Post Your Favorite or Most Beautiful Denarii

I think the board needs some eye candy to ring in the new year. Most collectors who are interested in Roman coins typically have at least one denarius in thier collection which means there should be a lot of folks on the ancient's forum that can participate. So who's up for a denarii party?

We did something similar to this a few years ago but since then we have had a bunch of new members join the board that didn't get a chance to participate. Plus, if you're anything like me your list of favorite denarii has changed dramatically over the last two or three years.

So here is what I have in mind:

• Post as many of your favorite or most beautiful denarii as you like.
• Either Republican, Imperial or a mix of the two is fine. If it's one of your favorites, post it!
• If you don't have any denarii in your collection yet post a denarius that you would like to own.

Here are my ten favorites (a mix of Imperial and Republican) in no particular order.


Roman Republic
Second Punic War (218 – 201 BC)
Anonymous AR Denarius, Rome Mint, struck ca. 211 BC
Wt.: 4.2 g
Dia.: 20 mm
Obv.: Helmeted head of Roma right. X in left field
Rev.: Dioscuri galloping right. ROMA in exergue and partially incuse on raised tablet
Ref.: Crawford 44/5. Sydenham 167. RBW 169.
The Story of the Coin Struck to Fight Hannibal: The First Denarius and its Influence


Roman Empire
Antoninus Pius, AD 138-161
AR Denarius, Rome mint, Struck ca. AD 140-143
Wt.: 3.01 g
Dia.: 17 mm, 6h
Obv.: ANTONINVS AVG PIVS PP TR P COS III; Laureate head right
Rev.: AEQVITAS AVG; Aequitas standing left, holding scales and sceptre
Ref.: RIC III 61; RSC 14


Roman Empire
Commodus (AD 177-192)
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 192
Dia.: 17 mm
Wt.: 2.66 g
Obv.: L AEL AVREL COMMA VG P FEL; Commodus bust right wearing lion skin on head.
Rev.: HER-CVL RO-MAN AV-GV; Club in wreath
Ref.: RIC III 251, Scarce
Ex W.F. Stoeckin Collection. Acquired in the 1960s from Prof. L. De Nicola in Rome


Roman Empire
Diva Faustina I (Died ca. AD 141)
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck after AD 141
Obv.: DIVA AVG FAVSTINA; bust right, hair elaborately styled.
Rev.: DEDICATIO AEDIS; Hexa-style Temple of the Divine Faustina showing podium, statues etc.
Ref.: RIC III 388, Rare


Roman Empire
Trajan (AD 98-117)
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 107-108
Dia.: 19.1 mm
Wt.: 2.94 g
Obv.: IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC PM TR P; Trajan laureate bust right, left shoulder draped
Rev.: COS V PP SPQR OPTIMO PRINC; Danube, velificatio, reclining on rocks, right hand holding prow of a ship. Left arm resting on overflowing container of water. DANVVIVS in exergue.
Ref.: RIC II 100, Scarce
Trajan: the Best Emperor and the Mystery of the River God


Roman Empire
Diocletian (AD 284-305)
AR Argenteus, Ticinum mint, struck ca. AD 294
Dia.: 20 mm
Wt.: 2.92 g
Obv.: DIOCLETI-ANVS AVG; Laureate bust right
Rev.: VIRTVS MILITVM; Tetrarchs sacrificing in front of fort with 6 turrents
Ref.: RIC VI 14a, R3


Roman Republic
Mn. Aemelius Lepidus
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. 114-113 BC
Dia.: 18 mm
Wt.: 3.83 g
Obv.: ROMA, ligate MA; Laureate, diademed and draped bust of Roma, right. * behind.
Rev.: MN AEMILIO; Equestrian statue right on three arches, L E P between arches.
Ref.: Crawford 291/1
Ex zumbly Collection (AMCC Auction 1, lot 112), Ex Demetrios Armounta Collection (CNG E-Auction 325, lot 490)


