coin, it’s out of reach. Terrible coin, super cheap.
     
    Alegandron likes this.
  6. Ancient Aussie

    Ancient Aussie Well-Known Member

    Great Julia Domna, not a hair out of place. Congrats beautiful detail.
     
    nicholasz219 likes this.
  7. dougsmit

    dougsmit Member

    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'.
     
  8. nicholasz219

    nicholasz219 Well-Known Member

    @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.
     
    Justin Lee likes this.
  9. Roman Collector

    Roman Collector Well-Known Member

    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:

    Domna Venus Genetrix Antoninianus.jpg
    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:

    Domna Venus Genetrix Denarius.jpg
    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:

    Domna Venus Genetrix Antoninianus no Cupid.jpg
    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.
     
  10. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    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.

    102_7293_zpshckmek3z.jpg
     
  11. Alegandron

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

    I dunno Chris. For the volume of coins needed, I thought they were DAILY struck”
    .
    .
    .
    .
    ...
    sorry, I just could not resist...
     
    ominus1, Ancient Aussie and chrsmat71 like this.
  12. chrsmat71

    chrsmat71 I LIKE TURTLES!

    LOL!

     
    Alegandron likes this.
  13. randygeki

    randygeki Coin Collector

    Great coins!

    Heres a few of what I collect mostly.
    fhlbld.jpg



    @dougsmit , you need to keep quiet about what coins you like to collect.

    fhlbld.jpg
     
    Johndakerftw, TIF, Bing and 2 others like this.
  14. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    badoom tish!
     
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  15. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    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 :)
     
  16. ominus1

    ominus1 Well-Known Member

    ..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 :)
     
    Alegandron likes this.
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