Roman Empire
Elagabalus
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 218-222
Obv.: IMP CAES ANTONINVS AVG; Laureate draped cuirassed bust right
Rev.: VICTOR ANTONINI AVG; Victory advancing right, holding wreath and palm branch
Dia.: 20.29 mm
Wt.: 3.26 g
Ref.: RIC IV 153
Ex Bill Rosenblum mailbox sale 28F, Nov. 1998


Roman Empire
Commodus (AD 177-192)
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck ca. AD 187
Dia.: 18 mm
Wt.: 2.77 g
Obv.: M COMM ANT P FEL AVG BRIT; Laureate bust right
Rev.: AVCT PIET P M TR P XII IMP VIII COS V P P; Pietas standing left, sacrificing over altar with incense and patera, holding box.
Ref.: RIC III 146, scarce
Ex James Pickering Collection of Britannic Coinage


Roman Empire
Nerva (AD 96-98)
AR Denarius, Rome mint, struck October AD 97
Dia.: 17 mm
Wt.: 3.47 g
Obv.: IMP NERVA CAES AVG P M TR P II COS III PP; Laureate bust right
Rev.: SALVS PVBLICA; Salus, seated left, holding grain ears
Ref.: RIC II 20

 

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No denarii but a lot of appreciation to these coins, they look beautiful. My favorite is ofcourse the Roman Republic one from 2nd Punic war.

And Nerva has a beautiful hook nose Was his nose really like this?

 

I have a 1945 wheat cent, LOL
But wow, The Commodus having toning, that is special for sure!

 

Here's my favorite - a really nice Severus type with Neptune on the reverse:

Septimius Severus, A.R. Denarius, Rome mint, 210 C.E.

3.3 grams, 19.1 mm

Obverse: Laureate head right, SEVERVS PIVS AVG

Reverse: PMTRP XVIII COS III PP

Neptune standing left, nude but for cloak over left shoulder and right arm, right foot on rock, right arm resting on right knee, trident vertical behind in left hand.

 

As best as I can tell from both his sculptures and coins he does appear to have had a very prominent nose.

Here are some pictures I took at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence earlier this year that show an ancient sculpture of him... hooked nose and all.

 

One of my favorites that I got recently.

C. Annius T. F. T. N. and L. Fabius L. F. Hisoaniensis. Silver Denarius,82-81 BC. Uncertain Mint in North Italy. 19mm, 3.91g. C . ANNI . T . F . T . N . PRO . COS . EX . S . C ., diademed, draped bust of female right, winged caduceus behind, scales in front, Q below. / Victory in quadriga right, palm in right hand, reins in left, Q in field, L . FABI . L . F . HISP in exergue. Crawford 366/1a ; Sydenham 748; Annia 2a.

 

Cool thread @Curtisimo ! I have TOO many favorites, cuz I luv'em all!

Pre-Denarius Reform: Tarriffed at 10 Asses

First Denarius produced by Rome:


RR Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm 310-300 BCE Mars-Horse FIRST Denarius - tarriffed at 10 Asses



RR Anon AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm 275-270 BCE ROMANO Apollo-Galloping Horse Obv-Rev Sear23



RR 265-242 BCE AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm Roma-Victory Crawford 22-1 Sear 25



RR 234-231 BCE AR Heavy Denarius - Didrachm Apollo-Horse prancing Crawford 26-1 Sear 28




RR Anon AR Heavy Denarius Quadrigatus Didrachm 225-215 BCE Craw 28-3 Sear 31 early 2nd Punic War

 

Amazing coins @Curtisimo the greatish!! What a fun post idea!
Only 1!? That's a hard ask. And of course would be a different coin next week...that said, I have been looking for a nice Flacci for some time now. I found Victory to be particularly striking on here and snatched it up along with my new Blasio (the one that was my avatar for a minute). Here she is in all her glory:

L.Valerius,Flacci

Denarius 108 or 107, AR 3.97 g. Draped bust of Victory r.; below chin, Ú. Rev. L•VALERI / FLACCI Mars walking l., holding spear and trophy over l. shoulder; before, apex and behind, corn ear. Babelon Valeria 11. Sydenham 565. Crawford 306/1.

edit: I now see where you say I can post as many as I want!!! Yes, oh yes. I will be back to post more in a bit...

 

Ooooo, so much beauty. @Curtisimo, that 2nd Punic War RR denarius always makes me stop and gawk. @Alegandron, your RR denarii are so enviable!

Some of my prettier denarii:


ROMAN REPUBLIC, M. Piso M.f. Frugi
58 BCE (redated from Crawford's 61 BCE by Hersh and Walker, 1984)
AR denarius, 20 mm, 3.94 gm
Obv: terminal bust of Mercury right, wearing winged diadem; calix below chin; to left, star above wreath; dotted border
Rev: M·PISO·M·F / FRVGI above secespita (sacrificial knife) and patera; all within laurel wreath
Ref: Crawford 418/2b; Sydenham 825; Calpurnia 23
formerly slabbed, NGC
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/a-different-frugi.279241/


Roman Republic, the Pompeians
L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus
Military mint in the East (Apollonia and Asia), 49 BC
AR denarius, 19 mm, 3.8 gm
Obv: Triskeles, with winged head of Medusa facing at center; stalk of grain between each leg
Rev: Jupiter standing facing, head right, holding thunderbolt in right hand and eagle on left; LE(NT) (MAR) upward to left, COS upward to right
Ref: Crawford 445/1b; Sydenham 1029a


Lucilla
Empress CE 163-169, wife of Lucius Verus
AR denarius, 19 mm, 3.25 gm
Obv: LVCILLA AVGVSTA; draped bust right
Rev: PVDICITIA; Pudicitia, veiled, standing left, with right hand preparing to draw a veil across her face (or had she just drawn the veil off her face?), left hand at side
Ref: RIC III 780


Septimius Severus
Rome, CE 206
AR denarius, 3.41 gm, 20 mm, 12h
Obv: SEVERVS PIVS AVG, laureate head right
Rev: LAETITIA TEMPORVM, the spina of the Circus Maximus decorated as a ship facing left, with the turning posts at its prow and stern, a sail mounted on the central obelisk, and the spina's other monuments visible in between; above the ship, four quadrigas racing left; below, seven animals: an ostrich at left and a bear at right; between them a lion and a lioness chasing a wild ass and a panther attacking a bison
Ref: RIC 274; BMC 343.
ex Colosseo Collection


Julia Domna
Augusta, CE 193-217
AR denarius, 17 x 19 mm, 2.72 gm
Rome mint; struck under Septimius Severus, circa AD 193-196
Obv: IVLIA DOMNA AVG; draped bust right
Rev: VENERI VICTR; Venus standing right, back facing, leaning upon column to left, holding palm frond and apple
Ref: RIC IV 536 (Septimius Severus); RSC 194
Formerly slabbed; NGC net grade XF
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/you-know-you-should-buy-the-coin-when.324654/

 

Those are some beautiful denarii, @Curtisimo ! I haven't looked at my Julia collection for a while but today they were looking rather beautiful.

 

Some beautiful coins everyone!


82-80 BC C. Servilius Vatia Restoration

Laureate head of Apollo right; lituus and B behind, mark of value below chin (XVI monogram)

Battle between two mounted horsemen, the one on the left armed with a sword, the other with spear, his shield inscribed M
C SERVEIL


Restored Issue 82-80 BC.
Original being of C. Servilius 127 BC

3.48g

Crawford 370/1b; Sydenham 720; Servilia 7
Scarce

ex-Canadian Coin

This is the Wildwinds example!

David Sear's Millennial addition comments:

"This type represents a remarkable revival of the issues of the monetary triumvirate which had held office approximately 45 years earlier though with the substitution of Apollo for the Roma head on the obverse. As well as being complimentary to several of Sulla's most prominent supporters Crawford suggests that their true purpose was to enable Sulla to issue a civil coinage without appointing a new triumvirate of moneyers for 82 BC or, alternatively, to celebrate the restoration of the Republic in 80."



RIC 849 Vespasian denarius

IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG
laureate head of Vespasian right

IOVIS CVSTOS
Jupiter standing half-left, sacrificing from patera in right over small lit altar at feet on left, long scepter grounded behind in left


Rome, 75 - 76 A.D.

3.458g, die axis 180o


RIC II, part 1, 849 (C3); BMCRE III 276; RSC II 222; BnF III 249; SRCV I 2295

Ex-Heritage CICF World and Ancient Coins Signature Auction 3032, part of lot 30530, Ex- Forum


RIC 393 Domitian denarius

IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM P M TR P V
Laureate head right

IMP XI COS XI CENS P P P
Minerva standing left with spear

Rome 85 AD (6th issue)

3.49g

RIC 393 (R)

 

Write, since great silvers! Here's my two faves:


Caracalla with Mars reverse


Julia Mamaea with Juno reverse

 

When the sauce is this delicious ya gotta go back for seconds!
Here are some other favorites of mine:

Publius Cornelius SullaCORNELIA 151 BCE AR denarii Mint Rome
18mm 12h. 3, 21g.
Obverse: Head helmeted Roma right; X Behind.
Reverse: Victoria (Victory) in a bigga going right, holding a whip with the right hand and the reins of the left."Publius Sula//Roma"

Cn. Blasio Cn.f..
Denarius, 3.64g. (h). Rome, 112-111 BC. Obv: Helmeted head right (Scipio Africanus?), mark of value above, caduceus behind, [CN BLA]SIO CN F before. Rx: Jupiter standing. between Juno and Minerva, dot in field, [ROMA] in exergue. Crawford 296/1a. Sydenham 561. RSC Cornelia 19. Minor weakness on reverse. Bold, lustrous EF.

Julius Caesar 49-48 BCE AR denarius (18 mm, 3.43 g, 2 h). Military mint traveling with Caesar. CAESAR in exergue, elephant advancing right, trampling on horned serpent / Simpulum, sprinkler, axe (surmounted by a dog's head), and priest's hat. Crawford 443/1; HCRI 9; Sydenham 1006; RSC 49. Banker's mark on obverse, porous. Near fine. From the Expatriate Collection.
The Expatriate Collection Expatriate comes from the Latin roots ex-, ""away from,"" and patria, ""one's native country."" The Expatriate Collection was formed by an American who has lived abroad for nearly fourteen years in Japan, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. His collection was formed almost exclusively while living outside the United States.

Septimius Severus
(193-211 AD). AR Denarius (19 mm, 3.20 g), Roma, 200 AD.
Obv. SEVERVS AVG PART MAX, laureate head right.
Rev. PM TR P VIII COS II PP, Victory advancing left, holding open wreath over shield set on low base.
RIC 150. Nice portrait. Good very fine. Former: Auctiones GmbH

Caracalla, Caesar
196-198 Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 2.92 g, 12 h), Laodicea, 198. M AVR ANTON CAES PONTIF Bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla to right. Rev. SECVRITAS PERPETVA Securitas standing front, head left, holding inverted spear in left hand and resting with right on shield set on ground. BMC 459. Cohen 566. RIC 330. A scarce issue with an unusual bust type. Good very fine. Secret Saturnalia gift

 

Here are a few.
Galba


Vespasian


Galba


Julius Caesar


Otho

 

Sweet denarii, all!

I love the reverse on your Septimius Severus denarius, TIF!

I have a couple, including a pretty beaten up Augustus comet denarius. Unfortunately, no pics because I need a new laptop. :/

My bro has a few too including the Julius Caesar elephant.

But, here is the denarius that tops my someday wish list:

Vespasian, Judaea Capta

 

I have too many I like better or one reason or another but this 'Emesa' Septimius has some beauty points.


In comparison, this is a Rome mint denarius also from LEG VIII AVG.

 

The first denarius I acquired:




The most recently acquired denarius:

 

Short on time, forgive lack of descriptions

Republican:

 

Imperial